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ITINERARY ODYSSEY TOURS & SAFARIS
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click on logo to download 5 Day East Kimberley Adventure
(KO5) Itinerary & Fact sheet
Journey
from Katherine along the Victoria Highway to Western
Australia stopping along the way to view the mighty
Victoria River. Get out and stretch your legs at Gregory’s
Tree which is located 15km northwest of Timber Creek.
This large boab tree stands at the campsite of the early
explorer Augustus Charles Gregory’s North Australian
Expedition
Continue onto the Lake Argyle Tourist Village. Here
we will unpack and prepare for our canoeing adventure
on the Ord River. Accommodated in a comfortable Villa
style unit overlooking the spectacular Lake Argyle,
you will be able to relax and watch the sun go down,
shedding its light on the stunning red escarpment of
the Carr Boyd Ranges whilst enjoying some nibbles and
your favourite glass of wine.
Over the next 3 days you will drift through the red
escarpment while the rock wallabies peer down at you
from their ledges high up in the rock. Enjoy floating
through Carlton Gorge and walking through one of the
many canyons to explore secluded fresh water swimming
holes, cut off from the main river.
The river tour will finish at the Zebra Rock Gallery,
here you can wander up to the shop and peruse the fine
works of art that have been carved out of this 670 million
year old rock. Kunnunurra will then be waiting for you,
spend a night accommodated before taking the return
trip to Katherine. Stopping into Gregory National Park
on the way will give you an insight into one of the
most untouched National Parks in the Northern Territory.
Day
1 - You will be met at your Katherine accommodation
between 7-7:30 am (0700- 0730). From here you will journey
along the Victoria Highway to Western Australia stopping
along the way to view the mighty Victoria River which
originates on Riveren Station and travels approximately
720 kilometres through a mixture of grassy plains, rolling
savannas, rocky spinifex country, mesas and plateaux
before draining into the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and ultimately
the Timor Sea to the north. Most of the catchment lies
less than 450 metres above sea level.
After
another short drive, you will be able to stretch your
legs at Gregory’s Tree which is located 15km northwest
of Timber Creek. This large boab tree stands at the
campsite of the early explorer Augustus Charles Gregory’s
North Australian Expedition which was undertaken between
October 1855 and July 1856. Inscribed in the tree by
Gregory are the expedition dates. The tree also has
special significance to the local Ngaringman Aboriginal
people and is registered as a sacred site. After a short
trip into Kununurra to grab some fresh supplies (no
fruit & veg can be taken over the WA border), we travel
back to the Lake Argyle Tourist Village.
Here we will unpack and prepare for our canoeing adventure
on the Ord River. Accommodated in a comfortable Villa
style unit overlooking the spectacular Lake Argyle,
you will be able to relax and watch the sun go down,
shedding its light on the stunning red escarpment of
the Carr Boyd Ranges whilst enjoying some nibbles and
your favourite glass of wine.
Day
2 – After a hearty cooked breakfast it is time to
gather up all belongings and head to the base of the
Argyle Dam. Here you will be fitted with Personal Flotation
Devices (PFD) a requirement, to be worn whilst on the
river. A safety brief and paddling instructions for
kayaking and canoeing will be given before entering
the water.
At
a relaxing rate, there will be stops along the river
for a morning break, lunch and time to view the diverse
river environment, bird and wildlife. This is probably
the narrowest section of the river that you will paddle
on. The escarpment is high, the water is still flowing
from the dam and the trees provide a nice amount of
shade. A fairly easy start to 3 days on the river. Approximately
4 pm (1600) you will step ashore for an overnight camping
experience. There will be time to relax; fish or read
all whilst your guide prepares the evening meal. After
a fulfilling meal, enjoyed with your favourite bottle
of wine or spirit, sleep in a bed-roll (swag) under
a blanket of stars.
Day
3 – After a hearty cooked breakfast, we pack-up
camp and continue paddling down-stream. The river continues
to change as you move into areas where the red cliffs
will glow in the afternoon light and provide fantastic
photo opportunities as the sun sets. Carlton Gorge will
be a highlight of the day as you paddle through seeing
small rock wallabies watching you from ledges high above.
There
will also be the chance for a small hike into a narrow
canyon where a cool & shady pool awaits your arrival.
Take the chance to swim and relax in the shade, camp
is not far away. At the end of this satisfying day,
you will find yourself in a bit of a routine and will
have camp set-up quickly. Leaving yourself enough time
to explore, relax, chat, check-out some animal tracks
or just ‘find yourself’.
Day
4 – Continue as per Day 3. You will find the scenery
changing again, as the river widens, the escarpment
starts to fade into rolling hills as you return to civilisation.
You will find yourself paddling past large flat areas
of land in the Kununurra Region where sugar cane, melons
and other fruits are being grown.
The
day will finish at the Zebra Rock Gallery, here you
can wander up to the shop and peruse the fine works
of art that have been carved out of this 670 million
year old rock. After all of the gear is pack you will
be transferred in a 4WD to your evening accommodation
in Kununurra where you will be able to shower, enjoy
dinner with a glass of wine and sleep comfortably in
your air conditioned room (unfortunately the stars won’t
be able to follow you inside!)
Day
5 – The return trip to Katherine begins. Stopping
into Gregory National Park on the way will give you
an insight into one of the most untouched National Parks
in the Northern Territory.
Plenty
of time to stretch the legs and get a few more photos
before heading home. There may be the opportunity to
stop in and visit Jasper Gorge (time and road conditions
permitting). Arrival time in Katherine will be approximately
5pm.
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