11 Days Best of the Kimberley

itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Darwin

On arrival in Darwin you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a tour of the tropical city of Darwin. See the mixture of old and new building styles including the old Government House and the new Northern Territory Parliament building. Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Drive through the Botanic Gardens to East Point Reserve and view remnants of the World War II defence of Australia. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers. Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin. D

Day 2: Katherine Gorge

We head south along the Stuart Highway towards Katherine. Stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery, a site dedicated to the WWII air raids on Darwin. In Nitmiluk National Park, cruise the placid waters of the Katherine River through the towering cliffs of two gorges as the walls reflect the colours of the late afternoon sun. Hotel: Paraway Motel, Katherine. B D

Day 3: Ord River Cruise

Travel via Timber Creek and Victoria River across vast cattle stations into Western Australia. Visit the historic Argyle Downs Homestead, which was faithfully removed brick by brick and reconstructed to become a pioneer museum. See Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake. Later, cruise along the Ord River from Lake Argyle to Kununurra. This permanent water supply has formed wetland areas, which have become havens for myriads of birds and a variety of marsupials that inhabit the islands in the lake. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort, Kununurra, 2 nights. B D

Day 4: Kununurra

Enjoy a tour of Kununurra, one of the youngest towns in Western Australia which is the hub of local industry for agriculture, tourism and mining in the east Kimberley. See the Ord River Irrigation Scheme and Hidden Valley National Park, which features 300 million year old sandstone cliffs. The park is home to a big variety of wildlife including many species of birds, all manner of reptiles, wallabies, bats, dingoes and echidna. Admire the local views from Kelly’s Knob Lookout. Learn all about the sandalwood industry from soil to oil when we visit the Sandalwood Factory at Mount Romance. B D

Day 5: Wyndham – 5 Rivers Lookout

We travel to Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve (weather permitting) to see the birdlife of this region. Continue to Wyndham to the 5 Rivers Lookout for sensational views over the Cambridge Gulf. View the Dreamtime Statues and rock art murals at Warriu Park, before continuing along the Gibb River Road to El Questro Wilderness Park. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with private facilities, El Questro, 2 nights.B D

Day 6: El Questro Wilderness Park

This morning cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, a fresh waterhole fringed by tropical vegetations and 60 metre tall escarpments. At Emma Gorge Resort there is time to relax and sit by the pool or to hike into Emma Gorge for a refreshing swim in the waterhole. B D

Day 7: Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine

Today visit the Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine, which produces one quarter of the world’s diamonds annually. A local guide will join us for a behind the scenes look at the diamond mining process. Continue south to the historic town of Halls Creek, situated on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, at the doorstep of the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel, Halls Creek. B L D

Day 8: Geikie Gorge

Travel through the Kimberley to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing. This afternoon cruise through Geikie Gorge, which has been formed by the waters of the Fitzroy River tunnelling through the Napier Range. Watch for wildlife as the 30 metre high walls of the gorge tower above us. Be sure to look out for crocodiles and sawfish. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing. B L D

Day 9: Derby – Broome

Travel to the port of Derby and see the famous Boab Prison Tree, used by the first police as an overnight holding cell. Continue to the resort town of Broome. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort, Broome, 2 nights. B D

Day 10: Broome ‘Free Time’

Today is at leisure to explore this tropical hideaway. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 22 kilometres of pristine sand and swim in the turquoise blue water that is Cable Beach. Wander through Chinatown or shop for pearls. This evening sit back, relax and watch the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. Or you may like to take a camel ride along Cable Beach. Ask your Tour Director for details. B

Day 11: Depart Broome

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Broome Airport for your onward flight. B

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