What you probably didn’t know about Bungle Bungle range

It’s one of the scenic jewels of the Kimberley and renowned for it’s striking banded beehives, sandstone structures. Lets take a look at some of the things you may not know

It’svery old
The park was formed more than 350 million years ago, during the Devonian period, and its sandstone domes are believed to be comprised of the sediment of an old riverbed. It is understood the gradual weathering and erosion of quartz sandstone rock led to the formation beehive-shaped cones thousands flock to see each year. Long before Europeans arrived in Australia, indigenous Australians settled in the region. The first aerial pictures were released in the early 80s - prior to the park was virtually unknownexcept to pastoralists, scientists and the local Aboriginal community.

They’re striped
The large domes at Purnululu are most famous not only for their size but for their horizontal black and orange stripes, made with alternating bands of sediment enclosed in silica and algae. The stripes are made of black lichen and orange silica, with the dark bands made of a permeable rock, allowing to water seep through. The orange bands gain their colour from oxidized iron compounds and the contrast provides a striking view.

It’s extremely large
Of all Kimberley attractions, Purnululu is one of the largest. The park itself encompasses an area of about 450 square kilometres and the average height of the rock formations is 200-300 metres. You can’t climb on the rocks but you sure can enjoy your Kimberley adventure at the many lookout points and explore the park’s caves, gorges, tropical pools and limestone structures.

Flying is easier than driving
This two hour scenic flight takes you on an incredible adventure over the Bungle Bungle Range, Lake Argyle, Argyle Diamond Mine and Ord River Irrigation Area - so it’s no wonder so many more people would rather fly than drive into the park. Flying into the park saves you a large day trip of driving a bumpy and corrugated path. While its only 80km from the Great Northern Highway, the track is rough.

It’s World Heritage listed and has national park status
Department of Parks and Wildlife and Purnululu Aboriginal Corporation jointly manage the park, which gained world heritage status in 2003 and included in the national heritage list in 2007. The park contains ancient rock art and burial sites and its unique rock formations makes it geographically significant.

It has two names
Purnululu means sand stone in the local Kija Aboriginal language, which is fitting because that’s what the beehive-shaped domes are made of. It’s other name, however, isthe Bungle Bungles, or Bungle Bungle range.