P is for PURNULULU
Today’s travel excursion takes us over the Territory’s western border to the Kimberley region of Western Australia and Purnululu National Park, more commonly known as the Bungle Bungles. Accessible by a rough 4WD track this site is justifiably famous for its amazing rock formations and wilderness. When my daughter and I drove in some years ago, there were a number of casualties along the road –camper trailers with wrecked axles, cars with flat tyres etc.
There is no resort there so you take in your own gear and take out your rubbish. If you don’t have a 4WD this wonderful site is inaccessible and you’re left with a small aircraft or helicopter flight as your only option. We chose to do that as well, making it my one and only helicopter flight, and what a great one it was! I’ll let the photos show you just how spectacular it is.
The distinctively striped domes of the Bungle Bungles.
As well as the rock formations there are “hidden” waterholes providing shelter and serenity for the country’s original inhabitants, and its more recent visitors.
Seen from the air, the vastness and strangeness of this area is remarkable.
Those who have an interest in geology might be interested in a quick read here. It’s worth remembering that despite the relative youth of the nation of Australia, its Indigenous people have been here for over 50,000 years surviving in an often very unforgiving landscape.
A helicopter flight reveals the hidden canyons, waterways and domes of the national park.
Why Visit: To see a truly unusual natural feature and for a wilderness, rough camping experience. This is a seasonal location and can’t be visited in the summer months (the Wet Season).
FYI: There are a couple of maps on my A to Z planning post which will help you to pinpoint where today’s tourist spot is situated.
TODAY’S AUSSIE-ISMS
Prawn: don’t be difficult/silly or a pratt eg “don’t come the raw prawn with me”.
Pakapoo ticket*: an indecipherable bit of writing.
Pav: short for pavlova, that delicious Aussie/Kiwi meringue dessert
Plonk: cheap wine or alcohol
Pommy: an Englishman (apologies to my northern hemisphere mates!)
Possie: a position/place: somewhere good to sit or eat or camp etc (we got a good possie where we could see the stage at the Xmas carols)
Prang: a car accident (not a major crash) “the kids pranged the car again”.
Why not check in tomorrow to see where Q will take us?
This water channel gives some idea of the force of the Wet Season’s rains.
