Bungle Bungles

Cruising · Newbie

Bungle Bungles

speedy sue · Veteran Member

Most people leave their vans at the Turkey Creek Roadhouse while they go 'camping' at the Bungles. It's a rough old track so you're certainly right to leave your van out although a few people with 4WD caravans did make it down - I wouldn't fancy it though. l can't tell you what it costs as we didn't leave our van there but I know it was 'reasonable'. We left our van at the Kimberleyland Caravan Park in Kununurra as we wanted to come back up that way again to go down the Gibb River Road. They charged us a couple of beers or a couple of dollars - our choice! Enjoy your trip and the Bungle Bungles - they are fantastic.

Cruising · Newbie

Speedy Sue,

Thanks very much for the information we shall enjoy.

Cruising

Andrew · Member

Yeah Kimberley land is the go.

I used to pop in for a beer with Ian the manager from time to time as he reckons he couldn't drink them all as the tourists usually took the beer option instead of the money!

To all who have left beers there I salute you!

cannylass · Senior Member

We left our van, and dog ,with other folks like us, at Spring Creek which is very close to the National Park enterence No problems at all. Some folks were away for days every one looked after every one vans. Just one couple had done the trip was offered to look after the dog as we not allowed to take dogs in National parks we knee that and was just going to drive so far then back out until the kindness of others took our dog for the day

jonathan · Guru

Yes .. Spring Creek rest area is just a few hundred meters south from the entrance to the Bungles Bungles.

There are two areas .. one up the top near the main road) where travellers into the Bungles tend to leave their units under the care of an acquaintance (as previously mentioned) .. and another down on the creek edge but is out of sight of the main road and if crowded can be a little noisy ..

There is a small toilet in walking distance between the two locations which is shared ..

Jon

wendyv · Guru

We have stored van at Kimberleyland CP in Kununurra, in order to go to Bungles, in the past.

A new caravan park/campground has since opened on a station near the entrance road to the Bungles. I think it is called Mabel Downs? They certainly offer van storage for those wanting to go into the NP and that would be more convenient than having to double back to Kununurra.

We have done a couple of trips into the Bungles and offer a couple of hints: the Kurrajong campground is a lot quieter than Bellburn, which has frequent helicopter traffic. The designated generator area of the campground is usually sparsely occupied compared to the crowded and much noisier non-generator areas!

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Thanks for the info about Mabel Downs, did a google and came up with this below, a bit expensive but close to the Bungles, I have not been there.

Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, Mabel Downs Station, Warmun

http://bunglebunglecaravanpark.com.au/
Turn off Great Northern Highway to Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles), 53kms south of Warmun (Turkey Creek). 1km good dirt road to the Station. Ph: 08 6102 6358 or 1300 286 453. Pets allowed, on leash at all times.

As the name suggests in addition to accommodation this park provides 4WD Bus Tours, Helicopter Scenic Flights and Station Tours. Still under development but a range of accommodation available. As there may be seasonal closures wise to contact park in advance. Ph 0411 983 464 or 1300 Bungle (1300 286 453). Powered sites $45.00 2A per night. May seem dear but its location allows you to access Bungle Bungles from sealed roads except for last 750m. Park is 106 kms N of Halls creek and then 750m in on way in to the Bungle Bungles. This enables you to travel to Bungle Bungles without van, a distance of 55 kms which takes 2 hrs. At present there are 2 amenity blocks each of 4 flushing toilets/hot showers. Water pressure low and better ventilation needed but great in a remote area. Has a bush restaurant and at $20.00 for a 3 course meal including a damper this is a must.
Date 09/2011. Park Rating 3:
Report submitted by oops (2).

This park opened this year and is the closest park to the Purnululu National Park. It was extremely busy and as a result very dusty. They have established a few grass strips next to some sites. Sites mainly level, no concrete slabs. Water to most sites. Big rigs may need to park in the camping area which was very dusty. Very little shade. Amenities were ensuite style, were clean and were not coping in the busy period due to tour groups also using the facilities. Poor value for money, powered sites $45 2A, unpowered $35 2A per night. Meals available, no liquor licence. Van storage available for $20 per night unpowered. Take all rubbish with you or pay extra $20. OK for a couple of nights. Bookings essential in the peak period. No dump point.
Likes: Close to the national park. We felt safer leaving the van there than at the nearby Spring Creek Rest Area.
Dislikes: Tour desk staff with little English who did not understand our booking and who put back our pre-booked helicopter flight to fit a tour group on. Roadside bins on the highway near the park were full to overflowing as people emptied their rubbish after leaving. Too expensive for what you get at present but with a lot of work during the off-season we are sure things will improve.
Additional: Tour desk, helicopter flights over the Bungles, tours of the station, one-day tours into the Bungles.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I got the info below from here

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/parks_w1.htm#bbcpmdstat

Gerty Dancer · Guru

The original post on this thread was in 2005, but yes we stayed at this caravan park last year. It was as described, but we found the reception very friendly and willing to help out with peoples needs.. eg washing mud off tug after the drive in/out of the NP. Yes its expensive but so was Broome, and we didnt meet such friendly helpfulness there.
I'm sure they will have improved it for this years tourist season.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I will have to start looking at when the post was originally started before I post, did not realise it was that old, now going back in my hole to study biggrin

wendyv · Guru

Everywhere in the Kimberley is expensive. My records from last trip - 2007 - show we paid $20 a night for 2 of us to camp at the Bungles Nat Park; $30 a night at Mornington camp and at Charnley River; $25 at Mt Barnett; $30 at El Questro. These were for unpowered tent sites. I am sure that current prices are substantially more.