9 Day Kimberley Tours Accommodated

DEPART BROOME- DERBY, PRISON TREE, WINDJANA GORGE

Your Kimberley Experience begins this morning as we pick you up from your accommodation at 6am. Our immediate destination is the remote Kimberley town of Derby, home to some of the largest tides in the world and a predominantly Indigenous population. After a brief tour of Derby and surrounds we visit the famous boab prison tree before hitting the Gibb River Road and heading for the heart of the Kimberley and the Great Kimberley Devonian Reef. After driving our first stretch of the Gibb River Road, we turn onto the Leopold Downs Road. On approach, the Napier Range abruptly rises from the Western Pindan plains to expose a 350 Million Year old Devonian reef system. The reef system and surrounding plains provide cultural and geological insights spanning millennia. Our Kimberley experience deepens as we explore Windjana Gorge; a special place of cultural significance with a unique local habitat and abundance of wildlife. While at Windjana Gorge we reveal some of the local Bunuba Indigenous heritage, important cultural stories and historic events, while enjoying this unique formation and micro habitat. Spot the local fresh water crocodile population while strolling along the banks of the gorge and admiring the ancient, exposed reef.
After exploring Windjana Gorge and having some fresh, wholesome lunch, we return to the Gibb River Road and head further east over the King Leopold Ranges and into the Central Kimberley Plateau. We check in at at our remote Wilderness Lodge accommodation – enjoy a delicious three course dinner before settling into your first tranquil Kimberley night.

BELL GORGE, GALVAN’S GORGE

Our Kimberley experience continues this morning, after a leisurely breakfast, with our first destination for the day- Bell Gorge. Nestled in the rugged sandstone of the King Leopold Conservation Zone, our hike into the gorge reveals one of the most popular Kimberley waterfalls along the Gibb River Road. We have time for a refreshing swim and exploration of Bell Falls. After some relaxation time we head further east along the Gibb, stopping at Imintji community to witness some real Kimberley community lifestyles. We have time for a browse around the local art gallery before travelling onto Galvan’s Gorge and waterfall for an afternoon swim and to view some Aboriginal Rock Art. Galvan’s Gorge is accessible via a short walk and one of the most secluded and picturesque gorges along the Gibb! After taking in the atmosphere, we continue on to our accommodation only a short drive away.

Today’s hike is for the fit and adventurous. After a short drive to the start of the Manning Gorge walking track, we prepare for our expedition and cross the creek to start our hike. This is typical Kimberley Plateau country; the terrain is rocky and undulating and the trail lined by an abundance of local vegetation. We admire the local flora and bird life while making our way toward the gorge and Manning waterfall. Upon arrival, the large plunge pool invites us for an invigorating swim. For the extra fit, we take a deviation to a more secluded part of the gorge with a sandy beach and the opportunity for another swim. The less actively inclined have the opportunity to swim in the local creek and relax on its sandy, shady banks. After our time at Manning we make our way further east along the Gibb. This afternoon we arrive at Mt Elisabeth Station in the heart of the Kimberley. Time permitting we can explore one of the station’s private waterholes. Enjoy the tranquillity of this Outback Cattle Station and be treated to a freshly prepared dinner from your local hosts.

This morning we say goodbye to our friendly hosts and continue our journey along the Gibb. As we continue further eastward we visit Ellenbrae Station, another of the Kimberley’s working cattle stations. While at Ellenbrae we have the opportunity to try the delicious home made scones the station is now famous for, and spend some time relaxing in the homestead’s lush gardens. Afterwards we head for our day’s final destination, Home Valley Station. Home Valley is owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Corporation, and is one of the emerging Kimberley Indigenous outback experiences. Home Valley is nestled in the mighty Durack Ranges, signalling our arrival to the East Kimberley. Time permitting we stop in to have a look at Bindoola Falls before checking into our accommodation for the night. We prepare for our sunset safari either to the crest of the Pentecost Range or the river camp where we enjoy the East Kimberley’s notorious views at the best time of day. The dominant Cockburn Range exhibits the most striking panoramic perspective of this classic East Kimberley Durack country at sunset. Afterwards, enjoy your character Station accommodation at Home Valley.

