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Park size: 280,733 Ha.
Closest caravan park: Mabel Downs 08 6102 6358
The Bungle Bungle National Park is one of the largest parks in Australia. It is flanked on the north by Texas Downs and
Osmond Valley Pastoral leases and on the west by Mabel and Alice Downs. The park was gazetted in 1987 and fees are charged for entry and camping in the park.
The main feature of interest in the park is the sandstone massif or 'bee hive' formations which were laid down some 350 million years ago during the Cambrian period.
The structures you see today were once part of an enormous coral reef system and the whole area was beneath the sea.
The sandstone is soft and crumbly and is easily damaged. For this reason access is restricted to walk trails along streambeds.
Echidna Gorge on the northern side of the massif consists of a conglomerate of rounded stones and boulders cemented together with a mix of sandstone. At the southern
end of the massif around Piccaninny Gorge there is pure sandstone with no imbedded stones.
The famous 'bee hive' formations are the result of bands of silica and lichen which have formed a protective layer over the sandstone and reduced the effects of wind and
water erosion somewhat. It is essential that these protective layers remain undamaged, as the sandstone underneath would be quickly eroded during the huge downpours of
the tropical wet season.
(C) Don Copley
It was not until 1982 when a television film crew flew over the area that the Bungles became widely known. In an effort to protect the area the access tracks are
deliberately left in rough condition so that the numbers of people entering the park are kept as low as possible.
There are two campsites in the park at Belburn Creek and Kurrajong Camp. Toilets and water are available at both locations. Campers using the park are asked to
use gas stoves and not to collect wood for campfires. Wood is scarce and provides important habitat for native fauna. All rubbish should be taken out of the park
with you when you leave.
(C) Don Copley
There are a number of bird and animal species found in the park including 130 bird species like the rainbow bee-eaters and budgerigars. The nailtail wallaby,
euro and short-eared rock-wallaby are also commonly seen around the rock formations.
A large number of tour operators include the Bungles as part of a package or you can hire a 4wd vehicle at Halls Creek and see the area at a more leisurely pace.
Flying over the area by plane or helicopter is the best way to see the different structures and formations and is something you will never forget.
The park only opens between April and December.
There are a number of different walk trails to explore in the park:
At Echidna Chasm there is a 2km walk through a narrow chasm. This walk through the 200 metre deep fissure in the rock is known for the
Livistonia palms and impressive boulders. There is also a walk from the car park to the Osmond Lookout.
Piccaninny Creek and Gorge walks are a moderate 7km return or a much longer 30 km return walk
through the gorge. This longer walk requires proper preparation as it cannot be done in a single day and there is no marked trail.
Even the 7km walk can take a day to complete so wearing appropriate clothing and taking sufficient water is essential.
The Picanninny Creek Lookout is a better option for most people and is 1.4 km from the car park.
The Beehive Domes Walk is rated as an easy walk and is a 1 hour walk around some of the beehive domes.
Cathedral Gorge Walk is an easy 3 km return walk from the Picanninny Creek Car Park to Cathedral Gorge.
For more information visit the Picanninny Creek and
Bungle Bungles Walks pages.
NPW Website for more information
Best time to visit:
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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