20 Day Darwin to Perth Camping Adventure Tour

All about the 20 Day Darwin to Perth Camping Adventure Tour

20 Day Darwin to Perth Camping Adventure Tour
Tour itinerary - 20 Days

• Day 1 Edith Falls
  The sun rises early in the Kimberley so there’s no point in sleeping in, we’ll pick you up from your Darwin accommodation at 6 am and head for the wilderness.
  
  Leaving the comfort of the city behind we head for what many consider to be one of the last great expanses of rugged wilderness areas remaining in the world, the mighty Kimberley Region of Northern Western Australia.
  
  Our first stop is about 2 hours South of Darwin, Edith Falls in Katherine Gorge National Park, a short 3 km walk to the upper pools brings us to the first of many beautiful waterfalls which we will see over the next 9 days.
  
  After lunch we push west towards the Western Australia / Northern Territory state border and our first bush camp. Bush camping is a great experience whether you are an experienced outback drover or first time city slicker, we have been in the Kimberley for such a long time that we have established relationships with the local landholders, both Cattle Stations and Custodians of Aboriginal Land, and we have permission to camp in wild places that are off-limits to the public.
  
  These camping spots are normally in pristine wilderness and remote areas, setting up a campfire, cooking up a feast on the fire and then rolling out the swags in these places is a special experience, and our first camp is a cracker! Tents are provided for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.
• Day 2 Victoria River to Lake Argyle
  With no roof over our heads, the breaking dawn is our new alarm clock and we rise early. The mobile phones get packed up with the camping gear as they become useless and we head off nice and early for our day's activities, exploring Keep River National Park and Lake Argyle. Keep River is a great destination and there are a number of hikes we can choose from.
  From Keep River, we head to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as the highlight of the tour.
  Lake Argyle is a huge freshwater lake teeming 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 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. (BLD)
  Camp: Private Island Camp – Boat required to access
• Day 3 Lake Argyle to Purnululu National Park
  The sunrise from our island camp is unforgettable.
  We pack up camp, re-board the boat and head back to our vehicle. From Lake Argyle we head into Kununurra to replenish supplies, as we approach 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 one of the highlights of this Kimberley trip, 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. (BLD)
  Camp: National Park Bush Camp – 4WD required to access
• Day 4 Purnululu National Park to Bush Camp
  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 through 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 organized 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. After locating our campsite. (BLD)
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp - 4WD required to access
• Day 5 Bush Camp to Pentecost River
  Today we get onto a dirt track, the famous Gibb River Road, a 700km long outback 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. After a short distance, we reach El Questro Station, home of many 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 here it’s back on the ‘The Gibb’ where we continue on our westerly trek. 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. Another bush camp and classic Kimberley Sunset awaits at the foot of the Rugged Cockburn Ranges. (BLD)
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp - 4WD required to access
• Day 6 Pentecost River to Manning Gorge
  From camp, our first task is to drive the 4WD through the Pentecost River, driving a vehicle across a 60 meter 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.
  Today we push west, there is a variety great spots to stop and check out, including secluded waterholes and Ellenbrae Cattle Station before arriving at Manning Gorge.
  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. (BLD)
  Camp: Manning Gorge - 4WD required to access
• Day 7 Manning Gorge to Bush Camp
  Another day of adventure awaits. From camp, our daily hike, 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 the gorge. 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.
  Depending on the time available, Galvans and/or Adcock Gorge’s are also visited. Depending on the time available, Galvans and/or Adcock Gorge’s are also visited. On departing Manning we locate our bush camp and set up for another night under the stars. (BLD)
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp - 4WD required to access
• Day 8 Bush Camp to Tunnel Creek
  The first stop for the day is Bell Gorge, another day, another amazing waterfall to explore! Such is life in the Kimberley. After a 15-minute walk, we come to a beautiful Creek, which flows through the center 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. Next, we head to Windjana Gorge, a huge gorge cut into the ranges over a 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. Our last wilderness bush camp for the tour is another cracker offering a classic Kimberley sunset and camping among the boab trees. (BLD)
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp - 4WD required to access
• Day 9 Tunnel Creek to Broome
  By now we are experts to getting up early and on our way, our final watering spot for the tour is 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 to ourselves.
  It is a 750 meter 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.
  Next, we head to Windjana Gorge, a huge gorge cut into the ranges over a 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 Gorge we check out the Boab Prison Tree near Derby and then make our way into Broome. We normally arrive into Broome at around 6pm and head for Cable beach to soak up the last amazing sunset of the tour, your guide will then drop you at your accommodation. (BL)
• Day 10 and 11 Broome
  Free time in Broome. Relax at your accommodation (dorm accommodation included) around the pool or head to Cable Beach to work on the tan.
• Day 12 Broome to Pilbara
  We depart Broome and head south to towards Karijini National Park via 80 Mile Beach & Marble Bar.
  We’ll stop for a refreshing swim at 80 Mile Beach before heading inland on a network of dirt roads to Marble Bar, home to the famous Iron Clad Hotel where we can stop for a refreshment and some good Aussie hospitality.
  From Marble Bar we’ll push further into the heart of the Pilbara to our bush campsite where we can crank up the campfire and cook up a feast. (LD)
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – Pilbara Ranges accessed by off-road vehicle.
• Day 13 Karijini National Park
  We have the next 2 days to explore what many people rate as their favorite Australian destination, Karijini National Park.
  Slot canyons, deep gorges and waterfalls abound in this outback oasis.
  Tour participants also have the opportunity to join a canyoning tour (at own expense) for 1 of these days, enabling them to explore some of the areas restricted to rope access only.
  Today we explore the Weano area where we find:
  Weano Gorge
  Hancock Gorge
  Red Gorge
  Handrail Pool
  A great day of hiking and swimming for the whole day. (BLD)
  Off-Road vehicle is required today to access our Private Wilderness Camp
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on both nights
• Day 14 Karijini National Park
  Today we check out the East Karijini delights of Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool & Dales Gorge. Again an action-packed day exploring, hiking and swimming.
  After another big day, we can relax at our shady camp.
  
