The Bungle Bungle

Drive, fly or take a 4WD tour to Purnululu National Park between Halls Creek and Kununurra to see the stunning striped domes of…

Bungle Bungle

Rising 300 metres above the grass-covered plains that surround them, the orange and black sandstone domes known as the Bungle Bungle are one of the world’s most fascinating geological landmarks.


The world heritage listed Bungle Bungle Range is located within Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Purnululu, meaning ‘sandstone’, has long been inhabited by local Aboriginal people, but did not become widely known to the rest of the world until the mid-1980s.

Where are the Bungle Bungles? 

Travelling along the Great Northern Highway, the turn-off to Purnululu National Park is approximately 250km west of Kununurra and 108km east of Halls Creek. From the highway, allow about 2.5 hours to travel the rugged 53km access track to the National Park. It's also possible to visit Purnululu National Park as part of a guided tour - choose from an extended 4WD tour through the Kimberley, or a shorter trip by scenic flight, some with the option to land within the park. 

You'll find information here to help you plan your self-drive trip to the Bungles, including where you can camp or stay in cabins, to choose an extended tour that takes in the Bungles, or to plan a shorter sightseeing trip from Kununurra or Broome by 4WD or by air. 
 

Explore Purnululu National Park

Bungles Hikes and Gorges

The visitor locations at Purnululu National Park are found in its northern and southern ends, each with a range of walking trails and attractions that are well signposted. Campgrounds are also located in the northern and southern ends, with cabin and safari tent accommodation also available at the southern end. 

Explore the range on foot and discover long narrow chasms and hidden gorges large enough to hold a full-scale concert.  Echidna Chasm, famous for its towering walls which are lit up by sunlight just before midday is found in the northern end, as is Mini Palms Walk where you can see some great examples of the Livinstonia Palm. The bee-hive striped domes of the Bungle Bungle range are found in the southern end of the park as is the breathtaking natural amphitheatre of red rock known as Cathedral Gorge, and the creek bed walk of Picaninny Gorge.

Purnululu National Park is also home to 130 bird species, as well as unique native animals including the nailtail wallaby and short-eared rock wallaby.

Northern End

This is a spectacular long, narrow chasm with striking colour variations, depending on the angle of the sun.

Southern End

To enjoy the walk trails through and around the magnificent striped domes of the Bungle Bungles, travel to the southern end of Purnululu National Park.

Bungles in the Wet Season

cathedral gorge

Purnululu National Park is usually open from April to November each year. From December to March, you can visit the Bungles to see them in their Wet season glory as part of a guided tour. HeliSpirit run full-day tours from Kununurra, landing at the Cathedral Gorge car park for a guided walking tour through the Domes and into Cathedral Gorge - pack your swimwear, as at this time of year you may be able to take a swim!  

For keen bushwalkers, Willis's Walkabouts offer an 11 day walking tour exploring the area around Picaninny Gorge in February. 

Bungles Maps, Information and Itineraries

Self-Drive the Bungles

How to get to Purnululu National Park

For self-drive travellers, the turn-off to Purnululu National Park is located on the Great Northern Highway, approximately 250 kilometres south west of Kununurra and 100 kilometres north east of Halls Creek.

At the turn-off there is an information bay with a shade shelter and toilets. From the turn-off, access to the park is via the Spring Creek Track. This is a rugged track that is suitable for four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles and single-axle off-road trailers only. Caravans may be stored at the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park located at the turn-off (fees apply), and it's also possible to stay there and take day trips into the National Park. 

If you're breaking up your journey before arriving at the Bungles, you'll also find some good camping options at Violet Valley Campground (36km from the park entrance with a 13km access road) and Doon Doon Roadhouse, 100km from Kununurra and 145km from the park entrance). 

The road is a narrow unsealed track with a number of creek crossings, some sharp corners, and ascents and descents. Allow approximately 2.5-3 hours for this 53-kilometre journey. Along the way, enjoy numerous scenic lookout points before your arrival at the Purnululu Visitor Centre.

The closest fuel to Purnululu National Park is at Warmun Roadhouse, approximately 53 kilometres north east of the park on the Great Northern Highway, and at Halls Creek, approximately 100km south east. The closest mechanical assistance is at Kununurra.

Bungle Bungle Accommodation and Camping

Tours at the Bungles

While it's certainly possible to enjoy a fully self-guided tour of the Purnlulu National Park, there are some tours you can join at the park to help you gain a deeper insight into its incredible attractions, the deep connection that the Djaru and Gija people have to this area, and of course the awe-inspiring view of the domes from the air. 

Guided Walking Tours

Kingfisher Tours

Kingfisher Tours operates across iconic Kimberley locations including Kununurra, Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range), Punamii- Uunpu (Mitchell Falls), and Kalumburu Coast. We fly directly into…

Bungle Bungle Guided Tours

Bungle Bungle Guided Tours offer a unique experience, providing guided walking tours with an Aboriginal perspective of the world heritage listed Purnululu National Park. Locally owned, we aim to employ…

Bungle Bungles Helicopter Tours

helicopter tour

Helicopter Tours at the Bungles

Departing from the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park at the entrance to Purnululu National Park, and from the airstrip within the park itself, HeliSpirit offer a range of flight routes and durations to help you see this incredible park from a new perspective! Flights last from 18 minutes to an hour, taking in the Domes, the remarkable hidden red rock gorges of the north-west tip, Horseshoe Valley and Piccaninny Gorge. 

