9 Day Darwin to Broome Top End Tour ( May to Oct)

The sun rises early in the Kimberley so there's no point in sleeping in, we'll pick you up from your Darwin accommodation at 6am and head for the wilderness.

Leaving the comfort of the city behind we head for what many consider to be one of the last great expanses of rugged wilderness areas remaining in the world, the mighty Kimberley Region of Northern Western Australia.

Our first stop on the Darwin to Broome tour is about 2 hours South of Darwin, Edith Falls in Katherine Gorge National Park, a short 3 km walk to the upper pools brings us to the first of many beautiful waterfalls which we will see over the next 9 days.

After lunch we push west towards the Western Australia / Northern Territory state border and our first bush camp. Bush camping is a great experience whether you are an experienced outback drover or first time city slicker, we have been in the Kimberley for such a long time that we have established relationships with the local land holders, both Cattle Stations and Custodians of Aboriginal Land, and we have permission to camp in wild places that are off limits to the public.

These camping spots are normally in pristine wilderness and remote areas, setting up a campfire, cooking up a feast on the fire and then rolling out the swags in these places is a special experience, and our first camp is a cracker! Tents are provided for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.

Highlights

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Depart Darwin

Edith Falls

Katherine Township

Victoria River

Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country

Activities:Swimming & Hiking 3km - 5km

With no roof over our heads the breaking dawn is our new alarm clock and we rise early. The mobile phones get packed up with the camping gear as they become useless and we head off nice and early for our days activities, exploring the Victoria River Valley and Lake Argyle.

Victoria River Valley is a great destination and there are a number of hikes we can choose from.

From Victoria River we head to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as the highlight of the tour. Lake Argyle is a huge freshwater lake teaming with wildlife, from wallabies in the rocky shores, to freshwater crocodiles to birdlife.

We board a boat where a local guide shows us the lake, there is time to swim before we watch sunset from the water and then camp on one of the remote islands. This is a great experience, knowing you are the only people on a single island in the middle of one of the most remote lakes in the world is unforgettable.

We have a campfire, the sky is full of stars and the cool water is inviting to those brave souls who want a midnight swim.

Highlights

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Victoria River valley

Lake Argyle

Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Island

Activities: Boat Cruise, Swimming & Hiking approx 3km

The sunrise from our island camp is unforgettable.

We pack up camp, re-board the boat and head back to our vehicle. From Lake Argyle we head into Kununurra to replenish supplies, as we approach town the mobile phones start beeping and we take the opportunity to catch up on the world with some free time in this classic outback town while your guide replenishes supplies.

From Kununurra we head to one of the highlights of this Kimberley trip, Purnululu National Park, more commonly known as the Bungle Bungles. Our time in this region is spent hiking and exploring the Gorges and amazing landscapes the area contains.

The long and dusty track into the Bungles is spectacular; it winds its way through valleys, over ranges and through creeks before arriving at what must be one of the world's most unique landscapes. The day ends with a spectacular sunset from a vantage point at camp.

Highlights

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Lake Argyle Island Sunrise

Kununurra

Purnululu National Park

Camp: Bush Camp, National Park Facility

Activities: Early swimming if keen, walking approx 1 - 2km

With an early rise we are able to take advantage of a spectacular Bungle Bungles sunrise, from our vantage point we watch the show with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast from a remote location.

A short drive from the sunrise area is the trailhead for the Cathedral Gorge hike, a spectacular hike though the beehive formations to Cathedral Gorge. The gorge itself is one of the most impressive geological formations you are likely to see anywhere.

From here there is the opportunity to take a scenic flight over the Bungles, helicopter rides from 18 minutes are available. From the air the bungles take on a completely new perspective and the open chopper is sensational. Scenic flights are at your own expense and organised on the day.

We then head off for Echidna Chasm for a hike into the domes, following a creek to it's source at a narrow passage buried within the Bungles.

After lunch we depart Purnululu and locate our bush camp, this time on a lovely creek with a sandy beach.\

Highlights

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Purnululu Sunrise

Cathedral Gorge

Picaninny Creek

Echidna Chasm

Beehive Formations

Optional Helicopter Flight

Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country

Activities: Hiking approx 5km

Today we get onto a dirt track, the famous Gibb River Road, a 700km long outback road which runs between Derby and Kununurra, it's not the easiest route, the track is often rough, there are a number or deep water crossings and a 4WD vehicle is essential. However it's an amazing travel route as along the length of the Gibb River Road are vast tracts of wilderness and numerous rivers, gorges and waterfalls to explore.

