10 Day Darwin to Broome Kimberley Adventure Tour

Depart Darwin at 8.00am we travel to Katherine, where the ‘outback’ meets the ‘tropics’. After lunch you will participate in a 2.5 hour ‘Top Didj ‘cultural experience which showcases the Aboriginal artwork technique of Rarrk painting (Cross Hatch), the skills of spear throwing and didgeridoo playing and listen to the artist’s stories about tribal life and cultural differences.

We then travel to our private campsite which is located ten minutes’ drive from Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Get to know your travelling companions as we share our first dinner together in peaceful surrounds.

Overnight: Campsite with twin share tents and shower/toilet facilities

Included activities: Top Didj Cultural Experience (2.5 hours)

Meals included: Lunch and dinner

Driving distance/time: 350km – 4 hours

This morning we join a dawn cruise on Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. You will see the colours of the morning awaken while the wildlife stirs, appreciating the solitude of being the only boat on the water. After exploring two gorges you will also have the opportunity to view the gorges from above aboard an optional scenic helicopter flight.

Leaving the Katherine Region we stop for a break at the Territory outpost of Timber Creek before crossing the border into Western Australia and arriving shortly after at Lake Argyle, where we stay two nights on the edge of the lake. Dinner tonight is at the Lake Argyle Resort restaurant (own expense) and tomorrow night we’ll cook a camp dinner.

Overnight: Lake Argyle Resort and Park – camping included with shower and toilet facilities

Included activities: Two hour dawn cruise

Optional activities: Katherine Gorge helicopter flight

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Driving distance/ time: 550km – 6 hours

The immense freshwater lake formed by the damming of the mighty Ord River has created an amazing marine environment and today you can choose which activity you would like to do to explore some of its 1,000km² surface (it is 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour)!

Overnight: Lake Argyle Resort and Park – camping included with shower and toilet facilities

Optional activities: Lake Argyle and Ord River lunch or sunset cruise

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After a well-deserved leisurely start, we head towards one of the highlights of the tour, Purnululu, staying at Bungle Bungle caravan park which will be our base for the next two nights. If this is not available then we will park inside the National Park with basic facilities.

We arrive late afternoon, setting up camp for dinner and an evening under the outback stars.

Overnight: Bungle Bungle Caravan Park – budget camping included with shower and toilet facilities

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving distance/ time: 325km – 4 hours

Today we have a day to enjoy this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage National Park, to make the most of the walks and nature on offer. Engaging four-wheel drive as we turn on to unsealed Spring Creek Track for a couple of hours, before the breath-taking orange and black striped beehive-like mounds of ‘the Bungles’ come into view. 

Making the most of our morning in the Bungles we hike into the red rock natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. Then a hike along the water-smooth rock creek bed to Piccaninny Creek Lookout provides an impressive view of the Bungle Bungle Range.

The ultimate view of ‘the Bungle’s however is from above and you’ll have this option today on a helicopter flight from Bellburn Airstrip, which is highly recommended to all visitors.

This afternoon we then walk into Echidna Chasm, with its Livistona palm and striking colours. A leisurely and stunning walk before heading off and leaving the Bungles, to make our way back to camp.

Subject to Helicopter flight times, the walks may be reversed but either way you will enjoy the wilderness and wildlife here.

Overnight: Bungle Bungle Caravan Park – budget camping included with shower and toilet facilities Included

Included activities: Guided walks to Cathedral Gorge, Picaninny Creek and Echidna Chasm (time permitting)

Optional activities: Helicopter Flight

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving distance/ time: 150km – 4 hour

This morning we head off and turn onto the infamous Gibb River Road stopping firstly to enjoy a hike into the picturesque Emma Gorge. After a challenging walk in you can relax in the cool oasis by the turquoise pool or swim to the 65m waterfall. From Emma Gorge we travel the final few kilometres to El Questro Station, where we base ourselves for the next two nights.

El Questro Station (incorporating El Questro Wilderness Park) remains a working cattle station with a herd of approximately 6000 head. The name El Questro remains somewhat of a mystery and while the station lease has changed hands many times it was in 1991 that the Burrell family pursued their dream of venturing into tourism.

