What to see in Purnululu National Park | Guide + 2-day itinerary

What is Purnululu?The origin of the National Park

El Purnululu National Park It is a place known to aboriginal communities for thousands of years, but it wasn't until 1983 when the Western world learned of its existence after being overflown by a film crewIt was soon after becoming a national park and today is one of the most unique spaces in northern Australia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The rock formations were created long ago more than 350 billion yearsformed from ancient marine sediments shaped by erosion. For local Aboriginal peoples, such as the Kija and Jaru, Purnululu is a sacred territory, full of cultural and spiritual significance, which explains the enormous respect with which this park is protected today.

Where is it and How to get to Purnululu

Purnululu National Park is located in the Kimberley regionin northern Western Australia. It's not close to any major urban center, although the most common towns for organizing a visit and doing your shopping are Broome (870km) or Humming (330km).

In our case, we came from Kunurrura after traveling along the well-known Gibb River Road. The turnoff to reach the Purnululu Visitor Centre is at the carRoute 1, the Great Northern Highway. Once you leave behind the carmain road you enter a track of 70 kilometers full of corrugations and some small river crossings. We It took us more than an hour and a half to explore it. And that's despite going during the dry season, which is when it's in its best condition.

Things to know before you go Purnululu National Park

Located in one of the most remote areas of northern Australia, visiting Purnululu requires some advance planning. It's not a park you can just spur and walk into, as there's no drinking water or supermarkets, and it's essential to check the weather forecast carefully, depending on the time of year you visit. the advice we would give to anyone before going:

• Purnululu National Park Price: 17 AUD/vehicle (included with WA National Parks pass).
• Best time: During the dry season, between May and September. Outside of those months, there can be flooding and/or extreme heat. We went in August, and despite it being the middle of winter, it was quite hot.
• State of the carbackroads and 4x4s: Access to the park is officially only for 4x4 vehicles. In the dry season, it might be possible with a high-clearance vehicle, but it's not highly recommended. To do the carWe lowered the pressure to about 20 psi.
• Mobile coverage: There's almost no coverage, just a few Telstra hotspots. Free WIFI at the visitor center.
• Gasoline and water: There are no services inside the park. carThere are gas stations on the main road a few kilometers from the turnoff (although quite few). carace).
• What to bring: Don't forget a basic first-aid kit and sun protection.

Where to stay to visit Purnululu and its Bungle Bungle

Options within Purnululu National Park they are limited And keep in mind that the access is long and tiring, so I don't recommend trying to visit everything in the same day as it will be many, many hours of driving on dirt roads. Our recommendation is to sleep at least one night indoors to fully enjoy it. There are two types of accommodation within the National Park.

• Luxury lodges: There are exclusive options such as Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, a glamping-style accommodation, fully integrated into the environment and designed for those seeking comfort without sacrificing being surrounded by nature.
• State-run campsites: Campsites cost about 15 AUD per adult They're very basic, just the pitch and shared bathrooms. We stayed at Walardi Campground. There's no staff, so you book them online. Official Site from Western Australia.

Outside of Purnululu National Park, in the carmain road There is a Caravan Park and several free camping areas.

• Caravan park: The closest one is Bungle Bungle Caravan Park & ​​Tour Company and it's right at the turnoff to the carmain road.
• There are no free campsites available within the national park. But there are areas in the carThe main gate is right at the park exit. I recommend checking them on the Campermate app.

In our case, we spent one night in a free camp in the carback road before the access road, a night inside the parkAnd the next day we left Purnululu to head back towards Kununurra.

What to see and do in Purnululu National Park

Now then, let's get to what to see and do in Purnululu! The National Park has two main areas: the North Zone where the Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge are the highlights and the south, the most famous, where you'll see its super carcharacteristic Bungle Bungle, a set of super curious round rock formations and the Cathedral Gorge.

To visit all these places It is necessary to take short walksSome trails are very short, barely 2km in total, while others are longer. We prioritized the shorter ones because, despite it being winter, it was incredibly hot. The good news is that the shorter trails are also the most popular and take you to the most special places to see in Purlulu National Park.