ELQUESTRO, EAST KIMBERLEY- DURACK COUNTRY

This morning after breakfast we leave Home Valley Station and descend the Pentecost Range. We cross the tidal section of the mighty Pentecost River, watching for crocodiles as we negotiate this tricky crossing. Upon arrival at Elquestro, we explore this amazing property 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. We take some time for a swim at Emma Falls, before departing Elquestro for Purnululu (the Bungle Bungles). We travel the remainder of the Gibb River Road, then turn south onto the Great Northern Highway. This afternoon’s drive is through a narrow corridor between the Carr Boyd Ranges on the eastern side, and the Saw Ranges in the West. This is classic Durack Country and one of the most picturesque routes in the Kimberley. After our easy and relaxing afternoon drive, we arrive at Mabel Downs Station and our overnight accommodation.

PURNULULU NP, BUNGLE BUNGLE RANGE

After breakfast, 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 spend the morning hiking around and through the famous World Heritage acclaimed beehive formations of the Bungle Bungle Range. We 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 head to the northern section of the Bungle Bungle Range for another walk. The drive to the North of the park is approximately 45min 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, therefore we take the time and the remainder of the day to explore the changing habitats in and around Echidna Chasm. We then head to one of the park’s great vantage points to catch the last rays of the day and the changing colours of the Bungle Bungles. After sunset we check into another great Kimberley Wilderness Lodge.

BUNGLE BUNGLE RANGE, LAKE ARGYLE

After breakfast, we have an opportunity for a helicopter flight over the surrounding Bungle Bungle landscape. The aerial perspective truly helps to understand the Bungles’ real grandeur and magnitude. A flight over the Bungle Bungle Range in an open-door chopper is an exhilarating experience and definitely the best way to appreciate this incredible land form. After experiencing all of the Bungle Bungles, we leave the park and head towards the small town of Kununurra, the hub of the East Kimberley and the Ord River Irrigation Project. After a quick supply stop in Kununurra, we travel to Lake Argyle for our afternoon sunset cruise. Lake Argyle is Australia’s second largest water reserve, measuring eleven times the size of Sydney Harbour! The best way to appreciate the vastness of the lake and its ninety islands is to spend time on the water with one of the lake’s most knowledgeable residents and guides. A late afternoon cruise on Lake Argyle incorporating a stunning sunset with complimentary drinks and snacks, and a chance for a swim, is one of the Kimberley’s most amazing and memorable experiences. It is also one of the best opportunities to spot a variety of wildlife, from fish, birds and wallabies to freshwater crocodiles. After our cruise we arrive at Lake Argyle Village to enjoy another Kimberley night with comfortable accommodation.

EAST KIMBERLEY TO KATHERINE

This morning as we leave Lake Argyle, we head for the Northern Territory. Before crossing the NT/WA border we say farewell to the geographical Kimberley boundaries, but not the typical Kimberley landscapes, as we continue east along the Victoria River Highway to the Northern Territory’s regional town of Katherine. As we travel through the Victoria River District we are treated to some of the most dramatic sandstone escarpment country in Australia, and one of Australia’s best kept secrets. Gregory (Judbarra) National Park is one of Australia’s largest National Parks, and renowned for its striking sandstone formations, riverine environments and open tropical savannas. While travelling along the Victoria Highway, we are in fact traversing one of Australia’s great driving expeditions, the Savannah Way. We pass numerous stands of the imposing boab tree and sites of historical significance reflecting the toils and tribulations of early overland expeditions and ensuing colonial development. Late in the afternoon we arrive at Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and check into tonight’s accommodation.

KATHERINE GORGE, EDITH FALLS, DARWIN

After waking to our first sunrise in the Northern Territory, we have the choice of an early morning boat cruise through the impressive Katherine Gorge complex. The complex consists of a total of 13 gorges, each different in size, shape and atmosphere. Choose between two cruise lengths or another breathtaking helicopter ride. Alternatively, we immediately hit the Stuart Highway and head north towards Darwin. If we choose the immediate travel option, while en route we visit Edith Falls (Leliyn) for one last swim. Upon departing Edith Falls, we travel further north up the Stuart Highway to the small town of Pine Creek, southern gateway to Kakadu National Park, where we stop for our last lunch together. This afternoon we arrive in Darwin where we transport you to your accommodation and leave you to reflect on your Kimberley Experience with us.