A Guide to Purnululu National Park | Australian Traveller

Wild-at-heart Western Australia is home to Purnululu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where fascinating geological landmarks and ancient rock art weave a tapestry of unforgettable experiences.

Located 300 kilometres south of Kununurra, Purnululu is home to the burnt orange and black striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, an unmissable icon in the Kimberley region. Until the early 1980s, few people had heard of these bulbous sandstone mounds. Tucked up against the Northern Territory border, with a rough dirt access track and located about 150 kilometres from Halls Creek, the curved peaks and spinifex-dominated sand plains were mostly hidden from the world’s view.

Bungle Bungle Range from above — Traverse through the valleys that wind through the Bungle Bungle Range. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

It wasn’t until an airborne documentary crew captured this 2400-square-kilometre slice of wilderness in 1983 that the Bungle Bungle Range was introduced to the world. No doubt the Gija and Jaru peoples were surprised to hear the Bungle Bungles had been “discovered". In 1987, this treasure was declared a national park, and about two decades ago it was inscribed on the UNESCO list for its “outstanding universal natural heritage values."

Top Purnululu National Park sights to see

This enormous swathe of wilderness offers a diverse range of experiences, from tranquil nature walks to adrenaline-pumping helicopter adventures.

Bungle Bungle Range

Walk among ancient sandstone formations that have been shaped by the elements over 350 million years, resulting in a unique landscape of valleys and ridges.

Cathedral Gorge

Cathedral Gorge is a natural amphitheatre of red rock located within the Bungle Bungle Range. The acoustics within this chamber are extraordinary, and the towering rock formations create a cathedral-like atmosphere that is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

Echidna Chasm

Echidna Chasm is a narrow gorge with walls up to 200 metres high that offers a moderately challenging but rewarding hike. The pathway leads to a secluded area where the sunlight dances off the walls, creating a mesmerising display of light and shadow.

Piccaninny Gorge

The largest of all the gorges in Purnululu National Park, in the wet season, water flows along the creek between the red and black beehive domes. In the dry season, visitors can walk along the dry creek bed to see more of the Bungle Bungle Range and the interesting shapes created in the creek bed by the flow of the water.

Mini Palms Gorge

Mini Palms Gorge is a hidden gem within the park, offering a moderate hike that leads to a secluded palm grove. The trail winds through a narrow gorge, flanked by towering cliffs, before opening up to reveal a tranquil oasis, complete with a natural pool and a grove of Livistona palms.

Top tours in Purnululu National Park

Guided tours offer an enriching way to explore the park’s many wonders, from its unique geological features to its rich Indigenous heritage.

4WD tours

APT Tours are led by experienced guides who offer valuable insights into the park’s diverse ecosystems and geological formations.

driving along Purnululu National Park — Journey through Purnululu National Park on a 4WD tour. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

After a full day exploring highlights including Piccaninny Creek and Cathedral Gorge, you can finish the day watching the sunset over the Bungle Bungle Range with a glass of bubbly in hand.

sunset at Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park — Fiery hues colour the sky over the Bungle Bungle Range. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Scenic flights

A scenic flight over Purnululu National Park offers a bird’s-eye view of the iconic Bungle Bungle Range, providing a new perspective on the sheer scale and beauty of this natural wonder.

a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range with Aviair — Get a bird’s-eye view of the monolith on a scenic flight.

Departing from Kununurra, Aviair offers short two-hour trips up to full-day tours that include walks to Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Gorge and Echidna Chasm.

Aviair Bungle Bungle Adventurer scenic flight — Aviair offers a range of tours within Purnululu National Park.

Helicopter tours

For those looking for an even more intimate aerial experience, helicopter tours offer the opportunity to hover over key landmarks and even land in some otherwise inaccessible areas.

a helicopter adventure with Helispirit, Purnululu National Park — Book a memorable helicopter adventure with Helispirit. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Helispirit has knowledgeable guides who can provide in-depth information about the park’s geology and history.

a helicopter tour above Purnululu National Park with HeliSpirit — Hover above Purnululu National Park on a HeliSpirit helicopter tour.

