Day 146 – 8th June 2018 – The Bungle Bungles, Whipsnake Gorge

As we had been to Cathedral Gorge on our last visit in 2015 which is absolutely beautiful and definitely worth a visit if you have not seen it.  As we had been here before we wanted to do a different walk this time and chose the hike to Whipsnake Gorge.  I wasn’t too sure about this at first as it is listed as a Grade 4 walk and 10km, but I noticed that the estimated time showed it as a quicker walk than Echidna Chasm so it couldn’t be too difficult.  Really glad we did it and if anyone else has doubts, it is a really manageable walk.  Mostly through a riverbed, so you you walk over uneven rocks and sand but it is mostly flat.  It is 5km to the Gorge and then 5km return, but was very doable.  The scenery spectacular.  We were in direct sunlight a lot of the way so take plenty of water with you.

It is a fairly rough corrugated road into the Bungle Bungles with a few small creek crossings on the way.  A very interesting drive in but you need to stay alert as there are many rocks on the road and cattle and roos along the way as well.  It takes an hour and a half to reach the Visitor Centre then another 30 minutes to get to the Car Park for Piccaninny Gorge which is the starting point for Cathedral Gorge and Whipsnake Gorge.

Creek Crossing, Road into Purnululu National Park to see the Bungle Bungles WA
Creek Crossing, Road into Purnululu National Park to see the Bungle Bungles WA

The drive into Piccaninny Gorge is spectacular and I lost count of how many times Col and I said “Wow” on the way in.  We both definitely were surprised when we spotted this on the road on the way in though!  Would love to know the story as to why they needed to land on the road and very glad we were not on that flight.  The Pilot did not look happy, let me tell you!

Helicopter on the road, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Helicopter on the road, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Car Park at Piccaninny Gorge, Purnulu National Park, Bungle Bungles WA
Car Park at Piccaninny Gorge, Purnulu National Park, Bungle Bungles WA
Col at the start of the walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Col at the start of the walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA

My little mountain goat likes to get off the beaten path and check out things up close and personal, while I am happy to take photos of him doing this.  He did nearly slip into this lovely green water.  We were speaking to someone who said there is a Brain Eating Amoeba in the water at the Bungle Bungles and to be careful not to get any up your nose.  There isn’t anywhere that you would really swim here, so that is good, but extra lucky that Col didn’t slip in!!

Col on the walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Col on the walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA

This place is spectacular and the views on the walk to Whipsnake Gorge were seriously breathtaking.

Walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA

These birds nests were on the roof of an overhanging rock and just beautiful.  We didn’t see the birds that made them, but a great photo by Col.

Bird nests made of mud, Walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Bird nests made of mud, Walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Burnt section on the walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Burnt section on the walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Walk to Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
The beautiful fern garden in Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
The beautiful fern garden in Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA

There was only a very small amount of water when we got to the Gorge and there were many tiny little frogs gathered around the waters edge.  These frogs were only about 1cm long and very, very cute.  Hope they make it!

Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
Whipsnake Gorge, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA

We stopped in to see the ‘Window’ on the walk back to the Car Park.

The Window, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA
The Window, Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park WA

The evening was finished off sitting around the communal campfire and chatting to other travellers.  We have both enjoyed our time at the Bungle Bungles and you do forget just how beautiful this place is.

 

10 thoughts on “Day 146 – 8th June 2018 – The Bungle Bungles, Whipsnake Gorge”

  1. Those birds nests are just beautiful so intricate. The Bungle bungles are just spectacular aren’t they? The bands of colour looking like beehives just amazing to look at. Surprisingly your photos are capturing the beauty however be there is next level x

    1. They are, I agree.
      There is a magic feeling of being in these places that just can’t be caught on camera, but I am glad the beauty is at least coming through in the pics. x

  2. Beautiful what a lovely place I can only imagine the colors. Love the tiny frogs & birds nests, clever critters.
    I actually thought “ matty white the croc hunter” in his helicopter!!!

  3. Jo, i’m surprised you didn’t pick up on this. In the picture of the Window and to the right there is what appears to be an angel (light colorized rock), when you zoom in on it, there is a face looking to the left and it has a massive headpiece.
    Awesome pics Kris, the Bungles are truly spectacular and a magical place. Hard to think they have only been open to the public since 1987.

    1. Thanks Nige, that is hard to believe that it’s only since 1987. I loved it as much the second time through.
      Col had forgotten how beautiful it was, but when we last visited he had just found out that he had to send the boat and trailer home so I think he was a little traumatised at the time.

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