Kimberley Broome to Darwin via Gibb River Rd with Home Valley and Manning Gorge tour 7 days

Kimberley Broome to Kununurra via Gibb River Road – 8 days/7 nights with Home Valley Station & Mt Barnett. Extension options also available to Darwin. If departing Darwin, tour via Katherine, Kununurra, (alternatively from Broome via Fitzroy Crossing & Halls Creek) to Bungles Bungles, El Questro, Zebedee Hot Springs, Galvans Gorge, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Cable Beach, Broome.  Opportunity to meet Aboriginal elders & Aboriginal artists, visit Wandjina and Bradshaw / Gwion Gwion rock art sites, swim in pristine waterholes on this Gibb River Rd by 4WD tour, camping or Fully Accommodated option

Broome to Darwin Tour – Kimberley Broome Darwin via Kununurra Bungle Bungles Tour 8 Days with 1 cruise & Bungle Bungles walks and 4WD tour via Gibb River Road – with El Questro, Bungle Bungles walks and flight option. Departs Broome via Fitzroy Crossing Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Galvans Gorge, Manning Gorge, Home Valley Station, Pentecost River, El Questro, Zebedee Hot Springs, Bungles Bungles for an easy walk to Cathedral & Piccanniny Creek. From Kununurra travel via Victoria River escarpments, Katherine hot springs to Darwin or optional fly out from Kununurra. Optional day flight with walk option to Mitchell Falls and extreme North Western coastline and Lake Argyle cruise or overnight options. Visit Aboriginal communities, meet Aboriginal artists, visit Wandjina and Bradshaw / Gwion rock art sites, swim in pristine waterholes on this Gibb River Rd by 4WD tour.

Includes –

• Broome to Darwin 8 days or Kununurra exit option.
• 1 Cruise – Geike Gorge
  
• El Questro, Bungles walks & Gibb River Rd
• Mitchell Falls flight option with an optional walk to Merton & Mitchell Falls
• Accommodated or Comfy Camping – all bedding, full height tents, self inflating mattresses or stretchers
• Bungle Bungles Domes walk to Cathedral Gorge and Picanniny Creek
• El Questro, Zebedee Hot Springs Emma Gorge, Cockburn Range, Jackaroos waterhole
• Pentecost River, Hann, Durack, Fitzroy River crossings
• Cattle Stations of Home Valley, Mt Barnett, El Questro, Ellenbrae Station, Mt House and more
• Galvans & Windjana Gorges, Tunnel Creek walks / swims, Jandamarra story, Fitzroy Crossing
• Aboriginal artists, Wandjina & Gwion rock art sites.

Kimberley Broome Darwin via Kununurra Bungle Bungles Tour 8 Days

–  Itinerary –

Day 1 – Depart from Broome travelling through vast Savannah grasslands to Willare on the Fitzroy River. We visit the culturally significant Prison Boab Tree and Mowanjum Aboriginal Art Centre and Derby township. Heading east on the Savannah Way we arrive at Fitzroy Crossing which is an education and supply centre for surrounding cattle stations and Aboriginal communities. It's then a short drive to Geike Gorge for a 1 hour sunset cruise on the mighty Fitzroy River through the Devonian Reef. Overnight accommodation at Fitzroy Crossing. LD

Day 2 – We drive through the Devonian Reef / Napier Range to Tunnel Creek, well hidden in the fascinating geology of this limestone reef with its many boab trees and picturesque complex shapes. This is where the Aboriginal freedom fighter Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance was centred in the 1890s, depicted in 2 novels and a recent stage production. Here we can don torches and shorts to wade through this incredible underground river system full of stalagmites and stalactites and even an underground spring. Alternatively, take a short walk in the shady and refreshing surrounding area by the creek that feeds the underground water system. Travelling on we follow the range and cross through them again, to arrive for lunch and a short walk in Windjana Gorge National Park with abundant wildlife and numerous freshwater crocodiles in this eerie, ancient seabed environment – where the mega fauna roamed.

Driving on now on the Gibb River Road, we cross the Lennard River and pass through the ancient Devonian era Napier Range at Queen Victoria Pass.  Our tour then climbs the King Leopold Ranges and we travel through the picturesque Inglis Gap and King Leopold Conservation Park. This is a spectacular mountain country with impressive views over the ranges and vast woodlands and plains. We travel through spectacular Kimberley woodlands and river crossings before the Imitji Aboriginal Community and store. Here we have unique Aboriginal artwork and one of the few real coffees you can find on the Gibb (except our BYO). Overnight Imitji  / Bell Gorge Safari Camp

Day 3 – After a tasty breakfast, we head off the Gibb for a walk into picturesque Bell Gorge  We are deep in the Kimberley now, and time permitting enjoy a swim and relax at the easy to access and scenic Galvans Gorge with more Wandjina rock art, great scenery and good swimming and photos too. We arrive at the beautiful Manning Gorge water hole campground for swimming or relaxing or if accommodated, Mt Barnett Roadhouse for overnight. BLD

Day 4 - Enjoy an early swim in this large picturesque and safe waterhole surrounded by large paperbark trees. A 3 hour return walk to Manning Gorge Falls is also available for active walkers. We continue on the Gibb River road crossing the Hann River, and travelling through Ellenbrae and Home Valley stations. At the Durack River crossing, we enjoy a stop on the river bank then traverse several more small water crossings to the mighty Pentecost River and view the stunning Cockburn Range from a high vantage point. Overnight El Questro. BL dinner own cost in restaurant

