Kimberley Darwin to Broome Complete Mitchell Falls Mt Elizabeth Lake Argyle Tour 14 days

Kimberley Complete Mitchell Falls Mt Elizabeth Lake Argyle Darwin to Broome Tour 14 days
via Gibb River Road  includes Lake Argyle cruise, Mitchell Falls (2 Nights), Bungle Bungles (2N), El Questro (2N), Kununurra, Mt Elizabeth Station (2N), 5 Rivers Lookout, Galvan’s Gorge, Windjana Gorges & Tunnel Creek, plus exceptional extra remote Aboriginal Rock Art sites and Aboriginal Art Centres (Tour Code KDBA14)

Enjoy spectacular Kimberley scenery and visit special Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) art sites. Share this unique opportunity to learn ancient wisdom, recreating community and nature. Enriching and fulfilling experiences in the lands of the world’s longest surviving culture. Experience incredible rock art galleries – learn about Aboriginal Lore, men and women’s business, spirituality, bush medicines and food, language and history, ceremony, song and dance.

Included in 14 day Kimberley Complete tours – KDBA14

• 3 cruises – Included are Geike Gorge (at Fitzroy River Crossing) & Chamberlain Gorge at El Questro. Lake Argyle
•  1-4 flights – Mitchell Falls helicopter included, 3 Optional flights are Mitchell Falls / Kings Cascades/St George Basin flight, Bungle Bungles flight, Horizontal Waterfalls flight)
• 2 nights El Questro Wilderness Park
• 3 Bungle Bungles walks
• 2 Nights Mt Elizabeth Station
• 2 nights Mitchell Plateau & Mitchell Falls  walks
• Rock art – Extra exceptional Wandjina, Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion ) rock art sites.

Details – Kimberley Complete Mitchell Falls Mt Elizabeth Lake Argyle Darwin to Broome Tour 14 days

DEPARTS FROM DARWIN

Day 1 – Overland to Lake Argyle departing from Darwin at 800 am (fly to Kununurra options available). Travel via the
Stuart Highway via Adelaide River, and Katherine, the NT’s 3rd largest town. We turn west on the Victoria Highway (part of the Savannah Way) and pass through rich cattle country and spectacular rugged mountain landscapes through Gregory National Park to Victoria River and Timber Creek. Enjoy views of the Stokes Range. We cross the NT/WA state border (no nuts, fruits, honey etc) and arrive in Lake Argyle for overnight. LD

Day 2 – Enjoy a relaxing and informative cruise on Lake Argyle (8-10am) and optional swim in their infinity pool with high, spectacular views over the lake and rugged mountain ranges. Depart for Kununurra, a prosperous productive centre of mining, agriculture, tourism and Aboriginal art. Kununurra highlights including the Ord River Scheme and Sandalwood factory.  We stock up here and check out the local Aboriginal art galleries  then travel through spectacular rugged granite mountain ranges past the Argyle Diamond Mine to our overnight at Bungle Bungles Safari Park on Mable Downs Station adjacent Purnululu National Park. BLD

Day 3 – We tour and walk in the Bungles Bungles in Purnululu National Park. Marvel at this high energy amazing orange and black striped beehive landscape formed by giant river systems. Walk the spectacular Cathedral Gorge, Beehive Domes and Picanninny Creek and after lunch a walk in Echidna Gorge. Optional scenic helicopter flight available.  Overnight Bungle Bungles Safari Park. BLD

Day 4 – Visit the Warmun Aboriginal Art Centre (time permitting) before heading to Wyndham and lunch at Five Rivers Lookout over the spectacular Cambridge Gulf. viewing the stunning Cockburn Range. After lunch its Ramsar listed Parry’s Lagoon (Marglu Billabong) for the rich wetlands bird life including Jabirus and Brolgas, and some quiet time in the Bird hide. On to the Gibb River Rd to El Questro. El Questro is a million acres of spectacular Kimberley scenery, rivers and gorges. Its here that the movie Australia was filmed, nestled under the Cockburn Ranges where we enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner at their fine outdoor restaurant. Overnight El Questro BLD

Day 5 – A Gorge walk to Emma Gorge sacred waterhole and a swim in the refreshing waters is available before we soak up the relaxing Zebedee hot springs, before exploring more of the El Questro treats including lunch by Jackaroos waterhole, another in the Pentecost at the station before a cruise on the Chamberlain River Gorge and viewing from Pigeon Lookout over the Pentecost River.  Overnight at El Questro resort. B,L, Dinner at restaurant own expense.

