10 Day Broome to Kimberley Explorer 

(Itinerary in reverse with a variation on accommodation)

Day 1: Broome arrival day

ITINERARY: Today is an arrival day. Spend the day at leisure.

FLIGHTS: Flights can be booked at any time during the day. The airport is a short 10-minute taxi ride from your accommodation. Your first night is we’ll stay at the Mantra Frangipani Apartments located close to Cable Beach. This hotel offers superb luxury accommodation including two designer swimming pools, one with a waterfall. Guests will stay in a one bedroom apartment. Tonight we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner accompanied by wine at Cable Beach Resort.

Day 2:  Broome – Aboriginal Cultural Walk – Cape Leveque

TRAIL NOTES: Cable Beach to Cape Grammume walk: 1km walk. Easy walk along the coastline and beach. Aboriginal cultural walk: 4km walk. Easy walk along a creek and coastline. 

WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a short 1km walk from Cable Beach to Cape Grammume before travelling to the Dampier Peninsula to embark on an inspirational Aboriginal cultural walk with Bolo Angus, a Bardi Jawi man. Embark on an inspirational journey through his traditional country on the Dampier Peninsula at Lullumb. We’ll learn about Bardi Jawi’s culture and experience hunting and gathering techniques passed down through the generations. We’ll walk through mangroves, paperbark forests, salt plains, creeks and drink from a sacred freshwater spring as well as enjoy a lunch on this journey with Bolo. Tonight we’ll stay the night at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm and enjoy Cygnet Bay Bistro which offers a menu based on seasonal produce. Relax with a glass of beer or wine after a day of sightseeing.

Day 3: Pearl Farm Tour – Scenic Flight from Cape Leveque to Derby over Horizontal Falls

TRAIL NOTES:  Pearl Farm Tour. 90-minutes walking tour. Easy Grade

WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast this morning we experience a Pearl Farm Tour at Cygnet Bay. Cygnet Bay is celebrating over 75 years of the Brown family’s involvement in the pearling industry. Their experience provides a unique insight into this Western Australian heritage industry. We’ll enjoy a short talk and visual presentation showing us the early days of the farm, before we walk through the farm’s land base towards the pearl harvest and hatchery area where the modern operations in pearl culturing are explained. During the pearl harvests, we’ll have the opportunity to see the pearl technicians as they work, and outside of harvest times the guides undertake a special harvest. The tour finishes with a pearl education session. After the 90 minute tour we’ll have lunch and have free-time to explore the magnificent beaches of Cape Leveque. After lunch we’ll enjoy a scenic flight over Horizontal Falls and the Buchaneer Archipelago before landing in Derby. The Horizontal Falls are a fast-moving tidal flow through two narrow, closely aligned gorges of the McLarty Range, located in Talbot Bay north of Broome. The direction of the flow reverses with each change of tide. As tides in the Kimberley can reach 10 metres, a peak tide gives rise to a significant difference in the sea level on either side of each gorge. Enjoy a night’s rest at the Derby Lodge with a sumptuous meal at Neaps Restaurant served with wine, where the staff produce amazing food in this small outback town. 

Day 4: Geikie Gorge Cruise and Windjana Gorge

WALK GRADE: Windjana Gorge Walk – 7km, 3 hours Easy to Moderate Grade. (Tunnel Creek Walk – currently closed – 2km, 1.5 hours easy to Moderate Grade – when it reopens we will also do this walk)

TERRAIN: Flat walking. Windjana Gorge varies between sections of uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain and sandy riverbed walking. (currently closed – Tunnel Creek Walk can be wet, rocky and uneven underfoot, torches are essential).

WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast, we set out on our day’s adventure to enjoy the remote scenery of the Kimberley, dotted with the dramatic silhouettes of huge boab trees, as you experience the renowned Gibb River Road. We will then walk in the gorgeous, shady reaches of Windjana Gorge. This is one of the Kimberley’s most stunning gorges, with water-streaked walls that rise majestically to heights of 100 metres. The Lennard River runs through Windjana Gorge in wet weather, but in the dry season it forms calm pools surrounded by shady trees. Here you can see fossilised marine life within the limestone of the gorge walls.  It is then that we travel to explore Western Australia’s oldest cave system in Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park. Tunnel Creek is currently closed, however once it reopens we will do this walk. In the meantime, we shall still visit this area and talk about the history of the caves. This landmark feature is famous as the hideout used by Aboriginal warrior, freedom-fighter and leader Jandamarra, who was labelled an outlaw and killed outside its entrance in 1897. At Dimalurru you walk through an underground tunnel, formed by the flowing creek, and out the other side of the Napier Range. The track runs underground for 750 metres. Afterwards, we’ll continue travelling to the start of the Geike Gorge where we will enjoy a cruise through this scenic and rare limestone-walled gorge. We’ll then continue on to Fitzroy River Lodge for the night. Tonight we dine in the lodge restaurant, renowned for its focus on fresh, locally-inspired cuisines in conjunction with classic Australian favourites served with Australian wines.  

