Red soils and huge termite mounds near Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek
Tiny settlement on the main road through the Kimberley
Turkey Creek is a tiny settlement located 3019km from Perth and 858km east of Broome on the Great Northern Highway. It is one of the principal access points to the beautiful Purnululu National Park and the famous Bungle Bungle ranges.

Things to see:  

Bungle Bungles
Known to the local Aborigines as Purnululu, the Bungle Bungles are located south west of Turkey Creek on a road which is so bad that the RAC has this to say about it: 'The distance from the highway to the Three-Ways intersection is only 55 km, however, the trip will take two or three hours and the track is suitable only for 4WDs with good clearance. Caravans will not survive the trip.' Reaching the campsites involves further travelling for at least another hour.

The journey is still richly rewarded. The Bungle Bungles are one of the wonders of outback Australia. Formed over 350 million years ago the sandstone massif has the appearance of gigantic bell shaped rock towers with horizontal banding produced by layers of black lichens and orange silica. The sandstone is so fine that it crumbles when touched. The area is a wonderland of Aboriginal art, huge gullies and dramatic caves like the spectacular Piccaninny Gorge - a 15 km, 8 hour walk from the road.

It is claimed that in the early years of white settlement of the Kimberley, when the brutal massacres of local Aborigines were at their height, that many Aborigines retreated to the safety of the Bungle Bungles climbing up to the plateau with notched tree trunks which they pulled up after themselves to prevent pursuit.

Visitors can stay at the campsites at Bellburn Creek and Kurrajong. Further information can be obtained from the C.A.L.M. Office in Kununurra on (08) 9168 0200

Accommodation
The opening of the Turkey Creek Roadhouse and motel units on 3 October 2001 was an economic and business success story for the Warmun community. The purchase of the Turkey Creek Roadhouse was initiated by the desire and the vision of the Warmun community to be active in creating and managing their own economic future. Due to high demand for accommodation during the tourism season the managing company, Canila Pty Ltd, embarked on the development and expansion of motel accommodation.

Northern building consultants, an Aboriginal-owned building company located in Broome, completed these facilities in September, 2001. In addition, Canila is currently looking at funding sources to establish a 40-bay caravan site, which will include powered sites, bush camping sites and secure caravan parking.

This latest expansion will provide substantial and numerous benefits for the Warmun community and include:

* the provision of an ongoing economic income producing base for the community;

* better facilities for tourists in Warmun;

* increased employment opportunities; and

* it will promote Warmun as the gateway to Purnululu National Park.

	Motels
	Turkey Creek Roadhouse Great Northern Hwy Turkey Creek WA 6740 Telephone: (08) 9168 7882
	Camping & Other
	Turkey Creek Roadhouse Great Northern Hwy Turkey Creek WA 6740 Telephone: (08) 9168 7882