Spend 10 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 include:
• 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 7.30am this morning to begin your 10 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 towards the Western Australian border.
Overnight camp at Lake Argyle
Day 2 (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we take a look around 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, which gives great views over Kununurra.
Mid- morning, 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!
The afternoon is spent in Echidna Chasm and at various lookouts.
Echidna Chasm is a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock, passing endemnic livistonia palms.
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”.
This afternoon, we make our way north onto the Gibb River Road and El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.
Overnight El Questro campground
Day 4 (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 5 (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.
Once we reach the Kalumburu Road, we’ll take a walk around an aboriginal rock art and burial site.
Your guide will interpret these art sites for you and explain their significance.
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 6 (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 Falls, 2 rock art sites 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. There is also an opportunity to take a hike along the banks of the Mitchell River to explore an Aboriginal occupational site.
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 7 (B,L,D)
After leaving camp this morning, we’ll view 2 unique galleries of Bradshaw and Wandjana figures.
Then onto Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge, arriving in time for a walk into the gorge for sunset and a refreshing swim.
Overnight camp at Manning Gorge
Day 8 (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 9 (B,L,D)
Leaving our Silent Grove camp, we continue west through the King Leopold ranges and to Lennard Gorge.
This is a spectacular narrow gorge featuring, after a good wet season, a spectacular cascade waterall. It tumbles off red rocks and plunges into the narrow gorge below.
This afternoon we explore 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 10 (B,L)
This morning is spent at 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.
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.
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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