FULL 8-DAY ITINERARY - 'OUTBACK SPIRIT'
DAY 1: YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS IN DARWIN
Upon your arrival in Darwin today you’ll be greeted by your friendly Outback Spirit tour driver and transferred to the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, positioned along the city’s Esplanade. This evening, meet your fellow adventurers over dinner and a briefing on the days ahead.
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton
DAY 2: DARWIN - JOSEPH BONAPARTE GULF - FARAWAY BAY
This morning we head back to Darwin airport to board our Cessna Grand Caravan EX. Purchased new by Outback Spirit in 2018, this state-of-the-art aircraft features a high wing for excellent visibility, air-conditioning, advanced avionics and turbine reliability.
This morning’s scenic flight will take us south west over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and some of the Kimberley’s pristine coastline. Before landing at Faraway Bay, we’ll fly over the magnificent King George Falls - an incredible sight from the air. Upon setting down at Faraway Bay airstrip we’ll be greeted by their friendly team and transferred to the camp, where we spend the next 2 nights in rustic yet comfortable accommodation. All rooms feature 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 is free for you to relax and absorb this magical location. Perhaps enjoy a swim in the pool with views over the Timor Sea! Later in the afternoon savour some sunset drinks and experience the usual wet season lightning display before an appetising dinner in Eagle Lodge.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Faraway Bay
DAY 3: KING GEORGE FALLS MARINE ADVENTURE - BARRAMUNDI
Wake up to birdsong before breakfast in Eagle Lodge, made with produce from the Ord River region. We then embark on a marine adventure up the most photographed waterway in the Kimberley, the King George River. The river is one of WA’s most magnificent treasures, famous for its enormous twin waterfalls that stand over 70 metres 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).
King George Falls are simply spectacular and to view them in flood during the wet season is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget. While cruising back to the camp, those interested can try their hand at catching a barramundi!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Faraway Bay
DAY 4: MITCHELL PLATEAU ('NGAUWUDU')
This morning we head back to the airstrip for our 45-minute scenic flight to yet another iconic part of the Kimberley; the Mitchell Plateau. Home to the four-tiered Mitchell Falls and exquisite rock art galleries, the Mitchell Plateau is a truly unique part of the Kimberley. With all roads into the area closed at this time of year, the region is only accessible by aircraft.
Upon our arrival on the Mitchell Plateau we’ll be transferred to our exclusive Ngauwudu Safari Camp, where we’ll spend the next 3 nights. Check in and enjoy lunch before a familiarisation tour of the camp, including the private palm fringed swimming hole. This afternoon is free for you to relax before dinner in the restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Ngauwudu Safari Camp
DAY 5: HUNTER RIVER - DONKIN FALLS - INDIAN HEAD - MITCHELL FALLS
Today is all about experiencing the Mitchell River National Park by air. With most tracks in the area impassable due to swollen rivers, our main mode of transport for the next couple of days will be by helicopter, an exclusively chartered Bell Long Ranger. However, some of the areas we visit are only ever accessible by helicopter, regardless of the time of year.
Our first scenic helicopter flight takes us to the south west of the Mitchell Plateau to the mouth of the Hunter River. The scenery in this area is truly breathtaking! You’ll fly over Donkin Falls, Indian Head and the upper reaches of the Hunter River before flying east and landing at the majestic Mitchell Falls. We also fly over the Mitchell Falls themselves and after a couple of passes, we land and prepare for our ground tour.
There are four tiers to the Mitchell Falls and each one can generally be defined from the viewing area. However, during the wet season these 4 tiers turn into 1 or 2, thanks to the sheer amount of water flowing down the Mitchell River. The view from both the air and the ground can only be described as sensational. After the ground tour and some morning tea we’ll board our helicopter again for a scenic flight back to the camp for lunch.
This afternoon we head off on a 4WD ground tour to the impressive Lawley River lookout. If available, we’ll be accompanied by a local Indigenous guide from the Kandiwal Community. Travel through the palm forests of the Mitchell Plateau and learn about the cultural significance of this special area.
We return to camp late afternoon and enjoy another lightning show before sitting down for dinner under the floodlit Bloodwood tree.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Ngauwudu Safari Camp
DAY 6: NORTH TO KUNUNURRA
This morning we embark on our third scenic helicopter flight, this time down to the lower Mitchell Falls. This area is home to a number of stunning art galleries, some of which are among the most graphic in the Kimberley. Our expert guide will interpret the art work and give you a fascinating insight into its significance.
After visiting various art sites, we board the helicopter for our fourth scenic flight, this time taking in some of the magical Kimberley coastline. Following the Mitchell River, we’ll fly over Crystal Creek and out over Port Warrender before returning to the safari camp. Once back in camp, the afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Enjoy a swim or simply relax in your safari suite before dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Ngauwudu Safari Camp
DAY 7: MITCHELL PLATEAU - DARWIN
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ngauwudu and head to the airstrip for our 2-hour scenic flight back to Darwin. Upon arrival at the General Aviation terminal we’ll be transferred to the DoubleTree by Hilton for the final night of our adventure.
Tonight, we board the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise and celebrate a truly unique wet season experience.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton
DAY 8: FAREWELL
This morning you’ll be transferred to Darwin airport for your return flights home. Bon Voyage!
Included Meals: Breakfast