12 Day Kimberley Camping Safari, Darwin - Kununurra

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your hotel at 7am this morning to begin your 12 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley region.

We head south along the Stuart Highway towards the township of Katherine, with a stop at the historic Adelaide River en-route.

On arrival in Katherine, we make our way to the Katherine Art Gallery for a 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 or Dot painting with Adrianna from the desert community of Yuendumu. You will also have an opportunity to participate in one of the traditional hunting activities (firelighting, spear throwing etc.).

We have lunch and then make our way to our permanent camp at Maud Creek.

This afternoon, we cruise for 2 hours through Nitmiluk Gorge, home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years. View the beautiful scenery and discover the customs of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people.

Overnight permanent camp – Maud Creek Lodge

Day 2 (B,L,D)

Today we head west along the Victoria Highway, into Western Australia. En-route, we stop to view the mighty Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles.

We travel through Gregory National Park and Timber Creek before crossing through the border into WA.

There is some free time for you to have a look around Kununurra (we recommend the Warringari Art Centre),while your guide shops for fresh supplies (due to border restrictions). 

After lunch on the banks of Lake Kununurra, we  turn off onto the famous Gibb River road begin our adventure through the Kimberley !  

Our destination this afternoon is El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size. Just before the turn off, we stop to view an Aboriginal art site, which consists of East Kimberley peg figures, Wandjana figures and contemporary styles. 

After setting up camp, there’s the opportunity for a swim in the rockpools (part of the Pentecost River) before dinner. 

Overnight camp - El Questro campground (2 night stay)

Day 3 (B,L,D)

An early start this morning to beat the crowds to Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dip in the thermal pools, set amongst palm trees.

We’ll return to camp for breakfast and then take a walk into El Questro Gorge, which is a trail through a deep, narrow gorge, flanked by sheer cliffs. The walk features clear pools and lush tropical vegetation and the rainforest canopy has a diverse ecosystem, while keeping us shaded and cool through most of the walk. There are a couple of places to stop for a swim along the way.

Back to camp for lunch and this afternoon, visit the Durack Tree and then there’s some free time in camp.

Overnight camp - El Questro campground

Day 4 (B,L,D)

Leaving El Questro, we head back onto the Gibb River Road where we’ll drive through the mighty Pentecost River to a lookout, for fantastic views of the river and the mighty Cockburn Ranges.

We visit another art site along the way, with cuples, Wandjana figures and Petroglyphs (rock carvings). This is also where the local Aboriginal people used to shelter and sharpen their spears.

Turning onto the Kalumburu Road, we stop on the banks of the Gibb River and view a rock art site.

After lunch, we continue north to Miners Pool for a swim and some time to relax. Many species of birdlife can be seen here and for the early risers, kangaroo’s often come out at sunrise.

This evening, we’ll have a traditional camp oven roast, cooked in the hot coals. 

Overnight camp - Miners Pool campground

Day 5 (B,L,D)

We have a later start this morning and after breakfast we continue north to King Edward River, where we’ll view 2 unique art sites and a burial site. Your guide will interpret these art sites, of Gwion (Bradshaw),Wandjana figures, Thylacine and other contempory styles and will explain their significance.

This afternoon there’s plenty of time to swim before sunset and the riverbank is home to an array of birdlife.

Overnight camp - on the banks of the King Edward River (2 night stay).

Day 6 (B,L,D)

Today is spent swimming and exploring in the Mitchell Falls area.  On our 3km walk into the falls, we’ll visit Little and Big Mertens Falls, 2 rock art sites and delve into some bushtuckers and medicines.

The rest of the day is spent swimming and relaxing at Mitchell Falls, a three-tiered waterfall cascading over the plateau’s edge and into the Mitchell River.

We’ll take a short helicopter ride back to the car park enjoying the amazing views on the way and then make our way back to camp.

Overnight camp - on the banks of the King Edward River

Day 7 (B,L,D)

We leaving camp this morning to head south again and continue our journey along the Gibb River road.

