12 Day Kimberley Explorer

Tour Details

Operator

Kimberley Wild Expeditions

Destinations

Broome, Bungle Bungles, Cape Leveque, Geikie Gorge, Windjana Gorge, El Questro Station and Lake Argyle

Departs From

Broome

Tour Description

ITINERARY

Day 1 Beagle Bay & Lombadina

The Dampier Peninsula is an extraordinary blend of pristine beaches and dramatic coastlines, rich in traditional Aboriginal culture. Travelling up the red 4WD track, learn about the region's fascinating history from our guided commentary. Our first stop is the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community, home of the Beagle Bay Church with its glimmering pearl shell altar, for morning tea. Journey on to enjoy lunch in the laid-back Lombadina Community, a beautiful and welcoming community, which is home to an interesting bush timber church. Later we travel to beautiful Cape Leveque to set up camp right on the edge of the Indian Ocean. A warm Kimberley sunset is a great way to end the day before our famous Kimberley BBQ under the stars.

Day 2 Cape Leveque

The day at Cape Leveque is yours to enjoy as you please. You may like to join our guide on a snorkelling adventure (equipment provided), or take up one of the many optional extras on offer including embarking on an indigenous sea kayaking adventure, hiring a dinghy or splurging on a scenic flight across the archipelago and Horizontal Falls (if available). Alternatively you may prefer to spend your time simply enjoying the pristine beaches and rugged red coastline for which Cape Leveque is famous. Whether you like swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing or long walks along the beach, Cape Leveque is a great way to relax away a day. In the afternoon, our Aboriginal guide introduces us to Bardi 'saltwater' country on a leisurely guided bushwalk, providing an indepth insight into indigenous bush tucker, lifestyle and culture.

Day 3 Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm & One Arm Point

Visit the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm for a delightful breakfast by the sea together with a fascinating insight into the iconic pearling business and the opportunity to invest in a pearl direct from one of the world's most exclusive producers. Travel to the One Arm Point Community perched on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. From here we can view the spectacular Buccaneer Archipelago and witness the huge tidal flows of the Kimberley, the second biggest in the world. We visit the Community’s aquaculture hatchery, complete with barramundi, pearl and trochus shell before returning south. Driving back through the dusk, keep an eye out for wildlife, before arriving back in Broome at approximately 6.30pm.

Day 4 Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek

As we travel through the remote and beautiful Kimberley landscape, our guide shares stories of local history, people and the environment. Enjoy a morning tea break by the Fitzroy River and visit the Derby 'Boab Prison Tree' before we hit the Gibb River Road. The Napier Range is over 350 million years old and home to the geological wonder of Windjana Gorge. Beneath gorge walls rising 90m, we search for freshwater crocodiles, local birdlife and indigenous bush tucker. After a picnic lunch, the afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, in which we discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. It is here we also learn the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800's. A refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole is a highlight of the day. Return to Windjana Gorge that evening to camp.

Day 5 Bell Gorge & Mt Barnett Station

The morning is devoted to exploring Bell Gorge, a hidden highlight of the West Kimberleys. This idyllic retreat, considered amongst the most beautiful in the area, boasts cascading waterfalls and crystal clear pools formed over millions of years - an easy place to while away a few hours! Further up the Gibb River Road, via the water lillie-laden Galvans Gorge, we reach Mt Barnett Cattle Station. That night, we camp by a billabong on Mt Barnett Station.

Days 6-7 El Questro Wilderness Park

A morning trek into Manning Falls offers the chance to swim in deep clear pools amid a stunning natural landscape. Relax, explore wandering streams, uncover local wildlife and take a dip in the waterfall pools before our journey up the Gibb River Road continues to the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park. Two nights here allows free time join one or more of the many activities on offer. We include a refreshing dip in the Zebedee Springs and walk into Emma Gorge while a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge, bush tucker walk or bird watching tour are amongst the many optional activities. You may choose to simply explore this beautiful wilderness park at your own leisure.

Day 8 Kununurra & Lake Argyle

Emerge from the Gibb River Road and for a few hours free time in Kununurra. In the afternoon, travel onto the shores of the expansive Lake Argyle, the heart of the Ord River Irrigation System which has transformed this dry region into a lush agricultural oasis. There is free time to join a sunset boat cruise on the lake (approx AU$100pp), visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum or take on one of the many bush trails to explore the area.

Days 9-10 Bungle Bungles

After a leisurely morning, head south down the Great Northern Highway to Purnululu National Park, home of the magnificent Bungle Bungles. Two nights here, in our private Bungle Bungles Safari Camp, allows a full day to explore the highlights of this extraordinary National Park, the most famous of which, are the Bungle Bungle domes. Rivers created this landscape of unique orange and black striped 'beehive' geological formations over a period of 20 million years. Unbelievably, only the locals knew it existed until the early 1980's; once discovered by others, the area was made a national park in 1987. We explore Echidna Chasm (2km), known for its towering Livistonia Palm trees, and take a short walk (2-3km) into stunning Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre. There is time in the afternoon to take an optional scenic flight and enjoy a birds-eye view of the beehive domes (approx $325pp, own expense) to put it all into perspective.

Day 11 China Wall & Fitzroy Crossing

Enroute to Fitzroy Crossing, we break the long journey with a visit the gold rush town of Halls Creek to see the remarkable China Wall. We also enjoy lunch at Marys Pool and visit the remote Laarri Aboriginal Art Gallery, before an evening by the Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing.

Day 12 Geikie Gorge & Broome

A morning cruise through the majestic Geikie Gorge is a great start to our last day. Nature carved this wonder through between the Geikie and Oscar Ranges during the Devonian geological period. Learn of the fascinating geology of this natural wonder and discover the huge array of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, birds and fish. Explore Old Fitzroy Crossing and enjoy lunch by the river before we return to Broome in time to enjoy the sunset on Cable Beach.