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9 Day 4WD Kimberley Tour
In the Comfy Truck
Sensational Windjana Gorge
This 9 day 4WD Kimberley Tour explores the Kimberley region in North Western Australia between Broome and Darwin. It is an expedition style departing Broome twice a week from May to October.
Daily activities on tour include hiking and swimming, when visiting waterfalls it is normally possible to both swim in the plunge pools and hike to the top of the falls and beyond to further explore the region.
Although this trip is more comfortable than the 
9 Day Broome to Darwin Tour, passengers on this tour should still be
prepared to endure a few hardships and can sometimes expect to spend 4 - 5 hours traveling between destinations
due to poor road conditions.
Camping varies between campgrounds with showers and toilets, to bush camps with no facilities, the preference on this tour is to use campgrounds, and bush camping is only used where campgrounds are not available, see the itinerary below for the daily camping style on tour.
The vehicle carries a maximum of 16 or 20 passengers in a specially built 4WD Truck with forward facing seats. The larger vehicle with forward facing seats mean that traveling over the sometimes rough roads is a lot more comfortable than a smaller 4WD vehicle. The trucks are also fully air conditioned.
National parks visited on this Kimberley 4WD Tour include Keep River National Park, Bungle Bungles National Park, Hidden Valley National Park, Tunnel Creek National Park and Windjana Gorge National Park. Other places of interest include El Questro Station, Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs, El Questro Gorge, Pentecost River, Gibb River Road, Mertens Falls, Barnett River gorge, Manning Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Bell Gorge, King Leopold Ranges, Lennard River Gorge & Broome.
Kimberley Tour Itinerary.
Day 1. Broome to Windjana Gorge.
Day 1, Tunnel Creek
The 9 day Broome to Darwin 4WD tour departs Broome nice and early and heads east into the amazing Kimberley region of North West Western Australia. The destination for the first day is a bush campsite and the amazing Windjana Gorge.
Along the way there is some really interesting landscapes, including the mighty Fitzroy River and Tunnel Creek. Tunnel Creek is just one of the Kimberley’s amazing geological sites, a natural tunnel which passes under the Napier Mountain Range, Tunnel Creek is part of an ancient barrier reef and travels underground for 750 metres.
The Tunnel is very large, about 15 metres wide and up to 12 metres high a, a creek runs the full length of the tunnel and for those with a sense of adventure, walking the full length of the tunnel in deep cool water is an unforgettable experience.
Day 2. Windjana Gorge to Manning Gorge.
Day 2, Windjana Gorge
Windjana Gorge, located within the Windjana Gorge National Park, is a spectacular 3.5 kilometre long gorge formed by an ancient coral reef. Walls either side of the gorge are up to 100 metres high and the gorge is about 100 metres wide.
A highlight of the Gorge Visit is a usually a large population of freshwater crocodiles which can be seen swimming in the waterholes and basking on the river banks. In the beginning of the dry season the pools are quite large and the crocodiles are dispersed, however the waterholes quickly recede over the season and the crocs become more concentrated.
Freshwater Crocodiles are small and considered harmless to humans (unlike the Saltwater Crocodile) and it is theoretically possible to swim in Windjana Gorge, however this option is normally reserved for the fearless!
After a pleasant morning at Windjana Gorge the tour heads of toward Manning Gorge and the Barnet Range, where usually a sensational sunset can be viewed before cooking up a feast at camp
Day 3. Gibb River Road & Gorges.
Day 3, Manning Gorge
Also known as “Gorge Day” day 3 takes in a number of the spectacular gorges located in this region of the Kimberley, first stop is normally Manning Gorge, where there is great swimming in clear, cool waters. There is also a 3km hike to Upper Manning Gorge, a beautiful area with a waterfall and huge swimming hole surrounded by high cliffs.
Other Gorges to visit include Adcock Gorge, Barnett Gorge and Galvan’s Gorge. Actual gorges visited vary on tours depending on the group’s preference and the time of year.
