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13
Day Kimberley Camping Safari
Broome to Darwin
Day 1:
Broome to Windjana Gorge
You
will be collected from your hotel at 7 am this morning to
begin your 13 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley region.
We
head north to Derby, stopping at the boab prison tree on the
way, before having a look around the town and the wharf area.
Onto
the Gibb River Road and our stop for the night - Windjana
Gorge, where we’ll have a picnic lunch.
The
afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone
tunnel, carved into the rock over thousands of years. View
stalactites and stalacmites and hear the story of aboriginal
leader Jandamarra, who used the tunnel as a hideout in the
late 1800’s.
Back
to Windjana Gorge for a walk into the gorge before sunset
and dinner. Windjana Gorge is 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.
Camping:
Overnight Windjana Gorge campground.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day
2: Windjana Gorge
to Manning Gorge
After
breakfast, we’ll make our way through the Napier and
King Leopold ranges to Bell Gorge, believed to be the most
picturesque in the Kimberley.
The
afternoon is spent swimming and exploring Adcock and Manning
gorges. 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.
We’ll
watch the sunset before dinner at Manning Gorge.
Camping:
Overnight camp at Manning Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3: Manning
Gorge to Miners Pool
After
breakfast, we’ll visit Galvans Gorge, a small picturesque
gorge, surrounded by boab trees.
After
a swim, we move on to Barnett River gorge. A hike into the
gorge is rewarded by a swim and the opportunity for bird watching.
Then onto Drysdale River Station for lunch.
After
lunch, we’ll head to Miners Pool for a swim and some
time to relax. The riverbank is also home to an array of bird
life.
Camping:
Overnight Miners Pool..
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
4: Miners
Pool to Kalumburu
This
morning starts with a cooked breakfast, before we drive up
to Kalumburu aboriginal community, stopping on the banks of
the Carson River for lunch.
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.
Camping:
Overnight camp Kalumburu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
5: Kalumburu
to Kalumburu
area
Today
we have a very interesting day, 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.
Camping:
Overnight camp Kalumburu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
6: Kalumburu
to King Edward River
This
morning we say goodbye to Kalumburu and head down to King
Edward River.
After
lunch on the river bank, we’ll view 2 unique art sites,
of Bradshaw and Wandjana figures.
Early
evening is spent swimming and relaxing before watching the
sunset.
Camping:
Overnight King Edward River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
7: King
Edward River to Mitchell Falls area
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.
Camping:
Overnight camp at King Edward River .
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
8: King
Edward River to El Questro campground.
This
morning we head south, stopping on the banks of the Gibb River
to view an art site. Then we make our way onto the Gibb River
road, stopping at Paddymelon Springs for lunch.
After
lunch, we carry on to the ‘cuples’, which are
man made rock indentations.
Continuing
on towards El Questro Wilderness Park, we stop to view the
mighty Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges.
Camping:
Overnight El Questro campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
9: El Questro to Zebedee
Springs
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.
Camping:
Overnight El Questro campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
10: El Questro to
Bungle Bungles
This
morning we head to Wyndham and drive up the bastion to have
lunch while we take in the sensational views of the 5 rivers
lookout and the Cambridge Gulf.
We
stop at Parry’s Lagoon, a haven for birdlife, before
we head south 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!
Camping:
Overnight Bungle Bungles campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
11: Bungle Bungles
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.
Camping:
Overnight Bungle Bungles campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
12: Bungle Bungles
to Keep River National Park
After
breakfast, we leave the Bungles and head to Kununurra.
We
take a look around at the Warringari Art Centre and Kelly’s
Knob lookout before lunch and then onto Lake Argyle. Lake
Argyle is Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering
1000sq km.
Mid-afternoon,
we’ll pass through the border into the Northern Territory
and make our way to Keep River National Park.
We
arrive in time for sunset and a walk through the rock formations
before dinner.
Camping:
Overnight camp at Keep River National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
13: Keep
River National Park to Darwin
Today
we travel through Timber Creek and Gregory National Park,
where we have lunch on the banks of the Victoria River, while
enjoying the scenery.
Continuing
east we stop at the township of Katherine and, after a short
break, head north towards Darwin.
We
arrive in Darwin approximately 6.30 pm and you will be dropped
off at your accommodation.
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch.
END
ITINERARY
B
= Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
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