Kimberley Tour Package 10 Days/ 9 Nights
Route: Broome - Horizontal Falls - Derby - Fitzroy Crossing - Bungle Bungles - Kununurra
Day 1
We have ten wonderful days of touring ahead of us and we start the day with a visit to the Pearl Luggers Tour. Learn about the pearl industry and the great history that goes with it. Discover how the regions rare Australian pearl is produced and check out the stunning display of pearls in the showroom. It is time to depart Broome and we travel to Derby.
After lunch we explore parts of Derby and surrounds. Travel to the famous Boab Prison Tree believed to be over 1500 years old. Walk to the longest water trough nearby which could water 500 bullocks to the same time without running dry. Next up is the Mowanjum Indigenous Art Centre. It features authentic Aboriginal Art from Mowanjum Community and out-stations. Back in town we head to the Derby jetty. Derby is located on the edge of the King Sound with the highest tides of any Australian port. The beaches are not golden silky sand but mudflats, mangrove's and swamps. We will set up our deck chairs along the Derby jetty and click away at the rush of the tidal water coming in. The next two nights are spent in the beautiful apartments of the Derby Lodge.
Derby Lodge, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
A fabulous day ahead of us today. Step on board a turbo prop seaplane and enjoy a morning flight directly to the Horizontal Falls. Experience the thrill of riding through the falls on the fastest boat in the Kimberley. With our heart back to normal we cruise through the spectacular untouched surrounding bays and creeks. On board a fixed luxury vessel, we enjoy lunch and a swim in the croc and shark free cage getting up close to the local residents. Now we will discover that time really does slow down in the Kimberley. After lunch we will head back out to see the tidal changes at the Horizontal Falls. With cameras ready for stunning photographs we take a low level scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago and King Sound as we return to Derby. Enjoy some down time in Derby or do a little shopping late afternoon.
Derby Lodge, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
We start the morning with a visit to the Waharfinger's House Museum and the Norval Art Gallery. The gallery is run by Kimberley artists Mark and Mary located in an old tin shed on the edge of town. You will find amazing art work here, including a wonderful and unique collection of carved boab tree nuts. After lunch we take on the journey to Fitzroy Crossing and make our way to the Fitzroy River Lodge. Check in and join back for a delicious group dinner.
Fitzroy River Lodge En-suited Safari Tents, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Today we explore Geike Gorge. It was formed by the Fitzroy River and the level of the river in the wet season can rise by up to 16.5 metres. The limestone walls where originally formed by coral reef, algae and lime secreting organisms that are now extinct. The remains of the reef stand up to 100 metres above the plains as the mighty Fitzroy courses through them. Geike Gorge is the best example of the Devonian time and we will take a couple of walks while learning about history, plants and bush medicine. The freshwater crocodiles that line the river will watch us warily and we will learn about their lifestyle as we take a fabulous cruise through their natural habitat. On our way back to the Lodge, we stop at the historic townsite and crossing. Fitzroy River Lodge En-suited Safari Tents, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Sit back and enjoy the drive as we travel through open grasslands and vast floodplains to halls Creek and the Bungle Bungle National Park. We check into our custom built en-suited safari tents for the next two nights. Take in the sheer magnitude of Purnululu National Park with an optional 40 minute scenic helicopter flight over the breath-taking Bungle Bungle Range, Ord River and Echidna Chasm mid-afternoon. Or just kick back and relax in comfort.
Bungles Bungles En-suited Safari Tents
, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Purnululu means "sandstone" a name given to the area by the traditional owners of the land the Kitja people. This National Park was World Heritage Listed in 2003. Today is spent exploring various parts of this unique National Park where the highest peaks reach 578 metres above sea level and the famous sandstone domes, unusual and visually striking with their striping in alternating orange and grey bands.
Walk to Cathedral Gorge a large natural amphitheatre. Sit on the rock ledges, listen to the acoustics and absorb the atmosphere. Good walkers have time to the Piccaninny Lookout along the creek bed. After lunch we explore Echidna Chasm, another stunning feature of Purnululu National Park. Our full day in the Bungles Bungles is sure to be one of the many highlights on this Kimberley Tour.
Bungles Bungles En-suited Safari Tents, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 After a good night rest it is time to depart this World Heritage Area. We continue our journey onto Kununurra located on the eastern edge of the Kimberley and home to plantations of sandalwood, mangoes, citrus, chia and melons. Upon arrival we visit the local Sandalwood Factory, a great place to learn, smell and buy some great gifts for home. We finish the day with a refreshing visit to the Hoochery Distillery, the makers of the finest rum in the West. Taste the award winning rum, whiskey or coffee liqueur. We make our way to the Ibis Styles Hotel, our home for the next two nights. There is time for a walk to the local Lily Lagoon surrounded by boab trees and home to an array of birds. Watch the sunset before joining back for dinner.
IBIS Styles Hotel Kununurra
, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Get up early and join for a sunrise walk in the Mirima National Park, also known as Hidden Valley National Park or the Mini Bungle Bungles with its 350 million year old rock formations. Have breakfast back at the hotel and get ready for a fabulous day ahead.
We start with a 70 km informative coach tour to Lake Argyle along one of Australia's most scenic drives. At Lake Argyle we will drop by the historic Durack Homestead Museum before visiting the Lake Argyle Resort and Infinity Pool. After a brief comfort stop we will board the Kimberley Durack, for our awe inspiring 3 hour Lake Argyle Luncheon Cruise including a swim in the pristine waters. We return by a spectacular boat cruise down the Ord River through Carlton Gorge and Lake Kununurra, where we will enjoy stunning scenery and an array of wildlife, including crocodiles, flying foxes and birds. We take a very short drive back to the Ibis Hotel for a second night.
IBIS Styles Hotel Kununurra
, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 A Farewell to the Kimberley as we travel through Timber Creek, Victoria River and onto Katherine. Enjoy some free time late afternoon and swim or relax at the hotel pool.
IBIS Styles Hotel Katherine
, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Our last day has arrived, but we have got another wonderful boat tour up our sleeves. We drive to Nitmiluk National Park and enjoy a 2 hour cruise on the renowned Katherine River. Katherine Gorge was carved through ancient sandstone, with sheer towering rock walls and it is certain to impress everyone. Back on the bus we take on the last stretch to Darwin stopping in Adelaide River, where we view the War Cemetery, the resting place of WWII service men and women. We arrive into Darwin around 5pm and join back for dinner at the Fannie Bay Sailing Club.
Argus Hotel Darwin, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner