13 Day Kimberley Camping Safari, Darwin - Broome

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your Darwin hotel at 7.30 am this morning to begin your 13 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley region, including many locations from the movie “Australia”.

We head south, along the Stuart Highway to the township of Katherine and, after a short break, continue west along the Victoria Highway.

We have lunch en-route and 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 Western Australia.

Overnight camp – Kununurra campground

Day 2 (B,L,D)

An early start this morning but it’s well worth it!

We drive to Kununurra airport where we join our scenic flight over the Kimberley coast followed by a 4 hour ground tour of the historic WW2 “secret” Truscott Airbase in the far north.

The Coastal Scenic Flight departs Kununurra and includes the historic Port of Wyndham, the Cambridge Gulf, Adolphus Island, then to the Berkeley River and the King George Falls, following the magnificent coast around past the old Pago Mission site and Kalumburu followed by a landing at Truscott for your ground tour.

The 4 hour Ground tour, hosted by Uunguu Rangers, combines the WW2 “secret” historic Truscott Airbase and Uunguu traditional culture. Many of the Uunguu elders helped build Truscott. Your Uunguu Ranger hosts will guide you through the bomber crash site and WW2 operations camps, take you on a walk from the Garmbemirri Ranger base to ancestral rock art and introduce you to bush tucker, then finish with damper and tea before re-boarding your aircraft. The return flight is direct from Truscott, arriving at Kununurra around 1.00pm.

** Please note your Sacred Earth Safaris guide will not be accompanying you on this tour as you will be looked after by the local guides **

After lunch, we head out to 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 a 150m, in awe-inspiring grandeur.

Our day finishes with a 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. As the sun sets over the rugged red cliffs and azure blue water, experience the suns last golden rays.

Overnight camp - Lake Argyle campground

Day 3 (B,L,D)

We have a later start this morning. We make our way back into Kununurra for a look around the Warringari Art Centre and Kelly’s Knob Lookout.

Then we head south to Doon Doon and into the Bungle Bungles. Purnululu National park 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 Bungles from the highway is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of off-road adventure !

Enjoy sunset views over the Bungle Bungles massif.

Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground (2 night stay)

Day 4 (B,L,D)

There’s time this morning for optional helicopter flights over the Bungle Bungles Range (own expense) and then we’ll walk into Cathedral Gorge. On our way back we walk up to the Piccaniny lookout for a spectacular view over the domes and the surrounding desert county. Then we take the “Domes trail walk” and head back to camp for lunch.

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.

There’s also time this afternoon to take the Mini Palms Walk, to complete your experience in the Bungle Bungles. This walk is optional as it’s a longer and harder walk than the others (approx 2 hours) though the scenery is stunning.

Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground

Day 5 (B,L,D)

This morning we head back to Doon Doon and then up to Parry’s Lagoon, which is a haven for birdlife.

Into Wyndham for lunch while we take in the sensational views of the 5 rivers lookout and the Cambridge Gulf.

Over the next few days, we visit 3 of the station properties used for filming the movie- Diggers Rest, El Questro and Home Valley.

Crossing vast mudflats, we make our way to the first of these stations- Diggers Rest. With the majestic Cockburn Ranges overlooking the station from the west and the Erskine Ranges from the east, Diggers Rest is a working cattle station nestled in the King River Valley.

Take a sunset Trail ride (own expense) or meander around the station, soaking in the scenery and atmosphere before dinner.

Overnight camp – Diggers Rest Station

(upgrades to accommodation are available on request and subject to availability)

Day 6 (B,L,D)

This morning, we’ll make our way onto the Gibb River road, where we’ll stop at a rock art site before making our way to El Questro, which is a million acres in size.

Our first destination at El Questro is Emma Gorge, where we walk past butterfly-filled trees and vines to a huge turquoise waterhole- perfect for a swim.

We have a drive around the station township area, visit the Durack Tree and enjoy the amazing view at Branco’s lookout before departing El Questro for the last of the 3 stations- Home Valley Station.

Once on the Gibb River Road, we’ll stop to view the mighty Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges.

Overnight camp – Home Valley Station - on the banks of the Pentecost River ( 2 night stay)

(upgrades to accommodation are available on request and subject to availability)

Day 7 (B,L,D)

We spend today at Home Valley station. As well as many activities and services for visitors, Home Valley also manage and breed cattle on the property and offer guests the unique opportunity to take part in a “mini muster” with their resident cowboys and cowgirls !

There are a range of other optional activities available (own expense) including fishing, birdwatching, horseriding and canoeing.

Or you can choose to explore the station with your Sacred Earth Safaris guide including Bindoola Falls.

Dustys Bar and Grill is a great spot for a drink after dinner and guests can settle around the campfire for storytelling and stargazing.

Overnight camp – Home Valley Station - on the banks of the Pentecost River

Day 8 (B,L,D)

After breakfast we say goodbye to Home Valley and after viewing the ‘cuples’, which are man made rock indentations, we make our way north, turning onto the Kalumburu Road.

After a leg stretch at Drysdale River Station, we continue up to King Edward River and enjoy a swim before dinner and sunset.

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

Day 9 (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 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 (campground)

Day 10 (B,L,D)

We’ll have a later start this morning. After leaving camp, we’ll view 2 unique art sites,of Bradshaw and Wandjana figures.

Then we head south down the Kalumburu road and to Miners Pool For a relaxing afternoon and a camp oven roast dinner.

Overnight camp - Miners Pool campground

Day 11 (B,L,D)

Leaving camp this morning, we’ll stop on the banks of the Gibb River, before continuing our journey along the Gibb River road.

Our destination today is Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge. This afternoon we take a walk to Upper Manning Gorge and Manning Falls, where you can sit under the waterfall and enjoy a swim in the large plungepool. There is some Bradshaw art here too.

Overnight camp - Manning Gorge campground

Day 12 (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 13 (B,L)

This morning we take a walk into Windjana Gorge and then 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.

The last leg of our journey along the Gibb river road takes us towards Derby, where we’ll stop at the prison boab tree, before making our way to Broome.

We arrive late afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner