7 Day Kimberley Highlights Tour

DAY 1 – KATHERINE, VICTORIA RIVER, EAST KIMBERLEY

Today we travel south along the Stuart Highway, our first stop being Katherine, where we have time for a short refreshing swim and break, before turning west onto the Victoria Highway. En route we drive through Judbarra (Gregory) National Park, measuring 13,000 sqkms and displaying some of Australia’s most dramatic escarpment and mesa formations. In the late afternoon we reach our final destination for the day, Keep River National Park. Upon arrival at camp we have time to admire the spectacular sandstone environment which plays host to many bird and marsupial species, while enjoying our first Kimberley sunset. After the first of many campfire dinners, we relax and take in “that big Kimberley sky” with all its stars!

DAY 2 – BUNGLE BUNGLES VIA KUNUNURRA

After breakfast we cross the Western Australia border, enter the East Kimberley, and set our watches back 1.5 hrs to Kimberley time. We stop in Kununurra for a tour of this fascinating East Kimberley hub. Kununurra was originally constructed as a support base for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, but today is a thriving East Kimberley community filling a vital role in supporting the surrounding local economy. From Kununurra we continue our Kimberley experience and turn south onto the Great Northern Highway. The drive along the Great Northern Highway is through a narrow corridor between the Carboyd Ranges on the eastern side, and the Durack Ranges in the west. This is classic Durack country and one of the most picturesque routes in the Kimberley. After a relaxing drive along the highway, we turn onto the Mabel Downs Station track to tackle the raw rugged terrain of the Osmond Range and surrounding Bungle Bungle landscape. As we continue through Mabel Downs cattle station towards Purnululu National Park, crossing several creeks and rivers, we stop at some lookout points to admire this uniquely striking landscape and give you time to capture it all through the lens. After lunch we head to the northern section of the Bungle Bungle Range for our hike into Echidna Chasm, with the afternoon shade inducing the rich red colours and changing aspects of this natural masterpiece. We end today at one of the parks great vantage points to witness the changing colours and moods of the Bungle Bungle Range as the sun sets behind the Osmond Range.

DAY 3 – BUNGLE BUNGLES (OPTIONAL HELICOPTER FLIGHTS) WYNDHAM, FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT

After our onsite sunrise breakfast we spend the whole morning hiking around and through the famous World Heritage Acclaimed beehive formations of the bungle bungle range. We also trek Piccinnini Creek, the main drainage channel of the park, and Cathedral Gorge as we admire the outstanding features of this unique semi-arid Kimberley zone. After our morning hiking expedition we have an opportunity for a helicopter flight (optional at own expense) to view the surrounding Bungle Bungle landscape and get a true perspective of its grandeur and magnitude. An 18-30min flight over the Bungle Bungle Range in an open door chopper is an exhilarating experience and definitely the best way to view this incredible land form, particularly after exploring and hiking the area previously. This afternoon we take a return journey through Mable Downs Station and onto Wyndham, one of the oldest and greatest pioneering towns of the Kimberley. Wyndham is situated at the base of “The Bastion” where from its peak of 234 mtrs we experience one of the most expansive views of the Kimberley coast, and five major Kimberley river systems, at Five Rivers Lookout. After our sunset safari we head back to our “bastion base camp”.

DAY 4 – ELQUESTRO GORGE, AMALIA GORGE, SUNSET EXPEDITION

Our first stop this morning is the beautiful Emma Gorge on Elquestro Wilderness Park. As we hike into the gorge we pass through a series of rock holes and cascades, lush rain forest habitats and towering sandstone escarpments to eventually arrive at a tall waterfall with a large plunge pool. It’s easy to acknowledge Emma Falls as one of the most outstanding water features of the Kimberley, as we take the time for a swim and enjoy this true Kimberley oasis. After our hike and swim at Emma Gorge, we travel further into Elquestro Station surrounded by the mighty Durack Ranges. We have time to explore Amalia Gorge, before heading to tonights camp and preparing for our sunset expedition. After a steep 4WD climb we arrive at one of the Kimberleys most notorious panoramic vantage points at the best time of day. The dominant Durack Ranges exhibit the most striking panoramic perspectives of the Kimberley.

DAY 5 – ZEBEDEE THERMAL SPRINGS, ELQUESTRO GORGE, SUNSET EXPEDITION

After breakfast we visit Zebedee Thermal Springs. Zebedee is a true tropical oasis nestled in a natural palm forest, with warm springwater flowing from the surrounding sandstone cliffs through a series of cascades and rock holes. Some early morning soaking and relaxing in Zebedee is the perfect start to our day. Our next destination is Elquestro Gorge, another of Elquestros remote aquatic features. Elquestro Gorge can be a challenging and rewarding hike, or just a  relaxing short walk to a great small waterfall. Whatever you prefer. After our active day we head for a different vantage point for another stunning Kimberley sunset.

DAY 6 – LAKE ARGYLE CRUISE (WITH OPTIONAL OVERNIGHT EXCLUSIVE ISLAND CAMPING)

Lake Argyle, measuring seven times the size of Sydney Harbour, the lake and its numerous islands is an incredible Kimberley Spectacle on a grand scale! After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Ord River, we board our boat for an exclusive sunset cruise on Lake Argyle, and rather than returning to the mainland we have time for a sunset swim before heading to our exclusive remote overnight camp on one of the lakes many islands. Our stunning and unique island experience has been made possible through our partnership with lake Argyle Cruises. There is nothing quite like having a remote island in the middle of a vast wilderness entirely to ourselves!

DAY 7 – EAST KIMBERLEY, ORD RIVER, KUNUNURRA

This morning as you rise to the sun appearing on the horizon and the breathtaking views across Lake Argyle, you will feel a true sense of remoteness and total calm sweep over you. As we cruise across the lake in the early morning back towards the mainland, we witness one of the Kimberleys great wilderness areas slowly springing to life. There are numerous bird and fish species, rock wallabies and fresh water crocodiles on and around Lake Argyle making this particular journey another of our many unique Kimberley experiences. Once we reach the mainland we have breakfast by the Ord River and head for Kununurra. While in Kununurra we visit the historic “Old Ivanhoe Crossing” and explore the Ord River Irrigation Scheme through a visit to the now World famous “Hoochery Distillery” and the Australian Sandalwood Farm. This afternoon after lunch with some fresh Kununurra produce, we transport you to either Kununurra air terminal to meet your flight, or your pre- booked Kununurra accommodation and leave you to reflect on your Kimberley experience with us.