THE KIMBERLEY
Located in Western Australia, the Kimberley is a combination of waterfalls, gorges, caves and small tree-covered areas. It covers 421 451 square kilometres and is home to only 40 000 people, making it one of the least inhabited places in the world.
HOW IT WAS FORMED
The main section of the Kimberley, the Kimberley Plateau, is largely flat sandstone rock, set 1800 million years ago by large river systems through the region that flowed north to south. 1790 million years ago, more sandstone was pushed there, and created the boarders of the Kimberley Plateau. Volcanic action produced large amounts of basalt rock and magma that set and formed parts of the rock. Some of this is now visible due to erosion. These volcanic and sandstone rocks are thought to be buried as far as 20km into the earth’s crust. 600 million years ago, the plateau became an island and was surrounded by reef, similar to the Great Barrier Reef around Queensland. Over the last 250 million years, the landscape of the Kimberley has been changing due to the rising and falling of the earth. 70-50 million years ago, a period of tropical weather crossed the region, changing the soil in some areas particularly basalt in the Mitchell Plateau. The gorges were created by powerful bodies of water forcing their way through the rock therefore making the steeply angled sides of the rock faces.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Horizontal Waterfall
The Horizontal waterfall is one of many special features of the Kimberley. The waterfall has two gaps, one 20 metres apart, and the second is 10 metres. These gaps are small in comparison to the 300m body of water they hold. This creates a large tidal force, and waterfall effect as all the water pushes through. The headlands on either side of the waterfall are both part of the McLarty Range. David Attenborough has described it as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”.
The Bungle Bungles
The Bungle Bungles are a group of orange and black striped rock formations in the Purnululu National Park. Inside the Bungle Bungles are narrow gorges with waterfalls, natural pools lined with trees and lush plants. You can fly over the top of them, walk or drive through any of the multiple tracks, and even camp in some spots. They were relatively unknown until the 1980s, with only the traditional Aboriginal owners knowing about them. They are located in the north western corner of the Kimberley region and stretch for most of the 2397 square kilometres of the Purnululu National Park. It is World Heritage listed.
HOW IT WAS FORMED
The main section of the Kimberley, the Kimberley Plateau, is largely flat sandstone rock, set 1800 million years ago by large river systems through the region that flowed north to south. 1790 million years ago, more sandstone was pushed there, and created the boarders of the Kimberley Plateau. Volcanic action produced large amounts of basalt rock and magma that set and formed parts of the rock. Some of this is now visible due to erosion. These volcanic and sandstone rocks are thought to be buried as far as 20km into the earth’s crust. 600 million years ago, the plateau became an island and was surrounded by reef, similar to the Great Barrier Reef around Queensland. Over the last 250 million years, the landscape of the Kimberley has been changing due to the rising and falling of the earth. 70-50 million years ago, a period of tropical weather crossed the region, changing the soil in some areas particularly basalt in the Mitchell Plateau. The gorges were created by powerful bodies of water forcing their way through the rock therefore making the steeply angled sides of the rock faces.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Horizontal Waterfall
The Horizontal waterfall is one of many special features of the Kimberley. The waterfall has two gaps, one 20 metres apart, and the second is 10 metres. These gaps are small in comparison to the 300m body of water they hold. This creates a large tidal force, and waterfall effect as all the water pushes through. The headlands on either side of the waterfall are both part of the McLarty Range. David Attenborough has described it as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”.
The Bungle Bungles
The Bungle Bungles are a group of orange and black striped rock formations in the Purnululu National Park. Inside the Bungle Bungles are narrow gorges with waterfalls, natural pools lined with trees and lush plants. You can fly over the top of them, walk or drive through any of the multiple tracks, and even camp in some spots. They were relatively unknown until the 1980s, with only the traditional Aboriginal owners knowing about them. They are located in the north western corner of the Kimberley region and stretch for most of the 2397 square kilometres of the Purnululu National Park. It is World Heritage listed.