ANZAC day saw us arrive in Purnululu. The 53km from the highway to the ranger's station took us just over 1.5 hours. The road was a bit corrugated and rocky but all in all was in good nick. I was impressed at Pokey's ability to let his tyres down a bit and drive slowly to avoid damage.
The funny thing about being where we are in WA is that we are only just over the border from NT but the time difference is 1.5 hours. This means that the sun rises at 5am or thereabouts but is sets at 5.30. Early dinners and early to bet for everyone! This was also the fiirst time that we really needed the blankets during the night.
We decided to do the Southern Walks first. This entailed going to Picaninney Creek to view Cathedral Gorge and the domes.
Some interesting facts.
1. Purnululu was first bought to the world's attention in 1983 and was placed on the World Heritage List in 2003.
2.It was heritage listed due to its geological features, the recognisable domes oare conical karsts that only occur here in the Bungle Bungles.
3. All of the domes are mage of sandstone and conglomerate. However, the black stripes on the domes are cuased by cyanobacteria which live in the moist clay particles. The orange stripes of the rock occur due to oxidation of iron within the sandstone. All rock is white underneath. The different layers occur due to the layering of sedimentary deposits millions of year ago from the Osmond Ranges (which was once higher than Mount Everest).
4. The run off from the range contributes to 6% of the capacity of Lake Argyle.
5. Access to most of the range is limited due to its cultural significance.
6. The sandstone domes are about 200metres in height.
1. Purnululu was first bought to the world's attention in 1983 and was placed on the World Heritage List in 2003.
2.It was heritage listed due to its geological features, the recognisable domes oare conical karsts that only occur here in the Bungle Bungles.
3. All of the domes are mage of sandstone and conglomerate. However, the black stripes on the domes are cuased by cyanobacteria which live in the moist clay particles. The orange stripes of the rock occur due to oxidation of iron within the sandstone. All rock is white underneath. The different layers occur due to the layering of sedimentary deposits millions of year ago from the Osmond Ranges (which was once higher than Mount Everest).
4. The run off from the range contributes to 6% of the capacity of Lake Argyle.
5. Access to most of the range is limited due to its cultural significance.
6. The sandstone domes are about 200metres in height.
To end our walk we went for a helicopter ride over Purnululu. Mitch was a little scared of going on the flight and asked for a door to be put on his side of the helicopter. The flight was spectacular and gave you an appreciation for the size and natural features of Purnululu. At the end of the flight Ethan was glad Mtich had asked for a door, as the boys and Chris seemed to get the side of the helicoptor it banked towards. Chrsi was holding on tightly as he did not ask for a door and had to rely on his seatbelt.
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