Broome to Darwin camping safari
About this Adventure
Fact File:
Duration: 10 days
Price: 2,588 GBP
Explore to of the greatest regions in Australia.
The Kimberley region is roughly twice the size of the UK but has a mere 40,000 people living it, it is then, clearly, an incredibly remote and deserted area. It is in fact one of the most sparsely populated regions outside the great deserts and the geographic poles. Amazingly, considering the few people who live here, this region of Darwin is the area of Australia which has been inhabited for the longest time.
The rugged unruliness of the landscape has kept mainstream tourism from the area and also made it a playground for adventurers. We think the best way to see this region is by 4×4 safari. With plenty of time, your accommodation in the boot and a sturdy car you can see all of this area relatively easily. A lot of the best spots are totally inaccessible unless you have a solid car and a knowledgeable guide. This adventure really is on the edge of what is possible.
The most popular places on the tour are the unusually named Bungle Bungle Range, a striking geological feature made up of towering stripy rock domes, and the Gibb River Road which stretches through multiple national parks. In addition to the safari, we recommend taking advantage of more vertical transportation – helicopter rides. If you thought the landscape of The Kimberley looked great from the ground, just wait until you have seen it from above.
For more information please continue reading for the official Tourdust itinerary:
Day 1: After being collected from your hotel at 7.30am, you’ll head north towards Derby and stop to look at the boab prison tree (a giant hollow tree reported to have been used to keep prisoners awaiting trail) before moving onto the Gibb River Road. The destination for the first half of the day is Windjana Gorge, where you’ll have a picnic lunch with your fellow travellers.
The afternoon will be spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone tunnel in the Napier Range, carved into the rock over thousands of years. You will get to view various cave formations and hear the story of Jandamarra, an Australian outlaw who used the tunnel as a hideout in the late 1800’s.
You’ll return back to Windjana Gorge to set up camp and enjoy dinner, as well as a walk into the gorge to watch a spectacular sunset. Windjana Gorge is part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the Napier range, freshwater crocodiles can often be seen from a safe distance lazing around on the river banks.
Day 2: After breakfast, you’ll make your way through the Napier and King Leopold Ranges to Bell Gorge, believed to be the most picturesque in The Kimberley. On arrival there will be a short hike which leads to a scenic waterfall where those so inclined can have a swim.
The afternoon can be spent swimming and exploring Galvans gorge, a place little known to Kimberley residents let alone tourists since it is surrounded by large boab trees. It has some interesting rock art and is a great place for relaxing and taking in the surrounding nature. Overnight stay and dinner will be near Manning Gorge.
Day 3:This morning you’ll take a walk into Manning Gorge where there’s time for a swim in the waterfall before we heading north onto the Kalumburu road. After a lunch stop at Drysdale River Station, the group will continue onward to King Edward River to set up camp. Here there is ample opportunity for a swim before sunset and the riverbank is home to an array of wildlife, making for some great nature watching.
Day 4: Today will see you swimming and exploring in the Mitchell Falls area. On your 3km walk into the falls you’ll visit Little and Big Mertens Falls, two rock art sites, and the chance to delve into the history of bushtuckers and their medicines.
The rest of the day is spent relaxing at Mitchell Falls itself, a three-tiered waterfall cascading over the plateau’s edge and into the Mitchell River. There is also an opportunity to take a hike along the banks of the Mitchell River to explore an aboriginal occupational site. The day is topped off with a helicopter ride back to the support vehicles, enjoying the amazing views on the way before making your way back to camp.
Day 5: You’ll have a later start this morning and after breakfast view two unique art sites which are little known and difficult to get to without 4×4 vehicles. Your guide will be able to interpret these ancient artworks for you and explain their significance. From here you will then make your way back down the Kalumburu road to Miners Pool for a swim and some time to relax. Many species of birdlife can be seen here and kangaroos often come out at sunrise.
In the evening the party will enjoy a traditional camp oven roast cooked in the hot coals.
Day 6: You‘ll continue south after an early breakfast, stopping on the banks of the Gibb River before turning onto the Gibb River Road. The destination this afternoon is El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size. Just before the turn off, you’ll stop to view another unique aboriginal art site which consists of East Kimberley peg figures, cuples and contemporary styles.
After setting up camp, you’re welcome to go for a swim in the rockpools (part of the Pentecost River) before dinner.
Day 7: An early start will get you to Zebedee Springs in time for a refreshing dip in the thermal pools set amongst palm trees. Once you’re properly awake, you’ll return to camp for breakfast and to pack up before visiting the Durack Tree and Branco’s Lookout.
Leaving El Questro behind, the drive south will lead you into the Bungle Bungles. Purnululu National park is famous for this ancient range of unusual beehive-shaped domes, gorges and chasms over 350 million years old. The section of road into the Bungles from the highway is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of off-road adventure!
Day 8: Today begins with a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles Range for a unique view of this striking geological feature as well as the breathtaking Picaninny Gorge. You’ll then fly along the southern face following Picaninny Creek, where you can view the mouth of Cathedral Gorge and the famous orange and black striped beehive shaped domes.
Returning to terra firma, you
’ll walk into Cathedral Gorge and up to the Piccaniny Lookout on for a panoramic view over the domes and the surrounding desert county. This will lead you onto the official Domes Trail Walk and finally back to camp for lunch.
In the afternoon the group will head out to Echidna Chasm, a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock. The walk in is beautiful, passing endemic livistonia palms. On the way back we take a detour to the lookout over the Osmond Ranges. There is also time this afternoon to take the Mini Palms Walk, which will complete your experience in the Bungle Bungles. This walk is optional as it’s a longer and harder walk than the others (approximately 2 hours) although the scenery is definitely rewarding.
Day 9: After breakfast you will depart from the Bungle Bungles and head towards Kununurra and onto Lake Argyle. Lake Argyle is Australia’s largest manmade lake, covering 1000 square kilometres and built as part of the Ord River scheme. It offers a great expanse of water from which steep red rocky slopes reach up approximately 150m in awe-inspiring grandeur.
After setting up camp and lunch, you may take the sunset cruise on the lake where you will be guided through some of the 90 islands and inlets and take in the magnificent scenery of the Carr Boyd Ranges. Sunset over the rugged red cliffs and azure blue waters is an unforgettable experience.
Day 10: The final day begins with a drive over the border and into the Northern Territory, travelling through Timber Creek and Gregory National Park. You’ll continue east to Katherine with lunch en-route, stopping to view the mighty Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles.
After a short break in Katherine, the tour concludes on arrival in Darwin at approximately 6pm.
This is a great remote adventure for anyone who loves to explore an area far from the hotels of mass tourism.
Visit Tourdust to organise this adventure.
