9 Day 4WD Broome To Darwin Tour

9 Day 4WD Broome To Darwin Tour

Real Aussie Says:

This is our original Broome to Darwin Kimberley Tour which has been operating since 1997. It’s packed with Adventure and has us wild camping, hiking and swimming across the Kimberley exploring the best of the Gibb River Road, Bungle Bungles and Lake Argyle. Total outback camping in swags on this adventure.

9 Day 4WD Broome To Darwin Tour
Tour itinerary - 9 Days

• Day 1 Broome to Windjana Gorge region
  Leaving the comfort of the coastal community behind you will head east 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.
  
  Your first stop is the famous 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 an insight into the challenging relationship between the early settlers and Aboriginal people of the Kimberley.
  
  Next 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. You will do 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. Bush camping is a great experience whether you are an outback drover or first time city slicker, there is nothing like finding a great spot of wilderness in the middle of nowhere, setting up a campfire, cooking up a feast on the fire and then rolling out the swags under the Kimberley night sky.
  
  Camp: Wilderness bush camp (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 2-4 km. Meals: L, D.
• Day 2 Windjana Gorge region to Gibb River Road
  With no roof over your head the breaking dawn is your new alarm clock so 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 your 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 you will have the place to yourself. 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 it's back 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 is Bell Gorge. After a 20 minute walk a beautiful creek 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 push on along the ‘Gibb’ for a little before finding the 2nd bush camp for the night, another remote wilderness location where you collect firewood, set up camp and settle in for the night.
  
  Camp: Wilderness bush camp (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 4 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 3 Gibb River Road
  Another day of adventure awaits. Emerging from camp it’s back on the Gibb River Road and onto Manning Gorge where you will spend most of the day. White sandy beaches with a Pandanus tree lined waterway, opening into a wide clear waterhole greets you only minutes after starting the walk. You must swim across the river before following a trail leading to the top of gorge. The gorge has a waterfall plus a deep wide swimming hole surrounded by granite cliffs and rock outcrops. It is a spectacular setting with hidden examples of Aboriginal rock art. The return route from Manning Gorge is a little less conventional as you swim and rock hop along the creek before reaching the main waterhole where it started.
  
  Time and conditions permitting we may also visit Galvin Gorge and / or Adcock Gorge this afternoon.
  
  Departing Manning we locate our bush camp on the sandy banks of the Gibb River under the gum trees.
  
  Camp: Wilderness bush camp (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 5 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 4 Gibb River Road to El Questro Station
  An early morning swim in cool waters of the Gibb River is a great way to wake up. From your camp the day starts with a short walk to a little known Aboriginal art site and your guide will explain the significance of the paintings.
  
  From here it’s back on the the ‘Gibb’ where you continue on the easterly trek. Arriving at the Pentecost River you are presented with an incredible landscape of a wide river surrounded by the rugged Cockburn Ranges, a classic Kimberley scene. Here we drive the 4WD though the Pentecost River and driving a vehicle across a 60 metre wide outback river which is occupied by Salt Water Crocodiles is not something you do every day! It’s the only way across!
  
  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 you to a very high and narrow falls with a deep cool plunge pool where we can swim.
  
  Camp: Wilderness bush camp (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 3 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 5 El Questro Station to Purnululu National Park
  One of the highlights of the trip is Purnululu National Park, more commonly known as the Bungle Bungles. Spend 2 days in this region, 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 across creek beds before arriving at what must be one of the world’s most unique landscapes.
  
  After locating thecampsite, head off to Echidna Chasm to hike into the domes, following a creek to its source at a narrow passage buried within the ‘Bungles’.
  
  The day ends with a spectacular sunset from a hill top vantage point.
  
  Camp: National Park bush camp with basic toilets (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 3-5 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 6 Purnululu National Park
  With an early rise you are able to take advantage of a spectacular Bungle Bungles sunrise and from your vantage point to watch the ‘show’ with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast.
  
  A short drive from the sunrise area is the trailhead for the Cathedral Gorge hike, a spectacular hike though the bee hive formations. 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’ (optional and at additional cost). From the air the ‘Bungles’ take on a completely new perspective and the open chopper is sensational.
  
  Camp: National Park bush camp with basic toilets (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 3 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 7 Purnululu National Park to Lake Argyle
  From the bush camp it's onto Kununurra, the first sign of civilisation you would have seen for a week. As you approach town the mobile phones start beeping and you can 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 it's off to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as a highlight of the tour. Lake Argyle is a huge freshwater lake teaming with wildlife, from wallabies in the rocky shores to freshwater crocodiles and birdlife. Board a boat where a local guide shows you the lake, there is time to swim before watching 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!
  
  Enjoy the campfire, the sky is full of stars and the cool water is inviting to those brave souls who want a midnight swim.
  
  Camp: Remote island bush camp (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 1 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 8 Lake Argyle to Keep River National Park
  The sunrise from the island camp is unforgettable. Pack up camp, reboard the boat and head back to the vehicle. From Lake Argyle it's a push east towards the Northern Territory border and the Keep River National Park.
  
  Keep River is another amazing location where there are a number of hikes to take before settling down for another bush camp.
  
  Camp: Bush camp (tents are provide for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.) Hike: 2-4 km. Meals: B, L, D.
• Day 9 Keep River National Park to Darwin
  It's the final day of your big adventure. After arriving in Katherine and depending on the time available you will explore either Katherine Gorge or Edith falls, both offer more adventure, swimming and spectacular landscapes.
  
  Your arrival into Darwin is usually at around 6pm and your guide will drop you to your accommodation. Hike: 2-4 km. Meals: B, L.