KIMBERLEY FARAWAY BAY TOURS - JEWELS OF THE KIMBERLEY

FULL 16-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: BROOME - YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE

Today you’ll be met upon your arrival at Broome airport by your Outback Spirit tour driver.

From here, we’ll head to the iconic Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa and check in to our luxurious garden view rooms, our home for the next two nights. Enjoy a free afternoon to settle in before a welcome dinner at the Sunset Bar and Grill.

Included Meals:  Dinner

Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort

DAY 2: HORIZONTAL FALL SEAPLANE & JET-BOAT ADVENTURE

Our journey starts on a high with a sensational half day adventure to the Horizontal Falls. Described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world’, the falls are created when the 2nd largest tides in the world hurtle through two narrow coastal gorges.

First up, join us for a town tour of Broome or relax at the resort until you are collected for the start of your Horizontal Falls adventure!

Enjoy a 50-minute seaplane flight and land on the calm waters of Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago. Then, board the fastest boat in the Kimberley, ‘Jet-Stream’ for an exhilarating ride through the Horizontal Falls. You’ll be awestruck at the power of the Kimberley tides as your expert skipper gives you an experience you’ll never forget. We’ll also cruise some of the surrounding bays and creeks and have a bite to eat on a commercial houseboat before returning to Broome.

Tonight, we gather for dinner again at the Sunset Bar & Grill.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort

DAY 3: BROOME - DERBY - WINDJANA GORGE - FITZROY CROSSING

Today the pace is a little more relaxed. Head back down the Dampier Peninsula and stop off at Beagle Bay, established in 1895 by Trappist monks. Take in the stunning Mother of Pearl altar at the Sacred Heart Church before continuing on to Derby. After a visit to the Boab Prison Tree and Myall’s Bore & Cattle Trough we’ll check in to the 4-star Spinifex Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge 

DAY 4: GEIKIE GORGE - HALLS CREEK - BUNGLE BUNGLES 

Nature and geology lovers will delight as we head into Geikie Gorge National Park for a 1-hour cruise on the Fitzroy River, winding through ancient limestone where fossils are embedded in the walls of the gorge. Then, return to Fitzroy Crossing before heading further east to Halls Creek. After lunch we continue along the Great Northern Highway to the turnoff in to the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles). Enjoy two nights at the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, owned by Outback Spirit in partnership with Aviair/HeliSpirit. The lodge features comfortable cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge

DAY 5: EXPLORING PURNULULU 

Today we explore the wonders of Purnululu, including its unique orange and black beehive shaped domes. First up, enjoy a breathtaking 18-minute scenic helicopter flight over the park with a bird’s eye view of its astounding natural features. This flight is valued at $299 and is now included in the tour fare for 2019! Afterwards, enjoy a walk along Piccaninny Creek to the mind boggling natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. Then, follow the ‘dome trail’ for a closer inspection of the Park’s unique geological formations.

This afternoon we’ll head to the northern region of the Bungle Bungles to visit Echidna Chasm before returning to the lodge.

Please Note: If you’d prefer not to take the included scenic helicopter flight, you can remove it from your itinerary and will receive a $299 price reduction on the tour fare.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel:   Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge 

DAY 6: NORTH TO KUNUNURRA 

Our travels today take us north to Kununurra. Arriving early in the afternoon, we check in to the centrally located Kununurra Country Club for our two-night stay. The rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort 

DAY 7: ORD RIVER CRUISE

This morning we enjoy a tour of Kununurra and the surrounding farming country. Drive through parts of the massive Ord River Irrigation Scheme where melons, mangoes, sandalwood and other crops are grown and learn about the scheme from your knowledgeable guide. 

This afternoon, visit the Durack Homestead Museum en route to Lake Argyle, the departure point for our sensational 3-hour cruise down the Ord River. Enjoy the mesmerising scenery and diverse wildlife as your skipper takes you downstream to Kununurra, providing expert commentary along the way. We arrive back into Kununurra at sunset and make our way back to the hotel for our second and final night in Kununurra.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Lodge

DAY 8: WYNDHAM - EL QUESTRO 

Depart Kununurra this morning and travel to Wyndham and the spectacular Five Rivers Lookout, boasting dramatic views over Cambridge Gulf. Then, it’s a short drive back to the Gibb River Road which will lead us on to El Questro Wilderness Park at the base of the Cockburn Range. Our home for the next two nights is Emma Gorge Resort, where we’ll stay in unique tented cabins scattered through bush. 

