Walk Western Australia’s Kimberley – 13 days
One of the best ways to experience the magnificent landscape of the Kimberley is on two legs. Lace up your hiking boots and get up close and personal to the gorges, swimming holes, waterfalls and vistas that make this such an iconic Australian destination. On this 13-day small group tour, you will combine superb guided walks with the region’s major highlights such as the Gibb River Road and its gorges, El Questro Wilderness Park and Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles). Settle back and chill out in air-conditioned comfort in a custom-built 4WD coach as you explore the Kimberley region with an expert leader on this comfortable camping tour.
Trip overview
- Start – Broome, Australia
- Finish – Broome, Australia
- Destinations – Australia
- Physical rating – 4/5
- Group size – Max 15
- Enjoy the great outdoors in comfort with high-quality camping equipment like stretcher beds with a mattress, your own 190cm high tent and comfortable camping chairs provided.
- Watch a fiery sunset light up the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park, one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes, where the changing light creates one highlight after another.
- You’ll have two days to explore the untamed natural beauty of El Questro Station. Go swimming near tumbling waterfalls, hike through gorges and soak up the scenery your way.
- There’s no need for a map or GPS on this walking trip – with an expert local leader that knows the area inside-out, all you have to do is enjoy the journey.
- Escape the everyday, get active, and take the time to reconnect with nature in one of Australia’s – and the world’s – most beautiful and diverse regions.
- This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Good footwear, clothing for all types of weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.
- The itinerary may change depending on local conditions and weather.
- This trip is operated and run by our trusted partner, Inspiration Outdoors. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Inspiration Outdoors customers and our customers. We work very closely with Inspiration Outdoors to ensure that all of our customers will enjoy their time away, and experience all that the region has to offer.
- You will camp almost every night in designated campgrounds, staying between one and three nights at each location. All of the high-quality camping equipment you need is provided, including stretcher beds and a mattress to sleep on, 190cm high tents, and comfortable camping chairs.
Itinerary
After an early morning departure from Broome, settle back and relax on the drive to Windjana Gorge, passing Boab trees (including the famous Prison Tree) and savannah woodlands interspersed with towering termite mounds. Arrive in time to settle into your comfortable tent at tonight’s campsite and enjoy a tasty dinner prepared by your leader.
Pick-up this morning will be from Broome Time Resort at 7:30am. Please be on time as we will be heading out of town right away.
Today’s driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Depending on the campground booked for tonight, the itinerary may vary slightly. All elements of the tour will still be offered, it just may occur on a different day.
Today we explore the Mt Hart surrounds. We drive a small distance to Baker pool where will have morning tea after a relaxing swim. We then drive to Matthew/Dolerite Gorge. The walk to the Gorge is around 2km, followed by lunch at the Gorge.
Today’s total walking distance is approximately 8kms.
Depending on the campground booked for tonight, the itinerary may vary slightly. All elements of the tour will still be offered, it just may occur on a different day.
Bell Gorge is home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. It’s a spectacular spot for a swim and one of the most photographed waterholes in the Kimberley. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of this incredible spot before the drive to your next campsite at Mt Barnett Station on the banks of Manning Creek.
Today’s walking distance is approximately 4kms.
It’s an early start today to make the most of the walking trail to Manning Gorge and Falls. There’s plenty of time for swimming, relaxing and soaking up the beauty of this unique place while you enjoy morning tea prepared by your leader. After lunch back at camp, the afternoon is yours to enjoy your way. Read a book under a boab tree, go for another swim in a nearby creek or jump on the bus and check out some of the other nearby gorges with your leader.
Today’s walking distance is approximately 6kms.
Today is a driving day so enjoy the Kimberley scenery and the famous ‘Gibb River Road massage’ provided by the rugged 600 kilometre dirt track travelling through the centre of the Kimberley. There’s a fair bit of ground to cover but we’ll break up the journey with lunch and a few stops along the way, like the Pentecost River Lookout which takes in the river floodplain and the tabletop Cockburn Ranges beyond. River crossings and great scenery will help the kilometres fly until you reach El Questro. Dinner is not included tonight so you have the option to have a meal at the restaurant at El Questro and a drink at the Swinging Arm Bar.
Today’s total travel time is approximately 6 hours.
For the next 48 hours, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make the most of the walking and swimming options at El Questro. Enjoy a dip at Zebedee Springs’ natural oasis before hiking to the Cockburn Ranges for a refreshing swim under the waterfall at Emma Gorge or El Questro Gorge. If you would prefer to rest your legs today, an optional cruise along Chamberlain Gorge is a great option.
Did someone go on a walk yesterday that sounded fantastic? Or perhaps you would rather chill out beside a waterhole with a good book. Today, you have the entire day to experience the beauty of the El Questro area, so make the most of it! If you need recommendations for the best things to see and do, your expert leader will be happy to help.
It’s time to pack up and head to Kununurra, with a stop at the Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve to see hundreds of waterbirds. This afternoon you’ll have time to get some washing done or relax with a book while your crew buy plenty of fresh food for the next section of the trip. Tonight you’re free to perhaps enjoy a drink at the pub and drop into a local restaurant for dinner.
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Known as the ‘mini Bungles’, Mirima National Park is your first stop today with plenty of time to appreciate and photograph the colourful layered rock formations that were created more than 300 million years ago. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see them glowing in the changing light. After a stop in town to buy some (optional) lunch, head to Lake Argyle and perhaps go on an optional cruise up the Ord River before you return to your accommodation in town.
Hit the road for Purnululu National Park – one of three natural World Heritage sites in Western Australia – and get set for a rollicking drive along outback tracks with creek crossings, wash aways and rough, slow sections. After setting up camp, there is time for a stroll and before your leader takes you to the perfect spot to watch the sun set against the red rocks of the Bungle Bungle Range. BYO drink and enjoy one of the state’s most famous sights as the rocks change colour by the minute.
The next two days are yours to explore the natural wonders of Purnululu National Park. Highlights include Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms Gorge, the spectacular orange and black ‘beehive’ domes, Piccanniny Creek and Cathedral Gorge. You’ll also have time for an optional helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Range – a fantastic way to see and appreciate this completely unique and beautiful landscape – if you would prefer to see this natural wonder from the sky.
This morning you’ll be welcomed to Country by a local Aboriginal guide and then head off on a walk. Heading through the Domes you’ll learn about bush tucker and bush medicine. Continuing on into Cathedral Gorge your guide will tell the tales of how Countrymen would walk the country you are walking. As you enter the majestic gorge your guide will share the space with you in their cultural way, whether that be through drawing or singing or story telling. Then it’s time to pack up and drive to Larrawa Station for the final night of the tour. It’s a long day of driving but there will be time to stretch your legs along the way. Tonight, join your group and celebrate the final night of the trip with a (BYO) drink and dinner whipped up by your leader at Larrawa Station campground.
Depending on the campground booked for tonight, the itinerary may vary slightly.
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Break camp after breakfast and after a brief stop at Fitzroy Crossing for lunch lace up your hiking boots one last time and get set to explore Tunnel Creek, a vast cave system that extends 750 metres underground and is a significant site for the local Bunuba people. Then it’s back to Broome where your trip will come to an end at approximately 5pm.
No accommodation is provided in Broome this evening. If you wish to spend longer here, please talk to your booking agent who can arrange additional accommodation (dependent on availability).
Inclusions
