Spend 13 days in the rugged Kimberley region of Northern Australia. With a maximum of 6 people in a luxury 4WD, enjoy the sights with a local experienced guide and in small group comfort.
Highlights
• Bungle Bungles
• El Questro & Chamberlain Gorge Cruise
• Aboriginal Rock Art
• Bushtucker & Bush Medicine Walks
• Lake Argyle Cruise
• Mitchell Plateau & Falls, with Helicopter Flight
• Kalumburu Aboriginal Community, local guided tour
• Manning Gorge & Waterfall
• Bell Gorge
• Galvans Gorge
• King Leopold Ranges
• Napier Range
• Windjana Gorge
• Tunnel Creek
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 (L,D)
You will be collected from your hotel at 7.30 am this morning to begin your 13 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley region.
We head south, along the Stuart Highway to the township of Katherine and, after a short break, continue west along the Victoria Highway.
We have lunch en-route and stop to view the mighty Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles.
We travel through Gregory National Park and Timber Creek before crossing through the border into Western Australia.
Overnight camp - Lake Argyle campground
Day 2 (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we head out to Lake Argyle for a 2 hour morning cruise. Lake Argyle is Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering 1000sq km and built as part of the Ord River scheme. It offers a great expanse of water from which steep red rocky slopes reach up approximately a 150m, in awe-inspiring grandeur.
Take in the untamed landscape of the magnificent Carr Boyd Ranges along the inaccessible North Western shoreline as you cruise through some of Lake Argyles 90 islands and inlets.
Then we pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border restrictions) before heading south to Doon Doon and into the Bungle Bungles.
Purnululu National park is famous for the ancient range of unusual beehive-shaped domes, gorges and chasms over 350 million years old. The section of road into the Bungles from the highway is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of off-road adventure!
Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground (2 night stay).
Day 3 (B,L,D)
There’s time this morning for optional helicopter flights over the Bungle Bungles Range (own expense) and then we’ll walk into Cathedral Gorge. On our way back we walk up to the Piccaniny lookout for a spectacular view over the domes and the surrounding desert county. Then we take the “Domes trail walk” and head back to camp for lunch.
This afternoon we head out to Echidna Chasm, which is a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock. The walk in is beautiful, passing endemnic livistonia palms. On the way back we take a detour to the lookout over the Osmond Ranges.
There’s also time this afternoon to take the Mini Palms Walk, to complete your experience in the Bungle Bungles. This walk is optional as it’s a longer and harder walk than the others (approx 2 hours) though the scenery is stunning.
Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground .
Day 4 (B,L,D)
This morning we head to Doon Doon and then up to Parry’s Lagoon, which is a haven for birdlife.
Into Wyndham for lunch while we take in the sensational views of the 5 rivers lookout and the Cambridge Gulf.
Meeting up with the Gibb River road, we’ll stop at an art site before making our way to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.
Overnight camp - El Questro campground (2 night stay)
Day 5 (B,L,D)
This morning we take a walk into El Questro Gorge, which is a trail through a deep, narrow gorge, flanked by sheer cliffs. The walk features clear pools and lush tropical vegetation and the rainforest canopy has a diverse ecosystem, while keeping us shaded and cool through most of the walk. There are a couple of places to stop for a swim along the way.
Guests also have the option of taking one of the optional activities at El Questro, such as fishing or horseriding (own expense).
After lunch take the afternoon cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, viewing the beautiful scenery.
Overnight camp - El Questro campground
Day 6 (B,L,D)
An early start this morning to beat the crowds to Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dip in the thermal pools, set amongst palm trees.
We’ll return to camp for breakfast and to pack up, before visiting the Durack Tree and Branco’s lookout.
Leaving El Questro, we head onto the Gibb River Road where we’ll stop to view the mighty Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges before viewing the ‘cuples’, which are man made rock indentations.
We turn onto the Kalumburu Road and up to Miners Pool for a swim and some time to relax. Many species of birdlife can be seen here and for the early risers, kangaroo’s often come out at sunrise.
