Kimberley Broome to Broome El Questro Bungles Manning Gorge Falls Lake Argyle 10 Day Tour

Kimberley Broome to Broome Manning Gorge Manning Gorge & Falls walk Lake Argyle 10 Day Tour via Bungle Bungles, El Questro plus Fitzroy Crossing with Geikie Gorge cruise on Fitzroy River, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Imitji, King Leopold Ranges, Galvans Gorge, Manning Gorge, Mt Barnett, El Questro, Zebedee Hot Springs, Bungle Bungles walks & optional heli flight. Opportunity to meet Aboriginal elders and artists, visit Wandjina and Bradshaw rock art sites, swim in pristine waterholes on this Gibb River Road tour. Fully accommodated (extra cost) or camping rate shown.

Wrap up the Top End – Combine spectacular Kimberley scenery with Top End treats. 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.

Day 1 – Depart Broome 10 am ( or as agreed) to travel via the vast savannah grasslands, majestic Boab trees and powerful mountains of the Western Kimberley crossing the Fitzroy River near Willare on the Fitzroy River before we visit the infamous prison Boab tree with its insights into past and more recent history and cultural significance. We then commence our journey on the Gibb River Road for heading for Tunnel Creek. We bypass Windjana Gorge and save it for our return and last night on the Gibb River Road. Our route follows the Devonian Reef / Napier Range to Tunnel Creek National Park with its many boab trees and picturesque complex shapes. After lunch we don torches and shorts to wade through this incredible underground river system full of active 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 system, we follow the boab clad ranges and then cross through them again, to travel through sweeping Kimberley grasslands and cattle country to cross the flood plains of the Fitzroy River. Check in at our overnight stop at Fitzroy Crossing before a relaxing night and tasty evening meal, with a chance to meet some of the locals. Dinner tonight own expense at restaurant L

Day 2 – After breakfast enjoy a relaxing Darngku Geike Gorge river cruise on the vast Fitzroy River, and marvel at the high cliffs, annual flood records, stunning wildlife and river tales from our knowledgeable local guide. There is time to check out the local Aboriginal Art Centre and take a look around Fitzroy Crossing which is an education and supply centre for surrounding cattle stations and Aboriginal communities. After a morning cuppa, our journey continues via Mesa & mountain country and we take a photo stop at the scenic  Ngumban Cliffs, where the grey limestone Devonian Reef meets the red sandstone and latertite layers of the Canning Basin. We take a lunch break at the scenic and bird lovers Marys Pool on the Mary River. Halls Creek is next with its gold mining history including the tale of Russian Jack, before the local Aboriginal Art Centre (time permitting). Travel on to Mabel Downs Cattle Station and to the Bungles Bungles Safari Park for overnight. BLD

Day 3 – Today we drive amongst the domes as we enter the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park to marvel at this high-energy amazing orange and black striped beehive landscape formed by giant river systems. Walk the spectacular Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Creek. After lunch a walk in Echidna Gorge. Optional scenic helicopter flights also available approx $280 for 18 minutes – fantastic. Please ask – pre-booking is recommended. Overnight at Bungle Bungles Safari Camp. BLD

Day 4 – We farewell the Bungle Bungles today and stop at Turkey Creek and the Warmun Aboriginal Art Centre – where Rover Thomas and numerous other famous Aboriginal artists emerged.  Here you can view the latest works, meet the artists and find some bargain art. After Turkey Creek, we travel through spectacular rugged granite mountain ranges past the Argyle Diamond Mine for then relax with a sunset cruise on Lake Argyle and optional swim. Overnight at Lake Argyle Village Resort. BLD