Day 4. Gibb River Road to El Questro.
Day 4, Emma Gorge
As the Gibb River Road winds it’s way through the Kimberley, so too does the Pentecost river, and at the point at which they intersect the river is almost 100 metres wide and appears to stop the Road in it’s tracks! In fact the road simple continues on through the river and out the other side, and a highlight of the 9 Day Kimberley Tours is crossing the wide river in the 4WD.
El Questro Station, in the east Kimberley, is a spectacular destination and home to a sensational waterfall at Emma Gorge. After a great walk though the Cockburn Ranges to Emma Gorge, it’s time to settle down to comfortable camp at the El Questro Campground.
Day 5. El Questro to Bungle Bungle.
Day 5, The Bungle Bungle
Destination Bungle Bungle, or Purnululu as it is known to the local Aboriginal people, what a sensational place! The long drive to the Bungles passes through the Carr Boyd and Durack Ranges and ends with a challenging 4WD track to the campsite.
Once inside the Purnululu National Park it’s time for yet another Kimberley Sunset, this time over the Osmond range, and yes, like the others, it’s typically another sensational one!
Day 6. Bungle Bungle National Park.
Day 6, Echidna Chasm
After yesterdays long drive you are rewarded with a full day exploring the Bungle Bungle.
The Bungles is a maze of curious orange and black striped beehive shaped domes, and is without a doubt one of Australia's most unusual and fascinating landscapes. Throughout the Bungles lie hidden Hiking trails, and Gorges and Chasms containing not only precious water, but in some cases rare palm trees as well!
On today’s itinerary is Echidna Chasm, a spectacular long narrow chasm, with Livistona palm trees a 200 metre high ridges, Cathederal Gorge and Frog Hole Gorge.
There is also time for a helicopter flight over the Bungles. Tonights camp is in the heart of the Bungle Bungle landscape.
Day 7. The Bungle Bungle to Kununurra.
Day 7, Hidden Valley
Leaving the Bungle Bungle behind, today’s destination is the township of Kununurra, arriving around lunch time, the afternoon is spent exploring Hidden Valley.
Hidden Valley, or Mirima National Park, contains 300 million year old sandstone formations which bear a striking resemblance to the Bungles, and are often referred to as the mini Bungle Bungle. Mirima contains a number of short walking trails worth exploring.
Tonight is a supper comfy camp in the Caravan Park at Kununurra, go nuts with the shower!
Day 8. Kununurra to Victoria River.
Day 8, Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle, north of Kununurra is a spectacular man made lake 18 times the size of Sydney harbour! It contains more fresh water than you can poke a stick it and has numerous small islands.
Note: Our other product, The Rugged 9 Day Kimberley Tour spends more time at Lake Argyle than this tour, and even camps on an island overnight!
From Lake Argyle with time permitting we may have a look in at the Keep River National Park before heading to our camp on the Victoria River.
Day 9. Victoria River to Darwin.
Day 9, Edith Falls
The final leg this morning is short drive to Katherine where we have a brief visit to Katherine (Nitmiluk) Gorge. Heading north there is a stop at Edith Falls for a final swim before heading into Darwin.
- Katherine Gorge (Brief Stop)
- Edith Falls
- Darwin
- Hiking: 1 – 2km
Kimberley Tours
Contact Travelwild
Landline:
+61 8 8843 4159
Freecall: (within Australia only)
1800 171616
Skype: (user: travelwild1)
Email:
tours@travelwild.com.au
Form:
9 Day Broome to Darwin Tour Summary |
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Departs: | Wednesdays and Saturdays, May - October |
Departs From: | Broome 6.30am |
Finishes at: | Darwin 6pm |
Group Size: | 16 or 20 |
Vehicle: | 4WD Truck |
Accommodation: | Camp Grounds, some bush camps |
Price: | $1795 AUD (Stud/YHA $1745 AUD) Fully Inclusive |
Highlights: |
• Small Group |