Overnight camp - Miners Pool campground
Day 7 (B,L,D)
We have a later start this morning and head north again to Kalumburu community.
Kalumburu is the most northern settlement in western Australia and is situated on the King Edward River. The area has been home for many thousands of years to aboriginal people and this corner of the continent was one of the main entry points into Australia of the first ancient inhabitants. A mission was established in the community in 1932, after the original settlement was moved from Pago, 30 km away and the mission today plays a vital role in the community.
Once we’ve set up camp, the rest of the afternoon is free to do some fishing, bushwalking or simply enjoy the scenery and solitude.
Overnight camp – Kalumburu campground
Day 8 (B,L,D)
Today we have a very interesting morning, spent exploring Kalumburu with a local aboriginal guide.
We visit the Old Pago ruins and some WWII wrecks, which are close by.
Our guide will take us to several rock art sites, teach us about the aboriginal way of life, culture, bush skills and bush tuckers.
We also visit the museum for an informative talk and you may have the opportunity to buy original aboriginal art direct from the community and artists.
This afternoon, we head down to King Edward.
Overnight camp - on the banks of the King Edward River (campground-2 night stay).
Day 9 (B,L,D)
Today is spent swimming and exploring in the Mitchell Falls area. On our 3km walk into the falls, we’ll visit Little and Big Mertens and delve into some bushtuckers and medicines.
The rest of the day is spent swimming and relaxing at Mitchell Falls, a three-tiered waterfall cascading over the plateau’s edge and into the Mitchell River.
We’ll take a short helicopter ride back to the car park enjoying the amazing views on the way and then make our way back to camp.
Overnight camp - on the banks of the King Edward River (campground)
Day 10 (B,L,D)
We’ll have a later start this morning. After leaving camp, we’ll view 2 unique art sites,of Bradshaw and Wandjana figures.
Then we head south down the Kalumburu road and to Miners Pool For a relaxing afternoon and a camp oven roast dinner.
Overnight camp - Miners Pool campground
Day 11 (B,L,D)
Leaving camp this morning, we’ll stop on the banks of the Gibb River, before continuing our journey along the Gibb River road.
Our destination today is Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge. This afternoon we take a walk to Upper Manning Gorge and Manning Falls, where you can sit under the waterfall and enjoy a swim in the large plungepool. There is some Bradshaw art here too.
Overnight camp - Manning Gorge campground
Day 12 (B,L,D)
Our first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge, a small picturesque gorge, surrounded by boab trees. It has some interesting rock art and is a great place for a relaxing swim.
Then we’ll head to Bell Gorge, which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley. Here we take a short hike which leads to the waterfall, where we have a swim.
Continuing west, we pass through the King Leopold and Napier Ranges to Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the Napier range. Freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river banks.
We set up camp and watch the sunset over the Napier Range.
Overnight camp at Windjana Gorge campground
Day 13 (B,L)
This morning we take a walk into Windjana Gorge and then head off to Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone tunnel in the Napier Range, carved into the rock over thousands of years. View stalactites and stalacmites and hear the story of Jandamarra, who used the tunnel as a hideout in the late 1800’s.
The last leg of our journey along the Gibb river road takes us towards Derby, where we’ll stop at the prison boab tree, before making our way to Broome.
We arrive late afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
END ITINERARY
B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner
Departs Darwin on Fridays and Broome on Saturdays from May - October 2009, subject to availability.
Broome to Darwin itinerary runs in reverse
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inclusions:- GXL Landcruiser 4WD with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer - All meals as stated- Entrance fees- Camping fees & equipment- Permits- El Questro Wilderness pass- Mitchell Plateau helicopter flight- Chamberlain Gorge cruise- Aboriginal Guide & tour at Kalumburu.Exclusions:- Pre & Post tour accommodation- Travel insurance- Bungle Bungles helicopter flight (approx $265).
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Camping
Wildlife Viewing
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