Australia: Bungle Bungles of Purnululu National Park

Australia, the land Down Under, is full of things unique and sometimes unusual. Australian wildlife has made a permanent place in our minds for their uniqueness, but what about the landscape? In case you are wondering, the Australian landscape will take you by surprise for they range from spectacular to downright strange.

Purnululu National Park is one such place, where you will come face to face with some of the most unusual landscapes.


It is located in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, and is renowned for its striking natural landscapes and unique geological formations. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. It's relatively remote and that’s one of the reasons why even though it's popular, not a lot of foot traffic is seen here as compared to other tourist attractions in the country.


The national park’s most striking feature is the uniquely formed Bungle Bungles Range, a series of dome-shaped sandstone mountains that have distinctive orange and black bands. Though these bands are created by the erosion of the sandstone, revealing layers of differing mineral content, from afar they region resembles a gigantic beehive.



Some of the beehive-like formations rise up to 1,896 feet above sea level!

Also read: Most inhospitable places that are also tourist attractions


It is estimated that the Bungle Bungles range was formed over 20 million years ago. The mountain range is culturally important to the indigenous Karjaganujaru and Gija peoples, who are also known as the traditional owners of the land. There are guided tours that will take you through the Bungle Bungles, where visitors can gain insights into this rich cultural heritage.



If heat and arid environment doesn’t faze you, take one of the many hiking trails that wind through the sandstone formations. Seeing these unique hills up close and personal will be an unforgettable experience, and definitely a great photo-op.



Sections like the Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge, and Piccaninny Creek are some of the notable attractions within the park, each offering its own distinct natural beauty and geological wonders. Though hiking is great, looking at these formations from the air is something else altogether. These quick flights will take visitors over the mountain range and its rugged terrain.