16 DAY TOTALLY KIMBERLEY

Tour Code:  GKCK16

Duration:      16 days

2009 Departures:
May 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29
Jun 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30
Jul 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
Aug 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 24, 26, 31
Sep 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

Prices:              Adult                        $6845.00pp twin share

 

 

ITINERARY

Day 1. Kununurra
Arrive in Kununurra, the Kimberley's eastern gateway. After transferring to the All Seasons Hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day to explore the town at your own leisure. You may wish to visit the Diversion Gallery or perhaps spoil yourself with an Argyle diamond from one of the town's fine jewellery shops.
Two Night Stay: Kununurra, All Seasons Hotel.

Day 2. Lake Argyle, Ord River Cruise (B)
This morning you have some free time to explore Kununurra. Then travel to Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the southern hemisphere with 18 times the capacity of Sydney Harbour. This afternoon, join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. Keep a look out for the local wildlife. Witness the sunset as you cruise into Lake Kununurra.

Day 3. Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park (B,L,D)
Departing Kununurra, we travel to Purnululu National Park. A spectacular wilderness region and home to the unique Bungle Bungle Range, the park was awarded World Heritage status in 2003. Today explore the northern part of the park. Hike into Echidna Chasm, a spectacular cleft in the rock massif. Enjoy the unique experience of staying within the heart of the national park without having to rough it.
Two Night Stay: Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge.

Day 4. Bungle Bungle Range, Sunset Drinks (B,L,D)
Rise early this morning and drive to the southern side of the Bungle Bungle massif. Explore majestic Cathedral Gorge - perhaps test out the acoustics within this natural ampitheatre. An easy-paced walk along the dry bed of Piccaninny Creek is the best way to inspect the domes up close. Discover hidden gorges and diverse vegetation. Your well informed guide will bring the natural history of the Bungle Bungle domes to life - these strange beehive formations will seem even more fascinating once explained. Learn about the Aboriginal people's rich knowledge of the area and the cultural significance of the park. You can even learn bushtucker and bush medicine skills. There is time for an optional helicopter flight over the domes (own expense). Enjoy drinks as you watch the sun set over the domes, then return to the lodge for a hearty dinner.

Day 5. Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing (B,L,D)
Departing Purnululu, our first stop today is to explore the ruins of Old Halls Creek, the site of the first gold discovered in Western Australia. See China Wall, a curious quartz ridge, before continuing to Fitzroy Crossing. Home of the mighty Fitzroy River, the settlement is surrounded by some of Australia's largest and most productive pastoral properties.
Accommodation: Fitzroy River Lodge.

Day 6. Geikie Gorge Cruise, Broome (B,L)
Enjoy a delightful morning cruising and hiking Geikie Gorge guided by a traditional Bunuba land owner. This cruise allows you to experience this amazing area from an Aboriginal cultural perspective. Take in the mighty Fitzroy River before continuing on to the historical coastal port of Broome.
Two Night Stay: Broome, Tropicana Inn or similar.

Day 7. Day at Leisure in Broome (B)
Today is yours to explore beautiful Broome at your leisure. You may like to spend the day relaxing on the white sands of Cable Beach, or perhaps visit Chinatown in the heart of the township and wander around the markets. Perhaps visit the Japanese Cemetery to view the intricate graves of hundreds of Japanese pearl divers who died during the pearling boom of the late 1800s.

Day 8. Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge (B,L,D)
Depart Broome and head back into the unique Kimberley outback. Visit the Boab Prison Tree near Derby, believed to be more than 1000 years old. Fourteen metres in width, this hollowed tree was used as a prison cell during the region's early days. Next, we begin our journey on the Gibb River Road, a remote outback highway that accesses some of the Kimberley's best scenery. With torch in hand, wade through the cool waters of eerie Tunnel Creek. At Windjana Gorge National Park, view ancient marine fossils adorning the towering limestone walls of the gorge. See crocodiles basking on the banks of the Lennard River. Continue to our exclusive Imintji Wilderness Camp for a relaxing two night stay.
Two Night Stay: Imintji Wilderness Camp.

Day 9. Bell Gorge, Hiking and Swimming (B,L,D)
Back on the Gibb River Road we travel to Bell Gorge, where rugged cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. This afternoon is yours to explore. Enjoy a swim below the waterfall, go birdwatching or choose from a number of hiking opportunities. This is the perfect place to simply relax and enjoy the surroundings. Head back to Iminjti Wilderness Camp for a delicious dinner.

Day 10. Galvans Gorge, Barnett River Gorge (B,L,D)
Travel through Kimberley cattle country, discovering secluded gorges. At Galvans Gorge, a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole. Inspect the gorge's rock art and take a swim. At Barnett River Gorge enjoy lunch under the paperbark trees. Look out for birdlife and take another dip. We then head towards the isolated Mitchell Plateau. Ford the Drysdale River and arrive at our overnight wilderness camp on the banks of the Upper King Edward River. This area is the traditional home of the Ngarinyin Aboriginal people.
Stay: Marunbabidi Wilderness Camp.

