Purnululu is all about the rocks, their age, their shape and their colour. Chasms, gorges, “beehive” domes, massifs of red rocks rising from the flat green plains, segregated by millennia of erosive wind and rain. These are old old rocks, some formed over a billion years ago. Their limestone core is thinly painted with a fragile layer of oxidized iron and cynobacteria that fashion stripes of red and black.
Our campsite was along a dried river bed with huge white-barked gum trees that offered some shade. We spent two days here, exploring the trails – the Dome Walk, Cathedral Gorge, Echidna Chasm -wondering at the rocks, sweating and drinking litres.
We were struck by the lack of wildlife – no kangaroos or any other animate life forms to be seen. However, the park’s brochure assures us there are many species of animals - but they are all nocturnal. It’s the heat, combined with the seasonal dry that keeps them hidden away. Plants have their adaptations too. The eucalyptus leaves hang vertically to reduce their exposure to the sun; the boab trees shed their leaves in the dry to conserve moisture. When we were there it was 37 during the day in the shade and 30 at night. Apparently it’s cooled off a lot in the last month.
The second day in the park I took a 30 minute helicopter ride over the ranges. Three passengers, no doors. It was a little freaky at first – gripping the seat in front of me and hoping my seat belt remained secured! Wind whipping around us, red rolling rocks and deep dark chasms below.
Researchers have recorded 120 species of ants in the park, although I’m not sure why or how.
Pictures from Purnululu
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| Purnululu |
Hi Aileen and Barney. Thanks for sharing your trip in words and pictures. I am fascinated by what you two have been doing. I'm just back from England, and hiking some of the Hadrian's Wall trail in the north. I wish it had been as hot as where you are. Wynne
ReplyDeleteAileen and Barney,
ReplyDeleteJust had a chance to look at the last three sets of photos. So many photos brought back memories of our trip to Tsidilo Hills. Not just the views, but the comments of the Australians that were with us on the trip as they referred to places/people in Australia. A, did you have any thoughts of Botswana? That Purunula (?) place was PRETTY COOL! I love old rocks like that. I should have studied geology. So, are you using the Panasonic Lumix for these shots? If so, I hope you are happy with them, because I think they are just fantastic. Also, I am thoroughly enjoying your narrative. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Aileen. It was 18 years ago that our children brought us gifts in bed. P.S. How lovely to see a baobab again! LOVE YOU BOTH, Fran