The Adventuring Pals unleash the fourbie, daytripping to Purnululu NP

If you visit the Kimberley and haven’t experienced the Bungle Bungles, were you even there? Being one of the more popular destinations, this place was high on our bucket list.

We just had one problem, where should we stay? It would have been ideal to stay within the national park and near the famed Domes, however upon closer consideration, the 4WD track leading in was unsuitable for towing caravans. It was a long and winding corrugated track notorious for bumpy and rough driving over a solid couple of hours. The disappointment was creeping in, we were so looking forward to staying within Purnululu National Park. The other option was to pack a tent and just go it. However, this required organisation and we were on an already time-poor roadtrip out in the middle of nowhere.

Boabs & Boulders

Our next option was to stay at the nearest caravan park and do the long and rugged drive in and out for a marathon daytrip. Daytrip it was. Pulling up just 1 km off the Great Northern Highway was the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, set amongst dusty, dry red dirt, with a backdrop of rust coloured boulders, it was actually a hive of activity. Driving up the driveway we passed three helicopter pads with choppers coming and going. There were some nice big shady trees and some boabs scattered around the park. You could hear red tailed black cockatoos squawking nearby. There was a gated paddock which served as an open air bush-themed restaurant. There were large safari tents, self contained cabins and tour buses parked on premises. This wasn’t just any ordinary caravan park we drove into, it was like a base camp. It was the ultimate destination for travellers to see and experience the Bungle Bungles. 

Star-lit Dining

Setting up our caravan in the dusty red dirt, we took some time to relax and unwind while the kids played with rocks, upon rocks, making new friends and getting dirtier. It wasn’t long before the park filled up with guests on every site, making us glad we got in early that’s for sure! Upon check in we also bought tickets for dinner that night. It was a bit pricey, however, we were in the middle of nowhere, low in supplies, tired after the long drive and if they were offering to cook for us, then why not? So glad we did, the kids had a ball eating under the stars, mingling with other travellers and making new friends around the large fire pit, sipping on cold drinks from the Baravan. It sure was a treat! 

Winding but Scenic 

The caravan park itself does bus tours into the National Park daily. Knowing our caravan was safe and secure parked at the park, we ventured down the 4WD track. It was not as bad as we had anticipated, it was long and winding, but scenic too. We quite enjoyed the drive, getting to see cattle at the beginning as it goes through a working cattle station. We stopped into the info centre, picked some maps and good advice and hit the road again to see and do as much as we could within the day. We achieved seeing the Domes and Cathedral Gorge, we even made it to Echidna Chasm; however, we weren’t able to trek it in as our kids were exhausted and napping in the car by that time. 

Sunlit Rocks

The drive back was pretty special too. We were travelling during sunset and were able to see it fire up the dramatic rocky hills along the way. Making it back after nightfall we were ready for dinner then bed. What an incredible day we had exploring, and now back to our hot shower to wash the red off and then into our comfortable beds. 

The next day we splurged and jumped at the opportunity to take a chopper flight over the Domes. It was incredible just how much we got to see on that short flight! We will remember it forever! What a great way to experience the Bungle Bungle and no better place to stay for comfort and hospitality!