Heading to Cathedral Gorge but not sure what you’re in for? There’s only one guarantee when you visit – it’s going to be an adventure!
If you’re not sure what to expect and how to plan for your hike at Cathedral Gorge, look no further. This article will tell you everything you need to know before you head out on your adventure. How difficult the hike is, the best time to go, how to stay safe, what to bring, how to get there, swimming and more.
Read along to uncover the magic of Purnululu and Cathedral Gorge. There’s so much more to discover than just a walking trail.
1. There’s a hike to get to the Gorge
The Cathedral Gorge hiking trail winds through some spectacular gorges and rock formations where you can really get a feel for how ancient the land is. The trail itself is a 2km return walk which is quite flat and easy to traverse. But the remote location and often-extreme heat make it quite a challenging walk.
Time: 1-3 hours
Type: Out and back
Distance: 2km return
Difficulty: Moderate/hard
Grade: 4
The Cathedral Gorge walking trail starts at Piccaninny Creek Car Park in the southern section of Purnululu National Park. Although it’s relatively flat and easy to follow, it is rated as moderate/hard because of its remoteness and heat.
There are signs starting at the carpark which show multiple walking trails. There’s a longer multi-day trek that starts here too, so don’t get confused and follow the wrong trail! Follow the signs to Cathedral Gorge. Along the way you will find some steps, handrails, and sandy creek-bed walking. The terrain is varied and interesting but is mostly firm underfoot.
2. It’s a World Heritage Site
As soon as you set foot in Purnululu National Park you’ll understand why it’s a World Heritage Site. The magic can’t be explained, it can only be felt.
The Heritage Site was designated in 2003 and covers a huge 240,000 hectares of Purnululu National Park. The designation means it’s recognised for its exceptional natural beauty and scientific (geological) importance. But, for those who have inhabited the land for thousands of years, the meaning goes much deeper.
The World Heritage designation plays an important role in helping preserve the National Park and surrounding area. Much needed funding goes towards helping protect it from wildfires, mining, degradation by visitors, managing invasive species, employing staff, and building infrastructure for the Park.
Do your part to keep this incredible place in pristine condition by Leaving No Trace. This means you should always take your rubbish with you, stick to the designated trails, be considerate of other visitors and respect sacred sites.
3. You need a 4WD to get there
If you’re going to be self-driving into Purnululu National Park, you might have already heard of Spring Creek Road. It’s the infamously bumpy road that gets you from the Great Northern Highway to the National Park, and is 50km of rocky, winding fun! Don’t underestimate the journey or come unprepared though, Spring Creek Road has quite the notorious name – it’s been the reason for countless breakdowns and 4WD mishaps.
If you want to know more about what to expect from Spring Creek Road, head over to my guide explaining everything you need to know about camping and self-driving in Purnululu National Park.
4. There’s no phone reception or water available
Purnululu is one of the most untouched and magical places on earth, so it stands to reason that phone reception and running water are practically non-existent at Cathedral Gorge!
Even if you have a Telstra or Optus phone plan, you will have limited to no mobile phone coverage in the National Park. It is a very remote place, meaning it’s also a long way from help. Plan for your hike by making sure you have adequate water supplies in your vehicle and to carry with you, plus make sure you have some form of backup communication or navigation in case you get lost or stranded.
5. The Cathedral is a spectacular natural amphitheatre
Weathering and erosion over thousands of years has carved out the beautiful rock structure that is known as the ‘Cathedral’, and it has a natural pool below. You can explore all around the incredible rock feature – but be careful where you step and be mindful not to break any of the fragile rocks.
Geology of Purnululu and the Cathedral
Spare a thought for the immense age of the rocks along the way, the mounds and rock-faces you’ll see are more than 360 million years old. The ancient and fragile sandstone doesn’t take much to crumble.
Look closely and you’ll see hundreds of tiny, banded layers in the rock. Some layers are harder than others, some are grey, and some are orange. The grey layers are grey because cyanobacteria used to grow there (cyanobacteria are the oldest type of bacteria on earth, the planet’s first photosynthesisers, and the reason the Earth’s atmosphere is now full of oxygen!). The orange layers are orange because of their iron content – mixing with the oxygen in the air forming orange ‘rust’.
Over the last 20 million years, water and wind have been carving out the sandstone to create the ‘beehives’ you see today. They call it ‘cone karst’, but it’s much more than that. It’s a long story of the endless forces of the earth. Rocks that have stood up for millennia, bearing witness to life between their walls for thousands of years.
6. It’s a place of Aboriginal significance
The Traditional Custodians of Purnululu National Park are the Gija and Jaru people. It won’t take you long to realise just how special the place is. As I sat on the floor of the Gorge, looking up and feeling embraced by the huge looming walls above me, I felt that the Gorge commanded a sense of respect. It felt appropriate to sit in quiet reflection for a little while.
If you want to learn more about the significance of Cathedral Gorge, you could take a guided tour with ‘Bungle Bungle Guided Tours’.
7. It’s guaranteed to be hot when you visit
No matter what time of year, and even what time of day you visit, it’s all but guaranteed to be hot when you visit Cathedral Gorge.
The Gorge is lovely and shady once you finally arrive, but is quite exposed on the hike in. If you’re hiking close to the middle of the day, the sun will be overhead and there’ll be no escaping it. If you’re there a little earlier or later, there’ll be a better chance that the high rock walls will block out most of the sun.
Regardless of direct sun and time of day, it will be hot on the hike to Cathedral Gorge. The coldest months of the year, which are typically June and July, reach about 30°C during the daytime. It’s not unusual to experience days in the 40°C’s at this time of year either, and as you move away from June and July it only gets hotter.