• Day 15 Karijini to Exmouth
  After an early morning swim at the Circular pool, we say goodbye to the inland gorges of Karijini National Park and head for the Coast, specifically Exmouth. Arriving on the coast we head straight for our private bush camp located right on the water at Exmouth Bay. (BLD)
  Camp: Private Wilderness Camp, Off-Road vehicle required to access camp
• Day 16 Exmouth to Bush Camp near Yardie Creek
  Today we explore the Exmouth Peninsula. From the town of Exmouth, we head for two of nature’s spectacular formations, Turquoise Bay and Yardie Creek Gorge.
  At Turquoise Bay we can snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef from the beach, that’s right, no boat cruise required, just strap on the fins and discover a coral reef and fish!
  In addition to Turquoise Bay, the Cape Range National Park is home to Yardie Creek, a coastal gorge where there is a great hike and more swimming opportunities.
  Returning to our private coastal camp of the previous evening we again get set up for a night under the stars. (BLD)
• Day 17 Camp to Coral Bay
  Today we head a short distance down the coast to Coral Bay.
  We spend most of the day at Coral Bay where there is a variety of activities to suit all tastes and budgets, including;
  Relaxing and swimming on the beach
  Hiring snorkels and exploring the bay
  Joining a Manta Ray Snorkelling Boat Cruise
  Joining a Whale Shark Snorkelling Boat Cruise (in season)
  After a day of ‘awesomeness’, we access another private wilderness camp under the stars, complete with sunset, stars, and campfire. (BLD)
• Day 18 Coral Bay to Shark Bay
  We rise nice and early and head for the World Heritage Protected Shark Bay.
  We have a campsite right on the bay which is only accessible by 4WD. On the way we take on some sand dunes and stop in a Hamelin Pool and Shell Beach – you guessed it, a beach made entirely of shells! (BLD)
  Camp: Bush Camp.
• Day 19 Shark Bay to Kalbarri via Monkey Mia
  We rise nice and early and head for Monkey Mia to meet the dolphins.
  Arriving at Monkey Mia we spend some quality time with the Dolphins and participate in a feeding session.
  Wild dolphins have been visiting the shoreline at Monkey Mia virtually every day for over 40 years, making this spot in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area one of the best and most reliable places for dolphin interaction in the world.
  The dolphin interactions are regulated by rangers and a few lucky visitors are selected to hand-feed the dolphins a small amount of fish.
  From Monkey Mia we wave goodbye to our aquatic friends and head south for Kalbarri, where we explore the inland gorges of the park including Murchison Gorge & Natures Window.
  We access another another private wilderness camp, this one on the banks of the Murchison River. (BLD)
  Optional Abseiling (at own expense)
• Day 20 Kalbarri to Perth
  From our bush camp, we continue our trek south to explore some of the coastal areas of the Kalbarri National Park which can include sections of the Bigurda Trail & Eagle Gorge. After a bit of outdoor activities, we’ll head for Nambung National Park, home of the Pinnacles and eventually into the City of Perth. (BL)

Real Aussie Says:

Traveling the full length of the West Coast of Western Australia, this tour is a classic expedition style of trip. means small groups, bush camping in wild places and heaps of adventure. This Darwin to Perth camping tour is one of our most adventurous here at Real Aussie Adventures.You will be getting in touch with nature to truly experience the wilderness through which we travel. you will be required to undertake physical activities such as hiking, swimming and climbing/scrambling for several kilometers at a time, in sometimes very hot conditions. We have a 240V inverter in each vehicle as well as USB charging points so you can charge your phone and camera on the trip, There is no phone reception, however, depending on your phone plan you may get reception around the towns of Katherine, Kununurra, and Derby. The best carrier for reception appears to be Telstra. During the days as we travel, we often stop at places where there are normal flushing toilets and/or basic toilets, these places include petrol stations and National Parks. When camping, we prefer to camp in the wilderness, which means there are no toilets. We do however carry a portable toilet. When we are unable to wilderness camp, we are generally using a National Park campground, these are normally equipped with basic toilets.

Please contact us with any questions

Departure information