16 Day Pilbara and Kimberley 4WD Tour

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your Karratha hotel at 7.30am this morning to begin your 16 day 4WD tour through the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

We spend today in Millstream-Chichester National Park, which is a lush oasis of deep gorges and palm-fringed rock pools which provides a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape of rocky escarpments and rolling spinifex-covered hills. We enter the park from the north and have a swim at Python Pool, a permanent freshwater plunge pool at the base of a cliff in the Chichester Range escarpment. We also take a walk to the top of Mount Herbert, where we are treated to a splendid view of the savannah lands, including Pyramid, Sherlock and Warambie stations.  

Departing the park, our destination this evening is Tom Price, the highest town in WA at 747 metres above sea level. 

Overnight accommodation- Tom Price Hotel Motel- motel room with en-suite 

Day 2 (B,L,D)  

This morning you’ll take a guided tour to the Rio Tinto Iron Ore Mine site, one of the world’s largest open cut iron mines. The 1.5 hour tour will take you into the heart of the mine site operation and includes viewing of the Haul Truck workshop area, visit the main pit area, view working trucks, shovels and drills, the crushing and screening plants and the train load out area.

After the tour, we continue into Karijini National Park, in the Hamersley Range. Karijini is Western Australia’s second largest national park, encompassing some 627,442 hectares of spectacular, rugged scenery, ancient geological formations and a variety of arid-land ecosystems. Massive mountains and escarpments rise out of the flat valleys. The high plateau is dissected by breathtaking gorges, and stony,tree-lined watercourses wind their way over the dusty plain. The slow process of erosion has carved the shape of the land out of rocks that are 2,000 million years old, to form this intriguing landscape and complex ecology. 

A variety of ecosystems are represented in the park and these are home to a range of wildlife including a variety of birds, native rodents, native marsupial carnivores (such as the Pilbara ninguai- resident, but nocturnal and shy), red kangaroos, euros, Rothschild’s rock wallabies, bats,  dingoes, reptiles and amphibians such as frogs, geckoes, goannas, dragons and legless lizards. Termites and the pebble mound mouse also make their homes here in the form of mounds. 

Our first stop within the park is Hamersley gorge, where we’ll find amazing coloured banded iron formations. Take a dip in the natural spa pool at the Gorge and enjoy a spa treatment the way nature intended – surrounded by amazing rock formations almost as old as the Earth itself.  

We make our way to our accommodation and after checking in, you make like to walk to nearby Joffre Lookout where rock steps take you down to the lookout to view this spectacular curved waterfall forming a natural amphitheatre. 

Dinner for the next 3 nights is included at the Eco- retreat  

Overnight accommodation- Karijini Eco Retreat, in eco tents with en-suites (3 night stay) on a Dinner, bed and breakfast basis 

Day 3 (B,L,D) 

We travel to the western side of the park today, to Dales Gorge, through to Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Circular Pool. Have a refreshing swim in the spring-fed permanent falls of Fortescue falls, ramble along the gorge floor to the lovely fern framed Fern Pool and enjoy the hidden gardens of Circular Pool. 

This afternoon we take a walk through Kalamina Gorge, one of the most picturesque in Karijini. A short walk takes you down a steep track to the base of the gorge to a small permament pool, complete with waterfall and draping ferns. There is a longer, more difficult walk for those who feel energetic. If you follow the trail deep into Kalamina Gorge, you will be rewarded with a lovely walk downstream, past rock pools and beautiful rock walls, finishing at Rock Arch Pool.

Overnight accommodation- Karijini Eco Retreat, in eco tents with en-suites

Day 4 (B,L,D)  

This morning is spent exploring Handrail Pool, which is reached by walking through Lower Weano Gorge. We also enjoy the scenery at Junction Pool and Oxer Lookout, located at the junction of four mighty gorges and offering one of the most stunning panoramas in WA.

This afternoon we explore Hancock Gorge, where we climbdown a ladder and walk deep into the gorge, through narrow chambers and to beautiful rock pools, for a swim.

We finish the day at Knox Lookout, where we’ll take the steps down to the lookout and watch the view spread out in the distance. 

Overnight accommodation- Karijini Eco Retreat, in eco tents with en-suites

Day 5 (B,L,D)

We depart Karijini this morning and drive north to the mining town of Port Headland, one of the largest and busiest iron ore ports in the world.

We’ll arrive mid- afternoon and after checking into the hotel, it’s time to jump on our private harbour cruise, operated by the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre. This tour consists of a quick presentation at the Seafarers Centre, followed by  a lap around the harbour in one of the working Seafarers Launch Service boats. You will be accompanied by an informative member of the Seafarers Centre Staff who will provide commentary and answer any of your questions, while picking up seafarers wishing to come back to the Seafarers Centre.

Overnight accommodation- Port Hedland, hotel room with en-suite

Day 6 (B,L,D)

We don’t travel very far today, so we have a later start ! We continue just over an hours drive north to Pardoo Station, a 200,000-hectare working cattle property covering a diverse range of landscapes from rich tidal flats to rolling spinifex plains.

Bird watchers at Pardoo Station are spoilt for choice-  many species can be viewed around the accommodation facilities and we also go exploring the property for the afternoon (locations will depend on accessibility due to tides).

The station is home to more than one hundred native bird species including the spinifex pigeon, spotted nightjar, pied cormorant, Eastern great egret, white-faced heron, glossy ibis, white-bellied sea eagle, wedge-tailed eagle, brolga and Australian bustard.

Shore birds include the sooty oystercatcher, black-winged stilt, red-capped plover, masked lapwing, black-tailed godwit, whimbrel, Eastern curlew and terek sandpiper.

Dinner tonight is served at the station bistro.

Overnight accommodation-  Pardoo Station- room with en-suite.

Day 7 (B,L,D)

We continue north again today to the popular holiday town of Broome, which sits on the western edge of the massive Kimberley Region. With it's sweeping white beaches, rich red outcrops and blazing turquoise water, Broome is a great place to relax and unwind.

Our lunch stop is the pristine Eighty mile beach, where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean. The area is also a protected RAMSAR listed wetland of international significance and regularly supports over 400,000 shorebirds.

We’ll arrive into Broome late afternoon and head out to the famous Cable Beach for sunset.

Overnight accommodation-  Motel with en-suite in Broome (2 night stay)

Day 8 (B)

You have a free day in Broome today.

You may like to take a day tour to Cape Leveque or the Horizontal Falls, visit a pearl farm or just relax and enjoy the sunshine and laid back town.

Overnight accommodation-  Motel with en-suite in Broome

Day 9 (B)

Today we travel to Derby and en-route we visit the prison boab tree and the Mowanjum Art Centre as well as taking a look around the wharf.

Overnight accommodation – Derby, motel room with en-suite

Day 10 (B,L,D)

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

The afternoon is spent exploring 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 – air- conditioned safari lodges with en-suites or motel rooms at Fitzroy River Lodge

Day 11 (B,L,D)

This morning you’ll take a 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 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 ormammals evolved.

We now continue east to Halls Creek and then turn off 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 12 (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 time today for optional helicopter flights (additional cost).

Overnight accommodation – Cabin with en-suite in the Bungle Bungles

 Day 13 (B,L)

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

We arrive atEmma Gorge and late this afternoon, you can take the walk to the beautiful Emma Gorge and waterfall, at your leisure. A cool reward awaits you at the end of the walk in, 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, in tented cabins with en-suites

Day 14 (B,L)

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

Leaving El Questro, we now visit the beautiful Parrys Lagoon, which offers excellent bird watching 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.

After a stop in Kununurra to fuel, we continue onto Lake Argyle,  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 150m, in awe-inspiring grandeur.

Overnight accommodation - Lake Argyle Resort, in en-suite rooms

Day 15 (B,L,D)

This morning, we head out to Lake Argyle for a 2 hour morning cruise. 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.

We now start our journey towards Darwin, passing through the border into the Northern Territory and travelling through Timber Creek and Gregory National Park.

We stop to view the Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles.

Our destination this evening is Nitmiluk Gorge, home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years.

Dinner tonight will be served poolside at Nitmiluk Gorge.

Overnight accommodation at Nitmiluk Gorge- your choice of fixed safari tents with proper beds and shared bathrooms OR cabins with en-suites

Day 16 (B,L)

We start today with a 2 hour dawn cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years. Viewing the beautiful scenery and discover the customs of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people.

Our next stop is the Katherine Art Gallery for a hands on cultural experience. Activities on offer include sitting down with resident artist, Manuel who will tell you tales of tribal life, language, the hunting and gathering techniques, ceremony, weapons used and aboriginal contemporary life. Experience your own Rarrk painting with Manuel and you will also have an opportunity to participate in one of the traditional hunting activities (firelighting, spear throwing etc.).

After lunch we start making our way to Darwin, with a couple of comfort stops en-route.

We arrive into Darwin at approximately 5.30pm and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

This tour is only operated as a private charter (sole use of vehicle and driver guide) for a and is valid for travel from May to October (due to road conditions) - please enquire for prices and further details.

Itinerary is exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris, subject to availability, road, weather and cultural conditions.

Inclusions:

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

• Permits and entry fees

• Mine tour at Tom Price

• Harbour cruise in Port Hedland

• 2 hour cruise at Nitmiluk Gorge
• El Questro Wilderness pass

• Hands on cultural experience in Katherine

• Geike Gorge cruise

• Lake Argyle cruise

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol

• Arrival / departure flights

• Bungle Bungle helicopter flight, optional tours in Broome