Bungle Bungle Range Track — Warmun to Purnululu via the Ord River Plateau and Turkey Creek Station Road
360 million years of geology, one brutal dirt track.
The Bungle Bungle Range sits deep in the East Kimberley, and the only way in is a 53-kilometre dirt track off the Great Northern Highway near Warmun that will rattle every bolt on your rig. The road crosses multiple sandy creek beds and loose shale sections before depositing you at the base of the iconic orange-and-black banded domes of Purnululu National Park — sandstone towers that took 360 million years to form and were largely unknown to the outside world until 1983. Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm are the marquee stops; the gorge walk into Cathedral is one of the great short walks in Australia, a narrow slot that opens into a cathedral-sized amphitheatre with a permanent pool.
This track demands a genuine 4WD with high clearance — the Parks and Wildlife Service will turn you back at the gate if you’re in a 2WD or AWD crossover, no exceptions. Deep sand crossings, loose rocks, and creek beds with soft edges punish underpowered or lightly equipped rigs. Fuel up at Warmun or Kununurra; there is nothing inside the park. Permits are required for entry. The park is open April to December only — do not attempt in the wet season, the track becomes impassable and flash floods are fatal. Fly-in visitors aside, this is genuinely remote country and satellite communication is strongly advised.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 33 mi / 53 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1148 ft |
| Best season | April-December |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD required (enforced at gate) |
| Nearest town | Warmun (Turkey Creek), WA |
| Land manager | Parks and Wildlife Service Western Australia — Purnululu National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | DBCA Purnululu National Park page Explore Parks WA booking and permits |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle this track without a lift?
A factory high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — parks staff enforce it at the gate and will turn you around if they're not satisfied. Stock Hiluxes and 70-series Land Cruisers with good all-terrain tyres make it regularly, but aired-down tyres (around 20 psi) are essential on the corrugations and sand. Lifted rigs with long-travel suspension will have a noticeably smoother run.
Is the track open year-round?
No. The park closes entirely during the wet season, roughly January through March, sometimes into April depending on road conditions. The official season runs April to December, but check current status with DBCA before you go — flood damage can extend closures unpredictably.
Do I need a permit to drive through Purnululu?
Yes, a national park entry fee applies and you need to book through Explore Parks WA before arriving — walk-up entry isn't guaranteed and camping spots fill fast during peak season (May–August). Fees are per vehicle per night for camping, plus a separate park entry fee.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The 53 km access track itself is the crux — relentless corrugations, loose sand sections, and rocky creek crossings that will test your suspension and your patience. There's no single 'hero obstacle,' just 2–3 hours of cumulative punishment that will loosen gear, spike tyre temps, and shake bolts loose if you're not maintained. Slow and steady wins here; flogging it will wreck your vehicle.
How far is the nearest fuel and is there water available inside the park?
Warmun (Turkey Creek) has fuel at the roadhouse — fill up there before you drop in, because there's nothing inside the park. Potable water is available at Bellburn Airstrip camp and Walardi camp, but treat it as a backup and carry a minimum of 10 litres per person per day given the heat and remoteness. Cell service is completely dead once you leave Warmun.
Trail track
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