Day 5 – An optional 2 hours return walk up Emma Gorge (or alternative gorge) to a waterfall is available or simply relax among the boabs and comforts of the resort.  This morning enjoy the Zebedee Hot springs nestled in the Livingstonia Palms against 1.8 Billion year old King Leopold sandstone escarpments. Warm water flows from here and the springs are a delight for reflecting the journey and relaxing in the true Kimberley way. Enjoy lunch by Jackaroos waterhole,then an afternoon swim in the Pentecost River at the resort. We depart El Questro and travel travel on to Wyndham, Western Australia’s most northerly town and awe at the landscape from Five Rivers Lookout, with views over the spectacular river systems and wetland flood plains feeding Cambridge Gulf. We visit the wetlands of Parry’s Lagoon, a Ramsar listed site and haven for wetland birds from afar. The bird life at Parry Lagoon is some of the richest in the Kimberley, with Brolgas, Jabiru, Whistling Ducks, Egrets, waders, and many more. We leave the region adjacent the Cockburn Ranges and boab trees, having completed the Gibb River Rd, to arrive Kununurra for overnight. BLD

Day 6 – Depart 830 am to experience Kununurra, ‘the eastern gateway to the Kimberley’ and surroundings by air with a morning scenic flight over the renowned Ord Irrigation area, mighty Ord River Scheme and the enormous man made Lake Argyle before arriving at the Bungle Bungle where you transfer to an air-conditioned 4WD. On your short overland travels to Cathedral Gorge learn of the Bungles heritage and hear some of local nature’s hidden secrets. Be amazed on your walk into Cathedral Gorge, where you will be surrounded by the Beehive Domes for which the park is so famous. Arrival into the gorge displays a magnificent amphitheatre designed by nature at its best. Relax in this shaded area and enjoy a memorable picnic lunch before returning on your walk to rejoin the 4WD. Travel to theBungle Bush Camp for afternoon tea then rejoin the aircraft to complete your afternoon scenic flight over the ancient Ragged Ranges and the Argyle Diamond Mine. Arriving back in Kununurra approx. 500 pm. The day includes easy to moderate 3 km walk into Cathedral Gorge via the Beehive Domes. On return, enjoy some free time relaxing by the lake or check out some art bargains. Overnight in Kununurra. Dinner own expense local restaurant.

Day 7 – Fly to Darwin option otherwise depart Kununurra at 7 am via spectacular Victoria River mountain landscapes, travelling savannah cattle country, then Timber Creek.  Here we climb the escapement for an expansive view over the Victoria River and learn of the Nackaroos, the “Northern Force” that scouted the region on horseback protecting Australia’s coastal border during World War II. We stop at the Durack Monument, Victoria River Roadhouse then on to Katherine hot springs for a dip – time permitting. Then on to the Stuart Highway for the last 300 km run into Darwin, arriving approximately 7pm BLD Optional flights to several major Australian cities which depart Darwin late evening/ early am.

Day 8 – Tour completes in Darwin after breakfast 10am allowing flight or transport connections, or Kakadu or Litchfield or other tour options.

Options to extend time in Kununurra for Mitchell Falls flight day or Lake Argyle cruise day

Kimberley Broome Darwin via Kununurra Bungle Bungles Tour 8 Days

Inclusions

• Broome to Darwin or Kununurra
• 1 Cruise at Geike Gorge, Bungles walks & Gibb River Rd
• Mitchell Falls flight option with optional walk to Merton & Mitchell Falls
• Accommodated or Comfy Camping – full height tents, self inflating mattresses or stretchers
• Bungle Bungles Domes walk to  Cathedral Gorge and Piccanniny Creek
• El Questro, Zebedee Hot Springs Emma Gorge, Cockburn Range, Jackaroos waterhole
• Pentecost River, Hann, Durack, Fitzroy River crossings
• Cattle Stations of Home Valley, Mt Barnett, El Questro, Ellenbrae, Mt House Lissadell, Mabel Downs and more
• Galvans & Windjana Gorges, Tunnel Creek walks / swims, Jandamarra story, Fitzroy Crossing
• Aboriginal artists, Wandjina & Gwion rock art sites.
• Professional and experienced driver / guides Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people enriches experiences
• Access to remote areas and rock art sites unreachable by most tour vehicles
• Delicious meals as shown, including vegetarian optional. Celebration dinner at journey end.
• Accommodated sleeping or comfy camping. Camp gear includes options of self inflating mattress & /or stretcher, pillow & linen.
• All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees
• Aboriginal Art community visits for “direct from artist” purchases
• Contributions of tour price supports Outback Kids and nature care programs.
• You – and Your involvement in a creation much bigger than most can imagine

NOTE this tour may be able to be can be extended 1 day to allow for flight and walk at Mitchell Falls – see here

Exclusions for Kimberley Broome Darwin via Kununurra Bungle Bungles Tour 8 Days

• 1 dinner own purchase in restaurant. Alcohol
• Accommodation upgrades if required. Available at most locations if prebooked
• Flights to and from departure points