Event: Australia

Bungle Bungle

When:	1 Apr - 31 Dec 2008 (annual)
Where:	Bungle Bungle
Costs:	A$10

The Bungle Bungle Range is a fascinating geological rock formation in the Purnululu National Park of Western Australia. The area is rugged and remote, meaning the best way to see it is by aircraft or, for the intrepid, on foot.

From an aircraft, the Bungle Bungle Range is an imposing sight. The orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds, encased in a skin of silica and algae, are clearly visible as you approach from the south. As you sweep further over the range a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed, with fan palms clinging precariously to walls and crevices in the rocks. Visitors can also take a helicopter ride over the massif within the park itself or from Halls Creek, Kununurra or Warmun.

Although the Bungle Bungle Range was extensively used by Aboriginal people during the wet season, when plant and animal life was abundant, few Europeans knew of its existence until the mid-1980s. The area has been a national park since 1987.

There are few facilities and no accommodation, so remember to take food and water supplies with you when embarking on an excursion to Bungle Bungle. There are campsites at Walardi and Kurrajong, but, again, it is essential to be well equipped.

While the geology of the Bungle Bungle is significant, the area's cultural and ecological importance should not be forgotten. It is rich in Aboriginal art and there are also many burial sites. The Warmun Aboriginal Camp was re-established in the area several years ago and the Aboriginal traditional owners make a valuable contribution to the management of the park.