Day 5 – This morning there is time to enjoy the infinity swimming pool at the resort before we visit the restored Durack Homestead. The original homestead was the base for Patsy Durack the cattle king who was one of the pioneers who drove around 200,000 cattle to the Kimberley in the 1890s. The homestead has been rebuilt in its original form after recovery from the flooding of Lake Argyle. We then depart for Kununurra, a prosperous productive centre of mining, agriculture, tourism and Aboriginal art. Kununurra highlights include the Ord River Scheme and the Sandalwood factory. We stock up here and check out the local Aboriginal art galleries before heading to Five Rivers Lookout overlooking the spectacular Cambridge Gulf and Wyndham. We also visit Parry’s Lagoon for the rich wetlands bird life including Jabirus and Brolgas. We then join the Gibb River Rd, to arrive at El Questro resort for a late afternoon relax at the resort. El Questro is a million acres of spectacular Kimberley scenery, mountains, rivers and gorges. Dinner at ELQ restaurant own expense. BL Overnight at El Questro

Day 6 – El Questro Wilderness Resort is a million acres of spectacular Kimberley scenery, rivers and gorges. Here is where the movie Australia was filmed, nestled under the Cockburn Ranges. This morning soak up the relaxing Zebedee hot springs, enjoy a walk in spectacular Emma Gorge or alternative El Questro or Amelia Gorge, before a cruise on the Chamberlain River Gorge. Alternatively relax and swim in the river waterhole at the resort. This evening sunset viewing from Pigeon Lookout over the Pentecost River. Overnight at El Questro. BLD.

Day 7 – Today we journey the scenic and spectacular Gibb River Road via Cockburn Range, to cross the mighty Pentecost River and view this ancient sweeping river and landscape from a high vantage point. Enjoy the Durack River, and another river crossing. View Aboriginal rock art including Wandjina and Bradshaw’s (Gwion Gwion). We cross the Hann and Barnett Rivers, to Mt Barnett Roadhouse, then to our overnight at Manning Gorge waterhole. This is one of the gems of the Kimberley, for a swim and play and relax. BLD

Day 8 – This morning we take the 3-4 hour return hike to spectacular Manning Gorge Falls with more rock art and great swimming at the falls. On return, we visit Enjoy picturesque Galvans Gorge with more Wandjina rock art, great scenery, and good swimming and photos too!  We travel through spectacular Kimberley woodlands and river crossings to the Imitji store and Aboriginal community and art centre. Overnight at Bell Gorge / Imitji Safari Camp. BLD

Day 9 – Today after a short drive, we take the 2 km walk into Bell Gorge (Dalmanyi). Enroute we may spot rock wallabies and plenty of bird life, and have the opportunity to access 2 levels of the falls and a good hour of play or relaxing by the waterfall. After our swim and lunch, we drive through the King Leopold Conservation Park now renamed Wunaamin Conservation Park with (great views at lookouts) via Inglis Gap then through unique geology and the Napier Range at Queen Victoria Pass. We cross the Lennard River, and turn into our overnight at Windjana Gorge. BLD

Day 10 - Enjoy an early morning walk in Windjana Gorge at this special creation “waterhole”. Here is an abundance of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles in this eerie, ancient seabed environment. After breakfast, we head off for the scenic drive through spectacular Kimberley range and cattle country.  We arrive Derby and visit the new Mowanjum Aboriginal Art Centre (opportunity to meet artists, learn and buy from source) at Mowanjum Aboriginal Community and then Derby highlights including the Derby wharf (30 ft. / 10 m tides!) on King Sound. Depart Derby for Broome to arrive late afternoon to enjoy the sunset at Cable Beach over the Indian Ocean. Tour completes in Broome. This night's accommodation own arrangements. BL

Inclusions

• Bungle Bungles tour and walk into Cathedral & Picaninny Creek and Echidna Chasm
• Cruise Lake Argyle, Chamberlain River Gorge at El Questro & Geike Gorge at Fitzroy Crossing
• Exceptional Aboriginal rock art – Wandjina, Bradshaw, Gwion Gwion
• Professional and experienced driver / guide
• 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 options.
• Comfy camping with modern easy to use camp gear.
  
• Optional Accommodation upgrades are available some locations.
• 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