Itinerary
Day 1: Broome to Tunnel Creek
Pass By: Fairfield-Leopold Downs Rd, Windjana Gorge National Park, Western Australia 6728 Australia
Your Broome to Darwin tour begins when we pick you up from your Broome accommodation in the Adventure Truck and immediately head east and into the Kimberley.
Our first stop is the famous Boab prison tree near Derby, a huge hollowed out Boab tree which was used as a prison in the early pioneering days, this is not only an amazing natural wonder but also gives us an insight into the challenging relationship between the early settlers and Aboriginal people of the Kimberley.
Next we head to Windjana Gorge, a huge gorge cut into the ranges over millennium to reveal beautiful scenery of high vertical cliffs, sandy beaches and meandering creek. We head off on a hike at Windjana of about 4km and often see freshwater crocodiles swimming in the clear waterholes.
From Windjana it’s off to our first wilderness bush camp. It feels nice to get back into the great outdoors with the stars above.
Highlights
Depart Broome
Boab Prison Tree
Windjana Gorge
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
Activities: Short Hike approx 2km
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wilderness Bush Camping
Day 2: Tunnel Creek to Bell Gorge
Pass By: Bell Gorge, Gibb River Road Kimberley Region, Western Australia Australia
The mobile phones get packed up with the camping gear as they become useless and we head off nice and early for our first activity, exploring Tunnel Creek.
Tunnel Creek is an amazing natural phenomenon and holds great significance to the local Aboriginal people, and getting there early normally guarantees we have the place for ourselves. It is a 750 metre long stretch of creek, which runs underground through one of the oldest cave systems in Western Australia. Many aboriginal rock paintings are present in the cave and it was a hideout of the Aboriginal warrior, Jandamarra in 1897.
From Tunnel Creek we get on the Gibb River Road, a 700km long outback dirt road which runs between Derby and Kununurra, it’s not the easiest route, the track is often rough, there are a number or deep water crossings and a 4WD vehicle is essential. However, it's an amazing travel route as along the length of the Gibb River Road are vast tracts of wilderness and numerous rivers, gorges and waterfalls to explore.
The first waterfall of the tour is Bell Gorge. After a short 15 minute walk we come to a beautiful creek, which flows through the centre of this impressive gorge and cascades over numerous falls. A deep swimming hole at the base of the main waterfall, surrounded by shady ledges and high cliffs, is an ideal lunch spot.
From Bell Gorge we push on along the Gibb for a little before finding our 2nd bush Camp for the night, another remote wilderness location where we collect firewood, set up camp and settle in for the night.
Highlights
Tunnel Creek
Gibb River Road
Bell Gorge
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
Activities: Hike & Swim approx 5km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wilderness Bush Camping
Day 3: Bell Gorge to Manning Gorge
Pass By: Manning Gorge, 4WD) Manning Rd Via Gibb River Road, Western Australia 6728 Australia
Another day of adventure awaits.
Emerging from camp it’s back on the Gibb River Road and onto Manning Gorge where we spend most of the day.
White sandy beaches with a Pandanus tree lined waterway opening into a wide clear waterhole greet us only minutes after starting the walk. We must swim across the river before following a trail leading to the top of gorge. (or take the pull along tinny boat across if you are unable to swim well) The gorge has a waterfall plus a deep wide swimming hole surrounded by granite cliffs & rock outcrops. It is a spectacular setting with hidden examples of Bradshaw Aboriginal Rock Art.
The return route from manning Gorge is a little less conventional as we swim and rock hop along the creek before reaching the main waterhole where it started, this activity is often rated as a highlight of the tour.
Depending on the time available, Galvan’s and / or Adcock Gorge’s are also visited.
Camp tonight is either at Manning Gorge, where toilets and showers are available, or back into the bush depending on the preference of your guide.
Highlights
Manning Gorge
Galvan’s Gorge
Adcock Gorge
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
Activities: Hiking & Swimming up to 8km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wilderness Bush Camping
Day 4: Manning Gorge to Pentecost River
Pass By: Gibb River Road, Between Derby and Kununurra, Western Australia Australia
An early morning swim at Manning is a great way to wake up. From here it’s back on “The Gibb” where we continue on our Easterly trek.
There is a variety of great spots to stop and check out, including secluded water holes and Ellenbrae Cattle Station.
Arriving at the Pentecost River we are presented with an incredible landscape of a wide river surrounded by rugged Cockburn Ranges, a classic Kimberley scene.
Here we need to drive the 4WD through the Pentecost River, driving a vehicle across a 60 metre wide outback river which is occupied by Salt Water Crocodiles is not something you do every day, but it's the only way through so across we go.