After a short distance we reach El Questro Station, home of many beautiful landscapes, one of which is Emma Falls. A hike through a spectacular gorge takes us to a very high and narrow falls with a deep cool plunge pool where we can swim.

From here it's back on the "The Gibb" where we continue on our westerly trek. Arriving at the Pentacost River we are presented with an incredible landscape of a wide river surrounded by rugged Cockburn Ranges, a classic Kimberley scene.

Another bush camp and classic Kimberley Sunset awaits at the foot of the Rugged Cockburn Ranges.

Highlights

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El Questro

Emma Falls

The Gibb River Road

Penatacost River

Cockburn Ranges

Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country

Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km

From camp our first task is to drive the 4WD though the Pentacost River, driving a vehicle across a 60 metre wide outback river which is occupied by Salt Water Crocodiles is not something you do every day, but it's only way through so across we go.

Today we push west, there is a variety great spots to stop and check out, including secluded waterholes and Ellenbrae Cattle Station before arriving at Manning Gorge. Camp tonight is either at Manning Gorge, where toilets and showers are available, or back into the bush depending on the preference of your guide.

River Crossing on the Gibb River Rd (This style of vehicle no longer in use)

Highlights

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Gibb River Road

Ellenbrae Station

Pentacost River Crossing

Manning Gorge

Barnett River Gorge (if time permits)

Camp: Campground with facilities

Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 2 - 3km

Day 7

Another day of adventure awaits. From camp our daily hike, white sandy beaches with a Pandanus tree lined waterway opening into a wide clear waterhole greet us only minutes after starting the walk. We must swim across the river before following a trail leading to the top of gorge.

The gorge has a waterfall plus a deep wide swimming hole surrounded by granite cliffs & rock outcrops. It is a spectacular setting with hidden examples of Bradshaw Aboriginal Rock Art. The return route from manning Gorge is a little less conventional as we swim and rock hop along the creek before reaching the main waterhole where it started.

Depending on the time available, Galvans Gorge is also visited. On departing Manning we locate our bush camp and set up for another night under the stars.

Highlights

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Manning Gorge

Galvan's Gorge

Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country

Activities: Hiking & Swimming up to 8km

The main stop for the day is Bell Gorge, another day, another amazing waterfall to explore! Such is life in the Kimberley.

After a 15-minute walk we come to a beautiful Creek, which flows through the centre of this impressive gorge and cascades over numerous falls. A deep swimming hole at the base of the main waterfall, surrounded by shady ledges and high cliffs, is an ideal lunch spot.

If time permits we also drop into Adcock Gorge today.

Our last wilderness bush camp for the tour is another cracker offering a classic Kimberley sunset and camping amoung the boab trees.

Highlights

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Adcock Gorge

Bell Gorge

Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country

Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 4km

By now we are experts to getting up early and on our way, our final watering spot for the tour is Tunnel Creek.

Tunnel Creek is an amazing natural phenomenon and holds great significance to the local Aboriginal people, and getting there early normally guarantees we have the place for ourselves. It is a 750 metre long stretch of creek, which runs underground through one of the oldest cave systems in Western Australia.

Aboriginal rock paintings are present in the cave and it was a hideout of the Aboriginal warrior, Jandamarra in 1897.

Next we head to Windjana Gorge, a huge gorge cut into the ranges over millennium to reveal beautiful scenery of high vertical cliffs, sandy beaches and meandering creek. We head off on a hike at Windjana of 2- 4km and always see freshwater crocodiles swimming in the clear waterholes.

From Windjana Gorge we check out the Boab Prison Tree near Derby and then make our way into Broome. We normally arrive into Broome at around 6pm and head for Cable beach to soak up the last amazing sunset of the tour, your guide will then drop you at your accommodation.

Highlights

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Tunnel Crrek

Windjana Gorge

Boab Prison Tree Derby

Broome

Cable Beach Sunset

Activities:Caving & Hiking, approx 4km