 Our destination today is Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge, where, this afternoon, we relax and enjoy a swim in the picturesque surrounds.  There is also the option of taking the longer hike to Upper Manning Falls.  

Overnight camp - Manning Gorge campground

Day 8 (B,L,D)

Our first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge, a small picturesque gorge, surrounded by boab trees. It has some interesting rock art and is a great place for a relaxing swim.

Then we’ll head to Bell Gorge, which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley. Here we take a short hike which leads to the waterfall, where we have a swim.

Continuing west, we pass through the King Leopold and Napier Ranges to Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the Napier range. Freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river banks.

We set up camp and watch the sunset over the Napier Range.

Overnight camp at Windjana Gorge campground

Day 9 (B,L,D)

This morning we take a walk into Windjana Gorge and then head off to spectacular Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone tunnel in the Napier Range, carved into the rock over millions of years.

As we walk through the tunnel, view stalactites and stalacmites and hear the story of Jandamarra, who used the tunnel as a hideout in the late 1800’s.

The last leg of our journey today, takes us to Fitzroy Crossing, where, at 3pm, we take 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 camp- Fitzroy River Lodge campground

Day 10 (B,L,D)

Today we continue our journey to Purnululu National park, famous for the ancient range of unusual beehive-shaped domes, gorges and chasms over 350 million years old. The section of road into the Bungles from the highway is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of off-road adventure!

This afternoon we head out to Echidna Chasm, which is a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock. The walk in is beautiful, passing endemnic livistonia palms. On the way back we take a detour to the lookout over the Osmond Ranges and enjoy sunset over the Bungle Bungles massif.

Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground (2 night stay).

Day 11 (B,L,D)

We start today with a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles Range. Depart the Purnululu airstrip for the south west tip of the massif where you will view Y Gorge before flying across the top of the massif to the mouth of spectacular Picaninny Gorge. Fly along the southern face following Picaninny Creek where you can view the mouth of Cathedral Gorge and the famous orange and black striped beehive shaped domes.

Then we’ll walk into Cathedral Gorge, a huge natural amphitheatre, with fantastic acoustics.

On our way back, we walk up to the Piccaniny lookout for a spectacular view over the domes and the surrounding desert county. We take the “Domes trail walk” and head back to camp for lunch. 

This afternoon, we take the Mini Palms Walk, to complete your experience in the Bungle Bungles. This is a longer hike, taking you along a riverbed into a narrow, boulder strewn gorge filled with Livistona Palms. We’ll eventually reach a viewing platform overlooking a palm filled valley surrounded by 150m high cliffs.

Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground .

Day 12 (B)

After breakfast, we leave the Bungle Bungles, heading towards Kununurra. We arrive in Kununurra at approximately 12 noon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

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

Minimum 4, maximum 7 passengers

Child age 6 - 15 years

Scheduled Tour 2011

AUD $4195 PP ADULT, TWIN SHARE AND $4795 SINGLE TENT

AUD $3995 PP CHILD, TWIN SHARE AND $4195 SINGLE TENT

Subject to availability, including GST and valid until 31/10/2011

Departs Darwin on the following sundays in 2011, subject to availability :

8th May, 29th May

19th June,

10th July, 31st July

21st August,

11th September

2nd October, 23rd October

There are no available departures remaining for 2010

Inclusions:

• Seat in luxury 4WD: GXL Landcruiser (max 6 passengers) Holden Suburban (max 7 passengers), or similar, with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• Meals, as stated
• Camping equipment hire and camping fees
• Permits
• Mitchell Falls helicopter flight
• 18 minute Bungle Bungles helicopter flight (upgrades to 30 mins available- we must be advised at time of booking).

• Geike Gorge cruise

• 2 hour Nit Nit Dreaming cruise at Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

• Cultural experience in Katherine

Exclusions:

• Arrival/departure flights
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol
• Pre and post tour accommodation

Shorter and longer Kimberley camping tours are available- click here for further information.