10 Best hikes and trails in Purnululu National Park

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Purnululu National Park

Best trails in Purnululu National Park

4.6(370 reviews)

Australia
:
#190 of 638 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Purnululu National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 12 great trails for hiking and walking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 4 easy hiking trails in Purnululu National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 39 to 4,389 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Purnululu National Park.

Top trails

#1 - Echidna Chasm Trail

4.7(82)

•Moderate

•1.3 mi

This is a stunning walk through red coloured gorge walls that can tower up to 200m in height. The gorge can become as narrow as 1m, so the light struggles to reach the gorge bottom for most of the day. For the best photographs, you'll want to be in the gorge at midday when the light penetrates and fills the space with golden hues and tangible rays of light. It can be very hot here, even in winter, so bring plenty of water even for this short hike.

#2 - Cathedral Gorge Walk

This walk explores the incredible gorges and banded rock formations of the southern area World Heritage-listed region and one of the best ways to see the scale of the Bungle Bungles walking one of its most popular trails. The route takes you out to Cathedral Gorge which is a huge natural amphitheatre. There are spots to sit down on the natural rock ledges and absorb the atmosphere and beauty of the area that was formed over thousands of years due to the water that ran through the area. If...

#3 - Bloodwood and Mini Palms Gorge Walk

4.8(64)

•Moderate

•2.8 mi

This walk takes you into the gorge and is one of the best ways to see the scale of the Bungle Bungles and see the northern area of the park which has distant landscapes compared to the more frequented southern parts. The trail starts out near Bloodwood Lookout which has views over the area, especially the arid landscapes around the gorge before heading to the boulder-strewn gorge filled with Livistona Palms. There are steps for the steeper sections which means there are no tricky or...

#4 - Whip Snake Gorge Trail

Whip Snake Gorge is a wonderful side canyon that departs from the major drainage of Piccaninny Creek. Departing from the main Piccaninny car park where picnic tables and a toilet are readily accessible for pre or post-walk. The track into Whip Snake Gorge is uneven and follows sandy and rocky terrain up the deep canyon. There is a wonderful reward at the end of the gorge where you meet a permanent pool that glistens in the short periods of sunshine it receives deep in the gorge. Visitors...

#5 - Piccaninny Creek Lookout

This little trail is a must do if you're in the area. It's a relatively easy journey out to the lookout, located in the southern part of Purnululu National Park walking circuit. The view at the end is worthwhile and is an epic spot for sunrise if you are willing to get up early enough and walk in dark/pre-dawn to admire the other-worldly towering rock formations.

#6 - Homestead Valley Walk

A stunning walk through the Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. The closest populated town to this trailhead is Halls Creek. This is a class 4 hike through the open space of Homestead Valley and into a deep canyon. Expect to take 2 hours return from the Bloodwoods picnic area. Best to start early to avoid the heat, and bring enough water!

#7 - Picaninny Creek Walk

An exploration of the incredible gorges and banded rock formations of this World Heritage listed region in Purnululu National Park. This route follows Picaninny Creek through multiple side gorges that can be explored. Most will choose to spend at least 1 night to complete the trip, but for those with time stretching your trip to 3-4 days makes side trips to explore the side gorges memorable and worthwhile. To overnight camp you must register with the visitor's centre, and all overnight...

#8 - Osmand Lookout Walk

Feel the wildness of the Australian outback on this trail to Osmand Lookout in Purnululu, WA. The lookout sits on a ridge that opens up to breathtaking views over the rugged red landscape. The track is short but does tackle some rocky and uneven terrain so bring a decent pair of shoes and poles if required. Whilst you're in the area be sure to check out some of the other gems this region has to offer, Echnidna Chasm is a must do! The route commences from Echnidna Chasm car park.

The Domes walk is a great option for those looking to explore this unique landscape without taking on a big hike. The route is jam packed with the famous ‘beehive’ domes that make up the 360 million year old Bungle Bungle range. These ‘beehive’ outcrops feature layers of clay-like bands that are coloured grey or red. The end point of this route is a water smooth mini amphitheatre with a pool and a waterfall during wet-season. Purnululu National Park is only opened in the dry season though,...

There are many walks in the Purnululu National Park and the Domes Walk is just a small "taste" of what the park has to offer. It begins at the Piccaninny Creek carpark which is 27km from the park visitor centre. The trail is only 1km and depending on your pace will take 15 -30 mins. Its an easy trail, relatively flat following good trail or firm creek beds. The trail takes you close to the majestic sandstone domes that that make up the Bungle Bungle Massif. Enjoy the soft looking (but...

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Purnululu National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Purnululu National Park is Echidna Chasm Trail, which has a 4.7 star rating from 82 reviews. This trail is 1.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 570 ft.

What is the longest trail in Purnululu National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Purnululu National Park is Picaninny Creek Walk. This trail is estimated to be 19.9 mi long.

How many trails are in Purnululu National Park?

There are 12 trails in Purnululu National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 370 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Purnululu National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Purnululu National Park has you covered. Picaninny Creek Walk boasts the most elevation gain with 4,389 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Purnululu National Park 4WD Track, which will get you 4,058 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Purnululu National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 4 camping trails in Purnululu National Park and the most popular is Cathedral Gorge Walk with an average 4.7 star rating from 49 community reviews.