Bungle Bungle Tours

Whether you're travelling from Kununurra or Broome you'll find a guided tour itinerary that includes a visit to Purnululu National Park. Your options will include scenic flights and 4WD tours, including private charters or as part of a group, and the option to visit on a dedicated Bungles itinerary, or as part of an extended Kimberley tour. 

Extended 4WD Tours

Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungle Range is a highlight on many 4WD itineraries through the Kimberley region. Itineraries range in length from 4 to 15 days, and from camping to fully accommodated, so there's sure to be a tour or private charter to suit.

WA NT TOURS

The West Coast is our home! WA NT TOURS are the specialists for guided small group tours…

Shorter 4WD Itineraries

Choose a shorter 4WD itinerary from Kununurra or Broome to the Bungles for a dedicated trip. 

Kununurra to the Bungles

APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures

Explore the Kimberley with the experts, with over 45 years experience and every detail taken care of. Travel in a state-of-the-art, custom-designed 4WD vehicle with a maximum of just 22 guests. Stay at…

Kimberley Spirit Tours

Explore Western Australia’s spectacular Kimberley region with Kimberley Spirit tours. Discover the country, wildlife and culture on an accommodated 4WD tour with a local guide. Choose from one of our…

Broome to the Bungles

Scenic Flights to the Bungles

Viewing the incredible Bungle Bungle domes from the air is the only way to get a true sense of just how vast the range is. There are a number of departure points - Kununurra, Broome, Halls Creek, and the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, and you can also choose to land at the park for a guided 4WD and walking tour, or to stay overnight. 

Fly to the Bungles from Kununurra - half and full day options

Aviair

Celebrating over 38 years of operation, the locally owned and managed Aviair offer even more reasons to choose them for your Kimberley scenic air tour. Nothing is more important to Aviair than the…

Kingfisher Tours

Kingfisher Tours operates across iconic Kimberley locations including Kununurra, Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range), Punamii- Uunpu (Mitchell Falls), and Kalumburu Coast. We fly directly into…

HeliSpirit

Locally owned, multi-award winning HeliSpirit is the specialist when it comes to discovering Australia’s north by helicopter, with a rich history dating back to 1984 where the company became the…

Kimberley Air Tours

Kimberley Air Tours offer spectacular air tours by seaplane and fixed wing aircraft to the many iconic destinations in the Kimberley, such as the World Heritage Listed Bungle Bungle Range, magnificent…

Fly to the Bungles from Kununurra - overnight options

Aviair

Celebrating over 38 years of operation, the locally owned and managed Aviair offer even more…

HeliSpirit

Locally owned, multi-award winning HeliSpirit is the specialist when it comes to discovering…

Kingfisher Tours

Kingfisher Tours operates across iconic Kimberley locations including Kununurra, Purnululu…

Fly to the Bungles from Broome

Broome Aviation

Join us on the most spectacular scenic flights in the Kimberley. Broome Aviation has operated air tours in the Kimberley since 1982, and we're proud of our excellent level of safety and customer…

Air Kimberley

Air Kimberley has been flying the skies of Western Australia for 29 years, exploring ancient cultures, beautiful landscapes, and stunning natural attractions. Our passion is to connect people to the…

FAQ

How do I get to the Bungle Bungle?

Access to the park by road is via Spring Creek Track, from the Great Northern Highway approximately 250km south of Kununurra, through Mabel Downs cattle station to the track's end at the Purnululu National Park Visitor Centre.

Why are the Bungle Bungle famous?

Famous for the 450 km2 Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu has been listed as an outstanding landscape that is an incomparable natural phenomenon. It reveals the story of its formation over hundreds of millions of years, and helps unlock the story of the earth's history.

Who found the Bungle Bungle?

The park is known for the astounding Bungle Bungle range, which was only 'discovered' by a film team in 1983. Purnululu National Park was established in 1987 and skyrocketed to world fame in short time. 

What do the Bungle Bungle look like?

The Bungle Bungle have a distinct orange-and-black-ringed pattern running down their surface. This is caused not only by the conglomerate nature of their make-up but from water getting trapped in denser layers, allowing algae to grow and form the darker colorations.

How tall are the Bungle Bungle?

The average height of the Bungle Bungle range is approximately 200-300 metres high and seems even higher whilst walking through the gorges and chasms.

What are the Bungle Bungle made of?

The distinctive beehive-shaped towers are made up of sandstones and conglomerates (rocks composed mainly of pebbles and boulders and cemented together by finer material). These sedimentary formations were deposited into the Red Basin 375 to 350 million years ago, when active faults were altering the landscape.