Bungle Bungle range voted WA's top spot
12 February 2009
The spectacular Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park) in the State’s North West has been voted Western Australia’s favourite tourism destination in RAC Travel’s 101WA poll.
The pristine Ningaloo Marine Park came in second and the rugged Kimberley Coast took out third place.
RAC Travel Spokesperson Kingsley Dawes said the Bungle Bungle Range was worthy of the coveted number one spot.
“I think this is one place in the world that everyone needs to visit in their lifetime. It’s hard to access but is well worth it for the stunning natural formations and untouched landscape,” he said.
“The Bungle Bungle Range and surrounding area has a rich Aboriginal history and includes evidence of more than 20,000 years of Indigenous life, but its existence has only been known by the wider population since 1982. This truly is a breathtaking place.”
The diverse beauty of the State is reflected in the fact that each of Western Australia’s five tourism regions are featured in the top 10.
Mr Dawes said 101wa.com.au had generated a lot of discussion about WA’s top destinations and attractions over the past four months.
“People are very passionate about their favourite places and 101wa.com.au gave everyone the opportunity to tell the world what they believed was the best place to visit or take a holiday,” Mr Dawes said.
Four of the top five destinations are recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The Bungle Bungle Range and Shark Bay Heritage Precinct are world heritage listed, Ningaloo Marine Park is on the list for world heritage listing and the Kimberley Coast is classed as a biosphere reserve.
“Western Australia has some very unique and beautiful places to visit and I hope 101wa.com.au inspires people to get out and see them,” Mr Dawes said.
“It is obvious people in this State and across the world recognise the significance of WA’s natural landscape and it’s great that they want to embrace it and promote it.”
The top 10 changed numerous times in the final weeks but in the end the rugged beauty of the north won out.
More than 15,000 votes were cast from across the world since the site launched in October, with WA’s natural beauty a clear favourite.
Regional locations were the most popular, filling eight of the top 10 places. Rottnest Island was the favourite Perth destination (8) followed closely by Fremantle (9).
101WA.com.au will remain as a point of reference and information about Western Australian destinations and activities. Voting on the site has finished, but people can still comment or upload images of their favourite destinations.
The top 10:
1. Bungle Bungle Range/Purnululu National Park
2. Ningaloo Marine Park
3. Kimberley Coast/Prince Regent River Biosphere Reserve
4. Shark Bay Heritage Precinct
5. Wine and Food in WA’s South West
6. Karijini National Park
7. Cape Le Grand National Park and Lucky Bay
8. Rottnest Island
9. Fremantle
10. Whales (off the South West coast)
* A full list of the final 101 can be accessed at
http://www.101wa.com.auDownload the release