9 Day Kimberley Tours
Darwin-Broome

This morning after a relaxed breakfast, we cross the WA/ NT border and head to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as one of the highlights of the tour. The drive to Lake Argyle leads us through stunning East Kimberley country; Witness how time has folded and uplifted the Carr Boyd Ranges, and further how this landscape has been transformed by the damming of the Ord River to create this massive water reserve. Lake Argyle is not only the largest man made fresh water reserve in the Southern hemisphere, it contains a myriad of islands and is open to a variety of leisure activities, including boating, fishing, swimming and canoeing. Upon arrival at the lake, we have time for a look around the impressive Lake Argyle damn structure and another wholesome lunch, before we prepare for our educational & fun Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise (optional). One of the knowledgeable local guides from Lake Argyle Cruises will take you out on the lake, where you will watch the abundant wildlife including wallabies and plenty of bird life. There is also time for a swim in the pristine waters of the lake, while watching sunset and enjoying some sunset drinks & snacks. After returning to the mainland, we make our way to another great camp under the stars.

This morning after enjoying another healthy breakfast in the tranquil environs of Lake Argyle, we head into Kununurra to replenish our supplies for the remainder of the tour. 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. Here you have time to visit the indigenous art gallery, stroll through souvenir shops or relax in one of the towns great cafes. 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 Carr Boyd 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, while giving you time to capture it all through the lens. We end today at one of the park’s great vantage points to view the Bungle Bungle Range as the sun sets behind us.

After an early 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 admire Cathedral Gorge and other outstanding features of this unique semi-arid Kimberley zone. After our morning hiking expedition we have an opportunity for a helicopter flight (optional extra) to view the surrounding Bungle Bungle landscape and get a true perspective of its grandeur and magnitude. An 18-30 minute flight over the Bungle Bungle Range in an open door chopper is an exhilarating experience and definitely the best way to view this incredible landform, particularly after exploring and hiking the area previously. After lunch we head to the northern section of the Bungle Bungle Range for more hiking. The drive to the north of the park is approx. 45 minutes and skirts the Bungles the whole distance, providing more opportunities to admire the changing aspects of this natural masterpiece. The experience in the park’s North is very different to this morning as we explore the changing habitats in and around Echidna Chasm. This afternoon we make a return journey once again through Mable Downs Station and onto tonight’s camp.

This morning after another good breakfast we break camp and head north to the Gibb River Road. Our first stop along the Gibb is Elquestro Station. Upon arrival at Elquestro we begin our exploration with a hike into Emma Gorge. The Emma Gorge hike leads us through towering sandstone escarpments to eventually arrive at a tall waterfall in a lush tropical paradise. After a swim at Emma Falls, we return hike and depart Elquestro. As we travel further along the Gibb, we descend to and cross the tidal section of the mighty Pentecost River. This can be a tricky crossing if not handled correctly; we may even spot a crocodile as we cross! After a short drive, we arrive at our day’s final destination, Home Valley Station. HVS is owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Corporation, and is one of the emerging Kimberley indigenous outback experiences. Nestled in the mighty Durack Ranges, it is signalling our arrival into the Kimberley central plateau. Upon arrival at Home Valley, we set up camp and enjoy another breathtaking sunset from a great vantage. The dominant Cockburn Range exhibits the most striking panoramic perspective of this classic east Kimberley Durack country at sunset.

This morning we travel further west along the Gibb and soon stop at Ellenbrae Station for mid-morning tea. This charming low key cattle farm is famous for their great scones with jam and cream, served by the friendly station managers Larissa and Logan. Travelling further on, we have lunch en route and later stop at Galvan’s Gorge for a refreshing afternoon swim before heading to camp. Tonight’s camp is one of our favourite bush camps, a great secluded little spot in the woodlands. Enjoy the tranquillity at this gorgeous time of the day, while we cook up another wholesome dinner on the camp fire.

This morning we backtrack a short way to Barnett River Roadhouse. After purchasing our day passes, we head immediately into Manning Gorge. We spend most of the day exploring this rugged remote gorge while swimming at secluded beaches, and viewing obscure Rock Art (Bradshaws). We also make time to visit the falls and have another swim, before our return hike. This expedition is for the fit and adventurous as we take you beyond where others go. After our Manning Gorge expedition, we return to the Gibb River Road and head west over the Phillips Range to our camp, where we enjoy a well-deserved hearty dinner and another relaxing night under the stars.

This morning after a relaxing breakfast, we continue west along the Gibb River Road, then stop at the Imintji aboriginal community. Our time at Imintji community allows us to visit the community arts centre, grab an ice cream, refreshing drink or even a latte and cake! – a true opportunity to experience remote community life and successful indigenous enterprise. Soon we enter the dramatic King Leopold Ranges, and after a brief stop we head directly into Bell Gorge. Nestled in the rugged sandstone of the King Leopold Conservation Zone, our Bell Gorge expedition leads us into the gorge revealing a major geological event in the evolution of the Kimberley land forms, and one of the most popular Kimberley waterfalls along the Gibb River Road. After our swim we exit the King Leopold Ranges and leave the central plateau area behind us, as we head towards the changing landscape and environments of the Western Kimberley. On approach the Napier Range abruptly rises from the western plains (Pindan country) to expose a 350 million year old Devonian Reef system. The reef system and surrounding plains provide cultural and geological insights spanning millennia. A short late afternoon hike into Windjana Gorge reveals one of the most dense freshwater crocodile populations in the south pacific, and how extreme weather events have created this geological masterpiece and its micro habitat. Tonight, enjoy a spectacular sunset from camp as the sun lights up the gorge walls displaying typical red and orange Kimberley colours.

After waking to our last Kimberley sunrise, our Kimberley experience continues as we explore Tunnel Creek in the early morning. We travel a short distance from camp, following the Devonian Reef system to Tunnel Creek. We arrive at Tunnel Creek nice and early to experience this unique formation and micro habitat in its true tranquillity. There is often an abundance of early morning wildlife here as we trek through the main tunnel and explore some of the secondary caverns of this amazing protected environment. While at Tunnel Creek we reveal some of the local Bunuba indigenous heritage, important cultural stories and historic events. After our early morning exploration of Tunnel Creek we then make our way back to the Gibb River Road, and soon afterwards we visit the remote town of Derby, home to some of the largest tides in the world. While in Derby we take advantage of the shopping opportunity and grab some fresh supplies, before heading out to the seafront for lunch. After lunch we hit the road for Broome, along the way stopping off to view a boab tree estimated to be 1500 years old, and said to have been once used as a prison tree during the colonial/aboriginal conflict period of the late 19th century. Upon arrival in Broome we transfer you to your pre-booked accommodation, as we conclude our Kimberley tour and say our farewells.