Day 5: Mimbi Caves and Girlorloo and Geikie Gorge

WALK GRADE: Mimbi Caves walking tour – 3 hours Easy Grade. Jarrambayah Trail/Geike Gorge Walk & cruise – 2 hours, Easy Grade.

TERRAIN: Flat walking on dirt and sandy tracks, with some sections of uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain.

WALK ITINERARY: This morning after breakfast, we enjoy an early start and head to the ancient limestone country around Fitzroy Crossing with its hidden caves and spectacular gorge.  You will start with an enlightening tour of the hidden Mimbi Caves guided by the traditional owners, the Gooniyandi people, who share a strong connection with Mimbi Caves and the surrounding country. On the walk, your local guides will share ancient Dreaming stories as well as traditional knowledge of local bush tucker, bush medicine and the native flora and fauna found around the cave system. Enjoy traditional Billie Tea and damper, made the traditional way using native seeds and cooked on a campfire while listening to the Gooniyandi Dreaming story of the Blue Tongue Lizard and the Mud Lark.  From here we depart Mimbi and head north to Halls Creek, passing the colourful rocks of the Kimberley region. The drive will take around 2h30minutes to our accommodation at the remote Halls Creek Motel, home of Russian Jacks Bar and Restaurant. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own expense) then join the group for a wonderful hearty dinner and chat about the day’s adventures. 

Day 6: Halls Creek – Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park 

TRAIL NOTES: 10km return hike. Requires a good level of fitness and mobility.

ITINERARY: This morning enjoy an early breakfast before we travel north to the spectacular Purnululu National Park. Travel by 4WD into the park crossing rivers and taking in your first views of the spectacular landscapes. The Bungle Bungle Range is an intricate maze of beehive-shaped peaks, narrow gorges lined with majestic Livistonia fan palms and soaring cliffs with seasonal waterfalls and rock pools. After lunch, we enjoy an afternoon walk into the Bungle Bungles exploring the Southern Region of Purnululu National Park. Our walk takes us past banded domes towering majestically around you. We head to stunning Cathedral Gorge a spectacular natural amphitheatre with a pool reflecting the soaring sandstone beehives guarding the entrance. This afternoon we arrive at our accommodation at the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge where we’ll be staying for two nights. Enjoy time to cool off with a refreshing swim in the pool or relax on the outdoor deck and enjoy pre-dinner drinks (own expense). Tonight join the group for a wonderful hearty dinner and chat about the day’s adventures.

Day 7: Bungle Bungle Heli-Hike Experience

TRAIL NOTES: 10km return hike. Requires a good level of fitness and mobility.

ITINERARY: This morning we are up early to have breakfast. Today you have the choice of two Bungles experiences. See pricing page for Tour options.

Option 1: Heli -hiking
We join our helicopter and fly over the Bungle Bungles and lands in the heart of the Bungles. This area of the gorge is set deep inside the Bungle Domes and normally takes 3 days round trip to access. With our journey our helicopter drops us at the mouth of the gorge, allowing us the day to explore the best of this enormous gorge that spreads into five fingers as it cuts through the Bungle Bungle Range. Your guide will lead the hike into the gorge and tell you about the area’s cultural significance to the indigneous people and it’s unique history. After our walk, we fly back by helicopter and transfer to our accommodation in the Bungles. Enjoy a swim and a relaxing dinner with your new found friends.

Option 2: Whip Snake Gorge walk hike
Our guides will take the group on a 10km walk to pretty Whip Snake Gorge. Follow the Piccanniny Creek sculptured dry track through the striped bungles formations until we reach Whip Snake Gorge, a narrow gorge filled with ferns which end in a rock pool.

Afterwards, both groups return to the Bungles Savannah Lodge for a swim before enjoying our evening meal served with Australian wine.

Day 8:  Northern Region of the Bungles – Lake Argyle

TRAIL NOTES: 6.4kms. Medium. Rocky underfoot requiring good fitness and agility. Walking poles suggested.

