16 Day Kimberley & Mitchell Plateau Expedition

Welcome to Broome! 

Make your way to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to visit Sunset Bar & Grill famous for their cocktails overlooking the waterfront at Cable Beach.

Arrival & Check-in information:
Broome Airport is approximately 7km from town. A taxi ride will cost you approximately $20. Hotel check in is at 2pm. Should your room not be ready when you arrive, you will be welcome to leave your luggage in storage and use the pool, change room and storage facilities.

As we travel through the remote and beautiful Kimberley landscape, our guide shares stories of local history, people and the environment. Enjoy a morning tea break by the Fitzroy River and visit the Derby ‘Boab Prison Tree’ before we hit the Gibb River Road. Visit the fascinating Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Cultural Centre for an insight into the culture of the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal tribes and their supreme spirit being, the Wandjina. The afternoon is devoted to exploring Tunnel Creek, with our local Bunuba guide. In this 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, we discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. It is here we also learn the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800’s. Don’t miss a refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole. That night we settle into our first night under the Kimberley night sky.

In the morning we head off to Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge), a hidden highlight of the West Kimberley. This idyllic retreat, considered amongst the most beautiful in the area, boasts cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear pools formed over millions of years – an easy place to while away a few hours! Spend the day swimming in paradise: further up the Gibb River Road, we discover the cool waters of water lily-laden Galvans Gorge and stunning Adcock Gorge. Amid the rugged beauty of Manning Falls we swim in deep clear pools, relax, explore wandering streams, uncover local wildlife and take a dip in the waterfall pools. Overnight we camp by a billabong on Mt Barnett Cattle Station. 

Tonight we camp in a private safari camp which features tourer-style tents on platforms with twin beds and share ablution facilities nearby.

Spend another day exploring this incredible remote wilderness chasing waterfalls and waterholes with your guide.

Tonight we camp in a private safari camp which features tourer-style tents on platforms with twin beds and share ablution facilities nearby.

It is a very early start to kick off our two-day diversion to the majestic Mitchell Plateau: a highlight of the trip. The long drive through real 4WD country takes us up the rugged Kalumburu Road then onto the Mitchell Plateau Track – totally worth it! After crossing rivers and passing through ancient Livistonia palm forests, we emerge from the savannah and onto the Mitchell Plateau. With two nights camping in the National Park, we trek to Little and Big Merten Falls, take a dip in pristine plunge pools and view Bradshaw rock art. A return scenic helicopter flight offers a bird’s eye view of this extraordinary landscape

Today we continue exploring this unique corner of Australia.

Drysdale River Station is an oasis in the outback. This million-acre, family owned and operated cattle station, runs approximately 10,000 head of cattle and lies in the North Kimberley on the Gibb River Road. Hanging out in the true-blue Australian outback means you have all the magical scenery and feeling of isolation you could ask for. On arrival you may wish to explore the nearby surroundings or sit back and enjoy a cold drink in the beer garden, warm yourself around the log fire in the cool night air.

Our journey up the Gibb River Road continues to the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park. Two nights in our private campsite here allows free time to join one or more of the many activities on offer. We include a refreshing dip in the Zebedee Springs and walk into Emma Gorge while a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge (approximately $70 and booked while on tour), bush tucker walk or bird watching tour are amongst the many optional activities. You may choose to simply explore this beautiful wilderness park at your own leisure.  

Tonight we camp in a private safari camp which features tourer-style tents on platforms with twin beds and share ablution facilities nearby.

Spend another day exploring this incredible wilderness park with your guide.

We emerge from the Gibb River Road for a few hours free time in Kununurra. In the afternoon, travel onto the shores of the expansive Lake Argyle, the heart of the Ord River Irrigation System which has transformed this dry region into a lush agricultural oasis.

Tonight we camp in a private safari camp which features tourer-style tents on platforms with twin beds and share ablution facilities nearby.

A second night at Lake Argyle allows time to enjoy a refreshing afternoon swim in the Infinity Pool, with a magnificent view across the lake, and take up one of the many optional activities on offer such as scenic flights and kayak hire. You may like to join our guide to visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum or take on one of the many bush trails to explore the area. A sunset boat cruise on the lake is highly recommended (approx AU$100pp, own expense & booked while on tour).

Journey south down the Great Northern Highway to Purnululu National Park, home of the magnificent Bungle Bungles. Two nights here, staying in our private Bungle Bungle Safari Camp in the heart of the park, allows a full day to explore the highlights of this extraordinary National Park, the most famous of which are the Bungle Bungle domes. Rivers created this landscape of unique orange and black striped ‘beehive’ geological formations over a period of 20 million years. Unbelievably, only the locals knew it existed until the early 1980’s; once discovered by others, the area was made a national park in 1987. We explore Echidna Chasm (2km), known for its towering Livistonia Palm trees, and take a short walk (2-3km) into stunning Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre. There is time in the afternoon to take an optional scenic helicopter flight and enjoy a birds-eye view of the beehive domes (approx $500pp, own expense and booked while on tour) to put it all into perspective.

 In the heart of Purnululu National Park, our eco safari tents at the Bungle Bungles safari camp boast views of the Bungles Massif from your door. The camp features modern facilities, a covered dining deck with panoramic views and an open air campfire around which you can relax beneath a sparkling Kimberley night sky: chatting, star-gazing and sharing the adventure with like-minded travellers.

Spend another day in this incredible national park with your guide.

Enroute to Fitzroy Crossing, we break the long journey with a visit to the gold rush town of Halls Creek to see the remarkable China Wall. We also enjoy lunch at Marys Pool and visit the remote Laarri Aboriginal Art Gallery, before an evening by the Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing.

A morning cruise through the majestic Danggu (Geikie Gorge) is a great start to the day. Nature carved this wonder through the Geikie and Oscar Ranges during the Devonian geological period. Learn of the fascinating geology of this natural wonder and discover the huge array of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, birds and fish. Enjoy lunch by the river en route back to Broome. 

Your tour finishes upon arrival to Broome where you'll be dropped at your hotel. 

Today is the end of this extraordinary journey.

Check-out & departure information
Hotel check out is at 2pm. If your flight is later than this, you can leave your luggage in storage and use the pool, change room and storage facilities.

A taxi ride to Broome airport costs approximately $20-23 per car.