Bungle Bungle 4wd tour

Splottboy · Senior Member

Bungle Bungle 4wd tour

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

We were there about 2008, stopped at the entrance and decided not to drive in to save damage to the vehicle. Did a tour with Alligator Air from Kununurra. Flew in to Bungles, then bus, then walk and lunch. Return was reverse.

We enjoyed it. Hopefully someone who has been lately will reply.

Barry

Splottboy · Senior Member

Thanks Barry for your quick reply. We are only 2wd Motorhome, and one report is that the 4wd tours fro the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park is a bit of a rip off !! We dont mind doing it from another location if that is the best way to see the Bungles ...

TheHeaths · Guru

Removing double post

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 12th of June 2018 05:57:57 PM

TheHeaths · Guru

TheHeaths wrote:
Depends what you are willing to pay and want to see.

A drive in tour from the Bungles Caravan Park is about $320, a fly over tour from Kununurra is about $460, and an overnight from Kununurra is about $630. (Google Bungle Bungle air and bus tours to see who does what)

They will all give you a different perspective and experience, without the total overview.

We drove our Landcruiser in when we were there 2 years ago. We saw everything we wanted but missed some great views from the air that the couple beside us in the caravan park saw on their helicopter flight from the caravan park. They missed our great walks. Everyone says that the way they do it is best, and I tend to agree that either way (the air or ground) gives you a great trip, but without doing both, you will miss some of the experience as we did. I certainly don't believe there is a single best way to see them!

So what does this all mean. 1) Don't miss them, they are magnificent. 2) Look at what each tour offers, and 3) decide based on your budget.

Personally, without the car, I would go on the bus tour to get a close up experience, but that is just me.

Meredith · Senior Member

My brother in law and his wife did the day tour from the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park and they really enjoyed it. It isn't cheap, but as far as I know all the other options are fly in and they are even more expensive. Only you know if the cost is worth it on your budget. We were able to drive in there and spend a couple of days and we really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I would have paid for a tour.

If you decide you don't want to pay and are looking for alternatives I have a couple of suggestions. Just a couple of km from Kununurra is Mirima National Park which has some formations that are like the Bungle Bungle Domes. There are several reasonably easy walks there and the only cost is the National Park entry fee. Another spot is Keep River National Park, just over the NT border out of Kununurra. Again it has sandstone formations, not exactly like the Bungles but with some similarities, we enjoyed our walks there more than the Bungles actually, mainly I think because of the lack of crowds. There is a gravel road to reach the start of the walks, but nothing that a 2wd can't easily do.

Hollowfrog · Member

We stopped there last year for a couple of nights. We are in a MH with a Suzuki in tow but elected not to drive to the various sites. I took a day tour which covered most of the popular sites. The trip was by 4(6)WD bus over terribly corrugated roads that have a reputation for destroying cars. The trip was worth the expense in my opinion as I didnt have to do the driving and we had a great commentary by a very informed and capable driver. At each site we could elect to walk ahead on our own of linger with the driver who continued to provide historical and cultural information. The evening meal was included in the cost and was OK if not brilliant. I would recommed the day tour.

Gaylehere · Guru

Hi there, We were there in 2015 and we did a helicopter flight with Helispirit from Warnum (Turkey Creek). I had a look at their web site and it says $425 per person. They also now do fly in and land and then you can do walks. Check out their web site. Also I see you can now do tours with Turkey Creek Tours. Fly over in a fixed wing plane for $225 per person, bus in and out for $295 per person, Fly in and 4WD out $505 per person, 2 day tours etc. Check it out on their web site also. When we were in the area we tried to do a coach tour from Hall's Creek but we were there in prime grey nomad season coupled with the WA school holidays and that tour was booked out some days in advance. So when we got to Turkey Creek and saw the helicopter flight we decided to do that as the Bungle Bungles was on my really want to see list. For us, it was expensive but I am really glad we did it. We free camped not all that far from the caravan park if I remember correctly. We were heading from Hall's Creek to Turkey Creek to Kununurra. Besides saying we loved the helicopter flight I don't know about the other tours, it's just that I googled Bungle Bungle tours and Turkey Creek Tours came up. Cheers.

JohnR · Senior Member

We were there last week spending 2 nights at the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park on an Un-powered site @ $35pn with powered being $50.

We made our way down from Kununurra and arrived about lunchtime on 7th June to set up camp and be prepared for a 6.15 am start next morning. We had purchased tickets $315 per adult to take the Bus Trip to the Bungle Bungles. The bus trip was 2 hours in and 2 hours out to the National Park Info Centre. Morning tea, lunch and dinner back at the camp site was provided. We did not get back until 5.30/6pm in the dark.

A big day with plenty of walking and according to my garmin about 12/14 klms for the day.

However, a great day and well worth the effort.

There were several people with 4 wheel drives going in for the day and I am sure they enjoyed the experience. While it is 53 klm to the Info Centre you will do that again plus more traveling from one end of the park to the other.

I think you can take helicopter excursions as well from the Caravan Park. Mind you one of the copters had to make an emergency landing on the road and then transfer passengers to another copter.

If you really want to do save some dollars "Free Camp" at Spring Creek on the highway get up bright and early to come to CP to catch the bus. You can leave the Van at Spring Creek Camp or utilize a storage area at the Caravan Park.

Check the Pics.

JohnR

-- Edited by JohnR on Tuesday 12th of June 2018 10:57:18 PM

-- Edited by JohnR on Tuesday 12th of June 2018 11:03:19 PM

Splottboy · Senior Member

Thanks so much for your great advice .... we will follow it and continue our lap ...

Splottboy · Senior Member

Thanks Meredith so much.... great ideas !!!

Plain Truth · Guru

It doesn't matter if you fly over or do a 4WD trip,the cost at the time seems expensive.

But it is a once in a lifetime thing,down the track you will be glad you did it,the chances are you might not get to do it again.

We took a tent in and stayed a few days and did some walks and took a Helicopter flight over the Bungles.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Colin,
Like Gaylehere, we picked up a chopper flight from Turkey Creek a couple of years ago. The pilot had a quiet spell so I'm not certain if we got it a bit cheaper - I cannot recall how much it cost but it was spectacular to say the least. Flights can be picked up from most of the locations along the road. There has been the odd helicopter crash out there too with not so good results.

Then Pat decided it would be good to see the Cathedral Cave from the ground - foolishly I said "ok" - BUT NEVER AGAIN!!
The big Unimog AAPT 4WD buses "own" the track & drive accordingly giving anyone fool enough who is driving in, little warning of their approach through rough, rocky, blind & narrow corners. I feel some life was taken off our Nissan and ME!

It's up to you as to what you want to see, personally I didn't think much of the cave as I've seen others that are better but the aerial view was really good.

MOLLUSCAN · Senior Member

There are two experiences that I think should not be missed due to cost. The Horizontal Falls and Bungle Bungles. Both were expensive but amazing. Well worth saving up for.

We spent 2 nights in the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park and took the 4WD bus tour from there. The road is horrific and I wouldn't put my vehicle through that. Sit back, hold on and enjoy your day without worrying about damaging your property. We didn't do the helicopter flight and I think if we go that way again we might do the fixed wing flight from Kunnanurra.

JohnR and Hollofrog's comments are spot on

Splottboy · Senior Member

Thanks everyone for your advice. From what I understand, I think a flight from Kunanurra that includes a landing so that we can walk amongst the Bungles would suit us best, but we are not so sure it that's possible ?? In this case we would stay at the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, but not do a tour from there...