6
Moderate to Challenging

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 5 days walking
Accommodation
  • 4 nights camping
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

5 Days$3895AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: BUN

Bungle Bungles Trip highlights

  • Return scenic charter flights from Kununurra to Bungle Bungles
  • Wilderness walking in the legendary, World Heritage listed Bungle Bungles
  • Sleep under thousands of stars in remote bush campsites
  • Carry only a daypack on exploratory walks high in to the upper gorge
  • Take a refreshing dip in some of the many isolated rock pools
  • Visit the magical natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge
  • Be enchanted by this incomparable, spellbinding ancient landscape

The Bungle Bungles (Purnululu) have legendary status as one of the most unique and remote natural wonders in Australia, if not the world. This splendid isolation is a great attraction to trekkers and with specially chartered flights we can avoid the long drive, allowing us to trek deep in to the heart of the Bungle Bungles. Our expedition exploring the Picanninny Gorge offers trekkers an achievable expedition style bushwalk. This 5 day trek follows the gorge as it winds its way between the red and black beehive-like sandstone domes. We establish a base camp for a few nights, freeing us to leave our big packs behind and make lightweight exploratory walks high in to the upper gorge. We'll walk, stopping at waterholes and caves, soaking in the wild seclusion as the domes transform with the light of the day. Our ultimate destination is the fingers: five sandstone chasms made for rock hopping and sun soaking, looking to discover the mysteries held within this ancient and weathered land. On our final day we trek out to Cathedral Gorge before a short transfer to the airstrip and a stunning scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles and the Kimberley back to Kununnurra.

Activities:

Itinerary

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Our adventure begins when we pick you up from your Kununurra accommodation around 6am and transfer to the airport – with a bite to eat for breakfast en route – for our one hour dawn flight over the Ord River and Lake Argyle, into Purnululu National Park. You'll never forget your first sight of the Bungle Bungles from the air, a maze of thousands of domes that seem impenetrable were it not for Piccaninny Gorge. After the flight we have a short and scenic 4WD transit to the trail head, then begin our full pack exploratory walk following the track north-east deep into the World Heritage listed ranges. This evening we set up our base-camp surrounded by the red cliffs of the Bungles at Piccaninny Gorge, one of the world's most remote wilderness areas. Walking Distance: 13km. *You will need to arrive in Kununurra the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 3:00pm pre-trip briefing.

Meals:  B,L,D

Sheer rock walls surround us on all sides, within which there is so much to discover. The beautiful light bouncing off the worn and coloured sandstone lifts the soul and inspires your walking, exploring and experiencing. During these couple of days we can go as hard or easy as the group desires, allowing the most chance of immersing ourselves in this truly pristine environment where people are few and nature is boundless. Carrying only a day pack with the essential supplies we disappear into the many fingers of the upper gorge, allowing plenty of time for nature appreciation, rock hopping, photography and maybe even a dip into a cool and isolated rock hole. Each evening we enjoy kicking back at base-camp and chatting about the day’s adventures over a delicious meal. Walking Distance: 5km + each day, including scrambling and rock hopping

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we break camp and once again don our full packs. We retreat out of Piccaninny Gorge past The Elbow, having the opportunity to again appreciate the vast formation of domes in this area. Every dome is unique, and even the same dome will look completely different depending on the weather and angle of the sun – the more time you spend in The Bungles, the more enchanted you become by this ancient and majestic landscape. We follow Piccaninny Creek south west towards Cathedral Gorge. Keep your eye out for one of the more than 130 bird species found here, and native animals such as the short-eared rock wallaby. This afternoon we set up camp in another remote location near the creek, from where we watch the sunset light reflect dramatically off the domes. Walking Distance: 9km

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we return to the trail head via a short and unforgettable side trip into the grand Cathedral Gorge. It is said that the acoustics within the naturally walled amphitheatre of the Gorge are better than the Sydney Opera House! After soaking in the magic sounds of the gorge, we take our final leg of the trail to meet up with the transit vehicle, which returns us to the airstrip. The last part of this journey is our scenic flight around and out of the Bungles, passing over Piccaninny Gorge and the areas we walked through, Argyle diamond mine and Lake Argyle and finally Kununurra. This flight is possibly one of the most beautiful scenic flights anywhere in Australia. It is an inspiring way to finish the trip and provides perfect opportunity to reflect on all we have experienced on this walking adventure. We arrive back in Kununurra around 12pm. Walking Distance: approx. 5km

