9 Day Guided Tour through the Kimberleys from Darwin
Private tours are subject to a quote
This Top End Experience will immerse you in Australia’s spectacular North. On this guided tour, you will travel through the cultural, historical and geographical landmark locations. We will delve into the stories and the natural wonders of the region. Activities include bushwalking, scenic lookouts, exploring ancient rock art sites, cultural and wildlife cruises, swimming and hearing about the cultural stories and traditions. You will see for miles over Wetlands, Savannah Woodlands, Stone Country and Escarpment. You will witness the uniqueness of our tropical ecosystems and hear how we have worked with the land and elements for centuries. Offroad Dreaming share their knowledge of combined decades of experience in the area and we have the opportunity to join specialist activities where specific cultural, geographical and historical information is a valuable addition to your itinerary.
Highlights
Day One
Two nights camping (night one)Day Two
Two nights camping (night two)Day Three
Overnight: Camping by lake KununurraDay Four
Overnight: El Questro StationDay Five
Overnight: Home Valley StationDay Six
Overnight: Two nights camping Manning Gorge campgroundDay Seven
Overnight: Manning Gorge campgroundDay Eight
Overnight: Camping Windjana GorgeDay Nine
Private multi-day tour details
- National Park entry fees
- Camping fees
- Permits
- Chilled drinking water, snacks and freshly prepared
- Picnic lunch daily
- Pick up from your Darwin accommodation at the start of the tour (accommodation in W.A (e.g. Broome) after arrival is not included)
- Transport in a private fully licensed and permitted tour vehicle
- Private and public activities as per itinerary
- Guided tour of each location on your itinerary
- Breakfast except Day One
- Dinners around the fire, except last day
- Tent
- Camping chair
- Bath towel
- Hand torch
- Purpose built off-road camping trailer
- Swag (Australian sleeping canvas covering with mattress included)
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Pillow case
- Sleep sheet
- Cooking equipment
- Serveware for meals
- More spacious tents
- Stretcher to raise the swag mattress off the ground
- Dual layer swag mattress
- Eco sleeping bag
- Eco luxury bed linens
- Eco pillow
- Eco cooking equipment
- Ergonomic camping chair
- Functional and decorative lighting
- Room and breakfast is included
- Restaurant evening meal is at your own expense
- Swimwear
- Swim towel
- Walking shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and Sunscreen 30+
- Insect repellent
- Day pack for walks
- A light warm jumper for cool nights
- Lightweight waterproof clothing during the Shoulder Wet Season months (typically March, April, September and October)
- Luggage approximately 15kg, preferably soft bag
Transport in well maintained air conditioned vehicle, with tinted windows for comfort and UV protection
- Alcoholic beverages
- Breakfast Day One
- Dinner last day
- Restaurant evening meals (unless otherwise stated)
- Incidentals eg fresh coffee at comfort stops
- Flights to and from Darwin
- Pre and post tour overnight accommodation
- Travel insurance
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Destination
Our gallery
1
Day One - Kununurra to Bungle Bungles
This morning we meet our Offroad Dreaming Guide and make our way towards the Purnululu National Park and Bungle Bungle Ranges. Following the Great Northern Highway we stop by the Doon Doon Roadhouse for a comfort stop before travelling onto Warmun (Turkey Creek) a small remote community, home to the Kitja people. Here we top up with supplies and enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch. Afterwards, we continue our journey along the highway and onto the turn-off into the Purnululu National Park. Here we take the infamous 53 km 4WD track that leads into the Bungle Bungles. Now Off-Road, the scenery changes as we tackle the rugged terrain of the Kimberley and stop along the way and take in the views, before arriving to set our camp for the night.
Not far from our camp is a sunset viewing point where we can relax and take in the changing colours of the landscape. Afterwards, we return to camp and enjoy a hearty meal under the Kimberley sky.
Overnight: Camping Bungle Bungle Campground
Included Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
2
Day Two - Bungle Bungles
This morning after breakfast we head into the Southern Region of the ranges. A walk via Piccaninny Creek leads us to a lookout with views of the outlier formations. From here we’ll head into Cathedral Gorge. Reaching the end is like entering an amphitheatre, so if you feel like singing a tune, there is no better place in the Kimberley. Afterwards, we’ll try the one-kilometre Dome walk before returning to our vehicle.
After lunch, we drive into the Northern Region of the Bungle Bungles. Here the Echidna Chasm waits to be explored. Our walk takes us along the stony creek and into this tight Gorge. An energetic clamber will see us to the end where we can marvel at the rock formation we have made our way through. Returning to camp we enjoy another hearty meal and night under the stars.
