DAY 1 - Kimberley adventure tour

Your Kimberley off-road adventure tour begins when we pick you up from your Darwin accommodation at 6am and on our way out of town we make our first stop to see some remarkable Magnetic termite mounds; you’ll be able to see how they align their mound with the magnetic north.  We then continue heading south towards Katherine, making a stop at Edith Falls for a refreshing swim.  Afterwards, we will make our way into the Victoria River region, home to the Northern Territory's second largest national park called Jubarra (Gregory) National Park.  You’ll be able to take in the spectacular ranges, escarpments and the savannah woodland as we set up camp. 

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

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

DAY 2

Today we enter what is considered to be Australia’s final frontier, the magnificent Kimberley region.  As daylight breaks we make breakfast and pack up camp ready to hike into the surrounding escarpments, to see some of the unique rock paintings and breathtaking scenery in Jubarra (Gregory) National Park.  We then continue on our Kimberley adventure crossing the border into western Australia and arriving at the gateway to the Kimberley region.  From here, we will drive to Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake; we will embark on a unique experience exploring the lake and spending the night on one of its secluded islands.

Our Lake Argyle 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 $135 (price correct at the time of writing 18/03/22)

Highlights: Rock paintings, Gregory tree, Lake Argyle island experience
Estimated hiking distance: 5km + 
Opportunity to swim? Yes Meals provided: B, L, D

Day 3

Today we head through the Durack and Carr Boyd Ranges where you’ll begin to get a true sense of what the Kimberley landscape is like.  We’ll embark on a challenging drive towards the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles), weaving our way off-road through the rugged Osmond Ranges.  When we arrive in the park 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 (Bungle Bungles) National Park in the Kimberley.

Highlights: Turkey Creek, Durack Ranges, Carr Boyd Ranges, Echidna Chasm. 
Estimated hiking distance: 5km + 

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

DAY 4

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 get the option to go on a helicopter flight starting from $299 for an 18-minute scenic tour.  We will then continue our off-road adventure and move on to tonight's campsite.

Highlights: Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Creek, The Window, optional helicopter cruise, camping in the Bungle Bungles.
Estimated hiking distance: 8km +

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

DAY 5

Today we will continue on our Kimberley adventure tour to 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.  We will hike into the Cockburn Range to Emma Gorge, a large pristine swimming hole with a stunning waterfall and surrounded by huge, rocky cliffs.  We will finish the day at our campsite on 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: Osmond Ranges, travel the Gibb River Road, Emma Gorge, camping in El Questro,  
Estimated hiking distance: 4km + 
Opportunity to swim? Yes

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

DAY 6

Today we visit Zebedee Springs, a series of crystal clear hot springs surrounded by enormous Livistona palms, the perfect place for a relaxing morning dip.  We will then make our way to El Questro Gorge for a testing hike up the palm and fern-filled rocky gorge; at the top you will be rewarded with a swim in the spring-fed waterfall.  When we are ready, we will climb back down and continue our off-road adventure along the Gibb River Road, crossing the well-known Pentacost River before passing through Home Valley and Durack cattle stations to our bush camp.

Highlights: Zebedee Springs, El Questro Gorge, crossing the Pentecost River, look outs, rock paintings.
Estimated hiking distance: 7km + 
Opportunity to swim? Yes

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

DAY 7

We continue along the Gibb River Road passing through Ellenbrae, Gibb River and Mt. Elizabeth cattle stations, making stops at lookouts and hidden rock art sites along route; in search of the intriguing Wandjina rock paintings unique to the Kimberley region.  We hike into Manning Gorge, where our trek starts by taking a small boat across the river.  We then hike into the gorge where the ancient Bradshaw rock paintings dated back to around 17, 000 years ago can be found.  There will be the opportunity for a refreshing swim at the falls and a chance to spot the Northern Red-Faced turtle that’s found in the area.  We will enjoy another night bush camping under the stars.  

Highlights: Manning Gorge, Bradshaw rock paintings.
Estimated hiking distance: 6km + 
Opportunity to swim? Yes

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

DAY 8

Today we will take a swim at either Galvans or Adcock Gorge depending on the seasonal conditions.  We will then jump in the truck and drive on to the remarkable Bell Gorge in King Leopold Conservation Park, where we will hike past ponds filled with fish and waterlilies.  Bell Gorge is a beautiful cascading waterfall that has cut a deep gorge into the King Leopold sandstone making the perfect retreat for the water monitors that are abundant in the area.  After our pleasant swim we will move on to our bush camp.  

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

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

DAY 9

On the final day of our Kimberley adventure tour our first stop is Windjana Gorge, home to a beach and plenty of freshwater crocodiles.  As you wonder into the gorge your guide will tell you stories of Jandamarra and the Bunuba resistance that waged war against colonial authorities.  We will then continue on to Tunnel Creek where it will be time to grab your torches and sink into an amazing 750-metre long limestone cave, home to bats and more freshwater crocodiles.  We will then continue on our journey to Broome making a stop at Derby’s Boab Prison Tree; an enormous tree that was once used as a prison when transporting prisoners to Derby. It’s age and size makes it a very impressive tree.  Your Kimberley off-road adventure tour will finish in Broome in the afternoon, the pearling capital of Australia and the end of the tour.

Highlights: Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Fitzroy River, Derby Prison tree, Broome.
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.