Located on the banks of the Pentecost River, the station is a central hub of sprawling campgrounds and air-conditioned accommodation that shares landscaped lawns and gardens for all station guests.

Dinner will be booked at the restaurant tonight but will be at your own expense.

Overnight: El Questro Station – budget camping included with shower and toilet facilities

Included activities: Hike and swim at Emma Gorge

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Driving distance/ time:  310km – 4.5 hours

This morning it is only a short distance Zebedee Springs where a short walk through dense Livistona palms to a series of rocky thermal pools for a soak, is the most relaxing way to start the day!

El Questro Gorge trail is nearby where you will walk beside a narrow spring-fed creek through palm and fern clad escarpments to a small, crystal clear swimming hole. Here you can relax and drink in the beauty of the rainforest.

We all re-group to return to camp to relax or undertake optional activities which are on offer such as an optional Chamberlain Gorge Cruise.

Only accessible by boat, Chamberlain Gorge is a 3km fresh waterhole eclipsed by towering escarpments. You’ll enjoy sparkling wine and fresh fruit from the local Ord Valley and while you’re out on the water, ask your Ranger about the cheeky, spitting Archer fish and large, swirling Barramundi who’ll be sure to swim near the boat.

Overnight: El Questro Station – budget camping included with shower and toilet facilities

Included activities: Walk and soak in Zebedee Springs, walk into El Questro Gorge and Optional Activities

Optional activities: Chamberlain Gorge Cruise or Sundowner horse riding

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving distance/ time: 20 km – less than an hour

An early start this morning as we farewell the station, and if you haven’t already, be sure to snap a photo of the ‘ELQ’ signpost. Our Gibb River Road journey continues and we cross the Pentecost River this morning, with the grand backdrop of the Cockburn Ranges.

Time permitting this afternoon you may be able to visit Galvans Gorge, nestled in the King Leopold Ranges and an easy walk in.

Overnight: Bush camp, Manning Gorge campground with flushing toilets & shower facilities.

Included activities: Guided walk to Galvan Gorge (time permitting)

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving distance/ time: 350km – 6 hours

Today you will visit more of the stunning gorges on the Gibb River Road. It’s an adventure getting into Manning Gorge but it is one of the most beautiful and best swimming spots in the Kimberley. There’s the option to swim the 40 metres across Manning Creek, but if not chosen then you definitely need to be able to swim 10 metres to enjoy this experience. There’s a 3km walk to the top of the gorge but the reward is another refreshing dip.

Those visited will be dependent on road conditions and the pace of the group.

As we travel further along the Gibb River Road, we will visit Dalmanyi (Bell) Gorge Ranges. The waterfalls, cascades and perfect swimming pools with perfect resting places offer places to relax and explore.

We then farewell ‘The Gibb’ travelling towards Windjana Gorge.

Overnight: Bush camp, Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) with flushing toilet & shower facilities

Included activities: Guided walk and swimming in Bell Gorge

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Driving distance/ time: 210km – 3 hours

We have a few kilometres to travel for our final day, so it’s an early morning start at Windjana Gorge. Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge), carved by the Lennard River, is over 3km long and dwarfed by 300m high walls, formed in the limestone barrier reef that existed here in the Devonian period. As we walk along the banks of the deep freshwater pools looking for fossils in the limestone walls you will see native fig and Liechardt trees which attract noisy Correllas. You should also keep an eye out for freshwater crocodiles.

Afterward, we will take a short drive to Tunnel Creek. Here you will hear the story of Jandamarra, the Aboriginal leader who used the tunnel as his hideout. You’ll need a head torch as you follow your guide, wading through the tunnel beneath the Napier Range. A level of swimming ability is required here as the water may sometimes get to a depth of two metres and you may need to swim 8-10 metres through the water.

Now it’s time to relax and relive the past 10 days as we drive the final hours into Broome, home of 22km long Cable Beach with camel rides along the Indian Ocean coastline.

Included activities: Guided walks at Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Driving distance/ time: 460km – 6 hours