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
• Mitchell Plateau & Falls, with Helicopter Flight
• Kalumburu Aboriginal Community, local guided tour
• Mt Barnett Gorge
• Manning Gorge & Waterfall
• Bell Gorge
• Adcock 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 on the banks of the Victoria River and then travel through Gregory National Park and Timber Creek before passing through the border into Western Australia.
Overnight camp at Lake Argyle
Day 2 (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we explore Lake Argyle, which is Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering 1000sq km and built as part of the Ord River scheme.
We pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies ( due to border restrictions) , take a look around at the Warringari Art Centre and Kelly’s Knob Lookout before lunch.
After lunch, we head down to Turkey Creek and then 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 Bungle Bungles campground.
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 take the ‘Domes trail walk”.
The afternoon is spent in Echidna Chasm and at various lookouts.
Echidna Chasm is a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock, passing endemnic livistonia palms.
Optional longer hikes available.
Overnight 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 now make our way to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.
Overnight El Questro campground
Day 5 (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.
Then we’ll return to camp to enjoy a cooked breakfast , before exploring the park, including several lookouts.
There is time after lunch for a refreshing swim before the afternoon cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, viewing the scenery and rock art sites.
Overnight El Questro Campground
Day 6 (B,L,D)
Leaving El Questro, we head back onto the Gibb River Road where we’ll stop to view the mighty Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges.
Then we’ll make our way to an art site to view the rock art as well as ‘cuples’, which are man made rock indentations.
Onto the Kalumburu Road and another rock art stop.
After a lunch stop at Drysdale River Station, we continue north to the King Edward River and onto our camp in time for a swim.
Overnight camp on the banks of the King Edward River.
Day 7 (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
Day 8 (B,L,D)
After leaving camp this morning, we’ll view 2 unique art sites,of Bradshaw and Wandjana figures. Then we head north to Kalumburu Aboriginal community, with lunch on the banks of the Carson River.
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 at Kalumburu
Day 9 (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.
Overnight camp at Kalumburu
Day 10 (B,L,D)
Today we leave Kalumburu and head south again.
Onto Barnett River gorge, where a hike into the gorge is rewarded by a swim and the opportunity for birdwatching.
Then onto Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge, arriving in time for a short walk into the gorge for a swim and sunset.
Overnight camp at Manning Gorge
Day 11 (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 Adcock Gorge for a swim. The three walls of Adcock Gorge exceed thirty metres in some places and a small waterfall cascades down over rock benches into a small pool beside what is believed to be an Aboriginal burial ground.
Bell Gorge is our final destination for the day, which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley.
Overnight camp at Silent Grove.
Day 12 (B,L,D)
Leaving our Silent Grove camp, we continue west through the King Leopold ranges , stopping en-route at some lookouts before we reach Windjana Gorge, where we have lunch and set up camp.
The afternoon is spent exploring 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.
Back to camp in time for sunset over the Napier Range.
Overnight camp at Windjana Gorge.
Day 13 (B,L)
After breakfast we take a walk into Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system, set in the Napier Range. Freshwater crocodiles laze around, basking in the sun, on the banks of the Lennard River, which runs through the gorge.
The last leg of our journey along the Gibb river road takes us into Derby, where we spend time exploring the town and the wharf area. As we leave, we’ll stop at the prison boab tree and have lunch on the banks of the Fitzroy river.
Then we make our way into Broome, arriving late afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
End Itinerary.
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
Self Drive
Wildlife Viewing
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