Kimberley Darwin to Broome Mitchell Falls Tour with Bungle Bungles, El Questro, Litchfield or Katherine 13 Days

Make the Most of Your Journey  – Combine spectacular Kimberley scenery with Top End treats with this Kimberley Darwin to Broome via Mitchell Falls Tours 13 days. Experience incredible rock art galleries – learn about Aboriginal culture, lore, men and women’s business, spirituality, bush medicines and food, language and history, ceremony, song and dance.  Visit special Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) Aboriginal rock art sites. A unique opportunity to learn ancient wisdom, recreating community and nature. These are enriching and fulfilling experiences in the land of the world’s longest surviving culture.

Day 1 – Day prior main tour from Darwin – Litchfield National Park  – Explore Litchfield National Park, one of the Territory’s major attractions. View spectacular features such as Magnetic Termite Mounds towering on the grassland plains, and majestic waterfalls. Discover numerous permanent waterfalls such as Tolmer, Wangi and Florence Falls and watch as they cascade from the sandstone plateaus of the Tabletop Range to create beautiful swimming holes throughout the park. You have the opportunity to swim, and take photographs of beautiful Buley Rockhole lunch and various walks and swims at the other waterfals. Travellers willing and time permitting we also drive into the fascinating Lost City consisting of towering sandstone towers resembling an ancient city. Departing Litchfield we travel via the Stuart Highway via Pine Creek (Ghan history) and Katherine, the NT’s 3rd largest town. Overnight Katherine LD

Day 2 – Overland to Kununurra we head west on the Victoria Highway (part of the Savannah Way) and pass through rich cattlecountry and spectacular rugged mountain landscapes through Gregory National Park to Victoria River and Timber Creek. Enjoy views of the Stokes Range. We travel to cross the NT/WA state border and arrive in Kununurra for stocking fresh supplies. We view the Ord River Scheme. Continue south on the Savannah Way to overnight at Bungle Bungles Safari Camp on Mabel Down Station adjacent Bungle Bungles. BLD

Day 3 – Today we 4WD tour and walk in the Bungles Bungles in Purnululu National Park.Marvel at this high energy amazing orange and black striped beehive landscape formed by giant river systems. Walk the spectacular Cathedral Gorge, Beehive Domes and Picaninny Creek and after lunch a walk in Echidna Gorge. Optional scenic helicopter flight available. Overnight Bungle Bungles Safari Park. BLD

Day 4 –  Check out the fabulous Aboriginal art galleries displaying local works, and time permitting the Sandalwood Factory & plantations of the Ord River Scheme.  Depart for Wyndham, and Parrys Lagoon, a RAMSAR site and attracting massive numbers of migratory and local wetlands birds including Brolga, Jabiru, Whistling Ducks, Magpie Geese, waders and many more. We drive to the top of the mountain to Five Rivers Lookout to view the Ord, Durack, Pentecost, King and Forrest Rivers and the Cockburn Range, and country depicted in the Baz Luhrmann movie Australia. After lunch we commence on the Gibb River Road to arrive at Emma Gorge on El Questro Station for a walk to the waterfall and swimming hole. El Questro is a million acres of spectacular Kimberley scenery, rivers and gorges. Overnight El Questro.

Day 5 – Relax and soak up the healing warm waters of Zebedee hot springs, before exploring more of the El Questro treats including Jackaros Waterhole and a walk in Amelia or El Questro Gorge, then a Chamberlain Gorge cruise, and views of El Questro and the Chamberlain River & Pentecost Rivers from Pigeon Lookout. Relax for a second night at El Questro. Dinner in restaurant own expense. BL

Day 6  – Departing ELQ we journey the scenic and spectacular Gibb River Road  via the  Cockburn Range,  and many boab trees to cross  the mighty Pentecost River and view from a high vantage point. We visit Home Valley Station and stop to view some special Aboriginal rock art including Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gion Gion) rock art.  The days journey takes us through varying terrain including high mountains and “jump ups”, and some great river crossings as we travel from East to West Kimberley. Enjoy a break at a bird lovers billabong. We take a right turn at the Kulumburu Rd, and can enjoy a cool drink at the bar of the famous working cattle station,  Drysdale River Station.  There’s always news to catch up with here, and some tall tales from travellers and locals at this remote Kimberley cattle station. After refuelling we carry on up the Kalumburu Road through spectacular vegetation including cycads, pandanas palms and rainforests and ford the King  Edward River before our  overnight on Mitchell Plateau at the King Edward River where we overnight after an optional swim in the river by beautiful Kimberley paperbark trees.   BLD

Day 7 – Today we traverse the  Mitchell   Plateau to  Mitchell Falls  and do the easy 2 hour downhill walk via spectacular swimming pools and waterfalls. If preferring not to walk the Mitchell Falls track, a helicopter transfer is available for approximately $140 each. On the walk we view several large rock art galleries with Wandjina and Bradshaw / Gwion Gwion rock art (including Thylacine / Tasmanian Tiger ) and swim in these beautiful clear fresh waters.  This is one of the most remote areas of Australia. We view the 4 tiered Mitchell Falls from various vantage points, as we have a couple of hours to relax and swim in these pristine, energized waters. We take the easy way out with the thrill of a spectacular helicopter flight ride over the Mitchell Falls & Merton Falls for a once in a lifetime view of this vast landscape and coastline. Options also available for extended flights to coastal areas (need to pre book with Spirit Safaris). Overnight on Mitchell Plateau at our King Edward River base (or accommodation if pre arranged).  BLD

Day 8 – Before leaving this area, we visit vast galleries of the Munurru Aboriginal rock art including Wandjina & Bradshaw / Gwion Gwion rock art. Today is down the Gibb River Rd with morning tea by the Drysdale River – a great opportunity for bird watching or just enjoying the water and pandanas palms. Back on the Gibb River Rd we cross the Hann River visit Mt Barnett Roadhouse and after lunch take a short and easy walk to the beautiful Galvans Gorge with an optional swim. We leave the Gibb to detour to Mt Elizabeth station for overnight. BLD.

