10 Day Kimberley Walking

Were your feet made for walking? This 10 day 4WD and walking adventure provides an opportunity to explore more of the Kimberley on foot. Explore in El Questro, Purnululu National Park, and an excursion to the famous Wolfe Creek Crater, we have time to trek through cave tunnels, into remote gorges, under waterfalls, across savannah plains, along escarpments, up rocky river beds and of course, around an ancient desert meteorite crater. Fresh air, exercise and the outback – you can’t go wrong!

Days 1–3 West Kimberley Gorges

As we travel through the remote and beautiful Kimberley landscape, our guide shares stories of local history, people and the environment. Enjoy a morning tea break by the Fitzroy River, the biggest waterway in the Kimberley which floods annually, but recently swelled to record levels in a once in a 100 year weather event! Soon enough we hit the Gibb River Road and journey to our campsite in Silent Grove, where we set up camp for our first night under the Kimberley stars. In the morning we discover Bell Gorge, a hidden highlight of the West Kimberley. This idyllic retreat, considered amongst the most beautiful in the area, boasts cascading waterfalls and crystal clear pools formed over millions of years – an easy place to while away a few hours! Further up the Gibb River Road, we discover the cool waters of water lily-laden Galvans Gorge and stunning Adcock Gorge. Swim across the Manning River to start our trek into Manning Gorge. Amid the rugged beauty of Manning Falls we swim in deep clear pools, relax, explore wandering streams, uncover local wildlife and take a dip in the waterfall pools. Overnight we camp by a billabong on Mt Barnett Cattle Station. (LD/BLD/BLD)

Days 4-5 El Questro Wilderness Park

El Questro Station is an icon of the Kimberley. We include a refreshing dip in the Zebedee Springs, a walk into Emma Gorge and the more challenging trek into El Questro Gorge. A trek up to Sandleback Ridge Lookout for sunset is a great way to end the day! There are optional activities as well so you can choose to simply explore this beautiful wilderness park at your own leisure. (BLD/BL)

Days 6-7 Kununurra & Purnululu National Park: Bungle Bungles

Emerge from the Gibb River Road and travel to Kununurra. Explore the Savannah Woodland in Mirima National Park, often known as the ‘mini Bungle Bungles’, on the Gerliwany-gerring Banan Trail. After lunch, travel south towards Purnululu. (Helispirit flights this afternoon – mentioned below – if possible*.) It’s an early start on day 7 to make our way into Purnululu National Park, home of the magnificent Bungle Bungles. Walk up the creek bed into Echidna Chasm and trek through the Bungle Bungle domes: rivers created this landscape of unique orange and black striped ‘beehive’ geological formations over a period of 20 million years. Unbelievably, only the locals knew it existed until the early 1980’s; once discovered by others, the area was made a national park in 1987. Discover Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre, then kick back at our own private camp overlooking the Bungles Massif. (BLD/BLD)

Day 8 Wolf Creek Crater

This morning we walk into Mini Palms Gorge before we bid farewell to Purnululu National Park and travel through Halls Creek to the rugged Tanami Track. Turning south we make our way out to the famous Wolfe Creek Crater, known locally as Kandimalal. This distinctive hole in the earth’s crust is believed to have been left by a meteorite that collided over 120,000 years old, during the Pleistocene period. An afternoon hike to the crater rim and a magical sunset sets the scene for another night camping around the fire in this remote, isolated destination. (BLD)

Day 9 Mimbi Caves

Sunrise over the crater is worth rising for then we pack up camp and return north up the Tanami Track – keep an eye out for wildlife! After lunch we visit the ancient realm of Mimbi Caves, one of Western Australia’s largest cave systems, in the heart of Gooniyandi Country. Spiritually significant, these limestone caves are one of the oldest identified sites of human occupation in Australia. Delve into Dreamtime with our local Gooniyandi guide who shares traditional stories and reveals the secrets of Mimbi Caves, a sanctuary of crystal clear pools, rare fossils and ancient rock art. Share fresh damper and billy tea with the Gooniyandi traditional owners before journey on to Fitzroy Crossing. (BL)

Day 10 Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek

The Napier Range is over 350 million years old and home to Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre cave system in which we discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. It is here we also learn the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800’s. In the afternoon we visit the geological wonder of Windjana Gorge, searching for freshwater crocodiles, local birdlife and indigenous bush tucker beneath the gorge walls that rise 90m. Then it is time to give your legs a hard-earned rest as we journey back into Broome. Relax and watch the savannah go by, reflecting on the adventure behind us and the ocean that awaits us. (BL)