17 Day Kimberley And The Top End
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
River cruises are a relaxed, informal way to travel - there are fewer passengers on board compared to an ocean cruise, which means ample opportunity to make lifelong friends. You will pass through the world's most loved cities and towns; disembark and enjoy a shore excursion or two, or simply wander around and explore on your own.
✓ Travel with Australian Pacific Touring
✓ Experiences in 24 destinations
✓ Locally inspired dining - a total of 47 meals
✓ The services of an expert APT driver-guide
✓ Stay at APT's exclusive network of Wilderness Lodges
✓ Toast the day with a glass of bubbly as the sun sets over the Bungle Bungle Range
✓ Relax as you soak in Zebedee Springs and leave feeling revitalised
✓ Soar over Mitchell Falls on an included helicopter flight
✓ Admire ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Arrive in Darwin and this evening enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel before your fascinating journey continues.
Depart Darwin and travel across the sweeping wetlands of the Marrakai Plains to Kakadu National Park. Today visit the sacred site of Ubirr and explore its galleries of ancient Indigenous rock art. The magnificent rock faces have been continuously painted and repainted since 40,000BC, with most created approximately 2,000 years ago.
With a local guide, cross the East Alligator River into spiritual Arnhem Land to experience the natural beauty of the region. Later, return to Kakadu and enjoy the art and billabongs of Cannon Hill and Hawk Dreaming.
Travel to stunning Kakadu, the Northern Territory’s best known national park. Cruise the famous Yellow Water Billabong. Here, wildlife abounds and local a guide will give you great insights into how the Bininj people use the flora and fauna to support their way of life. Later travel to Katherine and enjoy canapes and drinks at the beautiful Cicada Lodge, before indulging in an exceptional gourmet three-course meal.
Head to the beautiful Nitmiluk National Park, before boarding an unforgettable cruise through the spectacular Katherine Gorge. Discover the music, stories and ways of the local Jawoyn people as you learn about their spiritual culture. Afterwards, travel into Western Australia.
Travel to the majestic Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From a modern shaded vessel, discover a fascinating ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River at two locations to create an area rich in wildlife, flora and undeniable beauty. This evening, enjoy dinner at your resort.
Travel to Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungle Range. Hike to Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the rock.
Hike to Piccaninny Creek and through to the spectacular Cathedral Gorge. Perhaps indulge in an optional helicopter flight – own expense.
Signature Experience: This evening, enjoy drinks as the sun sets over the Bungle Bungle massif.
Farewell the Bungle Bungle Range and travel to El Questro, a million-acre cattle station in the heart of the Kimberley. Stay two nights immersed in nature to explore this primordial setting.
Discover the amazing wonders of El Questro today. After lunch, head to the beautiful Zebedee Springs, a permanent natural thermal spring tucked away in a secluded pocket of rainforest. Return to Emma Gorge and enjoy dinner later this evening.
Journey along the Gibb River Road to arrive at Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge. Enjoy the facilities of the lodge’s Ungolan Pavilion, where you can relax in the lounge, treat yourself to a drink or read up on the local culture.
Discover Mitchell Falls, a true highlight of your Kimberley adventure. Where possible, a local Indigenous guide will join you, providing a unique insight into the region. Begin with a hike to Little Mertens Falls to view rare Aboriginal art. Continue on to Big Mertens Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls.
Signature Experience: Board an included helicopter flight over the tiered falls.
Re-join the Kalumburu Road and travel to Drysdale River Station.
Signature Experience: Explore the Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art galleries.
Journey to the beautiful Manning Gorge where you can spot local birdlife as you enjoy lunch in the shade of a gum tree. Continue to Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole. Admire the rock art adorning the gorge walls or indulge in a leisurely swim.
Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. Sitting approximately 300 metres above sea level, Bell Gorge is an idyllic natural spot for swimming and photography. Here you can also enjoy a spot of bird-watching. Should you be feeling particularly energetic, you may take the opportunity to hike to the lower pool of the gorge and enjoy a relaxing dip below the cascading waterfall.
Journey to Windjana Gorge, where cliffs tower above white sands. Wade through Tunnel Creek to the stunning oasis beyond. Travel to Broome and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Be transferred to Broome Airport for your flight home.
Designed Exclusively for APT guests
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost.
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
For all international voyages, it is the traveller's responsibility to ensure that they have a valid passport and they meet the visa requirement. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au or https://safetravel.govt.nz/ for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.