A slower start than normal due to additional people, and luxurious surroundings. Finally on the road and off towards Purnululu and the Bungle Bungles. The day heats up quickly and by the time we stop (100km) for morning coffee, it is already well into the 30's.
After coffee and the now ritual soaking of 'T' shirts we continue our ride. The first 100 km or so there was evidence to our left (towards Lake Argyle) of plantations and presumably irrigation. The landscape – already hilly and rocky soon turns extreme with massive rock piles and ridge lines on all sides. Due to the many fires that have burned through this area during the dry period, the landscape is even more stark. By the time we pass the turn-off to the Argyle diamond mine, the landscape is positively lunar in appearance. The heat builds and we reach Warmun (Turkey Creek) for a cold drink, lunch and re-fuel.
As we sit in the shade having lunch and contemplating the day, Celeste & Lesley turn up and join us.
Once gain we soak our shirts and head off for the last 70km or so to the Bungle Bungles caravan park.
The caravan park is just off the main road, and located on the Mable Downs Station,one of the large pastoral leases in this part of the country. The road to Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) NP runs through this pastoral lease, and the National Park itself was excised from the lease when it was placed on the World Heritage Register in 2003. http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/purnululu/index.html
Facilities are basic, we (Celeste & I) + Lesley have booked so called 'Safari' tents, while Marco & Ursala will make do with an un-powered tent site. It's already late in the season and the caravan park will only be open for another week or so, before closing until next year. Our 'safari' tents have been upgraded, from just tents with beds, to tents with an on-suite bathroom. Luxury indeed.
After settling into our new surroundings, it's Celeste & Lesley's turn to prepare dinner. Another excellent meal, a short stint sitting under the stars then off to bed as we have an early start (7am) in the morning. We are all booked on a day trip into the Bungle Bungles on a 4WD bus.
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