Day in the Bungle Bungle Ranges

Thanks for the comments and emails, having lots of issues with coverage in the desert - I'll get back to you soon!!!

Bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning, a real treat, we are all wondering what Luke and Esther have in stall for us now they have softened us us with cooked breakfast?  We didn’t have long to find out – first up a short drive to the southern end of the Bungles to Piccaninny Creek, walked up to Piccanniny Lookout along a dry but beautifully eroded creek bed.  Another view of the Bungles,  then a couple of kilometre walk into Cathedral Gorge.  This is such an enormous cavern created over millions of years by the eroding forces of wind and rain.  We can really understand why it is called the ‘Cathedral, there is a reverence about it, the silence you get when you walk in to a huge cathedral.  There is little wonder why the Aboriginal people held id in such high regard as a sacred place.  The walls dwarf us and the colours are outstanding.

On the way back to the airport for one of the highlights – the helicopter flight over the ranges.  We choose the 42 minute flight and it was over in a flash.  Pam had been dreading it for days and in the end was just getting with the roll of the machine when we came in to land.  My theory is that after travelling a couple of thousand kilometres over the roughest roads in the west, the smooth flight of the helicopter was a pleasant relief.  In any event, a must do when you are in this area.  We had driven around the ranges and walked through the ranges, now to see it from above really made us realise what an incredible landscape this is.  Of course the photos do no justice to the scene.

Lunch then a drive to the north of the ranges.  The south is made up of fine sandstone which has eroded, the north is made up of a conglomerate rock, also eroded, but with completely different texture and makeup.  I’m sure you will notice the difference in the photos.  First up walk up in to Echidna Chasm, a narrow fault in the rock, sometimes only arms width, sometimes scrambling over huge rocks which have broken off into the chasm.  Once again, incredible scenes which photos cannot capture.  Some of the gorges in the ranges are 300 metres deep, and this one looks almost that deep.

A little detour to the Osmand Lookout for one final scene from the Bungles.  They are a beautiful natural landscape which we have all enjoyed.  Can’t wait to get home to bore you all with more stories and photos!!

Got back to camp exhausted and ready for a cold beer as we watch the sun set against the ranges, tea and early to bed.

On the way to the range

Off we go to Picanniny Creek

From the lookout

Looks like it's on fire

Pam in the distance

Luke in Cathedral Gorge, with Pam in the background

Another one of Luke

Not sure what I'm doing here!!??

Jen got back safely too

And Douglas

Into Echidna Chasm

Add caption

Pam and Jen on the way in

To Osmand Lookout

Weary walkers on the way home.