At a Glance
Get up close and personal with one of the world’s most unique geological landmarks - Bungle Bungle Range – on this epic, 3-day getaway to Purnululu National Park in Western Australia’s breathtaking Kimberley region.
With return scenic flights included from Kununurra, discover an ancient landscape over 350 million years in the making. Roam the majestic Bungle Bungles, mysterious black and orange beehive domes “lost” to the outside world until the 1980s. Picnic in Cathedral Gorge, an astonishing natural amphitheatre of red rock. Squeeze through Echidna Chasm, a long, narrow gorge of striking colours that change with the angle of the sun. And, at night, look up to admire one of the world’s most starry skies.
You’ll stay two-nights at Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge in a private ensuite cabin. Nestled in the heart ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Private ensuite cabin
- Experienced tour guide
- Meals: 2 x breakfast, 2 x lunch, 2 x dinner
- Complimentary transfers to and from registered accommodation places in Kununurra
- Morning & afternoon tea
- Cold water
- Air-conditioned fixed wing flights with experienced pilot and personalised commentary
- Air-conditioned 4WD transfers within the national park
Itinerary
Walking Distance: Bungle Bungle domes – 1km/0.6mi | 1hr circuit walk | Easy Walking Distance: - Cathedral Gorge – 3km/1.9mi | 2hrs | Moderate (passing over rock ledges, waterholes and eroded potholes) Begin your epic three-day adventure with a fully-airconditioned, fixed-wing scenic flight departing from Kununurra, taking you over the Ord River, Lake Argyle, Lissadell Station, Texas Downs Station, the Osmand Ranges, and a spectacular circuit over the Bungle Bungle Range. After touching down in Purnululu National Park, you will be met by your expert guide, who will lead you on a tour of the famous Bungle Bungle domes. Rising 300 metres (986 feet) above the surrounding grass-covered plains, these incredible orange and black sandstone domes are one of the world’s most fascinating geological sites. Explore the range on foot and discover long narrow chasms and hidden gorges large enough to hold a full-scale concert. Along the way, keep an eye out for some of the 130 bird species found here and unique native animals including the nailtail wallaby and short-eared rock wallaby. |
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After exploring the domes, venture on to Cathedral Gorge. This astonishing, natural amphitheatre of red rock is the perfect place for a picnic lunch. Be sure to bring your wide-angle camera lens! In the late afternoon, arrive at Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, where you can relax and unwind in the privacy of your ensuite cabin, or else take a dip in the only pool located within the national park. In the evening, enjoy a chef-prepared dinner in the dining area or outside under the starry night sky, by the warmth of the fire pit. |
Walking Distance: - Echidna Chasm – 2km/1.25mi | 1-2hr return walk | Easy – Moderate (includes challenging short climb near the end) After a hearty breakfast, journey to the northern end of Purnululu National Park, where you will spend the day exploring the famous Echidna Chasm. Long and narrow and dotted with Livingstonia palms, this spectacular chasm has striking colour variations that change with the angle of the sun. Explore the area with your expert guide and take time to admire the view of the dry, wild and rugged Osmand Range from the nearby Osmand Lookout. A picnic lunch is once again provided. In the evening, return to Bungle Lodge, where you can relax after a day of amazing adventures. |
After a hearty breakfast, say farewell to Purnululu National Park and board your return flight to Kununurra. On the way back, take in a bird’s eye view of Argyle Diamond Mine, Ragged Ranges and Carr Boyd Ranges. Expected arrival time 8:30am (Apr-Aug) or 11:30am (Sept). NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request from April to September. Please contact us for group bookings.
More Info
- The start and finish point for this tour is Kununurra, Western Australia.
- The East Kimberley (Kununurra) (KNX) Airport provides access to Kununurra, receiving flights from Broome and Darwin through Air North.
Day 1:
- Bungle Bungle domes – 1km/0.6mi | 1hr circuit walk | Easy
- Cathedral Gorge – 3km/1.9mi | 2hrs | Moderate (passing over rock ledges, waterholes and eroded potholes)
Day 2: Walking information:
- Echidna Chasm – 2km/1.25mi | 1-2hr return walk | Easy – Moderate (includes challenging short climb near the end)
Like the rest of the Kimberley, Purnululu National Park experiences distinct dry and wet seasons. Average daily maximum temperatures in the dry season (April to September) range from 29 degrees (Celsius) in July to 38 degrees in September with little rain and low humidity. Overnight, temperatures decrease to become considerably cool by early morning and sunrise. Average daily maximum temperature during the waterfall season (October to March) is 40 degrees with significant humidity. Most of the 500-700mm annual rainfall occurs between December and March resulting in unsealed roads becoming impassable and park closure.
Maximum 8kg per person allowed - preferably a soft carry bag consisting of a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy walking shoes (no leather soles), camera & charger, sun protective clothing, warm clothing for the cool nights (May-August), bathers for the pool, additional toiletries and personal items, insect repellant, small pocket torch and refillable water bottle.
Customer and approximate hand baggage weights must be provided to us at time of booking. All customers and baggage will be weighed prior to tour departure for safety and operational reasons. The airline reserve the right to deny carriage to customers who provide weight information that is inaccurate by more than 15% in which case any fare paid will be forfeit.
The maximum seat weight limit on the Robinson R44 & R66 helicopter is 136kg. The maximum seat weight limit on the GA8 Airvan is 132kg. Please check with Reservations which aircraft is running on the day of the tour.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.