Bungles

Day 14 10^th May 

Bungles.

Neither, Mark or I slept very well, probably worried we would sleep in. I still managed to take a moment to nip outside to take a sunrise shot of the Sleeping Buddha from in front of our accommodation.

Shoal Air was prompt in picking us up at 5.45am. Mark & I were the only passengers in the plane a 6 seater Cesna 210. 

We had great views over the spillway 

and the crops

The view of Lake Argyle Dam wall was amazing. It is hard to believe that this 200m long wall is all that holds the water in Lake Argyle. The pilot mentioned Lake Argyle had been at 210% capacity after last year’s huge wet season but the locals are still on water restrictions along with everyone else in WA.

Our previous flight over the Bungles in 2008 was disappointing with very poor views and photos. This time we had a clear view of the Bungles.

Paul from EKT tours picked us up from the airport

and transported us back to the camp site

where we met Fran his wife who provided us with a second cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, tomato, sausage, toast, juice, cereal, tea & coffee. Paul’s mum (Norma) & dad (Bob)and cousin were staying at the camp. Bob and Paul were among the first to explore the Bungles in 1983 and opened it up for tourism. We stopped briefly at the tourist information centre where we picked up a Swiss couple before heading out to Echidna Chasm.  It was a 35 minute drive out to Echidna Chasm from the tourist information centre. 

Even though it was still early it was a hot rough walk into the chasm along a rocky creek bed. 

where we passed some pretty native plants

The chasm opened out to this oasis of palm trees

High up on the top of the gorge walls was one lonely tree

Further into the hike we had to climb up two short ladders. Hope that rock doesn't fall!

and over a few large rocks

At 11am we were back on the road again for the nearly hour drive back to camp for lunch. Lunch was a pretty quick affair, only 30 minutes which proved to be sufficient time to eat the salad provided by Fran. At approximately 12.30 we were back on the road and heading in the opposite direction towards Cathedral Gorge. We passed the only other permanent camp ground. Didn't look as nice as our camp site.

We glimpsed the first of the beehive looking rocks on our way

and a termite mound beside the road.

The car park is surrounded by these amazing rock formations

It was almost 35 degrees and we were exposed to the sun at the beginning of the walk.

The walk was much easier than Echidna Chasm and the view of the striped domes were amazing.

We spotted this water monitor enjoying a swim in one of the pools we passed

 a beautiful flower

and these termite mounds growing out of the side of the rocks.

The walls are extremely fragile

A semi permanent pool

Mark captured the reflection of the clouds in this pool of water

almost there

We finally reached the end of the gorge where a lovely pool was tempting us.

I would have loved to have stayed longer in this area as it was amazing.Unfortunately we had to head back to camp.  

Mark & Julie Cathedral Gorge Purnululu

Our last stop on the way back to camp was to view these elephant shaped rocks

We had time to relax before dinner so were able to sit out the back on the verandah and listen to Bob talking about the early years at the Bungles.

Sunset at the EKT camp

A group of campers joined us for dinner which consisted of steak, chicken parmigiana and vegetables. Desert was fantastic, a cheesecake using chocolate ripple biscuits as the base. Fran is an amazing cook.

Purnululu from the air

Conglomerate

Plants will grow just about anywhere

that rock

termite mounds abound

bird shaped flower