NINE DAY WILD KIMBERLEY LOOP
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HIGHLIGHTS
Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel
Creek, Bell Gorge, Manning Falls, El Questro Wilderness Park, Zebedee
Springs, Lake Argyle, Bungle Bungles, Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge, Geikie Gorge
Cruise
ITINERARY
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.
Days 5
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
Leaving the Gibb River Road behind, we travel to Kununurra for lunch.
After lunch, 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
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