Darwin to Broome
12 Day 4WD Camping Safari

Overview

An adventure into the heart of the Kimberley, this tour travels from Darwin to Broome via Litchfield, Kununurra, the Gibb River Road, visiting Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Galvans and Manning Gorge with time to swim in waterfalls. The tour includes the Mitchell Plateau, ancient Aboriginal art, a working cattle station and El Questro.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Edith Falls  (N.P)

Today we depart Darwin and visit Litchfield National Park. Here we can swim and explore the tropical falls of this beautiful national park, including Buley rockhole and Wangi Falls. We stop for the night at the delightful Edith Falls or Douglas Hot Springs, where thermal pools create an oasis in the surrounding dry woodlands.

Day 2 - Katherine, Keep River National Park  (N.P)

This morning we head south along the Victoria Highway, travelling through the service town of Katherine (NT’s 4th largest). While the stunning Red Valley Gorge serves as our backdrop, the drive through the Gregory National Park is quite spectacular - on both sides there are escarpment ranges, unique Boab trees and the mighty Victoria River that runs into deep valleys and gorges. Tonight we camp the night at the Keep River National Park, which is noted for its striking landforms.

Day 3 - Kunurra, Ord River, Bungle Bungle National Park ( N.P)

We begin the day exploring one of the many walk trails and then we hit the highway again. Crossing the NT/WA Border we take the short run into Kununurra, home to the Ord River, often described as one of the most splendid river systems on the Planet! After taking on fresh supplies, we continue our journey to Purnululu (Bungle Bungle National Park), driving for several hours via rugged 4WD-only access tracks. There is a lot more to the Bungles than the 400 metre high beehive-shaped domes, and this afternoon we will discover the delights of this wilderness paradise by venturing into Echidna Chasm after lunch. We make our way back to an experience never to be forgotten: a magnificent Bungle Bungle sunset.

Day 4 - Cathedral George, Purnululu National Park (B.C)

This morning we start our exploration of the Bungles very early with an optional helicopter flight. Then we walk among the tiger-striped sandstone domes at Picanniny Creek to the spacious cavern of Cathedral Gorge. Ample time is allowed to experience and absorb this magnificent place. This afternoon we head out of the Purnululu National park over bumpy 4WD tracks. When we hit the bitumen again we drive on to our bush camp in the Bow River area.

Day 5 - Kununurra ( C.P)

We leave our bush camp this morning and make our way back to Kununurra for an afternoon at leisure. You can explore the town where Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman spent their spare time enjoying coffee and cake at the now famous "Book Cafe" during the shooting of the movie "Australia" in the East Kimberley. If you prefer to visit and explore the Aboriginal Galleries with some of the Kimberley’s renowned artists, you can, or you can just relax around the pool.

Day 6 - Lake Argyle, El Questro, Gibb River Road (C.P)

See Kununurra and its beautiful surrounds early this morning as we can take an optional plane flight over Lake Argyle, the world-renowned Argyle Diamond Mine and the Bungle Bungle ranges, before we head west, to tackle the Gibb River Road. Our target is the award-winning El Questro Station, where we will take a walk in Emma Gorge, before setting camp in the beautiful surrounds of this Million Acre Wilderness Park.

Day 7 - Zebedee Hot Springs, Drysdale River Cattle Station (B.C)

This morning enjoy a walk through, and a soak in, the palm-fringed Zebedee Hot Springs. Our next visit is to the magnificent El Questro gorge, where we can hike through to the halfway point for a refreshing swim, or for the more energetic, a trek to the end for the pristine waterfall. This afternoon we head west along the Gibb River Road, navigating through the stunning Pentecost Ranges, while crossing the mighty rivers of both the Durack and Pentecost, en-route to our bush camp in the Drysdale River Region.

Day 8 - King Edward River, Livistonia Palms  (N.P)

Leaving the Gibb, we travel via the Kalumburu Road, stopping briefly at Drysdale River Station (a working cattle station), to take on fuel and supplies before stopping at King Edward River for lunch and a dip in the pristine waters. Then we make full use of our 4WD ability, as we head for the remote Mitchell Plateau, passing through forests of Livistonia Palms and some of the best views that money can’t buy.