Another bush camp under the stars awaits us.
Highlights
Gibb River Road
Pentecost River
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
Activities: Indigenous Art. Short Hike approx 2km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wilderness Bush Camping
Day 5: Pentecost River to Bungle Bungles
Pass By: El Questro Wilderness Park, 75 Coolibah Dr, Kununurra, Western Australia 6743 Australia
A short distance from the Pentecost is El Questro Station, home of more beautiful landscapes, one of which is Emma Falls. A hike through a spectacular gorge takes us to very high and narrow falls with a deep cool plunge pool where we can swim.
From El Questro we head to one of the highlights of this tour, Purnululu National Park, more commonly known as the Bungle Bungles.
Our time in this region is spent hiking and exploring the Gorges and amazing landscapes the area contains. The long and dusty track into the Bungles is spectacular; it winds its way through valleys, over ranges and through creeks before arriving at what must be one of the world’s most unique landscapes.
The day ends with a spectacular sunset from a vantage point at camp.
Highlights
Emma Gorge
El Questro Station
Purnululu National Park (Bungles) Sunset
Camp: Bush Camp, National Park Facility
Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wilderness Beach Camping
Day 6: Bungle Bungles
Pass By: Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia 6743 Australia
With an early rise we are able to take advantage of a spectacular Bungle Bungles sunrise, from our vantage point we watch the show with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast from a remote location.
A short drive from the sunrise area is the trailhead for the Cathedral Gorge hike, a spectacular hike though the beehive formations to Cathedral Gorge. The gorge itself is one of the most impressive geological formations you are likely to see anywhere.
From here there is the opportunity to take a scenic flight over the Bungles, helicopter rides from 18 minutes are available. From the air the bungles take on a completely new perspective and the open chopper is sensational. Scenic flights are at your own expense and organised on the day.
We then head off for Echidna Chasm for a hike into the domes, following a creek to its source at a narrow passage buried within the Bungles.
After lunch we depart Purnululu and locate our bush camp, this time on a lovely creek with a sandy beach.
Highlights
Purnululu Sunrise
Cathedral Gorge
Picaninny Creek
Echidna Chasm
Beehive Formations
Optional Helicopter Flight
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
Activities: Hiking approx 5km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wilderness Bush Camping
Day 7: Lake Argyle
Pass By: Lake Argyle, Western Australia 6743 Australia
From our bush camp we head for Kununurra, the first sign of civilisation we have seen for a week. As we approach the town the mobile phones start beeping and we take the opportunity to catch up on the world with some free time in this classic outback town while your guide replenishes supplies.
From Kununurra we head to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as the highlight of the tour. Lake Argyle is a huge freshwater lake teaming with wildlife, from wallabies in the rocky shores, to freshwater crocodiles to birdlife. We board a boat where a local guide shows us the lake, there is time to swim before we watch the sunset from the water and then camp on one of the remote islands.
This is a great experience, knowing you are the only people on a single island in the middle of one of the most remote lakes in the world is unforgettable.
We have a campfire, the sky is full of stars and the cool water is inviting to those brave souls who want a midnight swim.
Highlights:
Kununurra
Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle Private Island Camp
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Island
Activities: Boat Cruise & Swimming
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush camp on private island by Lake Argyle, we take a boat cruise to get here.
Day 8: Lake Argyle to Aborginal land
Pass By: Kununurra Visitor Centre, 75 Coolibah Dr, Kununurra, Western Australia 6743 Australia
The sunrise from our island camp is again unforgettable.
We pack up camp, re-board the boat and head back to our vehicle.
From Lake Argyle we push East towards the Northern Territory border and camp on aboriginal land near a billabong. We have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bill Harney, an aboriginal elder who will show us some aboriginal rock art out the back of his property and tell stories as well as sing songs about his culture and experiences.
Highlights
Lake Argyle Island Sunrise
Early Cruise & Swim
Victoria River Region
Aboriginal Culture tour (upon availability)
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on aboriginal land
Activities: Boat Cruise & Hiking approx 4km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: private bush camping on aboriginal Land
Day 9: Katherine to Darwin
Pass By: Edith Falls, Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine, Northern Territory Australia
On the final day we arrive in Katherine. We explore Edith Falls within Nitmiluk National Park, which offers more adventure, hiking, swimming and spectacular landscapes.
We normally arrive into Darwin at around 6pm, your guide will conclude the tour by dropping you off at your accommodation.
Highlights
Edith Falls
Arrival into Darwin
Activities: Boat Cruise & Hiking approx 4km
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Drop off at your accommodation in Darwin
