9 Day Broome to Darwin Small Group 4wd Tour

Day 1

The sun rises early in the Kimberley so there’s no point in sleeping in, we’ll pick you up from your Broome accommodation at 6am and head for the wilderness.

Leaving the comfort of the coastal community behind we head East for what many consider to be one of the last great expanses of rugged wilderness areas remaining in the world, the mighty Kimberley Region of Northern Western Australia.

Our first stop is the famous prison tree near Derby, a huge hollowed out Boab tree which was used as a prison in the early pioneering days, this is not only an amazing natural wonder but also gives us an insight into to challenging relationship between the early settlers and Aboriginal people of the Kimberley.

Next we head to Windjana Gorge, a huge gorge cut into the ranges over millennium to reveal beautiful scenery of high vertical cliffs, sandy beaches and meandering creek. We head off on a hike at Windjana of about 4km and often see freshwater crocodiles swimming in the clear waterholes.

From Windjana it’s off to our first wilderness bush camp.

Bush camping is a great experience whether you are an experienced outback drover or first time city slicker, there is nothing like finding a great spot of wilderness in the middle of nowhere, setting up a campfire, cooking up a feast on the fire and then rolling out the swags under the Kimberley night sky.

Tents are provided for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.

Summary

• Depart Broome
• Boab Prison Tree
• Windjana Gorge
• Hiking: 2 – 4km
• Camp: Bush Camp

Day 2

With no roof over our heads the breaking dawn is our new alarm clock and we rise early. The mobile phones get packed up with the camping gear as they become useless and we head off nice and early for our first activity, exploring Tunnel Creek.

Tunnel Creek is an amazing natural phenomenon and holds great significance to the local Aboriginal people, and getting there early normally guarantees we have the place for ourselves. It is a 750 metre long stretch of creek, which runs underground through one of the oldest cave systems in Western Australia. Many aboriginal rock paintings are present in the cave and it was a hideout of the Aboriginal warrior, Jandamarra in 1897.

From Tunnel Creek we get on the Gibb River Road, a 700km long outback dirt road which runs between Derby and Kununurra, it’s not the easiest route, the track is often rough, there are a number or deep water crossings and a 4WD vehicle is essential. However it’s an amazing travel route as along the length of the Gibb River Road are vast tracts of wilderness and numerous rivers, gorges and waterfalls to explore.

The first water fall is Bell Gorge. After a 20-minute walk we come to a beautiful creek, which flows through the centre of this impressive gorge and cascades over numerous falls. A deep swimming hole at the base of the main waterfall, surrounded by shady ledges and high cliffs, is an ideal lunch spot.

From Bell Gorge we push on along the Gibb for a little before finding our 2nd bush Camp for the night, another remote wilderness location where we collect firewood, set up camp and settle in for the night.

Summary

• Tunnel Creek
• Gibb River Road
• Bell Gorge
• Hiking: 4km
• Camp: Bush camp

Day 3

Another day of adventure awaits.

Emerging from camp it’s back on the Gibb River Road and onto Manning Gorge where we spend most of the day.

White sandy beaches with a Pandanus tree lined waterway opening into a wide clear waterhole greet us only minutes after starting the walk. We must swim across the river before following a trail leading to the top of gorge. The gorge has a waterfall plus a deep wide swimming hole surrounded by granite cliffs & rock outcrops. It is a spectacular setting with hidden examples of Aboriginal Rock Art.

The return route from manning Gorge is a little less conventional as we swim and rock hop along the creek before reaching the main waterhole where it started.

Depending on the time available, Galvans and / or Adcock Gorge’s are also visited.

On departing Manning we locate our bush camp on the sandy banks of the Gibb River under the gum trees.

Summary

• Gibb River Road
• Manning Gorge
• Hikes: 5km
• Camp: Bush camp

Day 4

An early morning swim in cool waters of the Gibb River is a great way to wake up.

From our camp the day starts with a short walk to a little known Aboriginal Art site containing some fine examples of Rock Art and your guide will be able to explain the significance of the paintings.

