KIMBERLEY & TOP END EXPEDITION

FULL 18-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: BROOME - YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE

Upon your arrival at Darwin airport*, you’ll be met by your friendly and professional touring crew. Your journey begins with an orientation tour of town, visiting Cullen Bay, Stokes Hill Wharf and the Darwin Military Museum. After, settle into your harbour view room at the DoubleTree by Hilton, located on the Esplanade. This evening we enjoy our first dinner together on the Charles Darwin with a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise.

Included Meals:  Dinner

Hotel: Double Tree by Hilton

DAY 2: LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK - KAKADU

Departing Darwin, our first stop this morning is Litchfield National Park, where waterfalls cascade off the Tabletop Ranges into tranquil waterholes.  Explore Florence & Wangi Falls and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading on to Kakadu National Park. Our base for the next two nights is Cooinda Lodge.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Cooinda Lodge

DAY 3: THE MYSTERY OF ARNHEM LAND

The day begins with breathtaking views over the Arnhem Land floodplains from Ubirr Rock, where you’ll also explore ancient rock art sites.  Then, ford the East Alligator River and venture into Arnhem Land for a visit to Injalak Arts and Crafts, Gunbalanya. Here, watch renowned artists create exquisite pieces right before your eyes. This afternoon we return to Cooinda and enjoy the renowned wildlife cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of this extraordinary wetland ecosystem and associated wildlife. We then return to the lodge for our final night in Kakadu.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Cooinda Lodge 

DAY 4: KATHERINE RIVER GORGE 

Today we’re heading south to Katherine and on to Nitmiluk National Park, home to Katherine River Gorge. Carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River, this deep gorge with towering sheer rock walls is one of the best in the Territory. Enjoy a two-hour cruise in a canopied cruise boat before checking in to the luxurious Cicada Lodge.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Cicada Lodge

DAY 5: WA BORDER - ORD RIVER CRUISE

Time to leave the Territory and cross into Western Australia. Pass through Victoria River and Timber Creek before heading in to Lake Argyle. We’ll stop off at the historic Durack Homestead along the way before a picnic lunch at the dam wall.  This afternoon we enjoy another river cruise, this time down the spectacular Ord River. Learn about the Ord River Irrigation Scheme from your knowledgeable skipper on this extraordinary 3-hour adventure downstream to Kununurra, arriving just as the sun seeks the horizon.

We then check in to the Kununurra Country Club Resort for our overnight stay.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel:   Kununurra Country Club 

DAY 6: HEAD TO THE BUNGLE BUNGLES

This morning we enjoy a tour of Kununurra’s surrounding farming country. Drive through parts of the massive Ord River Irrigation Scheme on Ivanhoe Plains, where melons, mangoes, sandalwood and other crops are grown. You’ll also have some time to visit the shops before departing for the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles). Arriving late afternoon, we spend 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 7: 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 8: NORTH TO EL QUESTRO 

Today we head back out to the Great Northern Highway and then north to Wyndham and the sensational Five Rivers Lookout. Enjoy a picnic lunch and admire the views over Cambridge Gulf before back-tracking to the start of the infamous Gibb River Road. A short drive brings us to El Questro Wilderness Park, where we’ll spend the next two nights at Emma Gorge Resort in unique tented cabins.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort

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: EXPLORING 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: KING EDWARD ART SITES - DRYSDALE RIVER STATION

This morning we depart the Mitchell Plateau and head back to the Kalumburu Road. Along the way we’ll visit several exceptional rock art sites near the King Edward River. This afternoon we arrive at Drysdale River Station, which runs 9000 head of cattle across more than a million acres. We spend the night in top quality station cabins with private ensuite bathrooms.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Drysdale River Station

DAY 13: BELL GORGE - MORNINGTON

After an early start we head back to the Gibb River Road and travel west past Mount Barnett to arrive at Bell Gorge, one of the most spectacular gorges in the Kimberley. Enjoy a guided walk down to the falls and a swim in the rock pools (good level of fitness and manoeuvrability required). Then, it’s on to Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, deep in the heart of the Kimberley on the upper Fitzroy River. Once a dominant cattle station, this 800,000-acre sanctuary is owned and operated by Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and is one of the largest non-government protected areas in Australia.  For the next two nights we stay in unique safari tents overlooking Annie Creek. Enjoy a few drinks around the campfire before dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Mornington Wilderness Camp

DAY 14: EXPLORING MORNINGTON

Combined with the neighbouring Marion Downs, Charnley River/Artesian Range and Tableland Sanctuaries, AWC owns and/or manages a staggering 2.6 million acres in the Kimberley, giving threatened species like the iconic Northern Quoll and Gouldian Finch a fighting chance for survival.

This morning, enjoy an informative ecology tour and discover why AWC is at the forefront of protecting threatened species in the Kimberley. Then, head off and explore the sanctuary in our specially built open back safari vehicles. Your guides will provide commentary on AWC’s conservation programs, all whilst travelling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Kimberley. Visit Cadjeput waterhole on the upper Fitzroy River, where we’ll enjoy a swim and a picnic lunch. This afternoon we return to the wilderness camp where the remainder of the day can be spent at your leisure.

Tonight, enjoy an outdoor slide show highlighting how AWC are tackling some of the most significant ecological challenges in the Kimberley.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Mornington Wilderness Lodge

DAY 15: WINDJANA GORGE & TUNNEL CREEK

This morning it’s back to the Gibb River Road before heading in to Windjana Gorge National Park. Teeming with wildlife, Windjana Gorge has been created by the Lennard River cutting its way through the limestone of the Napier Range. Enjoy a guided walk through the towering gorge which rises more than 100 metres above the floodplain. Next, we visit Tunnel Creek National Park for a fascinating underground river walk. This afternoon we arrive in Fitzroy Crossing for our overnight stay at the Fitzroy River Lodge.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel:  Fitzroy River Lodge

DAY 16: GEIKIE GORGE - DERBY - BROOME

Nature and geology lovers will delight as we head into Geikie Gorge National Park for a 1-hour cruise on the Fitzroy River. Then, head to Derby for a quick town tour before continuing to Broome.  We arrive late afternoon and check in to the luxurious Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa for our two-night stay.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel:  Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

DAY 17: HORIZONTAL FALLS - SEAPLANE & BOAT TOUR

Our journey is ending 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 our final dinner together and celebrate our adventure through the Kimberley.Note: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures have a weight restriction of 120kg

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel:  Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

DAY 17: FAREWELL

Enjoy breakfast and a leisurely morning at Cable Beach Club. We’ll then make sure you’re transferred to wherever you need to go. Bon Voyage!

Meals:  Breakfast