Stretching from the Northern Territory Border in the east, across to the coast in the west and south to the Great Sandy Desert the wild and remote area known as the Kimberley is one of the country’s last great frontiers. The region offers one of the most spectacularly rugged coast lines in the world. A place of soaring red cliffs and cascading waterfalls, tidal rivers lined with dense Rainforest, sprawling Mangroves and all are teeming with wild life. The area is virtually unspoilt, and for a very simple reason; it’s remote. Tour Driver + Hostess Cook You will be required to erect your own tent in campgrounds and bush camps Tour by 4WD Coach – 19 passengers, ducted air-conditioning, reclining seats with seatbelts

Highlights

Itinerary

Devils Marbles

DAY 1 FRIDAY (LD)
ALICE SPRINGS. DEVIL'S MARBLES. BANKA BANKA.
Depart your Alice Springs accommodation from 7.00am. Today we travel north along the Stuart Highway on an adventurous journey into the Barkly region, rich in Aboriginal culture and noted as some of Australia’s premier cattle grazing country. We pass through isolated outback communities on our way to the Devil’s Marbles (Karlwe Karlwe) Scattered over a wide, shallow valley, these granite boulders are precariously balanced on top of one another and provide shelter for much of the wildlife found across the arid centre of Australia, These boulders are sacred to the Warumungu people, who believe they are the eggs of the rainbow serpent. After lunch we continue north to Tennant Creek a township with a colourful history in gold mining and as a service centre for the pastoral stations in the heart of Barkly region, then onto our overnight camp at Banka Banka Station the first operational pastoral lease in this area, and supply camp during WWII. This historic property brings the cattle station experience to life. Campground full facilities.

DAY 2 SATURDAY (BLD)
DALY WATERS, MATARANKA, KATHERINE
We farewell our station hosts and make our way to Renner Springs named after Dr Fredrick Renner, Medical Officer to the men constructing the Overland Telegraph Line, Renowned for it’s historic hotel it offers true NT outback hospitality, we pass through Elliot, the second largest town in the Barkly region named in 1947 after Army Captain Reginald Douglas Elliot it had once been the No.8 bore, on Newcastle Waters Station and was developed during WWII. We visit the historic township of Newcastle Waters. Here you can experience the atmosphere of the droving days. Established in 1917 it became the central point for all three stock routes, the Barkly the Murranji and the North South Telegraph route. then onto Daly Waters where we call in at the famous Daly Waters Pub, built in the 1930’s to service early Qantas passengers on refuelling stops at Australia’s first international airfield, after lunch we call in at Mataranka for a swim in the paperbark-fringed thermal pools that bubble at a constant 34°c, then on the road again as we head to our next camp at Katherine. Campground full facilities

Crocodile

DAY 3 SUNDAY (BLD)
VICTORIA RIVER.TIMBER CREEK. LAKE ARGYLE. KUNUNURRA
A tour of the area around Katherine the third largest town in Northern Territory and settled at this site in 1926 with the completion of the railway bridge. Pastoral ventures were established in the area from 1878 when Alfred Giles built the Springvale homestead. This laid the foundation for the cattle industry which remains as one the town’s major resources. We travel south west on the Victoria Hwy through Victoria Creek and Timber Creek. The scenery changes dramatically today as we head further west past the Pinkerton and Spencer Ranges. After a brief stop at NT/WA Border ‘time to reset your watches’ as we take a picturesque drive to Lake Argyle and the Durack Homestead before setting up camp at Kimberley Land Tourist Park on the banks of Lake Argyle at Kununarra, relax and enjoy the sunset over the lake before dinner. Campground with full facilities.

DAY 4 MONDAY (BLD)
WYNDHAM. EL QUESTRO
This morning we take in the sites of Kununarra, the town came into existence in 1961 to service the Ord Dam and irrigation project, Lake Argyle was formed by the damming of the Ord river and covers an area of 2000 sq km - the largest man made lake in Australia, with time to stock up on fuel and supplies, we travel through the vast irrigation area, our journey then takes us to The Grotto a rock bound water hole 122 metres deep, then to Wyndham. Born out of the Halls Creek gold rush in 1885, in its hey days it saw as many as 10,000 prospectors’ come ashore en route to the diggings. At the end of the rush it languished until 1919 when the meat works opened. The meat works then closed in 1985 and today Wyndham is an export terminal for the cattle, agricultural and mining industries., We visit the five rivers lookout for lunch overlooking the King, Durack, Pentecost, Ord and Forrest Rivers. This afternoon we travel via the Gibb River Road and Emma Gorge to El Questro our overnight camp. A Campground full facilities

