What is the name of the orange and black striped rock formation in Purnululu National Park?

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The orange and black striped rock formation in Purnululu National Park is the Bungle Bungle Range.

These beehive-shaped sandstone domes formed from sediment deposited roughly 275–250 million years ago. Wind and rain gradually carved the ancient sandstone plateau into the distinctive towers seen today.

The orange bands contain oxidised iron compounds, while the darker bands retain more moisture and support cyanobacteria. This natural striping is why the range is often described as one of Australia's most recognisable geological landscapes.

The Bungle Bungle Range occupies about 450 square kilometres in Western Australia's Kimberley region. Purnululu National Park, which contains the range, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. A common mix-up is calling the formation “Purnululu”; that is the park's name, while Bungle Bungle Range is the name of the striped landform.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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