Australia: Bungle Bungle

Although the Aborigines knew the Bungle Bungle Ranges well for thousands of years, the descendants of the colonists didn’t discover them until 1980. The area is now designated Purnululu National Park and is penetrated by a few trails, but most of the area remains off-limits to the “newcomers,” reserved for those who know the area to be sacred.

The banded beehive hills are best seen from the air. The bands were formed by compact rock stained orange by oxidized iron alternating with porous rock covered in black lichen. Morning light and shadow reveals the sinuous forms of the hills and emphasizes the colors.

Don't forget to check out my show, ART WOLFE'S TRAVELS TO THE EDGE, on your local PBS channel to learn more about these amazing Bungle Bungle Ranges and my other worldly travels.