From here it’s back on “The Gibb” where we continue on our Easterly trek. Arriving at the Pentecost River we are presented with an incredible landscape of a wide river surrounded by rugged Cockburn Ranges, a classic Kimberley scene.

Here we need to drive the 4WD through the Pentecost River, driving a vehicle across a 60 metre wide outback river which is occupied by Salt Water Crocodiles is not something you do every day, but it’s only way through so across we go.

A short distance from the Pentecost is El Questro Station, home of more beautiful landscapes, one of which is Emma Falls. A hike through a spectacular gorge takes us to very high and narrow falls with a deep cool plunge pool where we can swim.

Another bush camp under the stars awaits us.

Summary

• Emma Falls
• El Questro
• Gibb River Rd
• Pentacost river
• Hikes: 3km
• Camp: Bush camp

Day 5

One of the highlights of this Kimberley trip is Purnululu National Park, more commonly known as the Bungle Bungles.

We spend 2 days in this region hiking and exploring the Gorges and amazing landscapes the area contains. The long and dusty track into the Bungles is spectacular; it winds its way through valleys, over ranges and through creeks before arriving at what must be one of the world’s most unique landscapes.

After locating our campsite we head off for Echidna Chasm for a hike into the domes, following a creek to it’s source at a narrow passage buried within the Bungles.

The day ends with a spectacular sunset from a hill top vantage point.

Summary

• Bungle Bungles
• Echidna Chasm
• Bungle sunset
• Hike: 3 – 4 km
• Camp: Purnululu National Park Campsite

Day 6

With an early rise we are able to take advantage of a spectacular Bungle Bungles sunrise, from our vantage point we watch the show with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast from a remote location.

A short drive from the sunrise area is the trailhead for the Cathedral Gorge hike, a spectacular hike though the beehive formations to Cathedral Gorge. The gorge itself is one of the most impressive geological formations you are likely to see anywhere.

From here there is the opportunity to take a scenic flight over the Bungles, helicopter rides from 18 minutes are available. From the air the bungles take on a completely new perspective and the open chopper is sensational. Scenic flights are at your own expense and organised on the day.

Another bush camp awaits, this time on a lovely creek with a sandy beach.

Summary

• Bungle Sunrise
• Cathedral Gorge
• Beehive Formations
• Optional scenic flight
• Hikes: 3km
• Camp: Bush camp

Day 7

From our bush camp we head for Kununurra, the first sign of civilisation we have seen for a week. As we approach town the mobile phones start beeping and we take the opportunity to catch up on the world with some free time in this classic outback town while your guide replenishes supplies.

From Kununurra we head to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as the highlight of the tour. Lake Argyle is a huge freshwater lake teaming with wildlife, from wallabies in the rocky shores, to freshwater crocodiles to birdlife. We board a boat where a local guide shows us the lake, there is time to swim before we watch sunset from the water and then camp on one of the remote islands.

This is a great experience, knowing you are the only people on a single island in the middle of one of the most remote lakes in the world is unforgettable.

We have a campfire, the sky is full of stars and the cool water is inviting to those brave souls who want a midnight swim.

Summary

• Kununurra
• Lake Argyle Cruise
• Lake Argyle Island camp
• Walking: 1km
• Camp: Bush Camp on Island

Day 8

The sunrise from our island camp is again unforgettable.

We pack up camp, re-board the boat and head back to our vehicle.

From Lake Argyle we push East towards the Northern Territory border and Keep River National Park.

Keep River is another amazing location where there are a number of hikes we can take before settling down for another bush camp.

Summary

• Return to Vehicle
• Victoria Hwy
• Keep River National Park
• Walking: 2 – 4km
• Camp: Bush camp

Day 9

On the final day of our big adventure we arrive in Katherine. Depending on the time available we explore Katherine Gorge or Edith falls, both offer more adventure, swimming and spectacular landscapes.

We normally arrive into Darwin at around 6pm, your guide will conclude the tour by dropping you off at your accommodation.

Summary

• Katherine Gorge or Edit Falls
• End in Darwin
• Walking: 2 – 4km