11 Day Kakadu and Kimberley 4WD Tour,

Darwin - Broome OR Broome to Darwin

Day 1 (L)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 7.30am for your private 11 day 4WD Tour through the Kimberley and Kakadu.

We head south along the Stuart highway and into Fog Dam Conservation Reserve. These wetlands have international significance because of their beauty and natural ecosystems. A great variety of fauna can be found here throughout the year as well as a large variety of birdlife. 

Then we make our way into World Heritage listed Kakadu National park. Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia, has some of the world’s finest rock art and a variety of habitats, including floodplains and savannah woodlands. 

Once within the park, our first stop are the beautiful Mamukala Wetlands. We can view the birdlife from the observation platform, where the mural depicts the seasonal changes throughout the year.  

After lunch, we then travel to the very north of the park to Ubirr, where we walk through galleries of ancient aboriginal rock art, which your guide will interpret. Also learn about bushtuckers and bush medicines before reaching the top of the plateau, where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular view over the floodplains and the Arnhemland escarpment. 

We finish the day with a look around the Bowali visitors information centre. 

Dinner tonight can be purchased at the lodge bistro

Overnight accommodation - Kakadu Lodge Cooinda- motel room (2 night stay)

Day 2 (B,L)

After breakfast we make our way to Nourlangie Rock, an ancient Aboriginal shelter, where we will explore the area and the rock art. Your guide will lead you on an interpretive walk around the site, followed by Nawalandja lookout. The short hike to the lookout is rewarded by a magnificent view over the Arnhemland escarpment.

Then we drive to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge and falls). Termite mounds are abundant along the dirt road that takes us to the car park and from there, we take a walk through a paperbark forest to reach the gorge. Once we reach the gorge and waterfall, we can have a refreshing swim in the plungepool.

Finally, late this afternoon, board the sunset Yellow Waters wetlands cruise. Yellow Waters billabong is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River. This is the largest river system in Kakadu and contains extensive wetlands, including river channels, floodplains and backwater swamps. About one third of Australia's bird species are represented in Kakadu National Park, with at least 60 species found in these wetlands. There are also plenty of crocodiles in their natural habitat, and buffalo on the floodplains.

Dinner tonight can be purchased at the lodge bistro

Overnight accommodation - Kakadu Lodge Cooinda- motel room 

Day 3 (B,L)

This morning, we will make our way south, leaving Kakadu and heading towards Katherine Township.

En-route we have a swim and lunch at Leilyn (Edith Falls), en-route. Leilyn is part of Nitmiluk National Park and is well known for it’s picturesque waterfalls and pools, particularly the large pool at the base of the escarpment which is great for a swim.

Upon arrival in Katherine, we make our way to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years. Here, we cruise for 2 hours viewing the beautiful scenery and discovering the customs of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people. 

Overnight accommodation- either fixed safari tents, en-suite cabins or the luxury Cicada Lodge at Notmiluk Gorge OR motel room with en-suite in Katherine township

Day 4 (B,L)

Today we’ll head west, stopping en-route to view the Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles.

We cross through the border into Western Australia and onto Lake Argyle.  This afternoon we take the sunset cruise on the lake, where you will cruise through some of the 90 islands and inlets and take in the magnificent scenery of the Carr Boyd Ranges. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and nibblies as the sun sets over the rugged red cliffs and azure blue water.

Dinner is available to purchase at the resort bistro

Overnight accommodation- cabins with en-suites at Lake Argyle Resort

Day 5 (B,L)

After breakfast, we pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border restrictions) and you have some time to look around the town.

Then we head north to visit the beautiful Parrys Lagoon Nature Reserve, which offers excellent bird watching opportunities in the comfort of the purpose built bird hide or from one of the walkways. We also stop to enjoy the breathtaking views from Telegraph Hill, over the billabong and wetlands.

Our destination today is Emma Gorge, part of the El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.

Overnight accommodation- Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with en-suites (2 night stay)

Day 6 (B,L)

We start today with a relaxing dip at the Zebedee Springs thermal pools, set amongst palm trees.

Then we take a look around the Station and we can drive to the Durack Tree.

Back to Emma Gorge for lunch and the afternoon is free for you to walk into Emma Gorge itself at your leisure. A cool reward awaits you at the end of the walk, where you can swim at Emma Gorge pool and the 200ft waterfall that is fed from a series of natural springs high above the plateau of the Cockburn Range.

Overnight accommodation- Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with en-suites

Day 7 (B,L,D)

Today we head south towards the Bungle Bungles.

Purnululu National park (the Bungle Bungles) 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 park is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of off-road adventure !

There’s time this afternoon for optional helicopter flights (additional cost).

Overnight accommodation- cabin with en-suite, Bungle Bungles (2 night stay)

Day 8 (B,L,D)

We spend today in the Bungle Bungles.

Our first stop is Cathedral Gorge, a huge natural amphitheatre, with fantastic acoustics.

We take the “Domes trail walk” and then have lunch overlooking the Bungle Bungle massif.

This afternoon we take a walk into Echidna Chasm, which is a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock. The walk in is beautiful, passing endemnic livistonia palms.

Overnight accommodation- cabin with en-suite, Bungle Bungles

Day 9 (B,L,D)

Today we travel west again, passing through Halls Creek to the township of Fitzroy Crossing.

We finish the day on the ranger lead boat cruise through Geike Gorge, where flood waters of the Fitzroy River have carved the 30-metre-deep Gorge through the limestone at the junction of the Oscar and Geikie Ranges.

In the dry season, the river transforms itself into a quiet stream strung out beneath the towering cliffs of the Devonian reef. Here, layers of fossils and the limestone strata of an ancient reef are exposed in cross section, showing glimpses of life in the Devonian period before reptiles or mammals evolved.

Overnight accommodation- Fitzroy River Lodge- your choice of fixed Safari tents with en-suites, lighting and power OR Motel rooms with en-suites

Day 10 (B,L,D)

This morning we drive to 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. 

Our next stop is Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the Napier range. We take a walk into Windjana gorge to view the fossilised reef system and freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river banks.

Overnight accommodation- motel room en-suite in Derby

Day 11 (B,L)

This morning you have a half day tour to the Horizontal Falls.

Fly directly from Derby on a seaplane to the Horizontal Falls where you’ll meet your expert skipper for an exhilarating fast boat ride through the narrow gorges.

After the adrenalin rush, wind down with a relaxed cruise, lunch and swim in the turquoise calm of Talbot Bay before boarding the seaplane for another low level scenic flight back to Derby.

You’ll now be transferred back to Broome and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

This tour is operated as a private tour only (sole use of tour vehicle and driver guide) and can depart on any day, subject to availability, between May and mid- September inclusive.

The itinerary can be fully accommodated and / or amended to suit your requirements, so please contact us for more information or a quote.

Inclusions:

• Sole use of 4WD tour vehicle with professional driver guide
• Meals as stated
• Accommodation, as stated

• Permits and entry fees

• 2 hour sunset Yellow Waters cruise

• 2 hour cruise at Nitmiluk Gorge

• Geike Gorge cruise
• El Questro Wilderness pass

• Kakadu park entry fee

• Sunset Lake Argyle cruise

• Half day tour to the Horizontal Falls.

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol

• Arrival / departure flights

• Bungle Bungle helicopter flight

Testimonial :

We had a wonderful tour. Accommodation was excellent. David is a very interesting person. We met our goal of seeing the Kimberleys. A wonderful trip to remember !

Greg and Galina, travelled through the Kimberley in June 2019