9 Day Wild Kimberley Loop

Tour Details

Operator

Kimberley Wild Expeditions

Destinations

Broome, Kimberley Region, Kununurra, Bungle Bungles, Gibb River Road, Geikie Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, El Questro Station, King Leopold Ranges and Lake Argyle

Departs From

Broome

Tour Description

Day 1 Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek

Departing Broome at 7:00am, travel through the remote and beautiful landscape, as the guide shares stories of local history, people and the environment. Enjoy a morning tea break by the Fitzroy River and visit the Derby 'Boab Prison Tree'. Before long we hit the Gibb River Road, and travel towards the Napier Range. Once a Devonian reef, these mountains are over 350 million years old and home to a diverse array of animals and plants. The perfect place to experience the stunning natural beauty of an outback oasis is the 3.5km geological wonder of Windjana Gorge. Beneath gorge walls rising 90m, we search for freshwater crocodiles, local birdlife and Indigenous bush tucker. 
After a picnic lunch, the afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, in which we discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. It is here we also learn the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800's. A refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole is a highlight of the day. 
Return to Windjana Gorge that evening to camp.

Day 2 Bell Gorge & Mt Barnett Station

The morning is devoted to exploring Bell Gorge, a hidden highlight of the West Kimberleys. This idyllic retreat, considered amongst the most beautiful in the area, boasts cascading waterfalls and crystal clear pools formed over millions of years - an easy place to while away a few hours! Further up the Gibb River Road we reach Mt Barnett Cattle Station. An afternoon trek into Manning Falls offers the chance to swim in deep clear pools amid a stunning natural landscape. Relax, explore wandering streams, uncover local wildlife and take a dip in the waterfall pools. That night, we camp by a billabong on Mt Barnett Station.

Days 3-4 El Questro Wilderness Park

We continue our journey up the Gibb River Road to the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park. Two nights here allows free time join one or more of the many activities on offer. This could include a refreshing dip in the Zebedee Springs, a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge, a bush tucker walk or a bird watching tour. Or simply explore this beautiful wilderness park at your own leisure.

Day 5 Kununurra & Lake Argyle

Emerge from the Gibb River Road and for a few hours free time in Kununurra. In the afternoon, travel onto the shores of the expansive Lake Argyle, the heart of the Ord River Irrigation System which has transformed this dry region into a lush agricultural oasis. There is free time to join a sunset boat cruise on the lake (approx AU$100pp), visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum or take on one of the many bush trails to explore the area.

Days 6-7 Bungle Bungles

After a leisurely morning, we head south down the Great Northern Highway to Purnululu National Park, home of the magnificent Bungle Bungles. Two nights here allows a full day to explore the highlights of this extraordinary National Park, the most famous of which, are the Bungle Bungle domes. Rivers created this landscape of unique orange and black striped 'beehive' geological formations over a period of 20 million years. Unbelievably, only the locals knew it existed until the early 1980's; once discovered by others, the area was made a national park in 1987. We explore Echidna Chasm (2km), known for its towering Livistonia Palm trees, and take a short walk (2-3km) into stunning Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre. There is time in the afternoon to take an optional scenic flight and enjoy a birds-eye view of the beehive domes (approx $265pp, own expense) to put it all into perspective.

Day 8 China Wall & Fitzroy Crossing

Enroute to Fitzroy Crossing, we break the long journey with a visit the gold rush town of Halls Creek to see the remarkable China Wall. We also enjoy lunch at Marys Pool and visit the remote Laarri Aboriginal Art Gallery, before an evening by the Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing.

Day 9 Geikie Gorge & Broome

A morning cruise through the majestic Geikie Gorge is a great start to our last day. Nature carved this wonder through between the Geikie and Oscar Ranges during the Devonian geological period. Learn of the fascinating geology of this natural wonder and discover the huge array of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, birds and fish. Explore Old Fitzroy Crossing and enjoy lunch by the river before we return to Broome, arriving at approximately 6.00pm