20-July
The Kimberley is home to some of the oldest rocks on Earth, with parts of the landscape dating back almost two billion years. Over countless millions of years, volcanic activity, shifting tectonic plates and layers of sediment created the foundations of the region we see today.
Over the next millions of years, nature took over. Wind, rain and rivers slowly carved the sandstone into the spectacular gorges, escarpments and rock formations that make the Kimberley so unique.
Throughout the Kimberley we saw many spectacular conglomerate rock formations. These rocks were created when ancient rivers deposited rounded pebbles, gravel and boulders that were gradually cemented together over millions of years. Some date back more than 1.8 billion years, making them among the oldest visible rock formations on Earth. It looks like nature’s own concrete.
The famous Bungle Bungle Range, in Purnululu National Park, is made from sandstone about 350 million years old and covers approximately 45,000 hectares. Its distinctive beehive-shaped domes have been sculpted by erosion over millions of years. The striking orange bands are coloured by iron and manganese minerals, while the darker grey bands retain moisture and support colonies of ancient cyanobacteria. Rising 200 to 300 metres above the surrounding plains, the domes create one of Australia’s most remarkable landscapes.
We started the day with a walk through the Bungle Bungles to admire the incredible formations that nature has created over millions of years. We completed the Dome Loop, visited Cathedral Gorge and finished at Piccaninny Creek.
The highlight of the day was a 42-minute helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles.
The helicopters carry just three passengers and have no doors, providing spectacular, uninterrupted views. It was an amazing experience, and seeing the Bungle Bungles from the air gave us a completely different perspective of this extraordinary landscape.
Here are a few photos of the day.
