Purnululu National Park, Australia

The unusual rock formations called Bungle Bungle Range, at Purnululu National Park
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purnululu_I.jpg
Author: Peter Ruckstuhl


Purnululu National Park is a national park in Western Australia, Australia. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 27th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, France, from 30 June to 5 July, 2003.

What to See in Purnululu National Park

Purnululu National Park is most famous for the Bungle Bungle Range, the whimsical quartz sandstone cones looking like clusters of beehives. These strange hillocks were the result of erosion over a period of 20 million years. There are distinct horizontal bands on the mounts created by single-celled photosynthetic organisms. The interaction of geological, biological, erosional and climatic forces have together created this extraordinary landscape that is unique to Purnululu National Park.

The whimsical formations of Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purnululu2.jpg
Author: Bäras

Location of Purnululu National Park

Purnululu National Park is located on the northeastern part of Western Australia, near the border with Northern Territory. The nearest major town is Kununurra.

Etymology

The name Purnululu comes from the word for sandstone, from the Kija Aboriginal people. The name Bungle Bungle may have been a corruption of bundle grass.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: S 17 30 0 E 128 30 0
Inscription Year: 2003
Type of Site: Natural
Inscription Criteria: VII, VIII Sheer rock walls of Cathedral Gorge, at Purnululu National Park
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purnululu3.jpg
Author: Bäras

Visiting Purnululu National Park

Despite being in Western Australia, Purnululu National Park is closer to Darwin, the capital of Northern Territory, than to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Hence, it would be recommendable that you make Darwin your base for visiting this site.

How to reach Purnululu National Park

You can drive to Purnululu National Park from the Great Northern Highway (Route 1) via Spring Creek Track. The nearest major town is Kununurra, which is 250 km away. The Spring Creek Track is only usable during the dry months, between 1 April to 31 December. A more practical way is simply to fly there. Check with travel agents in Darwin or Perth.

List of World Heritage Sites in Australia and World Heritage Sites in the World

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