Overnight: Camping Bungle Bungle Campground
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
3
Day Three - Bungle Bungles to Kununurra
This morning we make the adventurous drive out of the Purnululu National Park for Kununurra. Once back on the bitumen we’ll make our way through Warmun along the Great Northern Highway. We pass the Argyle Diamond Mine and travel through the O'Donnell and Carr Boyd Ranges before arriving into Kununurra. After setting up camp we’ll have some free time to take in the town of Kununurra and experience the local cafes. As your guide re-stocks for our Gibb River Road Adventure. Late this afternoon we make our way up to a viewing point that looks out over the East Kimberley town before heading to a local restaurant for an evening meal.
Overnight: Camping Kimberleyland Holiday Park
Included Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & Dinner own expense)
4
Day Four - Kununurra to Gibb River Road
Leaving Kununurra behind we head for the famous Gibb River Road, approximately 660 kilometres of unsealed road. Before turning off though, we visit the Grotto, a well-known but beautiful swimming hole. Then it’s onto The Gibb and Emma Gorge. Where a mildly challenging walk through the gorge leads to a couple of refreshing water holes to cool off.
Overnight: Camping El Questro Station.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
5
Day Five - El Questro to Home Valley Station
This morning we visit Zebedee Springs, an oasis shaded by Livistona palms. Here we spend some time immersing ourselves in the Kimberley. Later we’ll make our way to El Questro Gorge where we take on a more challenging walk before moving on to Home Valley Station. Tonight we set camp on the Pentecost River and experience the changing colours of a Kimberley sunset on the Cockburn Range.
Overnight: Camping Home Valley Station.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
6
Day Six - Home Valley to Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
After breakfast, we pack camp and continue our journey along the Gibb River Road right into the heart of the Kimberleys to Mt Barnett and Manning Gorge. Along the way, we’ll stop in at the Ellenbrae Homestead, renowned for its homemade scones and hospitality. Rejoining the Gibb we make our way towards Mt Barnett, arriving late afternoon we set camp for the next two nights. With Manning Creek flowing past the camping area, you’ll be able to enjoy a swim as the sunsets on the day.
Overnight: Camping Mt Barnett/Manning Gorge.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Day Seven - Manning Gorge
Today we explore Manning Gorge. The walk starts with a swim across the creek and continues through stone country. As the trail leads us up towards the gorge it offers views over the surrounding landscape and an up close experience with some of the Kimberley’s plant species, as we walk along the top of the Eastern ridge before making our way down to the plunge pool below the waterfall for a refreshing swim. After cooling off and a little more exploring we make our way back towards camp. After lunch, we make a short drive down the Gibb and visit Galvans Gorge, an easy walk leads to a beautiful waterhole. While here, look closely at the rock walls for Wandjina paintings. Wandjina is the supreme creator and these images are only found in the Kimberley. Afterwards, we return to camp, freshen up and enjoy another wholesome meal around the campfire and night under the stars.
Overnight: Camping Mt Barnett/Manning Gorge.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
8
Day Eight - Manning to Windjana Gorge (Via Bells Gorge)
An early start this morning as we travel further along the Gibb and make our way into Bells Gorge, arguably one of the most attractive in the West Kimberley, Boab trees line the creek here, which flows through a series of deep gorges and waterfalls. The walk here is a bit up and down and sure to impress. After Lunch we continue on the Gibb heading for Windjana Gorge. Arriving late in the afternoon we set camp and take a stroll into Windjana Gorge for our last evening and witness the sun setting on the Napier Ranges.
Overnight: Camping Windjana Gorge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
9
Day Nine - Windjana Gorge to Broome (via Derby)
After breakfast and packing camp, we take the drive to Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre-long cave cut through the limestone of an ancient Devonian Reef. Here we’ll need torches and footwear to wade through the creek and this adventurous tunnel. Once out the other side we can explore, looking for Aboriginal motifs and the site of Jandamarra; the Warrior who led the Bunuba resistance, until his capture in 1897. Afterwards, we depart for Derby. Taking one last trip along the Gibb we’ll stop in at the Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre. Here traditional owners, young and old, of the Kimberly, keep the Wandjina spirits alive. The Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wununbal people make up the Mowanjum Community and are the three Wandjina tribes who see the Wandjinas as the true creators of this land. From here we’ll make our way into Derby and grab a bite to eat for lunch.
Derby sits in the Southern reaches of King Sound and can experience eleven-metre tide variances. Derby has played a significant role in the colonial history of the West Kimberley and the establishment of the pastoral industry, which still plays an important role in the economy here today. After lunch, we’ll visit the prison Boab as we leave Derby for Broome.
Broome is a vibrant, multicultural tropical beach town that’s surrounded by a pristine arid wilderness. And boasts a long pearling history and spectacular sunsets over the Indian Ocean. On arrival, you can check in to your accommodation, freshen up and then we will make our way to take in the sunset on the North West Coast of Australia. A great way to end your Kimberley Adventure.
Overnight accommodation by own arrangements (not included).
Included Meals: Breakfast
