TWELVE DAY KIMBERLEY EXPLORER
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HIGHLIGHTS
Cape Leveque, Bardi Bushtucker Walk,
Snorkelling, Beagle Bay Pearl Shell Church Altar, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, One Arm Point
Aquaculture Hatchery, King Sound Boat Ride, Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek,
Bell Gorge, Manning Falls, El Questro Wilderness Park, Zebedee Springs,
Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Bungle Bungles, Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge,
Geikie Gorge Cruise
ITINERARY
Day 1 Beagle Bay & Lombadina
The Dampier Peninsula is an extraordinary blend of
pristine beaches and dramatic coastlines, rich in traditional Aboriginal
culture. Travelling up the red 4WD track, learn about the region's
fascinating history from our guided commentary. Our
first stop is the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community, home of the Beagle
Bay Church with its glimmering pearl shell altar, for morning tea.
Journey on to enjoy lunch in the laid-back Lombadina Community, a
beautiful and welcoming community, which is home to an interesting bush
timber church. Later we travel to beautiful Cape Leveque to
set up camp right on the edge of the Indian Ocean. A warm
Kimberley sunset is a great way to end the day before our famous
Kimberley BBQ under the stars.
Day 2 Cape Leveque
The day at Cape Leveque is yours to enjoy as you
please. You may like to join our guide on a snorkelling
adventure (equipment provided), or take up one of the many optional extras on
offer including a glass bottom boat ride or a scenic flight across the archipelago
and Horizontal Falls (if available). Alternatively you may prefer to spend your time
simply enjoying the pristine beaches and rugged red coastline for which
Cape Leveque is famous. Whether you like swimming, snorkelling,
sunbathing or long walks along the beach, Cape Leveque is a great way to
relax away a day. In the afternoon, our Aboriginal guide introduces us
to Bardi 'saltwater' country on a leisurely guided bushwalk, providing
an indepth insight into indigenous bush tucker, lifestyle and culture.
Day 3 Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm &
One Arm Point
Visit the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm for a delightful breakfast by the sea
together with a fascinating insight into the iconic pearling business
and the opportunity to invest in a pearl direct from one of the world's
most exclusive producers. Travel to the One Arm Point Community perched
on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. From here we can view the
spectacular Buccaneer Archipelago and witness the huge tidal flows of
the Kimberley, the second biggest in the world. We visit the Community’s
aquaculture hatchery, complete with barramundi, pearl and trochus shell
before returning south. Driving back through the
dusk, keep an eye out for wildlife, before arriving back in Broome at
approximately 6.30pm.
Day 4 Windjana Gorge & Tunnel
Creek
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 and visit the Derby 'Boab
Prison Tree' before we hit the Gibb River Road. The Napier Range is over
350 million years old and home to the geological wonder of Windjana
Gorge. Beneath gorge walls rising 90m, we search for freshwater
crocodiles, local birdlife and indigenous bush tucker. After a picnic
lunch, the afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre cave
system carved through the Napier Range, 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. A refreshing swim in
an idyllic waterhole is a highlight of the day. Return to Windjana
Gorge that evening to camp.
Day 5 Bell Gorge & Mt Barnett
Station
The morning is devoted to exploring Bell Gorge, a hidden highlight of
the West Kimberleys. 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, via the water lillie-laden
Galvans Gorge, we reach Mt Barnett Cattle Station. That night, we camp
by a billabong on Mt Barnett Station.
Days 6-7 El Questro Wilderness
Park
A morning trek into Manning Falls offers the chance to swim in deep
clear pools amid a stunning natural landscape. Relax, explore wandering
streams, uncover local wildlife and take a dip in the waterfall pools
before our journey up the Gibb River Road continues to the iconic El
Questro Wilderness Park. Two nights here allows free time join one or
more of the many activities on offer. We include a refreshing dip in the
Zebedee Springs and walk into Emma Gorge while a cruise on Chamberlain
Gorge, bush tucker walk or bird watching tour are amongst the many
optional activities. You may choose to simply explore this beautiful
wilderness park at your own leisure.
Day 8 Kununurra & Lake Argyle
Emerge from the Gibb River Road and for a few hours free time in
Kununurra. In the afternoon, travel onto the shores of the expansive
Lake Argyle, the heart of the Ord River Irrigation System which has
transformed this dry region into a lush agricultural oasis. There is
free time to join a sunset boat cruise on the lake (approx AU$100pp),
visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum or take on one of the many
bush trails to explore the area.
Days 9-10 Bungle Bungles
After a leisurely morning, head south down the Great Northern Highway
to Purnululu National Park, home of the magnificent Bungle Bungles. Two
nights here, staying at our new private Bungle Bungles Safari Camp, allows a full day to explore the highlights of this
extraordinary National Park, the most famous of which, are 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. We explore Echidna Chasm (2km), known for its towering Livistonia
Palm trees, and take a short walk (2-3km) into stunning Cathedral Gorge,
where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre. There is time in the
afternoon to take an optional scenic flight and enjoy a birds-eye view
of the beehive domes (approx $335pp, own expense) to put it all into
perspective.
Day 11 China Wall & Fitzroy
Crossing
Enroute to Fitzroy Crossing, we
break the long journey with a visit the gold rush town of Halls Creek to
see the remarkable China Wall. We also enjoy lunch at Marys Pool and
visit the remote Laarri Aboriginal Art Gallery, before an evening by the
Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing.
Day 12 Geikie Gorge & Broome
A morning cruise through the majestic Geikie Gorge is a great start
to our last day. Nature carved this wonder through between the Geikie
and Oscar Ranges during the Devonian geological period. Learn of the
fascinating geology of this natural wonder and discover the huge array
of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, birds and fish. Explore Old
Fitzroy Crossing and enjoy lunch by the river before we return to Broome
in time to enjoy the sunset on Cable Beach.
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