Mount Bruce is the second highest mountain in the state of Western Australia

Western Australia

Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...

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Mount Bruce lies 62 kilometres (39 mi) northwest of Mount Meharry

Mount Meharry

Mount Meharry is the highest mountain in Western Australia. It is located in the Hamersley Range within the southeastern part of Karijini National Park in the Pilbara region, approximately from Wittenoom, and from Tom Price....

, the highest peak in the state

States and territories of Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...

. It is a part of the Hamersley Range

Hamersley Range

The Hamersley Ranges is a mountainous region of the Pilbara, Western Australia. The range runs from the Fortescue River in the northeast, 460 km south. The range contains Western Australia's highest point, Mount Meharry, which reaches approximately AHD. There are many extensively-eroded...

 in the Pilbara. A number of walks exist on the mountain including the relatively easy Marandoo walk that offers a view over the Marandoo

Marandoo mine

The Marandoo mine is an iron ore mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 45 kilometres east of Tom Price.The mine is fully owned and operated by Rio Tinto Iron Ore and is one of twelve iron ore mines the company operates in the Pilbara. In the calendar year 2009, the combined...

 minesite, the more difficult Honey Hakea walk and the summit track.

Mount Bruce reaches 1234 m (4,049 ft), being 15 m (49 ft) lower than Mount Meharry.

The Aboriginal

Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....

name for the mountain is Punurrunha.

Climbing

For an exhilarating physical challenge and stunning views, climb Mount Bruce, Western Australia's second highest peak, located in the Karijini National Park.

Mount Bruce is part of the Hamersley Range - and while it doesn't seem that massive from the car park below, the climb is 1,235 metres to the top. The walk trail winds around smaller peaks and rocky outcrops.

First stop is the Marandoo Mine site, and from there the trek becomes more difficult - but the sense of achievement and panoramic view of the surrounding plateau makes it very worthwhile.

It can take anywhere between two to four hours to climb Mount Bruce depending on your level of fitness.

Mount Bruce is in the southern part of Karijini National Park.

The park is a two hour drive from the town of Newman and is best accessed by joining a four wheel drive tour.