DESCRIPTION
This tour operates with a minimum group size of 4 guests, maximum of 8 guests and is a private departure. Designed for families and groups of friends, it is an ideal way to explore the Kimberley , to enhance your experience. For alternative private tours or custom itineraries, please contact us directly to enquire about our private tour options.
Our 12 Day Kimberley Camping tour itinerary:
Day 1 – Broome to Windjana Gorge
Departing Broome we make our way to Derby, visiting the Norval Art Gallery, so you can peruse the exquisite pieces and learn about the traditional art history of this area.
Tunnel Creek is our next destination, which flows through a water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range. Tunnel Creek is part of the 350-375 million year old Devonian Reef, formed when most of the Kimberley was covered by the sea and gradually exposed as the sea level fell to its present level. Tunnel Creek was the hideout for Jandamarra (Pigeon) who led the Aboriginal resistance against the police and pastoralists until he was tracked down and killed by a police posse in 1897. We will walk 750 meters through the tunnel, wading through several permanent pools to the other side of Napier Range. Our next stop is Windjana Gorge, a stunning gorge cut through the Napier Range. This site holds special significance to the local Aboriginal people. The gorge is 3.5 km long and formed by the Lennard River as it winds its way through the Napier Range. There are primeval life forms fossilised within the gorge walls. Isolated pools in the ‘dry’ season, support an abundance of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, water birds, corellas, and a colony of fruit bats.
We will take a walk up the gorge, before setting up camp at the Gorge, our evening destination.
Overnight: Windjana Gorge National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Windjana Gorge to Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
After re-joining the Gibb River Road, we continue north to begin our hike of Bell Gorge. Eroded into the Wunaamin Miliwundi (previously King Leopold Range), Bell Gorge is one of the most impressive gorges in the Kimberley. Bell Creek cascades down through a series of falls and pools. There is time to enjoy a beautiful early morning swim to cool down before we continue. We then head towards Galvans Gorge for a short walk and swim before stopping at the Barnett River, our evening destination.
Overnight: Manning Gorge Camp Ground
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
A relaxing day with a hike out to Manning Falls for a swim, returning around lunch time. The afternoon is spent taking it easy along the banks of the Barnett River and camp.
Overnight: Manning Gorge Camp Ground
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Manning Gorge to Munurru (King Edward River)
Following breakfast, we continue along the infamous Gibb River Road before turning up the Kalumburu Road to Drysdale River Station for fuel and refreshments. The last leg of the day takes us onto the start of the Port Warrender Rd where we explore two magnificent Aboriginal Rock art sites before arriving at our evening destination, Munurru (King Edward River) where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the river.
Overnight: Munurru (King Edward River)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s drive along the Port Warrender Road will be slow and steady to the Mitchell Plateau. The roads are a good example of 4WD terrain. Departing the camp for the day, we arrive at the Mertens carpark mid-morning where we embark on a short scenic helicopter flight over the Mitchell Plateau and the incredible Mitchell Falls. The scenery is remarkable, and it gives us a great perspective before seeing it on the ground. After exploring the top of the falls, and enjoying a swim, we hike 3.5km back to the carpark, stopping in at some Aboriginal Rock Art along the way. Once we arrive back at the vehicle, we make our way back to camp late afternoon.
Overnight: Munurru (King Edward River)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Munurru (King Edward River) to El Questro
Today is one of our biggest drive days (due to limited overnight options). We make our way back to re-join the Gibb River Road. One of our scheduled stops is to Ellenbrae Station to meet the wonderful hosts and indulge in afternoon tea. Along the way we will be presented with fabulous views of the Kimberley and Cockburn Range. Our journey continues along the Gibb River Road to our evening destination, El Questro Wilderness Park.
Overnight: El Questro Wilderness Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – El Questro
Today we experience the beauty of El Questro Wilderness Park, firstly with a swim in the magnificent Thermal Pools of Zebedee Springs, followed by a 1.2km hike into Emma Gorge, in the heart of the Cockburn Ranges. Following the hike, we enjoy lunch before relaxing at the station, doing laundry or going for a short walk along the banks of the river.
Overnight: El Questro Wilderness Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Kununurra
The group will enjoy a walk through town to visit art galleries and check out the Argyle diamonds, before joining a ¾ day boat cruise of the Ord River. The cruise navigates 55km of river between Kununurra and Lake Argyle. You will see an ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River. The tour concludes with a scenic coach tour through ‘Durack Country’ to Lake Argyle and return to Kununurra.
Overnight: Kununurra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Kununurra to Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
After breakfast, we travel into the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles). The Bungle Bungle Range is renowned for its striking orange and grey horizontal banded domes. The distinctive beehive-shaped landforms have been produced by uplift and erosion over the last 20 million years.
Our evening will consist of a sunset viewing of the Bungle Bungle Ranges while enjoying a glass of Champagne, before returning to our evening campsite.
Overnight: Purnululu (Bungle Bungles)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
After breakfast, we spend the day walking and exploring the magnificent beehive formations of this World Heritage Listed region. This will include hikes into Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Creek Lookout. Up until 1982 the region was largely ‘undiscovered’. Prior to 1982 only local Aboriginal people and a handful of stockmen knew of the area and in 1987 it became a National Park. An unforgettable helicopter flight over the Bungles is highly recommended and available at an extra cost.
Overnight: Purnululu (Bungle Bungles)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Purnululu National Park to Fitzroy Crossing
Leaving Purnululu we make our way to Halls Creek for morning tea and refreshments. We travel along the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing, stopping for lunch and enjoying the views. Our evening destination, the Fitzroy River Lodge, is a beautiful oasis nestled along the banks of the river where you are welcome to take a short evening walk.
Overnight: Fitzroy River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Fitzroy Crossing to Broome
The final day takes you on a boat tour down the Fitzroy River through Geikie Gorge, offering marvellous views and photo opportunities. We then make our way to Tunnel Creek which flows through a water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range. Tunnel Creek is part of the 350-375 million year old Devonian Reef, formed when most of the Kimberley was covered by the sea and gradually exposed as the sea level fell to its present level.
Tunnel Creek was the hideout for Jandamarra (Pigeon) who led the Aboriginal resistance against the police and pastoralists until he was tracked down and killed by a police posse in 1897. We will walk 750 metres through the tunnel, wading through several permanent pools to the other side of Napier Range.
We return to Broome early evening and will say farewell after taking you to your accommodation.
Overnight: Pre-arranged accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