After lunch at the resort we enjoy a guided walk up to the stunning Emma Gorge waterfall (2.5 hours return – a good level of fitness required, but well worth it!). Enjoy a swim in the large rock pool at the base of the falls and marvel at the beauty of the gorge, one of the best in the Kimberley. Upon returning to the resort, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure before re-grouping for dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Emma Gorge Lodge

DAY 9: EXPLORING EL QUESTRO

You’d be hard pressed to find a better way to start a day than a swim in the warm, crystal clear waters of Zebedee Thermal Springs. Spend a relaxing morning here before visiting the station township, the hub of El Questro. After lunch we’ll drive deeper into this iconic Kimberley wilderness park to Chamberlain Gorge, a beautiful three-kilometre-long fresh waterhole bound by towering escarpment. Enjoy a 90-minute gorge cruise and feed some of the cheeky Archerfish before returning to Emma Gorge Resort late afternoon.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort

DAY 10: GIBB RIVER ROAD - DRYSDALE - MITCHELL PLATEAU

Today our journey along the Gibb gets a bit more serious. Cross the mighty Pentecost River and continue past Ellenbrae Station to the ‘Y” junction. From here we follow the Kalumburu Road past Drysdale River Station before turning onto the Mitchell Plateau track. Ford the King Edward River and drive through ancient Livistona Palm forests before arriving at our exclusive Ngauwudu Safari Camp, the most luxurious tented camp in the Kimberley. Featuring deluxe safari suites with ensuite bathrooms, quality furnishings and large balconies, the camp is a magical spot for the next two nights of our adventure and the ideal base from which to discover the Mitchell Plateau and Mitchell Falls.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Ngauwudu Safari Camp

DAY 11: THE INCREDIBLE MITCHELL FALLS

Today we explore the incredible 4-tiered Mitchell Falls on a guided 4km walk, a true highlight of your adventure (Good level of fitness and mobility is required). Along the way we’ll discover rarely seen Gwion Gwion and Wandjina rock art galleries, accompanied by a local guide from Kandiwal Community. The walk also takes us past Mertens Falls before arriving at the top of the breathtaking Mitchell Falls, one of the most awe-inspiring wonders of the Kimberley. After time to admire the thunderous falls we’ll take to the skies for a scenic helicopter flight, which returns us to the start of the walk. Viewing the falls from the air is a sensational experience.

This afternoon we return to the camp for a swim and a well-earned rest. 

Note: If you do not wish to tackle the walk, there is the option to fly down by helicopter with an Outback Spirit escort (cost $160).

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Ngauwudu Safari Camp

DAY 12: MITCHELL PLATEAU - FARAWAY BAY

This morning we head to the airstrip and board Outback Spirit’s state-of-the-art Cessna Grand Caravan for the scenic flight to Faraway Bay. Viewing the Kimberley coast from the air is a highlight, and this morning’s flight will take us over Admiralty Gulf and Vansittart Bay. We then land at Faraway Bay, the northernmost lodge in Western Australia. Spend the next 2 nights in rustic yet comfortable cabins featuring ensuite bathrooms and stunning views of the bay.

Faraway Bay is an award-winning coastal lodge nestled on a rocky hilltop overlooking the turquoise Timor Sea. Located 280 kilometres north-west of Kununurra, this far north area of Western Australia is a remote and spellbinding part of the Kimberley. With King George Falls just a short boat trip away, this unique wilderness retreat offers an experience you will never forget.

This afternoon we’ll get out on the water for a spot of barramundi fishing and sightseeing in this sensational coastal environment. We then return to the lodge for sunset drinks and dinner in Eagle Lodge. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Faraway Bay

DAY 13: KING GEORGE FALLS MARINE ADVENTURE

It’s now time for one of the major highlights of your adventure: King George Falls. After waking up to birdsong and breakfast made with produce from the Ord River region, we’ll head off with the lodge’s expert skipper and guides for an unforgettable marine adventure. The King George River is one of WA’s most magnificent treasures, famous for its enormous twin waterfalls that stand over 70m high and descend into the Timor Sea. From a cultural point of view, the river is highly significant to the Balanggarra people. To them the Falls are the male and female Wunkurr (Rainbow Serpents).

Along the coast to the King George River we travel past Koolama Bay where the merchant vessel ‘Koolama’ was bombed by the Japanese during World War II. Hear about the amazing story of survival and mutiny, and the untimely and unfortunate end to the ‘Koolama’. When we get to the entrance of the King George River, you can’t help but feel dwarfed by the towering red rocky cliffs rising high above us. From here, we’ll meander up-river to the incredible Falls, and if conditions permit you’ll be able to take an invigorating waterfall shower as the boat edges to within metres of the rock face. After some time to soak up the spellbinding Falls, we’ll start heading back to the lodge. Enjoy some fishing on the way and keep an eye out for other marine life including crocodiles, dolphins, dugong and manta rays to name just a few.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Faraway Bay

DAY 14: SCENIC FLIGHT TO DARWIN

Today we farewell the Kimberley and board our aircraft for the scenic flight to Darwin. See King George Falls from the air before heading east to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. From here we’ll hug the coastline to Darwin, arriving early in the afternoon. We then check in to the DoubleTree by Hilton on the Esplanade, where the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy our final dinner together at Char Restaurant, the perfect spot to celebrate our Kimberley Adventure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton

DAY 15: TOUR CONCLUDES

Today your tour concludes. You may wish to join us for a town tour, including a visit to the Defence of Darwin Experience at East Point. Alternatively, you can spend the morning at your leisure. You will be transferred to the airport in time for your return flights, or to your accommodation if staying on in Darwin. 

Included Meals: Breakfast