Pentecost Crossing

DAY 5 TUESDAY (BLD)
GIBB RIVER ROAD. KING EDWARD RIVER
An unforgettable day as we depart El Questro Wilderness Park one the world’s unique holiday destinations, a working cattle station with a herd of 5000 head of cattle, we visit Zebedee Springs before returning to the Gibb River Road “first constructed in the early 1960’s to provide the isolated cattle stations with a transport link to the ports of Wyndham and Derby” .Travelling through the spectacular Cockburn Ranges, we cross the Pentecost River a photo stop looking east across the Cockburn Range, one of Australia’s most photographed landscapes. We continue our journey west passing the Gibb Range and turning north on the Kalumburu road and our first look at some of the Wandjina rock art in this area. The landscape changes from open woodland to Liverstonia palm forests as we near our camp at the King Edward River. Bush Camp with Toilets and bush shower.

Mitchell Falls

DAY 6 WEDNESDAY (BLD)
MITCHELL FALLS. KIND EDWARD RIVER
Today we travel through a variety of landscapes including savannah woodland, sandstone outcrops and rainforest. Aboriginal rock art sites and waterfalls add to our drive to the Mitchell Falls. The falls drop in four tiers with a total height of 80m. With its high seasonal rainfall and diverse habitat makes this is one of the richest flora and fauna habitats in the Kimberley. Time today to explore this fascinating area and its wildlife. Perhaps a Helicopter flight for an even better view of the falls and surrounding area before returning to our camp on the King Edward River. Bush camp with toilets and bush shower.

DAY 7 THURSDAY (BLD)
DRYSDALE STATION.
Travelling south we explore the fascinating rock art sites of the Wandjina, first seen and recorded by Europeans in 1891 by Captain Joe Bradshaw. It took until 1998 for these particular paintings to found again. We make our way to Miners Pool for lunch and then to Drysdale Station. This afternoon it’s time to relax, explore or catch up on the washing. Drysdale Station was first taken up as a cattle station in 1882 by the Victoria Squatting Company and runs about 7000 head of cattle. The station now offers camping with top class ablution facilities with laundry and homestead accommodation plus a bar and beer garden. Campground with full facilities and laundry

Manning Gorge

DAY 8 FRIDAY (BLD)
MT BARNETT. ROADHOUSE MANNING GORGE
We travel south back to the Gibb River Road and further into the heart of the Kimberley. Plenty of time for photo opportunities as we travel to today’s camp on the picturesque Manning River with its ancient boab trees. After we strike camp and have lunch, this afternoon it’s a chance to swim in the Manning River or take a walk to Upper Manning Gorge, a delightful area with a waterfall and natural swimming pool surrounded by high ancient cliffs. Campground with full facilities

DAY 9 SATURDAY (BLD)
GALVINS GORGE. KING LEOPOLD RANGES. WINDJANA GORGE
Heading south west we call in to Galvins Gorge. A short walk to the Gorge and return for morning tea, we then climb the Philips Range to the lookout for a scenic view over the Packhorse and King Leopold Ranges. We stop at one of the many creek and river crossings for lunch. There are some interesting photo opportunities today such as a rock formation known as Queen Victorias head in the Napier Range. We turn off toward Windjana Gorge and visit the site of Lillimilura Police Station built in 1884 as the homestead for the King Sound Pastoral Company. It was here that Jandamarra began his ill-fated attempt to drive the white invaders from his homeland. Then onto tonight’s camp at Windjana Gorge, where fissured grey and orange cliffs up to 90m high create a spectacular landmark, a geological wonder of world class. Nowhere else are deposits of an ancient reef so well exposed, Windjana Gorge is 3.5km long and was carved through the Napier Range by the Lennard River. Take time to walk through this fascinating gorge in the late afternoon or early in the morning. Bush camp with toilets and bush shower.

Prison Tree

DAY 10 SUNDAY (BLD)
DERBY. PRISON TREE. BROOME
After an early morning walk we rejoin the Gibb River Road to Derby with a History dating back to 1688 when William Dampier first explored this area. We stop for lunch at the wharf with its 11.5m tides - “the second largest in the world”. Once used to service the pastoral industry, the wharf closed in the 1980s only to reopen to service the mining Industry. We visit the old Gaol, the Boab Prison Tree thought to be 1000 years old and Myall’s Bore and Cattle trough, which at 120m long is the longest in Australia. With the Gibb River Road behind us we travel on the Great Northern Hwy to Broome, where we camp for two nights at Roebuck Bay Caravan Park. Full facilities and laundry.

