10 Day Broome to Darwin

Your Broome to Darwin tour begins when we pick you up from your Broome accommodation in the Adventure Truck and immediately head east and into the Kimberley.

Our first stop is the famous Boab prison tree near Derby, a huge hollowed out Boab tree which was used as a prison in the early pioneering days, this is not only an amazing natural wonder but also gives us an insight into to challenging relationship between the early settlers and Aboriginal people of the Kimberley.

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 about 4km and often see freshwater crocodiles swimming in the clear waterholes.

Windjana Gorge is also home to our first campsite at the base of the Napier Range. In the evening, settle down for dinner with the group under the stars.

The Gibb River Road

Windjana Gorge

Highlights

• Depart Broome
• Boab Prison Tree
• Windjana Gorge
• Camp: Windjana Gorge National Park Camp [Showers & Toilets Available]
• Activities: Short Hike approx 2km
• Meals: LD

The mobile phones get packed up with the camping gear as they become useless and we head off nice and early for our first activity, exploring 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. Many aboriginal rock paintings are present in the cave and it was a hideout of the Aboriginal warrior, Jandamarra in 1897.

From Tunnel Creek we get on the Gibb River Road, a 700km long outback dirt 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.

The first water fall of the Broome to Darwin tour is Bell Gorge. After a short 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.

From Bell Gorge we push on along the Gibb for a little before finding our 2nd camp at the spectacular Manning Gorge, this stunning campground is set on the banks of the Barnett River where we roll out the swags under the Boabs.

The Spectacular Bell Gorge

Exploring Tunnel Creek

Highlights

• Tunnel Creek
• Gibb River Road
• Bell Gorge
• Camp: Manning Gorge Campground [Showers & Toilets Available]
• Activities: Hike & Swim approx 5km
• Meals: BLD

Today we leave our camp set up and head off on a hike, and what beauty this one is!.

White sandy beaches with a Pandanus tree lined waterway opening into a wide clear waterhole greet us only minutes after starting the walk. We swim or row the small boat 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.

In the afternoon we head out to explore a couple of other smaller gorges, Galvan’s and / or Adcock Gorge.

We return to camp to our familiar spot under the Boabs.

Manning Gorge Falls

Indigenous Rock Art at Galvins Gorge

Highlights

• Manning Gorge
• Galvan’s Gorge
• Adcock Gorge
• Camp: Manning Gorge Campground [Showers & Toilets Available]
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming up to 8km
• Meals: BLD

An early morning swim at Manning is a great way to wake up. From here it’s back on “The Gibb” where we continue on our Easterly trek.

There is a variety great spots to stop and check out, including secluded waterholes and Ellenbrae Cattle Station.

Arriving at the Pentecost River we are presented with an incredible landscape of a wide river surrounded by rugged Cockburn Ranges, a classic Kimberley scene.

Here we need to drive the 4WD through the Pentecost 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.

Another bush camp under the stars awaits us.

Crossing The Pentecost River

Highlights

• Gibb River Road
• Pentecost River
• Cckburn Range
• Camp: Bush Camp on Station Country
• Activities: Indigenous Art. Short Hike approx 2km
• Meals: BLD

With a full day to explore El Questro Station, we make to most of it.

Our first activity is to visit Zebedee Springs, and stunning thermal spring comlex at the base of an escarpment surrounded by Livistonia Palm Trees. What a way to wake up for the day!

From Zebedee we head to El Questro Gorge, a narrow gorge following a flowing creek fresh water

Tonight we have a bit of ‘luxury’ with showers, flushing toilets and the El Questro Swinging Arm Bar close by.

El Questro Gorge

Cockburn Escarpment on El Questro Station

Highlights

• El Questro Station
• El Questro Gorge
• Zebedee Springs
• Cockburn Ranges
• Camp: El Questro Station Camp [Showers & Toilets Available]
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km
• Meals: BLD

Before heading off to Purnululu National Park, we explore one of the other gems of El Questro Station, Emma Falls. Here a hike into the gorge reveals a hidden plunge pool and waterfall, simply stunning!

From here 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 where we’ll spent 2 nights.

Emma Falls at El Questro

Sunset at Purnululu

Highlights

• Emma Gorge
• El Questro Station
• Purnululu National Park (Bungles) Sunset
• Camp: Purnululu National Park Camp [Toilets Available]
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km
• Meals: BLD

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.

Dawn hike at Piccaninny Creek, Purnululu National Park

Happy campers after completing an optional helicopter flight at Purnululu

Highlights

• Purnululu Sunrise
• Cathedral Gorge
• Picaninny Creek
• Echidna Chasm
• Beehive Formations
• Optional Helicopter Flight
• Camp: Purnululu National Park Camp [Toilets Available]
• Activities: Hiking approx 5km
• Meals: BLD

From our bush camp we head for Kununurra, the first sign of civilisation we have seen for a week. 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 Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as the highlight of the Broome to Darwin 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.

Our Lake Argyle Boat

Lake Argyle Sunset from the boat

Highlights

• Kununurra
• Lake Argyle
• Lake Argyle Private Island Camp
• Camp: Campground [Basic Toilet Available]
• Activities: Boat Cruise & Swimming
• Meals: BLD

The sunrise from our island camp is again unforgettable.

We pack up camp, re-board the boat and head back to our vehicle.

From Lake Argyle we push East towards the Northern Territory border and camp on aboriginal community nearby a billabong. We also have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bill Harney who will show us some aboriginal rock art out the back of his property and tell stories as well as sing songs about his culture.

Waking up on our Private Island

Bill harney at his private rock art site

Highlights

• Lake Argyle Island Sunrise
• Early Cruise & Swim
• Victoria River Region
• Private Wilderness Camp on Aboriginal Land
• Activities: Hiking approx 4km
• Meals: BLD

On the final day of Broome to darwin tour we arrive in Katherine. We explore or Edith Falls within Nitmiluk National Park, which offers more adventure, hiking, swimming and spectacular landscapes.

We normally arrive into Darwin at around 6pm, your guide will conclude the tour by dropping you off at your accommodation.

Edith Falls

Highlights

• Edith Falls
• Arrival into Darwin
• Activities: Hiking approx 4km
• Meals: BLD