Darwin to Broome Kimberley Overland Adventure 10 day

Description

Day 1 Darwin to Katherine Region

This action-packed Darwin to Broome Kimberley Overland Adventure departs from the NT’s tropical capital with a drive south to Nitmiluk National Park. Depending on the season, your adventure will get underway with a swim in the natural pool by the base of Edith Falls or a cruise through the croc-filled waters of Katherine Gorge. After lunch it’s on to our private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk with the option of spending the night in a permanent tent or snuggled up in a swag (an Aussie bedroll). (LD)

Day 2 Katherine to Lake Argyle

The outback of the Kimberley region, which spreads across the northern region of Western Australia, is not as flat, dry and barren as many first expect. Today we’ll visit enormous Lake Argyle, which looks perfectly at home despite being entirely man-made. You have the option of taking a cruise and looking for the native fauna that has settled here in huge numbers – try to spy crocodiles, wallabies and rare birds. Soak up the backdrop of mountains-turned-islands as we explore some of the 700 square kilometre surface of the lake.  We then turn in to camp under some seriously starry skies. (BLD)

Days 3-4 Purnululu National Park:  Bungle Bungles

The distinctive sandstone towers of the Bungle Bungle Range only became known to wider Australia when a group of documentary filmmakers stumbled across them in the early 1980’s. Travelling by both foot and vehicle, we’ll take you through the craggy gorges, past unique rock formations, and to hidden waterholes. The day closes with a stunning Kimberley sunset witnessed from this evening’s bush camp.

Day 4 is all about getting to know the Bungle Bungles properly. First stop is the ever-narrowing gap of Echidna Chasm. Formed over millions of years by water flowing through an opening in the sandstone, the path winds through palm-filled gorges up to 200 metres high though and in parts only 1-2 metres wide. Next, trade the tight spaces of Echidna Chasm for the wide-open natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. From feeling dwarfed by these giant rock structures, get a very different perspective with a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles. Though an optional activity at extra cost, this is definitely an experience worth shelling out for. (BLD/BLD)

Day 5 Bungle Bungles to El Questro

Hit the road again; this time passing Warmun (Turkey Creek) and the Durack Ranges on the way to El Questro on our Kimberley Overland Adventure. Not too long ago, it was mostly cattle that got to enjoy the million-acre sprawl of El Questro. Thankfully for the rest of us, the owners recognised the beauty they had on their hands and turned it into a wilderness park in 1991. Arriving at our campsite, there’ll be time for a beer or two at the Swinging Arm Bar before dinner. (BLD)

Day 6 El Questro Station

At more than one and a half times the size of the UK, there are plenty of scenic spots to explore in El Questro. On the drive in you will have got some clue as to the huge cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes contained in the Cockburn Ranges, but now you’ll be exploring them on foot. Walk to Emma Gorge, cool off in a waterfall-fed subtropical pool and bliss out in the thermal springs of Zebedee. (BLD)

Day 7 Gibb River Road & Mt Barnett

Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. We’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there is a fair bit of drive time, but we’ll be breaking the journey up with lunch and at a few stop-offs along the way. Tonight’s camp is at Mt Barnett Station located  close to Manning Gorge. (BLD)

Day 8 Bell Gorge & Windjana Gorge

The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this morning is no exception. After breakfast we adventure to Bell Gorge; home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges.  We camp overnight at Windjana Gorge, a segment of 375 million-year-old reef, that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry, this gorge attracts many species of bird and bat and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles. (BLD)

Day 9 Tunnel Creek

The major attraction this morning is Tunnel Creek; an extensive limestone cave system that extends 750m underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream in through crevices, little bats flutter about and enormous stalactites rear down from the ceiling. In the late 1800s, an First Nation man called Jandamarra, waged a one-man uprising against European settlers, becoming a hero to his people. You’ll hear a bit about his legacy during a tour through Tunnel Creek.  We then make the final drive into Broome, hopefully arriving in time for a stunning Cable Beach sunset. (BLD)

Day 10 Broome

Today we go out on a high with a Broome sights tour, learning about the rich history of the area in the pearling industry. We take the truck onto the beach for a picnic day this afternoon, and perhaps a few beach games. If you need to leave Broome today you can book a flight at any time. (BL)

Please note:

This tour Kimberley Overland Adventure also operates in reverse…click here for opposite itinerary.