National park · Australia
Purnululu National ParkPurnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle)
Go only in the dry season (roughly May–Oct) with a high-clearance 4WD: 53 km (33 mi) of rough track from the Great Northern Highway takes about 3 hours to the visitor centre, then 1–2 hours more to the domes; a day trip from Kununurra means driving the track back in the dark, so sleep inside the park or at Spring Creek.Go only in the dry season (roughly May–Oct) with a high-clearance 4WD: 33 mi (53 km) of rough track from the Great Northern Highway takes about 3 hours to the visitor centre, then 1–2 hours more to the domes; a day trip from Kununurra means driving the track back in the dark, so sleep inside the park or at Spring Creek.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,397 km² (925 sq mi)925 sq mi (2,397 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 2,397 km² (925 sq mi)925 sq mi (2,397 km²)
- Park area figures vary by source; about 2,400 km² (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Purnululu is a Devonian sandstone plateau in the east Kimberley, 250 km south of Kununurra. Its southern edge holds the Bungle Bungle domes — orange-and-grey banded beehives up to about 250 m tall — while the north is cut by deep chasms such as Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge. The park became a national park in 1987 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. There is no sealed road in, no air service to the park, and no way to see the main sights without a 4WD. The reward is a landscape that most visitors to Australia never reach.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2003Listed for the Bungle Bungle range and the surrounding plateau.
Size and age
2,397 km² (925 sq mi)925 sq mi (2,397 km²) · national park since 1987
Park area figures vary by source; about 2,400 km² (check).
Why go
- The Bungle Bungle domes: banded sandstone beehives you can walk among on marked trails.
- Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge, narrow canyons lined with Livistona fan palms.
- Cathedral Gorge, a natural amphitheatre carved by an old river eddy.
- A World Heritage landscape with almost no development inside the park.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWet season; park closed, tracks flooded
- FebWet season; park closed
- MarWet season; park closed
- AprMay open depending on the rains; check before driving
- MayDry season opens; warm days, cool nights
- JunDry, clear; peak season
- JulDry, clear; coldest nights
- AugDry, clear; busy
- SepDry; warming up
- OctHotter; season winds down
- NovMay be open if the rains are late; check
- DecWet season; park usually closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinifex pigeons and budgerigarsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Rock figs, milkwood and dwarf red box gum clinging to the domesMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Livistona fan palms in the shaded canyonsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Flat-toed and mountain kangaroos on the plainsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kununurra
Great Northern Highway south 250 km (155 mi) to the Spring Creek Track turnoff, then 53 km (33 mi) of unsealed, ungraded track by high-clearance 4WD to the visitor centre.Great Northern Highway south 155 mi (250 km) to the Spring Creek Track turnoff, then 33 mi (53 km) of unsealed, ungraded track by high-clearance 4WD to the visitor centre.
3–4 h
From Halls Creek
Great Northern Highway north to the turnoff, then the same 53 km (33 mi) 4WD track.Great Northern Highway north to the turnoff, then the same 33 mi (53 km) 4WD track.
2.5–3.5 h
From Broome
Great Northern Highway east via Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek, then the 4WD track.
10–12 h
From The air
Fixed-wing non-landing tours from Kununurra; helicopter tours from Bellburn airstrip inside the park.
1–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Park buffer | About 50 km (31 mi) of savannah between the highway and the park boundary.About 31 mi (50 km) of savannah between the highway and the park boundary. | Drive-through on the access track. |
| Visitor centre and Three Ways | Ranger station, information, trail maps, cold drinks and the T-junction that splits north and south. | Open in the dry season; entry fee paid here. |
| North: Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms | Deep canyons walled by bright sandstone, lined with Livistona palms. | 4WD track from Three Ways; walk in on marked trails. |
| South: Piccaninny and the Domes | The Bungle Bungle beehives, Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Creek and the lookouts. | 4WD track past the lodges and airstrip; marked trails only. |
Sketch map
- 1Spring Creek Track turnoff · Gate≈-17.433, 127.989On the Great Northern Highway, 250 km (155 mi) south of Kununurra.On the Great Northern Highway, 155 mi (250 km) south of Kununurra.Map ↗
- 2Purnululu Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-17.421, 128.299Map ↗
- 3Kungkalanayi Lookout · Viewpoint≈-17.400, 128.300Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Echidna Chasm · Cave≈-17.329, 128.416Map ↗
- 5Kurrajong Campground · Sleep≈-17.386, 128.331Map ↗
- 6Piccaninny car park · Trail≈-17.489, 128.375Map ↗
- 7Bellburn Airstrip · Ranger station≈-17.544, 128.307Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the highway turnoff to the Piccaninny trailhead, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per vehicle, paid at the ranger station) | AUD 15–17 (≈ US$10–12) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; Western Australia charges per vehicle for most national parks (check current rate). |
| Park entry (per person, walk-in or motorcycle) | AUD 8–10 (≈ US$6–7) | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Kurrajong or Walardi campground | AUD 15 (≈ US$10) | adult per night | Concession about A$12.50, child about A$4.50; book ahead. |
| Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, half-board double | AUD 600 (≈ US$400) | double per night | Safari-style tents with meals; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Helicopter tour from Bellburn airstrip | AUD 300–700 (≈ US$200–500) | person | 2026 estimate; price depends on flight length (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping at Kurrajong or Walardi permit or guide
Lodge stay permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$15–17≈ US$10–12
- A$8–10≈ US$6–7
- A$15≈ US$10
- A$600≈ US$400
- A$300–700≈ US$200–500
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia — Purnululu National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- The dome surface is fragile and erodes under fingers and boots; do not touch or climb the rock.
- No walking into Mini Palms Gorge
- View from the two platforms only; entering would damage the palms.
- Camping
- Only at Kurrajong and Walardi campgrounds; backcountry camping is not permitted.
- No dogs
- Not allowed in the park, including Kurrajong campground.
- Park closures
- The park can close for safety when temperatures climb well above 40°C (104°F) or when wildfires break out.The park can close for safety when temperatures climb well above 104°F (40°C) or when wildfires break out.
Where to stay
In the park
Kurrajong Campground
About 106 sites near Echidna Chasm; water and pit toilets; book ahead.
In the park
Walardi Campground
Basic sites with water and pit toilets, about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the lodges on a separate track.Basic sites with water and pit toilets, about 0.6 mi (1 km) from the lodges on a separate track.
In the park
Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge
Safari-style glamping tents with meals; half-board double around A$600 (2026 estimate).
In the park
Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge
Timber cabins with a pool, bar and meals, 200 m south of the Wilderness Lodge.
Near the park
Spring Creek Rest Stop
Free camping with a 24-hour limit, toilets and a dump point at the highway turnoff; leave caravans here.
Safety
Rough 4WD track high
Heat and no water on trails high
Wet-season closure medium
Patchy phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, Kungkalanayi Lookout walk and the Domes walk are the most manageable stops, but all involve uneven ground.
- Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms and Cathedral Gorge need boulder scrambling and are not suitable for limited mobility.
- The access track itself is rough and unsealed; there is no accessible shuttle inside the park.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the marked trails; the dome rock erodes under hands and boots.
- Carry out all rubbish; the only shop is at the visitor centre.
- Book campgrounds and lodges in advance so numbers stay within what the park can carry.
- Take helicopter or fixed-wing flights with operators that follow the park's flight rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Purnululu National Park?
Western Australia charges park entry per vehicle, roughly A$15–17 (2026 estimate), paid at the ranger station when you arrive. Camping at Kurrajong or Walardi is about A$15 per adult per night, with concession and child rates lower. Lodge stays and helicopter flights are separate and much more expensive.
What are the best hikes in Purnululu National Park?
For most visitors: the Domes walk (30–45 min, easy), Cathedral Gorge (1.5–2 h, easy), Echidna Chasm (1.5–2 h, moderate, best around midday), and Mini Palms Gorge (2–3 h, moderate). Piccaninny Creek Lookout and The Window are longer and rougher, and Whip Snake Gorge is about 10 km return with no water.
When is the best time to visit Purnululu National Park?
The dry season, roughly May to October. Days average around 30°C and nights drop to about 15°C. The park may also be open in April, November or December depending on the rains, but once the wet sets in the creeks flood and the park closes.
Can I visit Purnululu as a day trip?
It is possible from Kununurra but the park advises against it. The 53 km access track takes about 3 hours each way, so a day trip means driving back in darkness. Sleep inside the park or at Spring Creek instead.
Do I need a 4WD to get into Purnululu?
Yes. The Spring Creek Track is unsealed and ungraded, and you need a high-clearance 4WD for both the access track and the tracks to the trailheads. Leave caravans and trailers at the Spring Creek rest area by the highway.
Is there anywhere to stay inside the park?
Yes: two campgrounds (Kurrajong and Walardi) and two lodges (Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge and Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge). Booking is essential in the dry season, or you may be turned back at the ranger station. Backcountry camping is not allowed.
Can I see the Bungle Bungles from the air?
Yes. Fixed-wing aircraft run non-landing tours from Kununurra, and helicopter tours fly from Bellburn airstrip inside the park. A flight is the only way to see Piccaninny Crater, which is about 7 km across and too eroded to read from the ground.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go