Tuesday 23rd July 2013 – Purnululu

Today we went walking in the South Eastern section of the park, among the iconic ‘bee hive’ shaped domes that make the Bungle Bungles famous.  This is quite different to the North Western section we were in yesterday.  The North Western section of the range is massive, with deep gorges.  There has been much less weathering on this side of the range.  The South Eastern section is not as high and the whole countryside along Piccaninny Creek is one huge ‘lost city’ of sandstone domes.

We walked along the Piccaninny Gorge Track as far as the window (about 3km).  The track follows the creek bed and unlike yesterday where we were climbing over and around conglomerate boulders, today there is not one to be found.  The creek bed is a floor of sandstone (quite eroded in places).  What a site it would be at the end of the wet when the creek was still running.  It was a wonderful walk.  It was about 8:30 in the morning (not too hot) with a breeze blowing.  Looking back down the creek at all the domes it is easy to see why this area is world heritage listed.  It’s quite amazing.  The window is just a hole in a rock which is a bit of an anti-climax after the ‘lost city’.  We did see our bird for the day here – a cute little red browed pardalote.

On the way back we took the branch walk into Cathedral Gorge.  This spot is incredible.  A huge amphitheatre surrounded by soaring cliffs.  Apparently a few days ago there was a corroboree performed here.  That would have been quite a sight.

Near the car park there is a short Domes Track that winds around among the domes.  It’s fascinating having a close look at the banding of the rock.

On the way back to camp we called into the visitor’s centre to make a few phone calls.  Watched lots of double bar finches in the tree just off the verandah.  Then back to camp for lunch and another restful afternoon.  It’s just too hot here to be doing anything outside in the early afternoon.