13 Day Kimberley Camping Safari, Darwin - Broome
Day
1 (L,D)
You will be collected from your hotel at 7.30 am
this morning to begin your 13 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley
region.
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 on the banks of the Victoria River
and then travel through Gregory National Park and Timber Creek before
passing through the border into Western Australia.
Overnight camp at Lake Argyle.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
After
breakfast, we explore Lake Argyle, which is Australia’s largest
man- made lake, covering 1000sq km and built as part of the Ord
River scheme.
We pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies
(due to border restrictions), take a look around at the Warringari
Art Centre and Kelly’s Knob Lookout before lunch.
After lunch, we head down to Turkey Creek and then
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!
Overnight Bungle Bungles campground.
Day 3 (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 take the ‘Domes
trail walk”.
The afternoon is spent in Echidna Chasm and at
various lookouts. Echidna Chasm is a narrow gorge of conglomerate
rock, passing endemic livistonia palms.
Optional longer hikes available.
Overnight Bungle Bungles campground.
Day 4 (B,L,D)
This morning we head 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.
Meeting up with the Gibb River road, we’ll
now make our way to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million
acres in size.
Overnight El Questro campground.
Day 5 (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.
Then we’ll return to camp to enjoy a cooked
breakfast, before exploring the park, including several lookouts.
There is time after lunch for a refreshing swim
before the afternoon cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, viewing the
scenery and rock art sites.
Overnight El Questro Campground.
Day 6 (B,L,D)
Leaving El Questro, we head back onto the Gibb
River Road where we’ll stop to view the mighty Pentecost River
and Cockburn Ranges.
Then
we’ll make our way to an art site to view the rock art as
well as ‘cuples’, which are man made rock indentations.
Onto the Kalumburu Road and another rock art stop.
After a lunch stop at Drysdale River Station, we
continue north to the King Edward River and onto our camp in time
for a swim.
Overnight camp on the banks of the King Edward
River.
Day 7 (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 bush tuckers 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 8 (B,L,D)
After leaving camp this morning, we’ll view
2 unique art sites, of Bradshaw and Wandjana figures. Then we head
north to Kalumburu Aboriginal community, with lunch on the banks
of the Carson River.
Kalumburu
is the most northern settlement in Western Australia and is situated
on the King Edward River. The area has been home for many thousands
of years to aboriginal people and this corner of the continent was
one of the main entry points into Australia of the first ancient
inhabitants. A mission was established in the community in 1932,
after the original settlement was moved from Pago, 30 km away and
the mission today plays a vital role in the community.
Once we’ve set up camp, the rest of the afternoon
is free to do some fishing, bushwalking or simply enjoy the scenery
and solitude.
Overnight camp at Kalumburu.
Day 9 (B,L,D)
Today we have a very interesting morning, spent
exploring Kalumburu with a local aboriginal guide.
We
visit the Old Pago ruins and some WWII wrecks, which are close by.
Our guide will take us to several rock art sites,
teach us about the aboriginal way of life, culture, bush skills
and bush tuckers.
We also visit the museum for an informative talk and you may have
the opportunity to buy original aboriginal art direct from the community
and artists.
Overnight camp at Kalumburu.
Day
10 (B,L,D)
Today we leave Miners Pool and head to Barnett
River gorge. A hike into the gorge is rewarded by a swim and the
opportunity for bird watching.
Then onto Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge,
arriving in time for a short walk into the gorge for a swim and
sunset.
Overnight camp at Manning Gorge.
Day 11 (B,L,D)
Our first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge, a
small picturesque gorge, surrounded by boab trees.
Then we’ll head to Adcock Gorge for a swim.
The three walls of Adcock Gorge exceed thirty metres in some places
and a small waterfall cascades down over rock benches into a small
pool beside what is believed to be an Aboriginal burial ground.
Bell Gorge is our final destination for the day,
which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley.
Overnight camp at Silent Grove.
Day 12 (B,L,D)
Leaving our Silent Grove camp, we continue west
through the King Leopold ranges, stopping en-route at some lookouts
before we reach Windjana Gorge, where we have lunch and set up camp.
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.
Back to camp in time for sunset over the Napier
Range.
Overnight camp at Windjana Gorge.
Day 13 (B,L)
After
breakfast we take a walk into Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient
Devonian reef system, set in the Napier Range. Freshwater crocodiles
laze around, basking in the sun, on the banks of the Lennard River,
which runs through the gorge.
The last leg of our journey
along the Gibb river road takes us into Derby,
where we spend time exploring the town and the wharf area. As we
leave, we’ll stop at the prison
boab tree and have lunch on the banks of the Fitzroy River.
Then we make our way
into Broome, arriving late afternoon and you will be dropped off
at your accommodation.
END ITINERARY
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

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