15 Day Top End and Kimberley 4WD Safari

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your hotel at 7.30am this morning to begin your 15 day 4WD safari through Kakadu, Katherine and the Kimberley region.

We head south along the Stuart highway and into Fog Dam Conservation Reserve. These wetlands have international significance because of their beauty and natural ecosystems. A great variety of fauna can be found here throughout the year as well as a large variety of birdlife. 

After a comfort stop at the Bark Hut, we make our way into World Heritage listed Kakadu National park. Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia, has some of the world’s finest rock art and a variety of habitats, including floodplains and savannah woodlands.

Once within the park, our first stop is Ubirr where we walk through galleries of ancient aboriginal rock art, which your guide will interpret. Also learn about bushtuckers and bush medicines before reaching the top of the plateau, where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular view over the floodplains and the Arnhemland escarpment.

A picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the East Alligator River. 

Then we head to the centre of the park and to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an insight into the cultural heritage of the park.

Late this afternoon, board the sunset Yellow Waters wetlands cruise, with it’s prolific birdlife and wonderful variety of plants. Saltwater crocodiles are often spotted here. After the cruise, we make our way to our accommodation. 

Overnight accommodation - Lakeview Park, Bush Bungalows

Day 2 (B,L,D)

After breakfast we make our way to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge and falls), where we take a walk through the paperbark forest to reach the gorge, where we can have a refreshing swim in the plungepool.

Then to the Nourlangie area and we view the birdlife at Anbangbang billabong before continuing to Nourlangie Rock, an ancient Aboriginal shelter, where we will explore the area and the rock art. Your guide will lead you on an interpretive walk around the site.

Finally, enjoy a look around the Bowali visitors information centre.

Overnight accommodation - Lakeview Park, Bush Bungalows

Day 3 (B,L,D)

This morning, we will make our way south to Katherine Township and out to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, arriving in time for lunch.

This afternoon take the 4 hour Timeless Land cruise through the gorge. Travel by boat along the first three gorges, where you can marvel at the sheer rock face walls and the striking scenery as you head further into the gorge. Finish your tour with a cooling swim and afternoon refreshments. 

There’s some free time late this afternoon for a walk into the gorge and a look around the visitors centre.

Overnight permanent camp - Maud Creek Lodge

Day 4 (B,L,D)

After breakfast we head west towards Kununurra, along the Victoria Highway and travelling through Gregory National Park and Timber Creek and then through the Western Australian border.

 We travel to Lake Argyle, which  is Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering 1000sq km. We take a look around and there’s an optional sunset cruise. 

Overnight camp- Lake Argyle campground

Day 5 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border restrictions), and have some free time (we recommend the Warringari Art Centre and Kelly’s Knob Lookout).

Mid- morning, we head down to 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! 

The afternoon is spent in Echidna Chasm, a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock, passing endemnic livistonia palms. 

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

Day 6 (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”.

This afternoon, there’s an option to take a longer hike into Mini Palms Gorge. This hike can be challenging but is well worth it.

Overnight camp - Bungle Bungles campground.

Day 7 (B,L,D)

Today we head north again to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.

This afternoon we explore the park including the Durack Tree and Branco’s lookout.

There’s also time for a swim in the rockpools (part of the Pentecost River) before dinner. 

Overnight camp - El Questro campground

Day 8 (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 we leave El Questro, rejoining the Gibb River Road.

We’ll drive through the mighty Pentecost River to a lookout, for fantastic views of the river and the mighty Cockburn Ranges.

We turn onto the Kalumburu Road and continue to Miners Pool. There’s time for a swim and many species of birdlife can be seen here. 

Overnight camp - Miners Pool campground

Day 9 (B,L,D)

We have a later start this morning and head north again to Kalumburu community.

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- Kalumburu mission campground

Day 10 (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.

This afternoon, we head down to our camp at King Edward River.

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

Day 11 (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 parkenjoying the amazing views on the way  and then make our way back to camp. 

Overnight camp – campground on the banks of the King Edward River

Day 12 (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 and an ancient burial site.

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 13 (B,L,D)

We leave 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 14 (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 15 (B,L)

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 along the Gibb river road takes us towards Derby and then into Broome.

We arrive approximately 6.30pm 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 maximum of 7 passengers) and is valid for travel from June 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 Luxury 4WD with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• All meals as stated
•2 nights accommodation in Bush Bungalows

• Permits

• 2 hour sunset Yellow Waters cruise

• 4 hour Timeless Land cruise at Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge
• El Questro Wilderness pass

• Mitchell Falls helicopter flight

• camp  fees and equipment hire

• Kakadu park entry fee

• Kalumburu tour with local Aboriginal guide

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol

• Arrival / departure flights

• Bungle Bungle helicopter flight (approx $295)

• Optional extra activites such as Lake Argyle cruise