Halls Creek, Purnulu Nationalpark (Bungle
Bungles), Kununarra
This section of our
journey starts in Halls Creek. From here we travelled along the Great Northern
Highway up north to the exit of the Purnulu Track. The Purnulu Nationalpark is
world famous for its beautiful beehive domes. They are formed around a massive
sandstone plateau and are created through the water run off in the wet season
as well as through climatic influences like baking sun and wind over thousands
of years.
These beautiful sandstone formations are very fragile. They
are only protected by a very thin (up to 2mm) protective coating of either iron
oxide on the reddish parts and cyano bacteria on the blackish parts. The
blackish color may change during the wet season since algie are reacting with
the cyano bacteria and might cause a greenish tint.
There are a number
of beautiful walks into gorges with great views of the sculptured rockfaces,
figs and palms clinging to sheer unbelievable terrain along the walls of the
gorges. A sight to behold are as well the Beehive Domes which are accessible
mainly on the southern end of the Park.
Always again an absolutely
unforgettable expirience is a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles as they
are called as well. The doors of the helicopters have been removed to allow a
better view and added exitment and heartstopping thrills when the pilot tips
the chopper into a curve.
And certainly not to forget the absolutely
amazing flora and fauna of this arrid bush environment. And we shouldn't forget
to mention the somewhat bouncy track from the Highway to the Bungle Bungles. It
roughly takes 2 1/2 hours to travel the 55 km with some foto stops thrown
in.