Mini Palms, Purnululu NP

Overview

The Mini Palms Gorge Trail is a 4.4km return trail that culminates at an amphitheatre engulfed by 200metre walls of rock. From the lookout, you can see the mini palms growing in the sand below. You can start from Echidna Chasm, but it may be better to drive to a closer parking spot to cut off time in the heat.

Mini Palms

Entrance to Mini Palms gorge

Photo Credit: Pelusey Photography

View trail map

About the Trail

Taking the trail into Mini Palms Gorge is one of the best ways of experiencing the sheer scale of the Bungle Bungle escarpment. The first bit of the trail follows a stony creek bed and it can get quite hot.

For an added adventure the path takes you scrambling around and over huge fallen boulders. These boulders are made up of a conglomerate of smaller rocks cemented together by hardened mud of millennia. Ever present are towering gorge walls glowing red and tall elegant Livistona palms.

This trail is a constant feast of scenic and geological highlights. The trail ends at a high point overlooking an amphitheatre enclosed by majestic walls of rock. The viewing platform is as far as you go, as walking along the gorge floor is off-limits to the public. Trampling feet can damage tiny palms that somehow survive floods that pound through here in the wet season.

Need to Know

  • Time

    Allow 2-3 hours

  • Distance

    4.4km return Length is 4.4km.

  • Trail Start

    The Bloodwoods car park, , Purnululu NP, 230km (3 hours) south of Kununurra, which is 3200km (30 hours) north of Pert

  • Degree of Difficulty

    Difficult - High level of fitness and experience required.
    Bush Walk: Grade 5 - Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20km.

    Stair climbs at end and large rock hops

  • What to Pack?

    At least 3 litres of water per person

    Group B (Bushwalks and/or longer trails) required.

    • Minimum 2 litres of water per person per day
    • Sturdy shoes
    • Sun hat or bike helmet (compulsory in WA)
    • Sunglasses, sunscreen (30+) and insect repellant
    • Binoculars and camera (optional)
    • Map or guide book where suggested
    • Snacks and/or lunch depending on length of trail
    • Clothes to suit the activity and potential weather conditions including a water/windproof jacket
    • First Aid kit

  • Best Time of the Year

    May to October. The dry season in the Kimberley

  • Facilities

    • Camping
    • Car Park
    • Interpretive Centre
    • Lookouts
    • Picnic Area
    • Public Toilet
    • Shaded Area
    • View Platform

  • Fees

    National Park Fees apply

  • Hazards & Warnings

    Hazards & Warnings Temperatures can get very hot (up to 50 degrees), walk in the early morning or late afternoon

  • Prohibited Items

    No pets

  • Access to the Trail

    2WD, Air or Bus to Halls Creek or Kununurra. 4WD only from Great Northern Hwy. See Group D items on Trail Tips page. Roads may be closed after heavy rain, check conditions before travelling

  • Trail Contact

    Purnululu National Park Visitor Centre (open April to mid October)
    Telephone: (08) 9168 7300
    Web: https://parks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/purnululu-visitor-centre
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    Twitter: @exploreparks.wa