Halls Creek, Warmun (Turkey Creek) and the BUNGLE BUNGLES.

Arriving at Halls Creek on quite a warm day we proceeded to do the few things I had planned for this part of the world. I wanted to check out the "China Wall, check on some old acquaintances and say hello to "Russian Jack" as well as get a bit of a "feel" for what Halls Creek was really like. It's just a small town with high indigenous population who, once again, mostly gathered in groups around shady trees and park areas to sit and meet. The town itself is small but they had a visitor centre, an IGA and another small supermarket. We filled up on fuel and headed out to see the sites. Unfortuneately the bitumen ends and becomes rough gravel to the east which was where we were headed. There was no safe area to leave the van so towed it out 2 ks th the China Wall. Its aninteresting feature that is a natural quartz formation and looks like the Great wall of China in a very small form.

 Right next to it was a creek and picnic area however we were a little reluctant to go too far down to the water with the threat of "Salties" still ringing in our heads.

We stopped off to say hello once again to old friends. This is their final resting place and the cemetary is sadly lacking in maintenence however theirs was the best and neatest looking gravesite.

 We wandered through looking at old graves. You can learn quite a bit about a place whilst looking at old headstones. Usually you find the cause of death on the old ones and you get an insight into what went on in a town many years ago and the hardships they endured.

Russion Jack was a local who once wheelbarrowed his sick mate over 300 Kms to seek medical help. He was a true character of the area and the town honored him with this lovely statue located at the visitor centre.

We stocked up on a couple of things only as these small supermarkets usually charge a fortune and there are plenty of Coles and Woolworths at the larger towns.


We had thought we may leave the caravan at a stopping area near Spring Creek. Apparently a lot of travellers do when going out to the Bungle Bungles as you cant take the van out there with you. The 53 km jouney in to the visitor check in point is all gravel and very rough. It goes through quite a few creek beds and several boggy/rocky areas. Far too rough for a van or anything you are towing for that matter. As the nearest caravan park is another 50 ks away it is common to see many vans at the creek rest area. However we decided not to risk leaving the van there as there is no security and anyone can come and take it away. We were to wish we had though.
We travelled further up to Turkey Creek (Warmun) and secured a site at the back of the roadhouse. Apart from an aboriginal community (not open to general public access) there is just the road house. This tiny caravan park did have a pool though and at the end of the 37 degree day it was refreshing to jump into.  Sitting there at the end of the day with a drink was also good. :) 
The next day we took off to the Bungles. After having only read and seen many pictures, it was exciting to finally be going there.

The entry at the station leading in

Entering the Bungles at Purnurlulu

 True to word the road in was very rough and at some points the corrugation nearly shook the dashboard out of its sockets. It took about an hour and a half to get there and then it was another 27 ks to the actual domes of the bungles. But it was all well worth the trip as everywhere out there is just a wonder.

Cathedral Gorge

 The cathedral gorge was magical and I was reluctant to leave. It felt serene just to be in there. 

There are many tracks and walks to be done and many people camp there overnight. If I was going again, I definately would camp out for 2-3 days at least so as to see everything there is. They provide camping areas but no power.  The domes are made up of silica with a "skin like" outer covering. This is what gives them their colors. I thought that someone had dumped sand everywhere but it is from the bungle domes and when the skin is broken it comes away fairly easily.

On our return to the caravan park we were dismayed to find that the local congregation of ants had moved in. They were in every packet, bag or carton they could get into. They had eaten holes into the sealed rice bag We had to throw out over half of our packet food. Lizzy soon had them killed and washed out everything. They had come up the legs and through the water hose.  The next doors also came home to find the same thing.  Since then, no matter where we go we make sure we take as many precautions as we can to ensure that never happens again.
The fuel was the most expensive here so far but of course they know that you need it as the next fuel is Kununurra.  I am so glad to have finally seen the Bungles though and highly recommend them to anyone. There is also a scenic flight over but many people told us that after a few minutes you had seen most of it and you could never get the same appreciation as when you walk through looking closely at everything it has to offer. Even the wildflowers and butterflies were beautiful and you could never see that from the air.

Well next stop is Kununurra.
So hello to everyone. Keep on leaving all of your messages and thanks for your kind words. Its nice to hear from you all..... Take care
Lots of love
Sonia, John n Lizzy xxx