10 Day Darwin to Broome 4WD Kimberley Tour
Day 1 (L)
You will be collected from your hotel at 7am this morning to begin your private 10 day 4WD tour through the Kimberley.
We head south, along the Stuart Highway to the township of Katherine and after a short break in the town, we continue west. En-route, we can stop 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.
Dinner tonight can be purchased in the resort bistro.
Overnight accommodation- Lake Argyle Resort – cabins with en-suites
Day 2 (B,L,D)
This morning we head out to Lake Argyle for a 2 hour morning cruise with a light breakfast served on board. Lake Argyle is Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering 1000sq km and built as part of the Ord River scheme. It offers a great expanse of water from which steep red rocky slopes reach up approximately a 150m, in awe-inspiring grandeur.Take in the untamed landscape of the magnificent Carr Boyd Ranges along the inaccessible North Western shoreline as you cruise through some of Lake Argyles 90 islands and inlets.
Then we pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border restrictions) before heading south to 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 !
Overnight accommodation- Cabin with en-suite in the Bungle Bungles (2 night stay)
Day 3 (B,L,D)
We spend today in the Bungle Bungles.
Our first stop in the park is Cathedral Gorge, a huge natural amphitheatre, with fantastic acoustics. We then take the walk to the Piccininny Lookout, followed by the “Domes trail walk”.
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.
There’s also time today for optional helicopter flights (additional cost).
Overnight accommodation- Cabin with en-suite in the Bungle Bungles
Day 4 (B,L)
After breakfast, we leave the Bungle Bungles and head north again to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.
En-route we visit Emma Gorge, also part of El Questro, where you can take the walk into the gorge and the 200ft waterfall that is fed from a series of natural springs high above the plateau of the Cockburn Range. A cool reward awaits you at the end of the walk in, where you can swim at Emma Gorge pool.
Dinner tonight can be purchased at the bar or the station restaurant
Overnight accommodation- El Questro Station, in fixed safari tents with power, lighting and shared bathrooms OR
Station bungalows (2 night stay)
Day 5 (B,L)
We start today with a relaxing dip at the Zebedee Springs thermal pools, set amongst palm trees.
The rest of the morning is free for you to take another walk, swim in the station rockpools, bird watch or take an optional activity additional cost) such as a helicopter flight.
This afternoon you'll cruise to the Chamberlain Gorge, a 3km fresh waterhole bound by diverse flora and fauna, and belittled by a towering escarpment. Enjoy sparkling wine and fresh fruit on the afternoon cruise as you take in the breathtaking scenery.
Dinner tonight can be purchased at the bar or the station restaurant
Overnight accommodation- El Questro Station, in fixed safari tents with power, lighting and shared bathrooms OR
Station bungalows
Day 6 (B,L,D)
Leaving El Questro, we head onto the Gibb River Road and we’ll drive through the Pentecost River to a lookout, for fantastic views of the river and the mighty Cockburn Range.
We’ll also view an art site of cuples, Wandjana figures and Petroglyphs (rock carvings). This is also where the local Aboriginal people used to shelter and sharpen their spears.
We turn onto the Kalumburu Road and make our way to Drysdale River Station.
Overnight accommodation - Drysdale River Station in station rooms with shared bathrooms OR
Station rooms with en-suites
Day 7 (B,L,D)
You have the option this morning of taking a spectacular 2 hour flight over Mitchell Falls and the Kimberley coast ! (additional cost)
Your flight takes you past Mt Hann, Deep Gorge and the Rift, then over the magnificent Prince Regent Nature Reserve. Follow the Prince Regent River, fly over several waterfalls including King Cascades, St George Basin, Mt Trafalgar, Prince Frederick Harbour, the Hunter River, Donkins Hill Falls and the spectacular Mitchell Falls. You may even be lucky enough see crocodiles, dugong and whales. The vast, beautiful, unspoilt coastline of this wilderness area is truly stunning and something you can only see and appreciate from the air. It really will be a highlight of your Kimberley experience.
After the flight we make our way south again, stopping on the banks of the Gibb River where we view a rock art site.
We re-join the Gibb River road and continue to Mt.Elizabeth Station, a working cattle station, established in 1945 by the pioneering Lacey Family.
Overnight accommodation – Mt. Elizabeth - station rooms with shared bathrooms OR en-suite rooms.
Day 8 (B,L,D)
Our first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a pretty gorge and plunge pool, surrounded by boab trees. It also has some interesting rock art.
We continue to Bell Gorge, which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley.
Then we'll make our way through the Napier and King Leopold Ranges to our accommodation.
Overnight accommodation – Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge, in tented cabins with en-suites
Day 9 (B,L,D)
An early start today as we visit Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the Napier range. We take a walk through the Gorge, to view the fossilised reef system and freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river banks.
Then we head off 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.
Overnight accommodation –Fitzroy River Lodge, safari lodges with en-suites OR
Motel rooms with en-suites
Day 10 (B,L)
We start today with a ranger led 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 Geike 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.
After the cruise, we travel to Broome and you will be dropped off at your accommodation in the late afternoon.
END ITINERARY
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
This tour is only operated as a private charter (sole use of vehicle and driver guide)
and is valid for travel from May to September only - please enquire for prices and further
details.
Itinerary is exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris and subject to availability, road, weather and cultural conditions
Inclusions:
• Sole use of 4WD tour vehicle with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• Meals as stated
• Accommodation as listed
• Permits and El Questro Wilderness pass
• Chamberlain Gorge cruise at El Questro
• Lake Argyle cruise
• Geike Gorge cruise
Exclusions:
• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol
• Arrival / departure flights
• 2 hour scenic flight over Mitchell Falls and the Kimberley Coast in a light aircraft
• Extra optional activities, such as Bungle Bungles helicopter flight (please request the helicopter flight upon booking to avoid disappointment). 30 mins is approx. $290pp and 40 mins is approx. $390pp
Testimonial :
We really enjoyed the trip, it is indeed a very dramatic location. We are so glad that we didn't try and drive the route ourselves as we would not have found any of the good bits, and would have missed Dave's insights into history and culture. All together a brilliant trip !
Colin and Sarah, travelled Sept 2015
|