Woke very early to a lovely, clear morning - sunrise at about 5:30 am - and left Picanniny Camp at 8:00 am, having breakfasted, charged our cameras, and topped up our water supplies.
Setting off!
From left: Chris; Dani (Guide); Helen W. (back); Pier; Julie; Carol (sunglasses); Leon (back); Dave; Steph; Colleen; Helen F.; Brian; Kaylene; Noreen (obscured); Greg; Angela; Joanne.
Our first stop - after about 80 minutes on Gorge Road - was at Elephant Rock, a popular stopping point on the way to Picanniny Creek Lookout.
Elephant Rock, Gorge Road, Purnululu NP
Taken at Elephant Rock stop-over
From left: Ray (Driver/Guide); Carol; Leon (foreground); Dave; Steph
Next, we headed towards Picanninny Creek, driving deeper into the National Park, with wonderous views of the Bungle Bungle Range which displayed itself to our advantage.
The foundations of these towering sandstone cliffs were laid down 360 million years ago. Ancient rivers flowing into a vast basin brought in sediments, that gradually compacted to form sandstone and conglomerate. Over time, these deposits were uplifted and incised, with torrential floodwaters carving out deep gorges. The range now stands 200 metres above the surrounding plain.
A solitary Dome
These rounded, sandstone towers are fragile giants, each encased in a thin, protective skin of orange bands of iron oxide, and grey to black bands of cyanobacteria. A skin is deposited on the surface by water seeping through the sandstone. If the banded skin is damaged, then the sandstone rapidly erodes away.
Trees were in flower - more Holly (or Wickham's) Grevillea, and Pindan Wattle - and wildflowers, though shyer, revealed themselves on our stops.
Limestone Spinifex (Triodia wiseana)
After a short break we set off walking along Picanniny Creek to Cathedral Gorge, and then, Picaninny Lookout.
Just beyond the start of the track, we sighted a large termite mound which is home to a community of tiny spinifex termites - social insects that build their nests from soil cemented with their excreta. The mound provides protection from sun, rain, and flood, and also acts as a storehouse for plant fibre - their staple diet.
Spinifex Termite (Nasutitermes triodiae) mound
The trail took us along the stony, dry creek bed of Picaninny Creek, over very uneven surfaces. Heavy rains during the Wet Season can turn it into a raging torrent, but during the Dry Season it dries up to a few small pools, in one of which we sighted a small amphibian.
Picaninny Creek, Bungle Bungle Ranges
A juvenile Cane Toad (Bufo marinus)
Cathedral Gorge is an astonishing natural amphitheatre of red rock, located within the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park, that has amazine acoustics. The unusual bee hive striped formations and deep gorges make the Bungle Bungles one of the most fascinating geological landmarks, and one of two World Heritage sites in Western Australia.
Cathedral Gorge - huge!
Cathedral Gorge - immense!
Cathedral Gorge - full of colour!
Cathedral Gorge - what would it be like in the Wet?
Cathedral Gorge - truly astonishing!
Leaving Cathedral Gorge, we re-traced our steps a little distance, and then hiked to Picaninny Lookout where we enjoyed exhilarating views.
View from Picanninny Lookout
Some of our group at Picaninny Lookout
Another scene from Picaninny Lookout
The return walk provided different angles, and different light to everything around us, We spied a small reptile, erosion holes, reflections, tenacious plants, and colour.
The Kimberley is marked by tenacity and timelessness!
Lovely reflection in a remnant pool on Picaninny Creek
Nature's art!
The energy of water!
Beautiful shades of red in the rock!
Helen & Anthony
After an exhilarating morning of walks, spectacular views, congenial company, beautiful flora and fauna, we returned to the APT camp for lunch, and to prepare for helicopter flights over the Bungle Bungles. So much experienced in half a day, yet, more to come!! Off to Bellburn airstrip!
Note the absence of doors!!
Outcrop of the Bungle Bungle Range
Cathedral Gorge, Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu NP
Cathedral Gorge, Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu NP
Picaninny Gorge, Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu NP
The Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park
The Bungle Bungle Range
Picaninny Creek
Part of the Bungle Bungle Range
In the far, far distance is the Tanami Desert
After the exhilaration of the Bungle Bungle helicopter flights, the group returned to APT Picaninny Wilderness Lodge for a brief rest stop before heading off to view the setting sun reflected on the Bungle Bungle Range - with glass of bubbly in hand!
Brian O; Sue; Angela; Karen; Carol (front); Colleen (rear); Brian Mc); Kaylene; Greg; Noreen; Ray (Guide/Driver); Pier (hidden); Julie; Dave; Steph; Leon; Helen W); Chris (rear); Joanne; Helen F); Anthony.
We again went to Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge for dinner, after which, as we gathered around a blazing fire, we listened to an informative and interesting talk by an Aboriginal woman about her people's connection to land, and the importance of passing stories to younger generations. Home to Picaninny Wilderness Lodge at about 9:00 pm, for a well-earned sleep after an invigorating day and evening.
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Day Four
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