Want to avoid heat stroke? Here’s what you can do to make sure you don’t drop dead on the trail:
- As a bare minimum, carry (and drink) at least 3 litres of water per person
- Don’t overestimate your fitness level. If you’re already feeling a bit tired and hot before you set out, it’s only going to get worse as you walk. If you’re unsure, don’t go.
- Take it slowly. You’re a LONG way from help out there
- Don’t hike in the middle of the day, this is when it’s hottest
- Carry a snack – eating food is an effective way to help your body absorb the water you drink, which helps you avoid dehydration.
There is one silver lining about tackling the trail in the middle of the day though – it’ll be perfect lighting for photos.
8. The National Park is only open from April to December
During the summer months, Purnululu National Park is completely closed to visitors. This is because it is ‘wet season’. Heavy rains during this time make the Park inaccessible by vehicles. The timing of the wet season changes slightly from year to year, so plan ahead and stay updated by checking the Park Alerts website and Kununurra Parks and Wildlife.
9. It’s rare you’ll be able to swim in the pool there
Because you can’t get to Purnunlulu National Park in the wet season, it usually means that by the time April rolls around the water in the pools will be starting to dry up. The pool at Cathedral Gorge quickly becomes stagnant after the wet season, with high daytime temperatures, direct sunlight, and a complete lack of water flow causing bacteria to multiply.
If by some miracle the water in the pool looks inviting enough to swim in, just be wary. If it looks green or has any kind of sheen or layer on top of it, then it’s probably no good for swimming. Regardless, if you do go in, make sure you keep your head completely out of the water.
I visited Cathedral Gorge in the month of May and there was almost no water in the pool even then. The water that was there was green and still, and not for a second did I consider going for a swim!
10. There’s a bonus hike loop on the way: The Domes
If you’re looking for a shorter, easier hike that will still get you up close to the incredible rock formations of Purnululu, The Domes are for you. It’s also a great little extra loop to add on to your hike to Cathedral Gorge if you want a bit more adventure.
The Domes is a Class 3, 700m loop trail that winds gently through the huge sandstone domes that Purnululu National Park is famous for. Allow about 30 minutes to complete The Domes trail, but more if you want to take your time.
I came quite early in the morning and absolutely loved spending some quiet reflection time around the Domes. I stood in wonder, just me and the rocks, trying to comprehend the millions of years of life the domes had endured. I spent time wondering just how many stories there were to tell, how much life had been witnessed there.
11. Pause for the magic and wonder
There is endless life to bear witness to at Purnululu and Cathedral Gorge. So many incredible trees and plants make their home in this National Park, like the bloodwoods and the snappy gums. Perhaps you’ll see a tiny skink that you’ll find nowhere else on earth (truly, the Lerista bunglebungle is found nowhere else on earth), or maybe you’ll spot a beautiful double-barred finch or a white-quilled rock pigeon. The wonders and possibilities are infinite.
If you decide to take the quiet moment and experience Cathedral Gorge at dusk, make sure you take a headlamp and some spare batteries. Remember that help is a long way away out there if you get lost or injured. It also gets bitterly cold at night, so pack a jacket if you are going to be hiking late in the day.
12. The magic and wonder might include snakes!
Another fabulous thing about this remote location is the potential to spot some beautiful snakes. If you do see a snake, regardless of whether you think it’s venomous or dangerous, here’s what you should do:
- Give them space by keeping as much distance as possible
- Back away slowly if you accidentally get too close to one
- Don’t turn your back
- Don’t make quick or jerky movements
- They don’t want to hurt you, and they’ll escape as fast as they can, just make sure you give them an option – don’t back them into a corner.
13. You can’t fly your drone
Drones are strictly not permitted in Purnululu National Park. This is partially because it is a very busy airspace with helicopters and light planes constantly moving through the sky. If you want to use your drone, you’ll have to pre-arrange a permit.
14. Carry a personal locator beacon & emergency gear
If you’re not there on a tour or a scenic flight, it’s a really good idea to carry an emergency location device of some kind with you into Purnululu National Park. A satellite phone, personal locator beacon, or at the very least a 2-way radio, are devices you should consider carrying. A PLB or satellite phone will ensure that you have a way of calling for help in a life-threatening emergency situation.
It never costs anything to be well-prepared and could even save your life if something goes wrong. If you’re hiking in a remote location, and especially if you plan to be out anywhere at sunset, you should always carry the following items with you:
- Warm jacket & beanie
- Torch & spare batteries
- Little bit of extra food and water
- Foil emergency blanket
These are all very lightweight items to carry and could make the difference for surviving an unplanned night out in the wilderness.
15. Park Entry Fees Apply
Just like any other National Park in Western Australia, there is an entry fee. Entry to Purnululu National Park is $17. But if you’re planning to explore some more of this incredible state, a Park Pass offers amazing value for money.
16. No pets
Another standard National Park rule is that pets are not permitted to enter. This is no different at Purnululu National Park, so plan to leave your pets at home.
17. Cathedral Gorge is just one of many special places at Purnululu
Purnululu is a place of boundless wonder, and endless opportunities to be humbled by nature. The only way to truly feel the magic and power of this ancient land is to pause for a while. Pause long enough to hear your own breathing slow down, then let mother nature in. Listen out for the sounds of digging, hunting, nibbling, or scratching. Watch for tiny butterflies floating past, or eagles to soar overhead. Keep an eye out for big things… but notice the small things.
Keen for more Purnululu adventures?
Learn everything you need to know about planning your trip to Purnululu, the bumpy drive into the National Park, all your camping options and so much more by reading this guide.
Exploring the northern end of Purnululu? Check out my guide to hiking Echidna Chasm.