Meals:  B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Professional wilderness guides (2 guides)
  • All National Park and camping fees
  • All group camping equipment including mosquito net, sleeping mats, ground sheet (tarpaulin), stoves, catering and dining utensils
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • Scenic private charter flights from Kununurra to Bungle Bungles and return

  • Airfares to Kununurra
  • Accommodation and meals in Kununurra
  • Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and postage
  • Backpacks
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation

Wilderness Camping

When trekking in the Top End dry season our camping arrangements are delightfully lightweight. As we don't have to worry about bad weather we can make the most of the clear skies and sleep under the stars. Each trekker will carry a groundsheet, self-inflating mattress and a mosquito net. We will string a line between trees and hang the mosquito nets. The guides will carry lightweight group tarps that will act as shade or shelter in the unlikely event of unseasonal rain.

Trail Surface

Diverse and challenging terrain

The Piccaninny Gorge Trek unfolds through a diverse mix of terrains in Purnululu National Park, Western Australia. The trail begins on flat, sandy paths, gradually transforming into a more challenging landscape with uneven surfaces, scattered rocks, and dry creek beds. As hikers progress, they navigate through the iconic beehive-shaped sandstone domes, traversing boulder-strewn areas and steep ascents within the gorge. The walking terrain offers a dynamic experience, from the openness of the Bungle Bungle Range to the narrow, immersive corridors of the gorge, culminating in a breathtaking amphitheater surrounded by towering cliffs.

Suitability

Moderate to Challenging

6

Participants should expect around 6 hours walking each day of this trek in potentially challenging conditions. There will be soft sand, sharp and uneven rock, scrambling over crags etc. The distances are not great however this is almost irrelevant as the time and effort required is equivalent to much longer treks. Strength and agility will be important as well as adaptability to heat. Thorough physical and mental preparation is important for your safe participation and enjoyment of this expedition. As with any active holiday, the fitter you are for the activity, the more the attention moves from looking at your feet to experiencing your surrounds. In short, fitness enables you to do more, see more and simply relax more. You will need to carry a full pack on the first and last walk of the trip, but once our base camp is set up you will only need to carry a day pack. Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of strenuous exercise 4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weight (up to 18kgs). At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. Train for uneven terrain by finding a rough narrow bush track, even just your local park or sports field, and go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots (nothing spoils a trekking holiday quite as much as poor fitting boots!) – splash in the puddles or kick up the dust! Be sure to include full pack and multi day walks in your training.

Departure dates


Notes

HS
Holiday Season
Note:
A holiday season supplement applies for any trips that overlap with a public holiday.

Priceper person from

$3895AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Bungle Bungles Piccaninny Gorge Trek trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The trip runs in May, June and July.

In May the National Park will be lush and green following the wet season, and there will be plenty of wildflowers to see. Water will be in the pools. Daytime temperatures are still warm. While significant rain in uncommon in May, it is possible that unseasonal rainfall may affect our plans and the itinerary.

June and July are the most popular months for the Bungle Bungles as it's the coolest time of year and the most pleasant time for walking. Night time temperatures can be quite low, particularly in July, with some nights dropping below 0C.

Generally speaking, it is fine, rain-free and there is plenty of sun between May and July. The days are quite warm from May to July, particularly so in May. It is possible we will experience temperatures up to 40C, however most days are closer to 30C. Evenings can be cooler (down to around 5C).

The terrain of the Bungle Bungles has potentially challenging conditions. There will be soft sand, sharp and uneven rock, scrambling over crags etc. Along with the uneven terrain you need to be prepared to walk in tropical weather conditions.

We recommend that you have an excellent level of fitness for this trip. You will be walking for around 6 hours each day, and need to be prepared to carry a full pack weighing around 15-18kg. Strength and agibility are required for this trek due to the varied terrain you will encounter. Thorough physical and mental preparation is important for your safe participation and enjoyment of this expedition. As with any active holiday, the fitter you are for the activity, the more the attention moves from looking at your feet to experiencing your surrounds. In short, fitness enables you to do more, see more and simply relax more. Previous multi day walking experience is highly recommended for this trip.

This trip begins with a pre-trip briefing in Kununurra at 3.00pm the day before departure. Your guides will contact you when in Kununurra to organise the exact location for this briefing. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing.

There are no facilities available to charge devices or batteries and therefore we advise carrying extra sets of batteries for your cameras and/or portable chargers.

Bungle Bungles Trip reviews

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.