Let's give a toast to the Bungle Bungle Range

Australia’s Bungle Bungle Range is one of the most stunning geological features in Western Australia. The formation of this mountain range dates back over 350 million years. The Bungle Bungle was relatively unknown to the outside world until a documentary on the Kimberley region was released in 1983. It immediately grabbed attention and in 1987 it became the Purnululu National Park, followed by being listed as a World Heritage site in 2003. Aboriginal people in the area however, have been strongly connected to the Bungle Bungle Range for over 20,000.

Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park © Spaswinefood

Off to the Bungle Bungles

After concluding our three-day explorations in the Fitzroy Crossing area, with dinner at the Fitzroy Lodge Caravan Park, we were off to the Bungle Bungles. When you travel in the Australian outback you do not pass up the opportunity to dine out when there is a good restaurant. We could not resist having dinner in the restaurant at the Fitzroy Lodge Caravan Park. The restaurant offered a reasonable selection of wine. We ordered a Houghton, Shiraz Western Australia 2013.

Houghton,  Shiraz Western Australia 2013 © Spaswinefood

For main dishes our group ordered a variety of plates.

Kangaroo Steak, Fitzroy Lodge Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

Sushi Roll, Fitzroy Lodge Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

Vegetarian Plate with Soup, Fitzroy Lodge Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

Next morning around 9am we departed for Halls Creek. In Halls Creek we picked up supplies and continued onto Purnululu National Park where the Bungle Bungle Range is located. 

Turnoff for Purnululu National Park © Spaswinefood

We had planned to stay at a caravan park just outside Purnululu National Park. When we arrived at the park it was full; so we traveled onto nearby Warmun to arrange a helicopter flight. There was no way Spaswinefood would miss seeing the Bungle Bungle Range.

Warmun, Great Northern Highway © Spaswinefood

Warmun (Turkey Creek) and Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range)

We did an overnight stop at the Warmun Roadhouse Caravan Park in Warmun, also known as Turkey Creek. The fruit bats were active all night and provided plenty of entertainment. Our Warmun stay enabled us to take a helicopter tour the next morning into Purnululu National Park's Bungle Bungle Range. 

Bungle Bungle Scenic Flights, Warmun © Spaswinefood

Right after breakfast we headed to the helicopter booking site.

Helicopter Pad © Spaswinefood

Soon we were getting ready for takeoff in the four seat helicopter. The pilot removed the doors so we could have better views during flight.

Pilot Removing Doors before Flight © Spaswinefood

Helicopter (R44 Raven 1) © Spaswinefood

Of course we posed for a photo before takeoff.

Posing before Flight © Spaswinefood

Now, we were totally ready for a helicopter flight (45 minutes) over the spectacular Bungle Bungle Range. Soon we were airborne. The following photos I took with my iPhone during the flight.

Just After Takeoff © Spaswinefood

Shortly after takeoff the landscape began to change.

Warmun to the Bungle Bungle Range #1 © Spaswinefood

Warmun to the Bungle Bungle Range #2 © Spaswinefood

Then of course there they were.

Helicopter Tour, Bungle Bungle Range © Spaswinefood

Approaching the Bungle Bungle Range © Spaswinefood

Helicopter Flight, Bungle Bungle Range © Spaswinefood

It was awesome to view the ever changing color of the rock formations in the early morning light, as we flew over the Bungle Bungles.

Bungle Bungle Range © Spaswinefood

The Spectacular Bungle Bungle Range © Spaswinefood

I decided to do a few closeup shots.

Bungle Bungle Range Closeup #1 © Spaswinefood

Bungle Bungle Range Closeup #2 © Spaswinefood

All too soon the Bungle Bungles began to disappear in the distance. The beehive like rock formations were so majestic that I could not resist taking photos out the left hand side. There was no door to block the view. I am glad there was no turbulence, as I sat there with my seat belt on. I sure did not want to drop my iPhone.

 Bungle Bungle Range to the Left #1 © Spaswinefood

Bungle Bungle Range to the Left #2 © Spaswinefood

We left behind the amazing Bungle Bungle Range and began our flight back to the landing strip.

Returning to Warmun © Spaswinefood

 Warmun Landing Site Ahead © Spaswinefood

It was indeed a delightful flight.

 A Bungle Bungle Thumbs Up © Spaswinefood

What is so special about the Bungle Bungles other than its beauty is its remoteness. The park is only access by the air, on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle. The nearest towns are Halls Creek located 100km away and Kununurra 250km away. From the air we saw orange and black stripes across beehive like rock formations where gorges, pools and other features were reveled below. We saw for ourselves why this mountain range is one of the most striking geological formations in Western Australia.

Travels on the Great Northern Highway
After our helicopter visit to the Purnululu National Park we returned to camp briefly before continuing onto our next stop in the Kununurra area.

Great Northern Highway © Spaswinefood

We stopped at the Doon Doon Roadhouse along the way.

Doon Doon Roadhouse, Great Northern Highway © Spaswinefood

Soon we arrived at the junction of the roads to Wyndham and Kununurra. We decide to take the road towards Wyndham before traveling onto Kununurra next day.

Parry Farm Caravan Park 8km © Spaswinefood

When we reached Parry Creek Road we decided to venture off the main road 8km to Parry Farm Caravan Park.

Parry Creek Road © Spaswinefood

Yes, Parry Creek Farm Caravan Park was a great place to do a stopover. Again we chose to dine in the restaurant at the caravan park that night. We ordered a YalGarnia, Sauvignon Blanc 2014.

YalGarnia, Sauvignon Blanc Denmark, Western Australia 2014 © Spaswinefood

For dinner we ordered:

Steak & Shrimp, Parry Creek Farm Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

Vegetable Lasagna, Parry Creek Farm Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

As we traveled throughout the Kimberley region we can to the conclusion that it is best explored in a 4x4 vehicle. Traveling in a 4x4 would allow access to places like the Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park and the Gibb River Road (Wyndham to Derby). While we did an awesome helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Range nothing can compensate for taking more time to explore an area in-depth. While there are tours most of these tours are short trips. The best overall value for the more adventurous traveler would be to explore Bungle Bungle and other areas within the Kimberley region in a rented 4x4 vehicle. We discovered that doing so from Broome or Kununurra would be the best option.

While traveling in remote areas within the Kimberley region, Western Australian wines were available, such as Houghton, Shiraz Western Australia 2013 and YalGarnia, Sauvignon Blanc 2014. Let's not forget to give a toast to the Bungle Bungles. There is so much to do and see in the Kimberley region. I invite you to join me in my travels in Western Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

May 2015

Kimberly Region
Western Australia

© Spaswinefood

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