ITINERARY: This morning we enjoy an early morning start and head to the Northern Region of the Bungles for our morning walk. Our walking tour today takes us to Echidna Gorge and Mini Palms Gorge. We start with a walk into Echidna Gorge a spectacular 200m gorge with varying hues. The Gorge takes its name from echidna found nearby. We head along a dry pebbly creek bed to the entrance of the chasm, passing Livistonia palms that grow along the banks. We head through the impressive chasm taking in the dramatic views of the sheer cliff walls. We then head to Mini Palms Gorge over sand and spinifex along the base of the main range. This walk features soaring cliffs, dramatic palms and a natural amphitheatre and cave. A gentle breeze in the cave comes from the hidden opening of an inaccessible gorge upstream. The magnificent contrasts of the red cliffs and green palms make for a dramatic view. After lunch, we’ll transfer to Lake Argyle – the jewel of the Kimberley.  The drive will take around 4-hours. Lake Argyle is located in the remote Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia. The vast freshwater lake nestled amongst a rugged billion year old landscape is brimming with an abundance of wildlife and breath-taking colourful vistas. Our accommodation for the next two nights is at Lake Argyle Resort which has been designed and constructed specifically for the stunning Kimberley landscape overlooking the lake. Enjoy the delights of this property including the stunning infinity pool! 35 metres of infinity wet edge, spa, and some of the most breath-taking scenery of the Kimberley’s! Tonight we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner in the restaurant, served with wine.

Day 9: Pint Pot Bay Exploration Walk

This morning enjoy a hearty breakfast before we cruise across the lake to start our walk for the day. The boat will take us passed many bays and inlets that make this vast body of water so incredibly unique. We may see wallabies, wallaroos, fish, birdlife and freshwater crocs along the way. We will be dropped off to enjoy the Pint Pot Bay Exploration Walk, a 6-8km walk depending on which option you choose. This walk is part of the Southern Carr Boyd Ranges which, from afar, seem arid and barren. But once up close reveal their hidden delights with cool gorges, waterfalls, and lovely, fern-lined pools just begging for someone to swim in them! Some of the best bushwalking tracks in the Kimberley can be found here. This walk is trackless and a unique opportunity to walk in the Kimberly Wilderness. The walk is medium to hard in grade and ranges in terrain with some fairly steep parts onto the plateau, but once on top walking becomes easier and the amazing views on top of the Carr Boyd Ranges make it worthwhile. Optional: An additional 2 km diversion into Little Revolver Creek to a secluded waterpools is available to those who want to venture further. After our walk we’ll head back to Lake Argyle Resort for lunch and an afternoon dip in the stunning infinity pool taking in the beauty that surrounds us. Late this afternoon we’ll enjoy a private sunset cruise before enjoying dinner in the restaurant, served with wine.

Day 10: Bluff Lookout Walk – Ord River Cruise – Kununurra

This morning after breakfast we’ll walk straight from the resort to Bluff Lookout, a 5.3 kilometre easy trail.  Look out for the interesting wildlife you may see along the way. Birds, marsupials, reptiles, insects and maybe even an Echidna! From here, we’ll make our way to the historic Durack Homestead, originally built in 1895 by the Durack family on Argyle Downs Station (now mostly submerged by the lake). The homestead was dismantled stone by stone in the 1970s before the lake was filled and relocated to preserve this piece of local history to where it stands now. We’ll then view the impressive Ord Top Dam which was completed in 1971, before Lake Argyle was filled in 1974.  Afterwards, we’ll be transferred to join our Ord River Cruise up to Kununurra where we can marvel at the spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna we’ll see along the way. We will stop at a Riverside Camp’s for an afternoon tea before continuing on to Kununurra arriving back at around 5:30pm where our journey ends.

Note: due to warmer weather in the Territory our guides will determine the best walking experiences for the day. Early morning starts will mean we will walk in the cooler part of the day. Some days include several short walks. Most walks include a swim to cool off during the walks.  All walks outlined above are subject to them being open. Note we start our walks in June to try and avoid this, however due to weather some walks may not be opened until later in the season. When walks are not opened alternative walks or activities will be substituted

This is an all-inclusive tour with no hidden extras:

• Sunset Cruise Lake Argyle
• Private boat charter to your Lake Argyle walk
• Ord River Cruise from Lake Argyle to Kununurra
• Bungles Heli-Hiking experience to walk in the remote Picaninny Gorge
• Scenic Flight from Derby to Cape Leveque over Horizontal Falls and the Buccaneer Archipelago
• Pearl Farm Tour of Cygnet Bay
• Mimbi Cave tour and Geikie Gorge walk and cruise
• Fabulous Kimberley walking experiences
• 1 night at the Mantra Frangipani Hotel Broome
• 1 night Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
• 1 night at Derby Lodge
• 1 night at Fitzroy River Lodge
• 1 night at Halls Creek Motel
• 2 nights in the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge in Deluxe Cabins
• 2 nights Lake Argyle Resort in a Grandview Villa or Kimberley Cabin
• 9 x a la carte dining each evening with wine
• 9 x buffet breakfasts
• 10 x lunches
• National Park Fees