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: Bungle Bungle Heli-Hike Experience – Lake Argyle

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

WALK ITINERARY: This morning enjoy an early breakfast before setting off to explore the Bungle Bungles. On arriving into Purnululu National Park we’ll meet our helicopter that will fly us near the mouth of the remote Piccaninny Gorge, the largest of all the gorges in the National Park. Our guide will lead the hike into the gorge and share stories of the area’s significance to the Aboriginal people and its unique history, which led to the World Heritage listing of Purnululu National Park. We will enjoy a morning tea and picnic lunch here. To experience this area, would normally take 3 days hiking with overnight camping supplies in a heavy pack. (Including one day to reach the mouth of the gorge, then another day to explore the gorge and then another day to retrace your steps and hike back to the start). With OUR journey we will access this area in a day with our helicopter dropping us at the mouth of the gorge, allowing us the day to explore the best areas of this enormous gorge, that cuts through the Bungle Range. The helicopter will then pick us up for and drop us at Warmun so we can continue our journey to Kununurra with a stunning flight taking in views on Argyle, the Carr Boyd Ranges and the Bungles on a small plane to Purnululu National Park. The luxury of us flying saves us around 4.5hours of rugged road travel and allows us to enjoy a smooth, scenic flight to one of Australia’s World Heritage Sites. We will witness the beauty of the Bungles from above before landing in Kununurra to be transferred to Lake Argyle for the next two nights. The drive will take around 2-hours 15-minutes. 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! Once we’ve checked in and freshened up we’ll head out to Pannikin Bay Sunset Lookout (1.3km). Tonight we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner in the restaurant, served with wine.

Day 7: Pint Pot Bay Exploration Walk

TRANSFERS: Transfer by private charter boat to walk

TRAIL NOTES: Choice of 8kms or 6kms. Grade: Medium to Hard.

ITINERARY: This morning enjoy a hearty breakfast before we cruise across the lake on a private charter to take us to the start of our walk for the day. The boat will take us past 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 at Pint Pot Bay where our walk begins. This Exploration Walk, covers 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 real Kimberley 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 water pool 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 taking in all the glory of Lake Argyle at this time of the day. Afterwards, we return to the resort to enjoy dinner in the restaurant, served with wine.

Day 8: Lake Argyle to El Questro – Amalia Gorge walk & El Questro Gorge walk

TRAIL NOTES: Amalia Gorge walk: 3.4kms. Grade: moderately difficult.
El Questro Gorge: 3 kms. 2 hours. Medium. Terrain: Some section rocky creek bed requiring good level of fitness & agility. Walking poles suggested.

ITINERARY: This morning after breakfast we’ll drive out to El Questro in the Eastern Kimberley where we’ll walk both Amalia Gorge and El Questro Gorge. The drive will take around 2-hours. The Amalia Gorge walk, a return trek to the waterfall and plunge pool takes over an hour and passes by several small flowing waterfalls and crystal clear pools, including a lovely half-way pool. The beginning of the walk is over a rocky dry river bed, with some tough narrow areas of the trail, but the scenery is worth it. After this walk, we’ll enjoy a sit-down lunch at El Questro Station, before heading to El Questro Gorge for our second walk of the day which takes you through a butterfly-filled rainforest and a boulder-strewn valley before arriving at the most beautiful waterfall. Enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear bathing hole and take in the rainforest’s splendour! After both of these fabulous walks, we’ll head to our accommodation for the next two nights at the campground at El Questro Station. Enjoy all the fun of a camping adventure, but with the little extras. In the campground you’ll find your walk-in touring tent set up for your arrival including an off the ground bed with a deluxe camping mattress and pillow. There are toilet and shower facilities provided in the campground. Tonight enjoy dinner in the Steakhouse Verandah Restaurant enjoying fine dining featuring local produce such as barramundi and succulent beef.

Day 9: Moonshine Walk 

TRAIL NOTES: 5kms. Grade: moderately difficult. Sections of the trail lead along a rocky riverbed with creek crossings

ITINERARY: This morning after breakfast we’ll enjoy Moonshine Gorge Circuit trail which follows Moonshine creek. The circuit is 5km. Along the way, we’ll see tall Livistona Palms and cliff faces on both sides of the gorge providing shade and plenty of areas to rest and swim. Afterwards, we return to El Questro for a delicious lunch before enjoying  a cruise along the Chamberlain River, taking in the beauty of this region’s flora and fauna and one of the longest gorge systems in the Kimberley.Tonight enjoy dinner in the Steakhouse Verandah Restaurant.

Day 10: Emma Gorge Walk – Kununurra

TRAIL NOTES: Zebedee Springs. Easy short walk. Emma Gorge Walk: 3.5kms. Terrain: Rocky creek bed requiring good level of fitness & agility. Walking poles suggested. Enjoy a challenging, partially shaded, one hour walk. Moderately difficult with some rugged creek crossings.

ITINERARY: This morning enjoy an early breakfast before we travel 45-minutes to Zebedee Springs, a natural oasis found after a short, easy walk. The trail leads us through dense Livistona Palms to a series of rocky thermal pools. The thermal springs are the perfect place to relax and take in the beauty that surrounds us. Next we’ll head to Emma Gorge for the last of our walking trails. Emma Gorge forms part of the Cockburn Ranges. This scenic trail takes us through a gorge characterised by cliff face escarpments reaching up to 120 metres high on both sides of the trail. See the ever-changing vegetation as you make your way along the gorge until you reach the crystal clear pools and a 65-metre waterfall. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools to cool off before enjoying lunch. After lunch, our journey takes us back to Kununurra where our journey ends.

Due to warmer weather in the 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. When walks are not opened alternative walks or activities will be substituted.

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

• Private boat charter to your Lake Argyle walk
• Sunset Cruise Lake Argyle
• Scenic Flight from The Bungles in Purnululu National Park (saving 9 hours driving) 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 Buchaneer 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 Franjinipani 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 Lake Argyle Resort in a Grandview Villa or Kimberley Cabin
• 2 night El Questro camping in walk-in tents with off the ground beds with a deluxe camping mattress and pillow
• 9 x a la carte dining each evening with wine
• 9 x buffet breakfasts
• 10 x lunches
• National Park Fees