Cable Beach Broome

DAY 11 MONDAY (B)
BROOME
Have a day at leisure or take in the sites of this tropical seaside town. With a history dating back to 1861, Broome was originally founded as a pearling port and now boasts a multicultural population of many nationalities lured here by the promise of finding their fortunes. Koepanger, Malay, Chinese. European and Aboriginal cultures have all blended to create a friendly and flamboyant personality that the heart and soul of Broome. Full facilities and laundry.

DAY 12 TUESDAY (BLD)
FITZROY CROSSING.GEIKIE GORGE
We bid farewell to Broome as we travel east on the Great Northern Hwy towards Fitzroy Crossing. The Crossing sprung up for a single very good reason; it was the most suitable place to cross the huge Fitzroy River which, during the wet season could strand travellers for weeks at time. It is now a small, predominantly Aboriginal settlement on the banks of the Fitzroy River. We visit Geikie Gorge for lunch and a boat tour of the Gorge which was carved through the limestone at the junction of the Oscar and Geikie ranges by the Fitzroy River. Then we travel past the old township on our way to Fitzroy River Lodge and Camp Ground. Full Facilities.

DAY 13 WEDNESDAY (BLD)
HALLS CREEK. BUNGLE BUNGLES
Today we travel on the northern edge of the Great Sandy Desert through vast cattle stations and remote Aboriginal settlements to Halls Creek. A brief refueling stop before we continue onto our overnight Camp at the Bungle Bungles. Bush camp with toilets and bush shower.

Bungle Bingles

DAY 14 THURSDAY (BLD)
BUNGLE BUNGLES
Today we explore the wondrous attractions of the Purnululu “Bungle Bungles” National Park. The sandstone and conglomerate forming the range were deposited about 350 million years ago in the Devonian period. Erosion by creeks and rivers over the last 20 million years has carved out spectacular gorges and landscapes. Sites include Walanginjdji Lookout with panoramic views of the western side of the Bungle Bungle Range and Echidna Chasm. This is a photographers’ paradise with the sunlight streaming down through the narrow cracks in the towering rocks. Cathedral Gorge, with an easy paced walk through the Domes and Piccaninny Creek into this Majestic Gorge. This afternoon there is time for an optional scenic flight over this spectacular landscape. Bush camp with toilets and bush shower.

DAY15 FRIDAY (BLD)
HALLS CREEK
We retrace our way back through the Bungle Bungles and Marble Downs cattle station past the Duffer Range to Old Halls Creek. This is where gold was first discovered in Western Australia and where the town was situated until 1949. We visit the Old Post Office and wander through the pioneer cemetery. A few kilometres away is The China Wall a white Quarts vein that has been pushed up vertically 6m out of the ground. Our overnight stay is at Halls Creek Motel.

DAY16 SATURDAY (BLD)
TANAMI TRACK. WOLFE CREEK CRATER. RABBIT FLAT
Today starts our crossing of the vast untamed wilderness of the Tanami Desert on the Tanami Track which was developed to gain access to the eastern states of Australia via Alice Springs. We visit Wolfe Creek Crater, an amazing site in its arid flat surroundings. Its only when you climb up onto the rim that its secret is revealed. Unknown to science until 1947, when it was first seen by Geologists on an aerial survey of the area, the crater was formed 300 million years ago when a meteorite of over 50,000 tonnes slammed into the earth. At 850m across it is the second largest crater in the world where meteorite fragments have been found. We continue onto Rabbit Flat described as the most isolated Road House in Australia for our camp tonight. Bush camp with shower and toilets.

DAY 17 SUNDAY (BL)
ALICE SPRINGS
Travelling east along the majestic northern slopes of the Mac Donnell Ranges we pass isolated Aboriginal settlements and mining leases on our way to Tilmouth Well Road House for lunch and chance to purchase local souvenirs and art, we continue on the for the last leg of the Track and join the Stuart Hwy as we make our return journey to Alice Springs.

2008 Fares & Departure Dates

Twin Share $3250.00 per person Single Tent supplement $110.00

2009 Fares & Departure Dates

Twin Share $3415.00 per person Single Tent supplement $110.00