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SUMMARY
Get lost in the beauty of the Australian Outback on this intoxicating tour from the Top End to Western Australia. Spot wildlife around enchanting Lake Argyle, explore the soaring walls of the many gorges, hike along narrow paths at Echidna Chasm and cool off in crystal-clear watering holes beneath cavernous gorges. The Outback is a truly magnetic place – experience it in all its rugged beauty on this 4x4 adventure through the red desert Kimberleys under the blazing Australian sky. With two local leaders by your side, you’ll experience the Kimberley at its very best.
TOTAL DURATION : 10 Days
GROUP SIZE : MIN 8 MAX 19
TOUR ITINERARY AND DATES
START : Darwin
END : Broome
COUNTRIES VISITED : Australia
Validity : 01 APR 2020 To 31 MAR 2024
Day :1
Location : Darwin - Nitmiluk National Park
Welcome to the tropical city of Darwin (Gulumerrdgen in the language of the local Larrakia people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Darwin is now located). Meet your group and leader at 6.30 am and hit the road. Stop at either Edith Falls for a swim or at Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park for a walk (depending on the season). Eat lunch, then continue to your overnight private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk National Park, where tents with swags await you. In the evening, settle down for dinner with the group.
Day :2
Location : Lake Argyle
After breakfast, stop for a morning dip in Katherine Hot Springs before continuing on to Lake Argyle, which has been created by the Ord River Dam. Admire the sheer size of this 700 square kilometre man-made spectacle. The lake is home to many species of native fish and thousands of freshwater crocodiles. Take an optional sunset cruise before setting up camp at our exclusive campsite on the Ord River.
Day :3
Location : Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
Today we drive through the rugged landscape of Carr Boyd and the Durack Ranges into Purnululu National Park. This park is home-ground of the Bungle Bungles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by massive sandstone karsts that rear hundreds of metres above the surrounding grasslands. Our key attraction inside the park today is an unforgettable walk into Echidna Chasm. We arrive at our bush camp in time to sit back and watch the sun set over the Osmond Ranges. If you’ve had enough of tent camping by now, you might want to spend tonight sleeping out beneath the stars snuggled up in a swag.
Day :4
Location : Purnululu National Park
Wake up with the knowledge of not having to pack-up. After breakfast prepare for a full day of activities, as the group heads back out to explore the remarkable rock formations of the Bungle Bungles and hike to the enormous Cathedral Gorge. As the sun goes down, head back to your overnight camp.
Day :5
Location : Purnululu National Park - El Questro Station - Ord River
You will once again experience some serious 4WD action as you wind your way out of the Bungle Bungles heading through the East Kimberley region. We spend the afternoon exploring the key attraction of El Questro Station. Tackle the hike into Emma Gorge where you will be rewarded with a stunning waterfall and a swim. We drive onto our overnight stop our exclusive camp on the Ord River.
Day :6
Location : Kunnunurra
Wake up with the knowledge of not having to pack-up. Take some time to have a look around the picturesque Ord River system (no saltwater crocs!). Your guide will show you around the East Kimberley ‘capital city’ of Kunnunurra with local features such as Hoochery Distillery. Walk at Mirima National Park and in the late afternoon, hike up to an exclusive and stunning lookout over the Upper Ord River system and watch the colours change during spectacular Kimberley sunset.
Day :7
Location : Gibb River Road - Mount Barnett Station
After breakfast, its time to hit the road again and start travelling along the legendary Gibb River Road. Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. We’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there is a fair bit of drive time, but we’ll be breaking the journey up with lunch and at a few stop-offs along the way. Tonight’s destination is at Mount Barnett Station located very close to Manning Gorge. This evening we camp at Mount Barnett by the banks of a crystal clear fresh water river, perfect to cool off in after your day hiking.
Day :8
Location : Mount Barnett Station - Manning Gorge
We spend the morning exploring the stunning Manning Gorge and enjoy a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. Depending on the season, post-lunch we spend the afternoon exploring Galvan’s Gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.
Day :9
Location : Bell Gorge
The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this morning is no exception. After breakfast we adventure to Bell Gorge (subject to weather and road conditions) home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. The afternoon sees us head to Windjana Gorge, a segment of 375 million-year-old reef that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry, this gorge attracts many species of bird and bat and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles. We’ll set up camp for the last time together in the Western Kimberley region.
Day :10
Location : Tunnel Creek - Broome
Begin the day exploring the Napier Range. The major attraction here is a guided walk through Tunnel Creek, an extensive limestone cave system that extends 750-metres underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream in through crevices, little bats flutter about and enormous stalactites rear down from the ceiling. Then make the final drive on to Broome, hopefully arriving in time for a stunning Cable Beach sunset.
Need more info?
Tel: 01268 735301