Echidma Chasm

• Distance: about 2 km round trip
• Difficulty: easy

It's a very narrow canyon with vertical walls that rise several meters, creating a stunning natural corridor. The path to get there is also beautiful, running alongside a river (dry when we visited) lined with palm trees that create a striking contrast with the rock walls.

👉 Best time: Mid-morning or around noon. That's when the sun shines directly into the canyon and the walls turn a deep red. We went in the afternoon and it wasn't in direct sunlight, but we loved it all the same.

Mini Palms Gorge

• Distance: about 4,5 km round trip
• Difficulty: easy – moderate

A less visited trail than Echidna Chasm, but equally beautiful. The path runs a narrow valley filled with Livistona palm treesYou can hike the entire trail to the gorge, or just a section if you're short on time or it's very hot. I recommend going early in the morning or towards sunset because there's hardly any shade.

Bungle Bungle Range – Domes Walk

• Difficulty: easy
• Distance: variable (short trails between formations)

This is where you walk among the famous beehive-shaped rock formations. It's not one long route, but rather several short trails that allow you to get closer.carsI really enjoy the rocks and exploring the landscape on foot. The main loop is no more than 700 meters long, but you'll want to stop every few steps and get closer to the domes to see their curious erosion.

Besides the trails that lead you closer to them, the perspective of the carThe view as you approach and see them all in the distance is the most iconic and special postcard of a visit to Purnululu National Park.

👉 Best time: In the afternoon it's illuminated by the sun's rays and appears in more intense colors. You can go and see it in the afternoon from the carretera and the following morning to explore the trails.

Cathedral Gorge

• Difficulty: easy (you have to climb stairs embedded in a rock)
• Distance: about 2 km round trip

A huge natural amphitheater with curved walls and a pool in the center. It's a magical place with incredible acoustics; being there alone for over half an hour was the best experience we had in Purnululu National Park. It's located in the southern part of the park, in the same area as the Dome Walk, so you can easily combine both trails.

👉 Best time: in the morning or early afternoon, when the interior is better lit.

Helicopter flight over Purnululu

If your budget allows, one of the best things to do in Purnululu is a scenic helicopter flightWe didn't do it, but it must be spectacular. Flights depart from the carmain road (Bellburn Airstrip) So it's also a way to explore part of Purnululu without a 4x4 vehicle. Here's the website for Heli Spirit, the company that makes them.

Other trails to explore in Purnululu National Park

In addition to the more well-known trails, Purnululu has longer, less-traveled routes that might be interesting if you have more days, a desire to explore, and the temperatures aren't extreme.

One of the most notable is Piccaninny CreekA route that delves into the heart of the park, following the dry riverbed. It's a long hike, designed for a full day or even several days. Another interesting trail is Window Gorge, a 6km walk that is very reminiscent Kalbarri National Park.

Itinerary of 2 days in Purnululu National Park

This is how we organized our two-day visit to the National Park.

Day 1 · Park entrance and northern area

We slept the night before in a free camp of the carmain road and we arrived at Purnululu half morning after traveling along the access road.

We start with the North Zone going to Mini Palms Gorge and we continue with Echidna Chasm where we took the opportunity to eat. In the afternoon, before going to the campsite (Walardi Campground), we watched the sunset with Bungle viewsWe booked the plot that same day and there was plenty of availability.

Day 2 · South area and park exit

We dedicated the entire second day to the southStarting early. We spent all morning exploring the area of The Domes and making the hike to Cathedral GorgeTaking the time to stop, walk among the formations and enjoy the surroundings.

Mid-morning, we began our walk out of the park to the carmain road and once out, we continue driving towards Humming even a free camp on the outskirts of the city.

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide on What to see in Purnululu National Park help you plancar Your visit will help you decide if it fits into your itinerary through northern Australia. On the blog, you'll find more articles with practical information for traveling independently in Australia, from the best beaches, diving, activities, and 4x4 routes, to guides for doing it on a budget.

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