Crossing The Kimberley, Australia

The Kimberley is one of the world’s great wilderness areas. Covering an expanse of nearly 423,000 square kilometres and with an estimated population of just 30,000 it has fewer people per square kilometre than almost any other place on Earth. People come here to immerse themselves in the awesome landscape and, for a restorative while, to get away from Australia’s more densely populated cities and cityscapes.

Validity: May 27-June 3, June 10-17, June 24-July, July 8-15, July 22-29, August 5-12, August 19-26, September 2-9, September 16-23, 2012

Highlights: Meet with Aboriginal elders, meet Aboriginal artists, visit Wandjina and Bradshaw rock art sites and swim in pristine waterholes.

Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Darwin - Kununurra (B,L,D)
Overland to Kununurra departing from Darwin at 700 am (fly to Kununurra options available). Travel via the Stuart Highway via Adelaide River, and Katherine, the Territory’s 3rd largest town. Turn west on the Victoria Highway and pass through rich cattle country and spectacular rugged mountain landscapes of Gregory National Park to Victoria River and Timber Creek. Enjoy views of the Stokes Range. You travel to cross the NT/WA state border and arrive in Kununurra for overnight.

Day 2: Kununurra – Ord River - Bungle Bungle (B,L,D)
Experience Kununurra, ‘the eastern gateway to the Kimberley’ by air with a morning scenic flight over the renowned Ord Irrigation area, the Ord River Scheme and the enormous man made Lake Argyle before arriving at the Bungle Bungle. There you transfer to an air-conditioned 4WD. On your short overland trip to Cathedral Gorge learn of the Bungles heritage. On your walk into Cathedral Gorge, you will be surrounded by the Beehive Domes for which the park is famous. Once in the gorge relax in this shaded area and enjoy a memorable picnic lunch before rejoining the 4WD vehicle. Travel to the Bungle Bungle Bush Camp for afternoon tea then rejoin the aircraft to complete your afternoon scenic flight over the ancient Ragged Ranges and the Argyle Diamond Mine. Return to Kununurra at about 5 00 pm. Overnight Kununurra or El Questro option.

Day 3: El Questro (B,L)
See fabulous art galleries displaying local works before you depart for the Gibb River Road and El Questro Station, a million acres of spectacular Kimberley scenery, rivers and gorges. This morning enjoy a walk and optional swim in one of El Questro’s many fabulous gorges. After lunch by the riverside, enjoy a cruise in the Chamberlain River Gorge and views from Pigeon Lookout over the Pentecost River. Overnight at El Questro. In the late afternoon relax by the river at El Questro Station homestead riverside camp. Dinner own at expense at station restaurant.

Day 4: Gibb River – Cockburn Range – Drysdale River Station (B,D)
Relax in the Zebedee hot springs before the journey on the scenic and spectacular Gibb River Road via the Cockburn Range. You visit Home Valley Station and stop to view some special Aboriginal rock art including Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gion Gion) rock art. The day’s journey takes you through varying terrain including high mountains and “jump ups”, and some great river crossings from East to West Kimberley. Enjoy a break at a bird lovers billabong. We take a right turn at the Kulumburu Rd, and can enjoy a cool drink at the bar of the famous working cattle station, Drysdale River Station where we overnight.

Day 5: Mt Hann, Mitchell Falls – Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary (B,L,D)
From Drysdale Station, you take a 2 hour scenic flight viewing Mt Hann, Deep Gorge and the Rift, then over the magnificent Prince Regent Nature Reserve. Follow the Prince Regent River over numerous unnamed waterfalls, King Cascades, St George Basin, Mt Trafalgar, Prince Frederick Harbour, the Hunter River, Donkins Hill Falls and the spectacular Mitchell Falls. You may be lucky enough see crocodiles, dugong and whales. This is a flight over the most remote wilderness area in the world and it is the best way to see this country from the air. On return you travel south on the Gibb River Rd to cool off at Barnett River Gorge, cross the Gibb and Manning Rivers to Mt Barnett. Enjoy a swim of relax at the easy to access and picturesque Galvins Gorge with more rock art, great scenery and good swimming. Refreshed, you arrive at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary for our overnight stop. You can join Mornington’s Naturalist Guide for a complimentary talk/slideshow for an insight into the work of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and the unique values of Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 6: Dimond Gorge – Mornigton Sanctuary - Windjana Gorge (B,L,D)
Enjoy an easy access early morning walk along Annie Creek if you choose, before our spectacular 4WD journey to either nearby gorge. Dimond Gorge is beautiful and is where majestic geological formations area a highlight. The drive to Sir John Gorge takes you through undulating savannah. It is a 1-hour drive (14km). Mornington Sanctuary covers more than 3,000 square kilometres of spectacular gorges and tropical savannah dominated by the Fitzroy River and King Leopold Ranges and it is owned and managed by the non-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Our wilderness camp base is a naturalist’s paradise, providing refuge for over 200 species of birds and a diverse range of other wildlife. After lunch, you travel on via Imitji Aboriginal community before an afternoon walk in Windjana Gorge with the abundant wildlife and numerous freshwater crocodiles in this ancient seabed environment. Overnight Windjana Gorge.

Day 7: Windjana Gorge – Derby – Cable Beach, Broome (B,L,D)
Enjoy an early morning walk in Windjana Gorge before we travel the scenic and short distance to nearby Tunnel Creek, where we walk through this 600 m long underground river system to a hidden waterhole. The day includes a tasty picnic lunch and optional swim in the waterhole before you call in to the new Mowanjum Art Centre (meet the artists, opportunity to buy art from source) at the Mowanjum Aboriginal Community. Visit Derby and the wharf with the10 m tides on the southern shores of King Sound. See some of the biggest and oldest Boabs in the Kimberley, including the infamous Prison Boab Tree near Derby. Arrive in Broome at Cable Beach time for the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. After tasty treats on Cable Beach, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant before overnight in Broome.

Day 8: Broome and Departure (B)
You have a day at leisure at Cable Beach before flying home. Options include a scenic flight to the Horizontal Waterfalls or visit the Willie Creek Pearl Farm, or simply shop or relax in Broome’s balmy climate. Tour ends after breakfast.

Included:
• A scenic flight over Bungle Bungles & ground tour to Bungle Bungles Cathedral & Picanniny Creek
• Mitchell Falls flight
• Professional and experienced driver / guides
• Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people that enrich your journey
• Access to remote areas and rock art sites unreachable by most tour vehicles
• All accommodation – 7 nights
• Meals as indicated including a vegetarian option. Celebration dinner in Broome
• Accommodated sleeping or luxury camping. Camp gear includes stretcher, mattress & linen.
• All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees
• Aboriginal Art community visits for “direct from artist” purchases

Please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information om 1800 047 047

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