Day 11. Mitchell Plateau, Ancient Rock Art (B,L,D)
Ascending the Mitchell Plateau, we enter a remote world of Livistona palm forests, beautiful lookouts, ancient Aboriginal art, magnificent waterfalls and isolated swimming holes. Today, explore amazing Wandjina and Gwion (Bradshaw) art galleries and swim in the crystal-clear waters at King Edward River Crossing. For the next two nights, stay at our unique permanent wilderness camp beside pandanus palm-fringed Camp Creek. Enjoy this unique location, at the top of the plateau. For wildlife watchers, the region's prolific birdlife includes brolgas, herons, kites and sea eagles, as well as some rainforest birds. You may be lucky enough to see the Monjon, a rock wallaby that is unique to the Kimberley region.
Two Night Stay: Ungolan Wilderness Camp.

Day 12. Mitchell Falls, Gwion (Bradshaw) Art (B,L,D)
Today we have a full day to discover the beauty of Mitchell Falls, with a magnificent system of waterfalls and Aboriginal art. When available, local Aboriginal guides will join us for the adventure, imparting their knowledge of the area and sharing their cultural beliefs, which are closely linked to this stunning environment. Begin with a guided hike to Little Merten Falls to view rarely seen Aboriginal art. Continue on to see Gwion (Bradshaw) art and Big Merten Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls. With superb scenery and rich culture, you can swim in the pools above the falls, learn of local history and look for the region's stunning flora and fauna. We have included a special helicopter flight back to the 4WD (or if you prefer, hike back with your guide). Longer scenic helicopter flights over the remote coastline are available at an additional charge.

Day 13. Mitchell Plateau, King Edward River (B,L,D)
Travelling through Livistona palm forests, view galleries of ancient Aboriginal art before saying goodbye to the awe-inspiring scenery of the Mitchell Plateau. Lunch is at a majestic spot alongside the cool waters of the King Edward River, with time for a swim before continuing to our exclusive Marunbabidi Wilderness Camp.
Stay: Marunbabidi Wilderness Camp.

Day 14. El Questro Station (B,L,D)
Rejoining the Gibb River Road, ford the Durack River, named after the region's most famous pioneering family. Then, ford the mighty Pentecost River to El Questro Station, in the heart of the Kimberley. El Questro is a world renowned outback cattle station covering over 1 milion acres in area and home to many of the Kimberley's best natural attractions.
Accommodation: El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort, in the heart of the Kimberley wilderness.

Day 15. El Questro, Emma Gorge, Wyndham (B,L)
This morning, hike to pretty Emma Gorge for a swim beneath the towering droplet waterfall. Then, enjoy a soak in the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs, where the constant temperature of the warm waters provide a unique experience. Farewelling El Questro and the Gibb River Road, head to Wyndham for spectacular views of the Cambridge Gulf from Five Rivers Lookout. Later this afternoon we continue to Kununurra.
Accommodation: Kununurra, All Seasons Hotel.

Day 16. Kununurra, Home (B)
After a final breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

 

IMPORTANT PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

Please note all timing for the above programmes are approximate and subject to the remoteness of the Kimberley region.

 

How to get to and from Kununurra

From Broome                              Airnorth flies daily

From Darwin                               Airnorth flies daily

 

Health and Fitness

It is expected that all participants enjoy good health and fitness levels, as the tour is reasonably active.

 

What we provide

All accommodation listed in the itineraries, all entry fees, all camping fees, all flights as listed, an experienced tour guide.

 

Meals on Tour

B = Breakfast                cereal, toast, tea and coffee (sometimes a cooked breakfast)

L = Lunch                     cold meat, salads, bread, tea and coffee

D = Dinner                     A three course meal consisting of entrée, main course and dessert

 

All meals are provided as listed on the detailed itineraries. We try and vary the meals at various camps to ensure variety.

When booking your tour, please advise any special dietary requirements.

 

Permanent Safari Camps

Our Bungle Bungle safari camp is fully serviced and permanently staffed offering unique safari style tented accommodation. Twin-share, with permanent lighting, conventional beds offering crisp linen and doonas. Full equipped insect proof kitchen and dining areas. All our camps have hot and cold showers, self composting environmentally friendly toilets and are operated utilising strict environmentally aware principals.

 

Climate

MAY/ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER              Fine and hot with mild/warm nights.

JUNE – AUGUST                                   Fine and warm days with cool/cold nights.

Can get down to zero degrees of a night so please pack a few warm clothes.

Communication

Please note, all of our vehicles are fitted with Satellite Telephones. These are not available for use by our passengers due to the high operating costs of these facilities. Massages can be given to our office to be passed on to our passengers. It is recommended that passengers carry with them phone cards that can be used at phone boxes and other private telephones along the way.

 

What you need to bring

Please no suitcases – soft bags only with a maximum of 8 kilos as restrictions apply on the light aircraft on the way back to Kununurra

Storage for any additional luggage should be available at your Hotel

 

Spending Money

Spending money is required for alcohol, snacks, stops along the way for refreshments and souvenirs. Helicopter flights are available at the Bungle Bungle – major credit cards are accepted.

Please remember to reconfirm your trip and pick up accommodation details 24 hours prior to departure  

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