Cathedral Gorge is the easiest gorge to access within the Bungle Bungle Range at Purnululu National Park. The gorge is roughly 500m long and is categorised as easy to moderate walking difficulty, with most ages and abilities being able to complete the walk. The terrain during the walk is quite flat with a small number of steps and sandy patches. At the end of the gorge is a breathtaking natural amphitheatre surrounded by huge red rock walls. The site of the amphitheatre is stunning as it stretches high into the sky with a massive concave formation where you can shade from the sun. Within the amphitheatre is a large pool of water that has gathered from the wet season rainfall.
From the carpark, you walk up Piccaninny Creek for about 300m toward Cathedral Gorge. During your walk to Cathedral Gorge, view the Bungle Bungle Domes up close. This first part of the walk gives you a great opportunity to see all kinds of Flora and Fauna and the earlier you go in the day, the better for seeing animals. There are many different types of plants that inhabit the area which you will come across during you walk.
Cathedral Gorge, Kimberley Dry Season
The dry season in the Kimberley goes from April to September in which there is little to no rainfall. During this period, tourists from all over Australia and the world come to visit the area. The dry season sees much cooler daytime and nighttime temperatures which makes it a lot more comfortable for visitors. As there is also no rain, the roads and areas that are commonly cut off during the wet season due to flood waters, are open for public access. Though due to the small catchment area on top of the Bungle Bungle Range, there are no swimming options during the dry season as the water will have stopped flowing.
Cathedral Gorge, Kimberley Wet Season
The wet season on the other hand sees the Bungles extremely green and after rain there are many flowing waterfalls and rivers. The only downside to this is that there is no public access into Purnululu National Park as the roads are cut off due to high water levels. Though the good news is that there is still access into Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu National Park. The only way to experience this gorge in the wet season is by a helicopter from Kununurra and then doing a guided tour up the gorge. Due to the rain, the rivers will be flowing and possibly some waterfalls, providing people the opportunity to have a refreshing swim. The helicopter lands at the carpark where you would park during the dry season and you walk in on the same track, though this time it might be through some water.
If you want to know more about experiencing Cathedral Gorge Kimberley Tours in and around the Bungles, visit us or call @: 1800 899 029
