Camping in the Bungle Bungles

After leaving Derby we

headed through the Kimberley onto Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Head. We thought we were booking into the “best” caravan park in Fitzroy Crossing but found ourselves in one that was obviously not the “best” one. We were a bit concerned as they padlocked the gates closed at 9pm! In the end there were no problems and it looked nice enough to us! There was a very nice, non-commercialised Aboriginal art gallery there even though there wasn’t a painting under $250.00! We were both very amused by the “No Humbug” sign which we presumed was something we don’t partake in anyway!

Hall’s Head was a typical Aboriginal town which has a limited alcohol policy which was definitely evident and obviously much better, especially for the children.

Chris was given much help trying to find an Anderson plug which needed to be replaced. Luckily we found one after driving around some of the back streets of Halls Head. We were also on a mad mission to buy ourselves a 2 man tent so we could sleep in the Purnululu National Park where the Bungle Bungles are. (We met a fellow traveler who said it would be an absolute waste to drive in and drive out in one day….. it took a 2hr drive in on rugged 4 wheel drive track just to get to the visitor centre.) We found a tent – not cheap….though it is a Kookaburra – top of the range!!

We then stayed over at a great free camp, “Mary’s Pool”, and made a list of all we needed to take into the park for our “bush camp”. Well, nearly everything came – except the caravan, and a decent mattress and a gas light!!! We took our torch and the caravan cushions which are oddly shaped and half the size of each of our bodies!

After leaving “Mary’s Pool” we drove to another free camp spot opposite the National Park where we unhitched our van and left it with a few others whose owners had also driven into the National Park. The 56km drive was not too bad though definitely not possible for a car. We had to get through 3 creek crossings!! Our Red Kia did a stirling job!

The whole experience in the park was a privilege –seeing the shapes of the Bungle Bungles, walking through a HUGE chasm, seeing the colours of the Bungle Bungles change as the sun set and sitting under the stars was something we’ll always remember. We won’t remember the comfort of our sleeping arrangements in a hurry. Next time we “go bush” we’ll have to have a decent mattress and remember to take the gas light. At least we got to sleep at the feet of the Bungle Bungles which is much cheaper than flying over the ranges which everyone says is awesome!

We had a ball and lots of laughs. Chris absolutely LOVES camping, pitching tents and washing his face and feet in a bucket!