10 Day Darwin to Broome

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.

Edith Falls

Victoria River Valley

Highlights

• Depart Darwin
• Edith Falls
• Katherine Township
• Victoria River
• Private Wilderness Camp on Aboriginal land
• Activities:Swimming & Hiking 3km – 5km
• Meals: LD

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.

Start the day off by meeting Mr. Bill Harney, an aboriginal elder. We will go for a 4wd drive adventure to the back of his property and Bill will show us some rock art, tell stories and sing songs on a personal cultural tour.

Tonight 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.

Bill harney at his private rock art site

Lake Argyle Sunset from the boat

Lake Argyle Infinity

Highlights

• Aboriginal Cultural Tour
• Lake Argyle Cruise
• Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on and Island
• Activities: Boat Cruise, Swimming & Hiking approx 3km
• Meals: BLD

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.

Waking up on our Private Island

Sunset at Purnululu

Highlights

• Kununurra
• Purnululu National Park
• Camp: National Park Facility
• Activities: Early swimming if keen, walking approx 1 – 2km
• Meals: BLD

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.

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: National Park Facility
• Activities: Hiking approx 5km
• Meals: BLD

Today we leave Purnululu behind and head for 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 however we reach El Questro Station, home of many beautiful landscapes and gorges where we’ll spend 2 nights, Emma Gorge, El Questro Gorge and Zebedee Springs are all part of El Questro and we’ll explore these from our comfortable Station basecamp of the edge of a beautiful freshwater creek.

Emma Falls at El Questro

Freshwater Creek Adjacent To Our El Questro Campsite

Highlights

• El Questro Station
• Emma Falls
• The Gibb River Road
• Cockburn Ranges
• Camp: El Questro Camp with facilities
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km
• 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

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.

El Questro Gorge

Another Unreal Bush Camp

Highlights

• El Questro Station
• El Questro Gorge
• Zebedee Springs
• Cockburn Ranges
• Camp: Wild Camp Station Country
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km
• Meals: BLD

From El Questro we continue on our Westerly trek towards Broome.

Our first task is to drive the 4WD though 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.

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 is down steam from Manning Gorge on the banks of the Barnet River, again we stay here for 2 nights.

Crossing The Pentecost River

Highlights

• Gibb River Road
• Ellenbrae Station
• Pentecost River Crossing
• Manning Gorge
• Camp: Wild Camp Station Country
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 2 – 3km
• Meals: BLD

Another day of adventure awaits. From camp we head off on our daily hike.

A white sandy beach with a Pandanus tree lined waterway opening into a wide clear waterhole greets us only minutes after starting the walk.

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.

Depending on the time available, Galvans Gorge is also visited.

We return to camp where we can enjoy the tranquil surrounds on the stunning river.

Manning Gorge Falls

Indigenous Rock Art at Galvins Gorge

Highlights

• Manning Gorge
• Galvan’s Gorge
• Camp: Campground with facilities
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming up to 8km
• Meals: BLD

The main stop for the today 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 camp for the tour is at Windjana Gorge, where a comfortable National Park campground with shower and toilet facilities awaits.

The Spectacular Bell Gorge

Highlights

• Adcock Gorge
• Bell Gorge
• Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
• Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 4km
• Meals: BLD

Today we explore Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge before making our way into the coastal town of Broome.

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 5pm, your guide will drop you at your accommodation.

Tunnel Creek

Windjana Gorge

Highlights

• Tunnel Creek
• Windjana Gorge
• Boab Prison Tree Derby
• Broome
• Activities:Caving & Hiking, approx 4km
• Meals: BL