DAY 1: Wed 16 June HOME PORT – DARWIN (-)
Depart your home port and fly to Darwin, capital city of the Northern Territory, and situated on the Timor Sea (own expense).
Upon arrival meet your Platinum Journeys crew where you will transfer to your hotel to check-in.
Enjoy a tour briefing this evening and dinner (own expense).
Overnight: Travelodge Darwin
DAY 2: Thu 17 Jun DARWIN – KATHERINE (BLD)
After an early breakfast head south along the Stuart Highway stopping at the solemn but beautiful Adelaide River War Cemetery to see the military graves honouring those killed in the bombing of Darwin.
Continue along the Stuart Highway and visit Edith Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls and pools on the Edith River before arriving at Katherine in time for an afternoon gorge cruise along one of the most majestic waterways in Australia to see the abundant wildlife including crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the river.
Overnight: Knotts Crossing Resort Katherine
DAY 3: Fri 18 Jun KATHERINE – KUNUNURRA (BLD)
Travel to Kununurra, a relatively new town established in 1961 as a service centre for the huge Ord River Irrigation scheme, our home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Kimberley Grande Kununurra
DAY 4: Sat 19 Jun KUNUNURRA SIGHTSEEING (BD)
This morning our local guide joins us for a tour of the town itself, the Ord River irrigation scheme farms, Ivanhoe Crossing, Diversion Dam, Indian sandalwood plantations, hybrid seed production plus chia, melon and pumpkin crops.
After an early lunch (own expense), travel out to the relocated original homestead (time permiting) of the pioneering Durack family from Argyle Downs and cross the Lake Argyle dam wall that holds the water for the gravity fed Ord irrigation scheme.
Board your cruise boat for the Ord River cruise into Kununurra, enjoying a spectacular Kimberley sunset over the Carr Boyd Ranges and Lake Kununurra.
Overnight: Kimberley Grande Kununurra
DAY 5: Sun 20 Jun KUNUNURRA – EL QUESTRO – EMMA GORGE (BD)
After breakfast travel to renowned El Questro Wilderness Park set amongst the rocky red Cockburn Ranges. Visit Zebedee Springs with time to see the pools amongst the palm trees with its unique circular backdrop gorge wall and crystal clear rock pools. Afterwards visit El Questro Homestead for lunch (own expense) before continuing to Emma Gorge.
This afternoon have the opportunity to walk into Emma Gorge itself and be rewarded with the view of a spectacular waterfall and pools.
Overnight: Emma Gorge – safari style tented cabin with ensuite.
DAY 6: Mon 21 Jun EL QUESTRO – WYNDHAM – KUNUNURRA (BD)
This morning head to Wyndham, situated on Cambridge Gulf, which is Western Australia’s most northerly town. See the large port area which still services the cattle export industry along with the mining and tourism industries. Continue to 5 Rivers Lookout on top of Bastion Range where the five mighty Kimberley Rivers meet and flow into the ocean.
Continue to Kununurra for lunch (own expense) where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before returning to the accommodation this afternoon with dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Kimberley Grande Kununurra
DAY 7: Tue 22 Jun KUNUNURRA – BUNGLE BUNGLES (BLD)
After breakfast travel to Purnululu National Park, home of the World Heritage listed Bungle Bungles ranges which are striking geological formations of unique beehive shaped domes.
Arrive at our accommodation in the national park itself in time for dinner.
Overnight: Savannah Lodge Bungle Bungles
DAY 8: Wed 23 Jun BUNGLE BUNGLES NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
A full day to explore this wonderful area. Travel to Cathedral Gorge, an amazing natural amphitheatre of red rock formation with fantastic acoustics. Afterwards travel to Echidna Chasm to walk amongst the steep-sided gorge walls and enjoy a bush lunch along with a visit to the Rangers Station.
Overnight: Savannah Lodge Bungle Bungles
DAY 9: Thu 24 Jun BUNGLE BUNGLES – FITZROY CROSSING (BLD)
Sadly depart this magnificent spot and re-join the highway, passing through the historic gold township of Halls Gap before arriving at our destination of Fitzroy Crossing, situated on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, this afternoon.
Time to relax before dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Fitzroy River Lodge Fitzroy Crossing
DAY 10: Fri 25 Jun TUNNEL CREEK & WINDJANA GORGE – DERBY (BLD)
After an early breakfast travel to Danggu Gorge National Park to enjoy a leisurely cruise on Geikie Gorge to see the abundant wildlife and crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the river. Afterwards visit Tunnel Creek – an underground stream located in the King Leopold Ranges to walk through the creek and marvel at this unique stream in its arid environment (please bring a torch and wet weather shoes). Continue to magnificent Windjana Gorge with its walls soaring 80 metres above the riverbed and enjoy time to walk into the gorge.
Arrive into Derby late this afternoon which is located on the tidal mud flats on the edge of picturesque King Sound. The town’s origins were the pastoral and mining industries – Derby developed as a port to service the pastoral properties along the Fitzroy River and pearl luggers used the port collecting in the Buccaneer Archipelago.
Overnight: Spinifex Hotel Derby
DAY 11: Sat 26 Jun DERBY SIGHTSEEING – BROOME (B)
This morning travel out to see the unique circular wharf overlooking King Sound, visit the Boab Prison Tree and see the Myall Stock Trough. Head south crossing the mighty Fitzroy River – the largest watercourse in the western Kimberley – before arriving at the cosmopolitan pealing township of Broome, our home for the next 3 nights. Overnight: Broome
DAY 12: Sun 27 Jun BROOME SIGHTSEEING (B)
This morning see the highlights of Broome including Chinatown, the Sun outdoor theatre, the Japanese Pearl Divers Cemetery, Gantheaume Point and the Dinosaur’s footprints. Enjoy a guided tour of the Pearl Lugger’s Museum to learn about the history of the pearl industry.
Afterwards some time at leisure before transferring to Cable Beach to enjoy a spectacular sunset and optional camel ride before dinner (own expense) this evening.
Overnight: Broome
DAY 13: Mon 28 Jun FREE DAY – HORIZONTAL FALLS OPTIONAL TOUR (BD)
A full free day for private sightseeing or see the optional tour below. This evening walk the short distance to Matso’s Brewery Restaurant for a special farewell dinner.
HORIZONTAL FALLS OPTIONAL TOUR
Fly from Broome to Horizontal Falls on board a Seaplane and enjoy a spectacular landing on the calm waters of Talbot Bay. Transfer to fast boat and enjoy the experience the incredible tidal power of this natural phenomenon as you are taken through the falls. Enjoy breakfast or lunch on the houseboat. View Paspaley pearl farms in Talbot Bay as we take off for our return flight. Fly at 200m over hundreds of islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago and Cape Leveque before heading south along the coast of the Dampier Peninsula over Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Willie Creek & Cable Beach prior to landing in Broome.
Tour Cost - TBA.
Alternatively a full day Horizontal Falls tour is available travelling by 4WD along the Dampier Peninsula to see the Beagle Bay church, Cape Leveque and One Arm Point where you board the seaplane to view the falls as per above.
Tour Cost - TBA per person.
Tours must be booked and paid in full prior to departure. Please note: There are strictly limited vacancies and they fill very quickly. If you wish to confirm a seat please advise us immediately.
THIS TOUR IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND TIDAL/WEATHER CONDITIONS
Overnight: Broome
DAY 14: Tue 29 Jun BROOME – FLY HOME (B)
Have the opportunity for last minute shopping to buy mementos or take a final stroll or swim along Cable Beach before making your way to Broome airport for you flight home, so ending a memorable trip to the Kimberley region.