Guided hiking tours

Guided hiking tours offer a more grounded way to explore the park’s natural beauty. Led by experienced guides, locally owned Bungle Bungle Guided Tours offer guests visits to hidden gorges, secluded waterholes and ancient art sites. But to truly feel connected and understand this remarkable living landscape, book in with Kingfisher Tours to be led by a Gija guide.

a local guide at Purnululu National Park — Head guide Rebecca Sampi of Kingfisher Tours. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Choose from day tours from Kununurra, walks from Purnululu and Bungle Bungle overnight tours.

a guided walking and hiking tour at Purnululu National Park — Get an up-close view of the park’s natural wonders. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Accommodation and Camping

Purnululu offers a variety of accommodation options to suit all preferences, from the rustic allure of bush camping to the luxurious comforts of air-conditioned cabins. See our handy guide to Purnululu National Park accommodation.

an aerial view of two people walking at Purnululu National Park — Camp near Purnululu National Park’s iconic attractions. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Bungle Bungle Caravan Park

Located just off the main highway, Bungle Bungle Caravan Park offers a range of accommodation options, from cabins and safari tents to powered and unpowered sites. The park also offers 4WD bus tours and scenic helicopter flights, adding an extra layer of adventure to your stay.

Walardi Campground

Walardi Campground is a public facility managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. It offers basic amenities like bush toilets and bore water taps, but its real charm lies in its proximity to some of Purnululu’s most iconic attractions.

Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge

If you want luxury and a top location, then make a beeline for the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge .

The 27 hard-walled cabins with timber flooring have ensuite bathrooms with eco-friendly products and the lodge is home to the only swimming pool in the park.

Pool at Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge — A stay at Savannah Lodge means you will get access to the only pool in the park. (Image: CJ Maddock)

Plan your trip to Purnululu National Park

How to get there

The journey to Purnululu is an adventure in itself. The park is accessible only by 4WD, and the drive offers numerous opportunities for scenic photography and wildlife spotting. Fly into Kununurra Airport, hire a car and drive three hours south to Purnululu National Park or join a land-based or air tour.

riding a helicopter on top of Purnululu National Park — Opt for a helicopter tour to get the most of your trip. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit Purnululu is during the dry season, from May to September. During these months, the weather is more accommodating, and the park’s various attractions are easily accessible.

two people exploring The Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park — Explore the park’s top attractions like The Bungle Bungle Range. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Fuel and supplies

Before setting off, make sure you’re well-stocked with fuel and essential supplies. The nearest fuel stations and grocery stores can be quite a distance away, so it’s always better to be prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the entry fees for Purnululu National Park?

A: The entry fee for Purnululu National Park is $15 per vehicle, which is valid for one day.

scenic landscapes in Purnululu National Park — Step into the remote wilderness of Purnululu National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Q: Are pets allowed in the park?

A: No, pets are not allowed in Purnululu National Park to protect the native wildlife.

Q: Is it safe to swim in the gorges?

A: Swimming is generally not recommended due to the presence of freshwater crocodiles in some areas.

a group of tourists resting on the rocks at Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu National Park — Freshwater crocodiles inhabit some of the gorges within the park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Q: Do I need a 4WD to access the park?

A: Yes, a 4WD vehicle is required to access Purnululu National Park due to the rugged terrain.

Q: Are guided tours available?

A: Yes, there are several guided tour options available, ranging from 4WD adventures to scenic flights.

Bungle Bungle Guided Tours in Purnululu National Park — Explore the majestic domes with Bungle Bungle Guided Tours.

Note: an earlier version of this article incorrectly included a picture of Kingfisher Tours without reference to the tour. This has since been amended.

For more insider tips and unforgettable experiences, read our guide to the Kimberley.

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

The must-see wonders of Purnululu National Park