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13
Day Kimberley Camping Safari
Darwin to Broome
Day 1:
Darwin to Lake Argyle
You will be collected from your hotel at 7.30
am this morning to begin your 13 day 4WD safari through the
Kimberley region.
We
head south, along the Stuart Highway to the township of Katherine
and, after a short break, continue west along the Victoria
Highway.
We
have lunch on the banks of the Victoria River and then travel
through Gregory National Park and Timber Creek before passing
through the border into Western Australia.
Camping:
Overnight camp at Lake Argyle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
2:
Lake Argyle to Bungle Bungles
After breakfast, we explore Lake
Argyle, which is Australia’s largest man- made lake,
covering 1000sq km and built as part of the Ord River scheme.
We
pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border
restrictions), take a look around at the Warringari Art Centre
and Kelly’s Knob Lookout before lunch.
After
lunch, we head down 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
3: Bungle
Bungles to
Cathedral Gorge
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
4: Bungle
Bungles to
El Questro campground
This morning we head to Doon Doon
and then up to Parry’s Lagoon, which is a haven for
birdlife.
Into
Wyndham for lunch while we take in the sensational views of
the 5 rivers lookout and the Cambridge Gulf.
Meeting
up with the Gibb River road, we’ll now make our way
to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in
size.
Camping:
Overnight El Questro campground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
5: El
Questro
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
6: El
Questro to King
Edward River
Leaving El Questro, we head back
onto the Gibb River Road where we’ll stop to view the
mighty Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges.
Then
we’ll make our way to an art site to view the rock art
as well as ‘cuples’, which are man made rock indentations.
Onto
the Kalumburu Road and another rock art stop.
After
a lunch stop at Drysdale River Station, we continue north
to the King Edward River and onto our camp in time for a swim.
Camping:
Overnight camp on the banks of the King Edward River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
7: King
Edward River
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.
Overnight
camp on the banks of the King Edward River.
Camping:
Overnight camp on the banks of the King Edward River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
Day
8: King
Edward River to Kalumburu
After leaving camp
this morning, we’ll view 2 unique art sites, of Bradshaw
and Wandjana figures. Then we head north to Kalumburu Aboriginal
community, with lunch on the banks of the Carson River.
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 at Kalumburu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
9:
Kalumburu
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.
Camping:
Overnight camp at Kalumburu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
10: Kalumburu
to Manning
Gorge
Today we leave
Miners Pool and head to Barnett River gorge. A hike into the
gorge is rewarded by a swim and the opportunity for bird watching.
Then
onto Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge, arriving in time
for a short walk into the gorge for a swim and sunset.
Camping:
Overnight camp at Manning Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Day
11: Manning
Gorge to Silent Grove
Our first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge,
a small picturesque gorge, surrounded by boab trees.
Then
we’ll head to Adcock Gorge for a swim. 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.
Bell
Gorge is our final destination for the day, which is said
to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley.
Camping: Overnight camp at Silent Grove.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Day
12: Silent
Grove to Windjana Gorge
Leaving our Silent Grove camp, we
continue west through the King Leopold ranges, stopping en-route
at some lookouts before we reach Windjana Gorge, where we
have lunch and set up camp.
The
afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone
tunnel in the Napier Range, carved into the rock over thousands
of years. View stalactites and stalacmites and hear the story
of Jandamarra, who used the tunnel as a hideout in the late
1800’s.
Back
to camp in time for sunset over the Napier Range.
Camping:
Overnight camp at Windjana Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner
Day
13: Windjana Gorge. to
Broome
After breakfast we take a walk into Windjana
Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system, set in the
Napier Range. Freshwater crocodiles laze around, basking in
the sun, on the banks of the Lennard River, which runs through
the gorge.
The
last leg of our journey along the Gibb river road takes us
into Derby, where we spend time exploring the town and the
wharf area. As we leave, we’ll stop at the prison boab
tree and have lunch on the banks of the Fitzroy River.
Then
we make our way into Broome, arriving late afternoon and you
will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch.
END
ITINERARY
B
= Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
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