Kimberley, Bungles, Broome & Beyond

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.

ITINERARY: This morning we’ll meet at Kununurra Country Club at 7:30am to drive out to El Questro in the Eastern Kimberley where we’ll walk the Amalia Gorge and El Questro Gorge. The drive will take around 1.5hours. The Amalia Gorge walk, a 3.4 km 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. Afterwards, we have lunch at El Questro Station which will be our accommodation for the next two nights. El Questro is a 700,000-acre cattle station in the Eastern Kimberley Region. We’ve chosen this location due to its character, atmosphere, charm and stunning nearby walks. With live entertainment most nights, you’ll love the atmosphere of this traditional Cattle Ranch. Enjoy the comfort of a modern garden or river view bungalows with ensuites. In the afternoon, relax or join an afternoon walk to El Questro Gorge (3 km – 2 hours). This trail passes along a gorge flanked by sheer cliffs lush tropical vegetation and crystal clear pools. Under the rainforest canopy, a diverse ecosystem thrives and the surrounding cliff faces are up to 1800 million years old and known as King Leopold sandstone. When we reach the end, cool off in the pretty waterhole before tracing our steps. Notes: Walks in this region, will depend on the conditions and may be adjusted to suit. Tonight enjoy dinner in the Steakhouse Verandah Restaurant enjoying fine dining featuring local produce such as barramundi and succulent beef.

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

ITINERARY: This morning enjoy an early breakfast before we travel south 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.

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, our journey takes us to Halls Creek. Tonight we stay at 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. 

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 starting at Geike Gorge where we will enjoy a cruise through this scenic and rare limestone-walled gorge. We will then travelling 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 further north to 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 time 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 heading west to Derby. 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. 

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

WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast, we’ll embark on an inspirational Aboriginal cultural walk with Bolo along the stunning coast of the Dampier Peninsula. Join Bardi Jawi man Bolo Angus and his family 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. Around 3pm we’ll travel to Broome and enjoy a short 1km walk from Cape Grammume to Cable Beach to share in the famous sunset for a celebration glass of wine or champagne! For our final night 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 celebratory dinner accompanied by wine at Cable Beach Resort.