Day 9 – More great rock art today as we take a station tour and big Wandjina rock art. The rock art here is some of the finest Bradshaw / Gwion Gwion work, and has been well cared for by local custodians. Enjoy a swim in the waterhole, and a relaxing afternoon before overnight. BLD

Day 10 – Back on the Gibb, we take a short (500m) walk to Galvan’s Gorge for good swimming and photos too!  In the afternoon travel through spectacular Kimberley scenery to Imitji Aboriginal community and Imitji store, then enter the King Leopold Conservation  Area and head for Bell Gorge and Silent Grove where we settle in for the evening or at the Bell Gorge / Imitji safari camp accommodation (if accommodation upgrade is booked). BLD

Day 11 –   After a short walk to the spectacular waterfall and swimming hole of Bell Gorge, we return to the Gibb River Rd and travel through the spectacular scenery of the King Leopold Ranges and pass through the Napier Range, with the rock face likeness of Queen Victoria’s Head before morning tea, then Windjana Gorge National Park and a walk in  Windjana Gorge with the abundant wildlife and numerous freshwater crocodiles in this eerie, ancient seabed environment. We then follow the  Devonian Reef / Napier Range road to Tunnel Creek National Park with its many boab trees and picturesque complex shapes to Tunnel Creek. Here we don our torches and shorts to wade through this incredible underground river system full of stalagmites and stalactites and  even an underground spring. This is where the Aboriginal freedom fighter Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance was centred in the 1890s, depicted in 2 novels and a recent stage production. After our walk in the shady and refreshing underground river cave system, we follow the ranges and cross through them again, to arrive Fitzroy Crossing  for overnight. BLD

Day 12 – Enjoy a relaxing Geike Gorge Fitzroy River cruise and marvel at the high cliffs, annual flood records, stunning wildlife and river tales from our knowledgeable local guide. Enjoy a visit to the local Aboriginal art centre then a comfortable highway cruising toward Derby, to visit the famous prison Boab tree, and then Derby highlights including the Derby wharf (30 ft tides!) on King Sound, the worlds longest cattle drinking trough at Myalls Bore, the new Mowanjum Aboriginal Art Centre (opportunity to meet the artists, learn and buy from source) at Mowanjum Aboriginal Community. Depart Derby for Broome and on the way, see some of the biggest and oldest Boab trees in the Kimberley, including the infamous Prison Boab Tree. We arrive Broome and Cable Beach for the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant before overnight in Broome. BLD 

Day 13 – Tour completes at 10 am or Add the The Horizontal Waterfalls –  (extra cost $850 for 1/2 day flight with jetboat)  Horizontal Water falls flight adventure has morning and afternoon options, and includes 14 seat turbo prop jet seaplane flying directly from Broome to the Horizontal Falls.There you board a  900hp fast boat, the fastest boat in the Kimberley. Experience an exhilarating thrill ride through the falls with our highly experienced skipper. Now it’s time to sit back and relax as you cruise through the spectacular untouched surrounding bays and creeks. Experience the thrill of swimming in a huge croc/shark free cage and feeding our friendly fish.  Enjoy a cooked breakfast or Barramundi BBQ lunch on board a luxury vessel as you take in the breath taking scenery. Have your camera ready as you take off from Talbot Bay, flying low across the Buccaneer Archipelago, Cape Leveque, Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Cable Beach and Broome township prior to landing.

Inclusions

• Bungle Bungles flight & ground tour and walk into Cathedral & Picanninny Creek
• Mitchell Falls walks and helicopter flight close and over the falls.
• Time for Horizontal Falls Seaplane flight & Jetboat through the Falls – (extra Cost $850 for 1/2 day)
• Cruise Chamberlain River Gorge at El Questro
• Exceptional Aboriginal rock art – Wandjina, Bradshaw, Gwion Gwion
• Professional and experienced driver / guides
• Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people enriches experiences
• Access to remote areas and rock art sites unreachable by most tour vehicles
• Delicious meals as shown , including vegetarian optional.
• Accommodated sleeping or comfy camping – Your choice – Camp gear is modern and easy to use.
• All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees
  Aboriginal Art community visits for “direct from artist” purchases
• Contributions of tour price supports Outback Kids and nature care programs.
• You – and Your involvement in a creation much bigger than most can imagine

Exclusions

• 2 dinners own purchase in restaurants, Alcohol
• Accommodation upgrades if required. Available most nights if pre booked
• Flights to and from departure points

13 Day Kimberley Darwin to Broome Mitchell Falls Tours with Bungle Bungles, El Questro Mitchell Falls

Accommodation is available in several locations. -  see extras when booking