FIVE DAY CAPE LEVEQUE AND THE GORGES
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HIGHLIGHTS
Cape Leveque, Bardi Bushtucker Walk,
Snorkelling, Beagle Bay Pearl Shell Church Altar, One Arm Point
Aquaculture Hatchery, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Geikie Gorge Darngku
Aboriginal Heritage Cruise
ITINERARY
Day 1 Geikie Gorge
Departing Broome at 7:00am, we begin our journey
into Kimberley gorge country. Passing boab trees, fascinating termite
mounds and roaming cattle, enjoy the local knowledge and interesting
stories our guide has to share. Following morning tea at Willare
Roadhouse on the mighty Fitzroy River we continue east, pausing at a
magnificent boab that is well over a thousand years old, to learn some
of the secrets of this unusual tree. On reaching the historic town of
Fitzroy Crossing, we discover the ancient Napier Range, a limestone
Devonian reef 350 million years old and home to the famous Geikie Gorge.
Nature carved this spectacular 30m deep gorge between the Geikie and
Oscar Ranges during the Devonian geological period. The best way to
experience the scenery and abundant wildlife of this natural wonder is
to join the 2 hour Aboriginal Heritage Cruise (included). Geikie Gorge
floods during the wet season, with the swirling water leaving its
bleached mark on the colourful gorge walls. Though the water retreats
during the dry season, water holes remain to sustain the wide variety of
Kimberley wildlife. Towards sunset, settle in for an evening under the
Kimberley night sky - relax as your guide prepares a traditional
campfire barbeque dinner.
Day 2 Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek
After breakfast it is a 4WD route to Tunnel Creek,
a 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, a Devonian reef
system 350 million years old. Here, we explore secret caves and a
variety of unusual wildlife. We also hear of the legend of Jandamarra,
an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the Tunnel as a hideout in the
late 1800's. A refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole is a highlight of
the day. Then it's off to Windjana Gorge for a delicious lunch and to
search for freshwater crocodiles, local birdlife and indigenous
bushtucker in the stunning natural beauty of this oasis of the outback.
Travelling back through Kimberley cattle country, we pause in Derby to
see the infamous 'Boab Prison Tree.' This tree, believed to be over 1500
years old and measuring almost 15 metres in girth, is a relic of some
cultural sensitivity due to its use as a prison for local Aboriginals
during the era of Kimberley pioneers. Relax and enjoy a movie en route
back to Broome, where we arrive at approximately 6:30pm to check into
the hotel and enjoy a free evening.
Day 3 Kelk Creek & Cape Leveque
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 and documentary DVDs. Our
first stop is the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community, home of the Beagle
Bay Church with its glimmering pearl shell altar, for morning tea.
Further north, we visit the Kelk Creek Bush Retreat, where our
Aboriginal guide and her family introduce us to their traditional Bardi
‘saltwater country’. A leisurely guided bushwalk offers an in-depth
insight into their indigenous lifestyle and culture while the freshly
made damper and billy tea at the end of the walk is well worth the wait!
Later, after a delicious lunch, we travel to beautiful Cape Leveque to
set up camp right on the edge of the Indian Ocean. A spectacular
Kimberley sunset is a great way to end the day before our famous
Kimberley BBQ under the stars.
Day 4 Kelk Creek & Cape Leveque
The day at Cape Leveque is yours to enjoy as you please. You may like
to join our guide on a snorkelling or fishing adventure (included), or
take up one of the many optional extras on offer including embarking on
an Indigenous sea kayaking adventure, hiring a dinghy or splurging on a
scenic flight across the archipelago and horizontal falls. 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.
Day 5 One Arm Point & Lombadina
After breakfast we journey 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. Travelling
on, we enjoy lunch in the laid-back Lombadina Community, a beautiful and
welcoming community, which is home to a local craft shop and interesting
bush timber church. Driving back through the dusk, keep an eye out for
wildlife, before arriving back in Broome at approximately 6.30pm.
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