Day 9 - Merten Falls, Mitchell Falls, King Edward River (N.P)

Passing through forests of Livistonia Palms and some of the best views that money can’t buy, a full day is set aside to explore this spectacular area at leisure. A trek to Mertens Falls and then on to the famous Mitchell Falls will take you to one of the most remote places in the country. Plenty of time to swim, photograph and just absorb some priceless memories, as the Mitchell River cascades down, forming a massive 4-tiered waterfall. After a hard day's exploring and absorbing Mother Nature at her best we take a scenic flight back to our camp (flight included). You can upgrade your Taxi flight to a Mud Crab flight which takes in the lower Mitchell falls, the mangroves coast and glimpses of the Indian Ocean. Late afternoon we reluctantly leave Mitchell Falls, stopping along the way to view Aboriginal rock art, including Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw paintings. Tonight we set up camp on the banks of the King Edward River.

Day 10 - Manning Gorge, Mt Barnett Station  (C.P)

This morning we head south, passing through cattle country and again meeting up with the Gibb River Road. We make our way to Manning Gorge where we will go for an exploratory walk. The first obstacle this walk presents is a swim over the river to join the walking path on the other side. Tonight we camp at Mt Barnett Station among the Barnett Ranges.

Day 11 - Galvans Gorge, Windjana Gorge National Park (N.P)

Our first stop today is for a swim at Galvans Gorge, where the warm water of the Isdell River falls down to form one of the most beautiful pools to be found. Sit back and enjoy the view as we travel through the King Leopold Ranges, some of the highest country in the region. Tonight we will camp in the Windjana Gorge National Park, where after dinner we will be able to spot some of the hundreds of freshwater crocodiles that call this paradise home.

Day 12 - Tunnel Creek and Broome

This morning we explore by torchlight Tunnel Creek, 750 metres into the Napier Range and hideout of the outlaw Pigeon. We then re-join the Gibb River Road for the final leg of our journey, and head to the south of Derby to the Boab Prison Tree. It is here we hit the bitumen and make our way to the Pearling township of Broome, where your tour guide will drop you at your accommodation, sadly ending a memorable adventure.

CODES:
B.C  - Bush Camping (No facilities)
N.P. – National Park Camp Ground (Limited facilities)
C.P. – Caravan Park Camp Ground  (Normal facilities)

 

Further Information

Passengers

Maximum passengers on this tour: 16

Important Information

If travelling in the Kimberley region please read the attached Fitness and Advisory information page.

What to bring

As this is a safari tour and the weather is generally warm/hot days with cooler nights, minimal clothing is required. Suggested: sleeping bag, (or request on booking), camera, strong shoes or boots, thongs or sandals, bathers, towel, 2 pairs shorts, 5 short-sleeved shirts/T-shirts, 1 pair jeans/tracksuit pants, 1 windcheater/jumper, several changes of underwear and socks, toiletries, torch, personal spending money, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, water bottle and your favourite cassette tape.

Our suggested list weighs approx 5 kgs. A maximum of 15kgs is allowed: more than 15kgs will not be carried on the vehicle, however we can arrange freight of another 10kgs free of charge (please contact us 48 hours prior to departure). Please use a soft travel bag.

What's included

All activities and meals (except where specified), camping and National Park fees, use of all camping equipment. Optional tours and activities eg, boat trips and scenic flights are not included in price. Sleeping bags are available for purchase.

Food

Fresh food is used wherever possible. Breakfast consists of choice of cereals, toast with spreads, tea or coffee. Lunch is usually cold meat and salad or sandwiches, fruit and fruit juice or cordial. Dinner is a cooked main course and dips soup or dessert. Morning OR afternoon tea is also provided. An esky is supplied for your own drinks. Vegetarian foods available please request on booking and liaise with driver during tour.

Things you need to know

This Safari tour operates in harsh and remote areas of Kimberley’s and the tour operator reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary if road, weather or other circumstances dictate or at the discretion of the guide or the company. If for any reason the route is altered and / or a different itinerary is offered, no refund will be paid.

Please be aware that this is a participation tour and passengers are required to assist and lend a hand in cooking, cleaning, washing up, setting up camp and packing up camps every day! So please help us make our Guides' lives easier.