Bungle Bungles range.

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Purnululu National Park

Top choice in Broome & The Kimberley


Looking like a packet of half-melted Jaffas, World Heritage Purnululu is home to the incredible ochre and black striped 'beehive' domes of the Bungle Bungle Range.

The distinctive rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and conglomerates moulded by rainfall over millions of years. Their stripes are the result of oxidised iron compounds and algae. To the local Kidja people, purnululu means sandstone, with Bungle Bungle possibly a corruption of 'bundle bundle', a common grass.

Over 3000 sq km of ancient country contains a wide array of wildlife, including over 130 bird species. Rangers are based here from April to November and the park is closed outside this time.

You'll need a high-clearance 4WD for the 52km twisting, rough road from the highway to the visitor centre near Three Ways junction; allow 2½ hours. There are five deep creek crossings and the turn-off is 53km south of Warmun. Kurrajong and Walardi camps have fresh water and toilets. Book campsites online via www.parkstay.dpaw.wa.gov.au.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Broome & The Kimberley attractions

1. Kungkalanayi Lookout

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Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular from this hill near Three Ways. Mobile-phone reception from the top.

2. Cathedral Gorge

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Aptly named, this immense and inspiring circular cavern is an easy 2km (return) stroll from the southern car park.

3. Whip Snake Gorge

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Leave early for this energetic half-day outing (10km return, three hours) from the southern car park to a shady gorge filled with ferns, figs and brittle…

4. Piccaninny Gorge

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This 30km return trek (two to three days) from the southern car park to a remote and pristine gorge is best suited for experienced hikers. There are…

5. Echidna Chasm

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Look for tiny bats high on the walls above this palm-fringed, extremely narrow gorge in the northern park. The entrance is fringed by Livistona palms…

6. Warmun Arts

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Between Kununurra and Halls Creek, Warmun artists create abstract works using ochres to explore Gija identity.