Our guide was Bec who is a local Gija woman and whose “Country” we were lucky enough to visit and be part of for a day. Bec’s storytelling helped us paint a picture of Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) that only a local custodian could do. Letting us take a glimpse into the way of life, culture, lore and customs, traditions and song lines connected to ‘her country’. Once we were inside the Cathedral Gorge space and waterway. Bec made us all sit down, put our phones down and become silent as we soaked in the serenity and sacredness of the place. She then sang us a song in local language which I think was welcoming us onto this part of the country as well as honoring her ancestors. It was hauntingly beautiful with the stunning acoustics of the space. From here we made our way over to Echidna Chasm, which is at the other end of the park. It felt like we were entering ‘Jurassic Park’ as we made our way along the dry river bed, with majestic red rocks and massive palm trees towering over us as we entered the Echidna Chasm. Bec stopping and telling us stories along the way, she sang here too. Make sure you take plenty of water, sunscreen, camera, good hat and hiking shoes/boots, sense of adventure to soak it all in! I highly recommend Kingfisher Tours on their Bungles Day Trek which included Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm.

July 2023