Day 1 - Kimberley adventure tour

Your Kimberley off-road adventure tour begins when we pick you up from your accommodation at 6am and drive out towards the mighty Fitzroy River, the largest river in the Kimberley.  We’ll make our first stop at the Boab Prison Tree in Derby; a tree with an interesting history as it was once used as a prison for aboriginals when they were being transported to Derby.  It’s age and size makes it a very impressive tree.  Afterwards, we start our off-road adventure on the Gibb River Road, a 660 kilometre dirt road linking Wyndham to Derby.  This road is world famous for its spectacular mountain ranges and gorges, its challenging and ever-changing road conditions, and its remoteness from the rest of the world.  Our first stop on the Gibb will be Windjana Gorge.  As you wonder on the land of the Bunuba people your guide will talk about the remarkable Jandamurra and the Bunaba resistance, that waged a war against the colonial authorities.  It’s also a great place to observe freshwater crocodiles.  After Windjana Gorge our adventure tour takes us to Tunnel Creek and we sink beneath the Napier Range into the 750-metre long cave system, home to bats and freshwater crocodiles, before heading to our camp.

Highlights:  Derby Prison Tree, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge, Fitzroy River. 
Estimated hiking distance: 5km + 
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Estimated travel time: 4 hours
Meals provided: L, D

Day 2 

Today our Kimberley adventure follows the Gibb River Road passing through the King Leopold Ranges and Hanns Pass, a natural channel that allowed droving cattle and early explorers the first access into the heart of the Kimberley.  We will go for a morning dip at Bell Gorge falls in the King Leopold conservation area.  These falls are a series of cascading waterfalls with swimming holes surrounded by colourful King Leopold sandstone and home to many water monitors.  Then depending on the seasonal conditions we will head into either Galvans or Adcock Gorge where we will hike past fresh ponds filled with fish and waterlilies before enjoying a swim.  We will then make our way to our bush camp.

Highlights: Bells Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Adcock Gorge, Windjana rock paintings.
Estimated hiking distance: 6km + 
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Estimated travel time: 2-3 hours
Meals provided: B, L, D

Day 3 

This morning we will get up early for a trek into Manning Gorge, where our walk starts with a river boat crossing.  We then hike into the gorge where the ancient Bradshaw rock paintings dated back to around 17, 000 years ago can be found.  When we reach the gorge there will be the opportunity for a refreshing swim under the waterfall and a chance to spot the Northern Red-Faced turtle that’s found in the area.  When we are finished we will continue along the Gibb River Road passing through Mt. Barnett, Mt. Elizabeth and the Gibb River cattle stations, stopping along the way to look at hidden rock art sites and lookouts.  Tonight we can enjoy another night under the stars at our bush camp.

Highlights: Manning Gorge, Bradshaw rock art paintings, travel the Gibb River Road. 
Estimated hiking distance: 5km +
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Estimated travel time: 2-3 hours
Meals provided: B, L, D

Day 4 

Today we travel through Home Valley Station and across the Pentacost River before arriving at El Questro Station.  Our first stop is Zebedee Springs where you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the crystal clear hot springs surrounded by towering Livistona palms.  Afterwards we will begin a challenging trek through the palm and fern laden El Questro Gorge, working our way over and around the boulders to arrive at a secluded spring-fed waterfall, where you can enjoy a well-deserved swim.  Tonight we will camp at the famous El Questro Station where you can quench your thirst at the Swinging Arm Bar and rub shoulders with locals and fellow travellers. 

Highlights: Zebedee Springs, El Questro Gorge, Pentecost River Crossing, camping at El Questro.
Estimated hiking distance: 6km +
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Estimated travel time: 1 hour
Meals provided: B, L, D

Day 5 

Today we hike into the Cockburn Ranges and into Emma Gorge, a pristine swimming hole surrounded by towering cliffs.  We then begin a challenging off-road drive, weaving our way through the rugged Osmond Ranges into Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles).  We will hike deep into the Bungle Bungle Range entering a narrow passage on foot leading us to the Echidna Chasm, where you’ll stand in the centre surrounded by impressive 200-metre high cliffs. Tonight, we will camp in the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) in the Kimberley.

Highlights: Emma Gorge, Echidna Chasm, Turkey Creek, camping in the Bungle Bungles. 
Estimated hiking distance: 6km +
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Estimated travel time: 2-3 hours
Meals provided: B,

Day 6

Today we will get moving early so you can watch the colours change on the Bungle Bungles creating an unforgettable sunrise.  We then hike through the magnificent domes and visit the natural amphitheatre known as Cathedral Gorge as well as the Window and Piccaninny Creek Lookout.  You’ll be amazed at the geology and the endemic flora and fauna the domes provide a home to.  You’ll also have the option to go on a helicopter flight starting from $299 for an 18-minute scenic flight.  Afterwards we will head to our campsite.

Highlights: Cathedral Gorge, The Window, Piccaninny Creek, opportunity for a helicopter ride.
Estimated hiking distance: 8km +

Estimated travel time: 2 hours
Meals provided: B, L, D

Day 7 

Today we will arrive at Kununurra, the Kimberley’s most eastern town and a place made famous by the Ord River Irrigation Scheme and the Kimberley pink diamond.  You will have the opportunity to explore the town before we continue on to Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake, where we will embark on our Lake Argyle island adventure.

Our island adventure* will begin when we board the cruise vessel with our camping gear and head out on to the lake. We’ll explore the islands and bays in search of wildlife including the Short-eared rock-wallaby, wallaroo, Freshwater crocodile, and numerous fish species and bird-life. We’ll also have the opportunity to plunge into the cool waters and take a refreshing swim before we head to the island to set-up camp.

We will enjoy the welcomed solitude and sunset with a campfire meal, before resting for the night ready to be woken by the sound of water, wildlife and an unmissable sunrise. When we are ready, we'll pack up and head back to the mainland for breakfast.

*The Lake Argyle island adventure is an additional activity which is an added cost of $13 (0correct at the time of writing 27/04/22)

Highlights: Kununurra and Lake Argyle island experience
Estimated hiking distance: 2km +
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Day 8 

Today we travel to Keep River National Park where we can discover some of the stonemasonry achieved by the Miriwoong and Garjirrabeng people whilst visiting Gingers Hill.  We then continue into Jubarra (Gregory) National Park, the Northern Territory's second largest national park.  We will stop at Gregory’s Tree, a tree scarred by carvings left by early explorers and travellers.  When we have finished here we will venture into the Victoria River region, looking for unique paintings in the dark red sandstone cliffs before heading to our camp.  

Highlights: Carr Boyd Range, Durack Ranges, Keep River National Park, Gingers Hill, rock paintings, Victoria River, Gregory National Park.
Estimated hiking distance: 5km +

Estimated travel time: 3 hours
Meals provided: B, L, D

Day 9

Today we will drive towards Katherine and make a stop at Edith Falls for our final swim.  Our next stop will be Darwin after taking a stop at the remarkable Magnetic termite mounds on route; you’ll be able to see how they align their mounds with the magnetic north before arrive in Darwin.  

Highlights: Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Magnetic termite mounds, Darwin.
Estimated hiking distance: 5km +
Opportunity to swim? Yes

Estimated travel time: 4 hours
Meals provided: B, L

NOTE: Throughout the tour there will be opportunities to go on nightwalks to spot wildlife. 

*In the event that the Lake Argyle cruise is not available, this activity will be substituted with the option to hire a canoe ($25) and paddle on the lake.
**The guide has the right to change the itinerary at anytime.  Changes can occur due to weather, climatic or road conditions, or due to unforeseen circumstances.