12 Day Fully Escorted Kimberley Explorer

# Itinerary should be read in reverse, if travelling from Darwin to Broome

Tour Highlights

Relax in tropical Broome,    Walk through Windjana Gorge,   Gibb River Road,   Gorges of the Kimberley,   El Questro Wilderness Park,   Hike into Emma Gorge,   Hidden Valley National Park,   Historic Durack Homestead,   Wildlife Cruise on Lake Argyle,   Cruise on Katherine Gorge,   Explore Kakadu National Park,   Yellow Water Billabong,    Ancient Aboriginal rock art,   See the sights of Darwin.

Itinerary

Day 1 Wed: Arrive Broome

You will be met on arrival at Broome Airport. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your crew and travelling companions as you watch a breathtaking sunset over famous Cable Beach.

Camp: Broome, 2 nights
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Thu: Broome 'Free Time'

A free day for you to explore tropical Broome. Cable Beach is only a short walk away. Simply sit back, relax and perhaps take a refreshing swim. This afternoon you may like to take a camel ride along Cable Beach at sunset. Ask your Tour Director for details.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Fri: Gibb River Road

Travel north to Derby, situated on the edge of King Sound and visit the Circular Wharf. Stop to see the Boab Prison Tree, used by the first police as an overnight holding cell and Myall Bore before beginning the journey along the famous Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge. This afternoon we inspect the unusual formation at nearby Tunnel Creek, which flows through a water-worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range (conditions permitting).

Bush Camp: Windjana Gorge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Sat: Kimberley Gorges

This morning we take a walk through spectacular Windjana Gorge. Rising abruptly from the surrounding floodplain, some parts of the walls of Windjana Gorge are up to 100 metres high. Crossing the King Leopold Range, we continue along the Gibb River Road, stopping at beautiful Galvans Gorge and Manning Gorge (conditions permitting).

Bush Camp: Manning Gorge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Sun: El Questro Wilderness Park

Today we journey through some of the harshest terrain of the Kimberley, skirting the Cockburn Range and on to El Questro Wilderness Park. Spanning over a million acres, El Questro Wilderness Park is home to rugged ranges, ancient gorges and pristine waterfalls. We set up camp near the Pentecost River and El Questro Station Township.

Camp: El Questro Wilderness Park, 2 nights
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Mon: El Questro 'Free Time'

Today is free for you to explore El Questro Wilderness Park. Perhaps take an optional cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, a fresh waterhole abounded by tropical vegetation. Ask your Tour Director for details on the many optional activities that are available at the El Questro Station Township today.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Tue: Emma Gorge

This morning we travel to Emma Gorge Resort, where there is an opportunity to take a guided walk into Emma Gorge. There will be time to swim in the crystal clear water at the base of the waterfall, before continuing along the Gibb River Road to the Victoria Highway and on to the town of Kununurra, one of the youngest towns in Western Australia which is the hub of local industry for agriculture, tourism and mining in the east Kimberley.

Camp: Kununurra, 2 nights
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KIMBERLEY OPTIONS  (Request at time of booking)
Enjoy a Bungle Bungles 4WD adventure or Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine tour. Please request at time of booking (subject to minimum numbers).

Day 8 Wed: Kununurra

We explore Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park and admire the views from
Kelly’s Knob Lookout. See 300 million year old sandstone cliffs, often referred
to as the ‘mini Bungles’. Visit the historic Durack Homestead and enjoy a cruise on
mighty Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake. Enjoy the majestic scenery and see a fantastic array of wildlife in this unique ecosystem.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

BUNGLE BUNGLES OPTION
Enjoy a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles today. (Request at time of booking)

Day 9 Thu: Nitmiluk National Park

Depart Kununurra and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Heading east we travel via Timber Creek and Victoria River, traversing large cattle stations to the township of Katherine. Tonight we set up camp in the tranquil surroundings of Nitmiluk National Park, home to spectacular Katherine Gorge.

Camp: Nitmiluk National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Fri: Kakadu National Park

We join our local guide on an early morning cruise through spectacular Katherine Gorge, with a chance to see freshwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbanks and many species of birds. We stop at beautiful Edith Falls before travelling via the gold mining town of Pine Creek into Kakadu National Park.

Camp: Kakadu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Sat: Kakadu - Darwin

This morning we join a cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. Search
for saltwater crocodiles and the amazing range of birdlife for which this region is
renowned. At Nourlangie Rock take a short walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock
art. We stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre, before continuing on to Darwin for an
orientation tour on arrival.

Hotel: Travelodge Mirambeena Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 Sun: Depart Darwin

Your tour concludes today after breakfast. You will be transferred to Darwin Airport to connect with your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Camping holiday inclusions

Transportation

Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director, Tour Driver and Safari Cook

Accommodation

You will be required to erect your own tent in established campgrounds and wilderness bush camps. Enjoy a comfortable hotel stay on 1 night

Dining Inclusions

Full Breakfasts (11), Lunches (8), Friendly get together at Happy Hour, Delicious two course dinners (9)

Plus

Complimentary sleeping bag, Complimentary Camping Essentials Kit, Travel wallet and map, Airport transfers, Day 1 from Broome Airport – flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm, Day 12 to Darwin Airport – flights anytime

Further Information

Bookings and Conditions

To confirm your reservation, a deposit of $200 per person is required. Reservations will be held for 7 days only without deposit. Balance of payment for your holiday is to be paid 42 days prior to departure. The operator reserves the right to accept waitlist clients in place of applicants failing to finalise within the prescribed time.

Sole Use of Tents

Can be guaranteed if requested at the time of booking. A surcharge is applicable, which also includes a single room on any hotel accommodated nights.

Cancellations and Amendments

Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:

• 42 days or more       - Loss of Deposit
• 7-41 days                    - 20% PLUS your deposit
• 1-6 days                     -  50% PLUS your deposit
• Day of Departure     - 100%

Modification to a confirmed booking may incur a $55 per person amendment fee.

Illness or Absenteeism

In the event of your withdrawal from a tour after commencement for reasons of illness, you must obtain a medical certificate in support of any insurance claim. We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including but not limited to missed meals or sightseeing. The tour operator  makes no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursements of funds paid by you under any insurance claim.

Camping Equipment

Each vehicle has a fully equipped camper trailer containing roomy vinyl floored tents 2.3 metres (7ft approx) high for two persons, foam mattress, stools, camping equipment and eating utensils.

Client Participation

Clients are not rostered for camp duties, although to ensure the success of the tour, client participation is required. Clients erect their own tents. They are easy to assemble and our crew will show you how.

Smoking and Seat Rotation

Government regulations prohibit smoking inside tourist coaches. Please restrict smoking to the ample stops en route. To enable everyone the opportunity of enjoying window and front seats, clients change seats daily during the course of the tour.

Clothing and What to Bring

Casual gear is all that is necessary. Three to four changes of outer garments including shorts, pullover and waterproof jacket, several changes of underwear and socks, rubber-soled walking shoes, swimsuit, towel, warm pajamas or tracksuit (warm sleeping gear is essential as inland nights can be very cold, particularly May to August), hat, torch, camera, a small flask for drinking water, pillow and travel rug. Do not forget your insect repellent for the tropics.