Day 6 – Today we journey the scenic and spectacular Gibb River Road via Cockburn Range, to cross the mighty Pentecost River and view from a high vantage point. Enjoy the Durack River crossing. We visit Home Valley Station and view Aboriginal rock art including Wandjina and Bradshaw’s (Gwion Gwion). We take a right turn at the Kulumburu Road for another water crossing of the Gibb River before a break at the famous working cattle station, Drysdale River Station for overnight. BLD

Day 7 – After breakfast we travel north through spectacular vegetation including cycads, pandanus palms and rainforests and ford the King Edward River before our overnight on Mitchell Plateau. Here we enjoy the waterfalls, swim and visit vast galleries of Munurru Aboriginal rock art including Wandjina & Bradshaw / Gwion Gwion rock art.  BLD

Day 8 – Today we traverse the Mitchell Plateau to Mitchell Falls and do the 2 hour 4 Km downhill walk via spectacular swimming pools and waterfalls. View several large rock art galleries and rock art sites with Wandjina and Bradshaw / Gwion Gwion rock art sites (including Thylacine / Tasmanian Tiger rock art ) and swim in these beautiful clear freshwaters.  This is one of the most remote areas of Australia. At the top of Mitchell Falls we have a couple of hours to relax and swim in these pristine, energised waters. We take the easy way out with the thrill of a spectacular helicopter flight over the Mitchell Falls & Merton Falls for a once in a lifetime view of this vast landscape and distant coastline. Options also available for extended flights to coastal areas (need to pre-book with Spirit Safaris). Overnight on Mitchell Plateau at our King Edward River base (or accommodation if pre-arranged).  BLD 

Day 9 – Travel today is down the Gibb River Rd with a break at the Drysdale River Station – and a great opportunity for bird watching or just enjoying the water and paperbark & pandanus palms. Back on the Gibb River Rd we take a break at the Hann River then leave the Gibb passing Dodnum Aboriginal community to Mt Elizabeth Station for overnight. BLD

Day 10 – More great rock art today on Mt Elizabeth Station and swimming options such as in Wunnumurra Gorge with a spectacular waterfall and a deep pool and big Wandjina and beautiful Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) rock art. Overnight Mt Elizabeth Station BLD

Day 11 – We depart Mt Elizabeth with a stop at Mt Barnett Roadhouse where we stock up and may meet some of the local Ngarinyin Aboriginal people from nearby Kupungarri Aboriginal Community. Travel into Manning Gorge
with its lovely paperbark lined waterhole and giant boabs – and for the walkers, a walk to a spectacular waterfall and swimming hole, or simply relax on the sandy beach. More rock art here too. BLD

Day 12 – After breakfast we head down the Gibb for an easy and short walk and optional swim at Galvans Gorge, one of the prettiest spots on the Gibb River Road. We travel through spectacular mountain scenery including Phillips Range and approaching the King Leopold Range to Magical Bell Gorge for a walk and swim opportunity in these fresh flowing waters. Overnight near Imitji Community at Bell Gorge safari camp for overnight. BLD

Day 13 – After breakfast, our tour climbs the King Leopold Ranges and we travel through the picturesque Inglis Gap and King Leopold Conservation Park.  This is spectacular mountain country with impressive views over the ranges and vast woodlands and plains. We cross the Lennard River and pass through the ancient Devonian era Napier Range at Queen Victoria Pass to arrive at Windjana Gorge National Park before a walk in Windjana Gorge. Here is abundant wildlife including freshwater crocodiles in this eerie, ancient seabed environment – where the megafauna roamed. We then follow the Devonian Reef / Napier Range road to Tunnel Creek with its many boab trees and picturesque complex shapes to Tunnel Creek. Here we don our torches and shorts to wade through this incredible underground river system full of stalagmites and stalactites and even an underground spring. This is where the Aboriginal freedom fighter Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance was centred in the 1890s, depicted in 2 novels and a recent stage production. After our walk in the shady and refreshing underground system, we follow the ranges and cross through them again, to arrive Fitzroy Crossing for overnight. BL – dinner own expense at restaurant
Day 14 – After breakfast enjoy a relaxing Geike Gorge Fitzroy River cruise and marvel at the high cliffs, annual flood records, stunning wildlife and river tales from our knowledgeable local guide. Enjoy a visit to the local Aboriginal art centre then comfortable highway cruising to Derby to visit the famous Prison Boab tree, and then Derby highlights including the Derby wharf (10 metre/30 ft tides!) on King Sound, the world’s longest cattle drinking trough, the new Mowanjum Aboriginal Art Centre (opportunity to meet the artists, learn and buy from source) at Mowanjum Aboriginal Community. Depart Derby for Broome to arrive late afternoon to be delivered to your accommodation. Time permitting enjoy the sunset at Cable Beach over the Indian Ocean, and possibly an optional camel ride. Enjoy a celebratory meal before overnight in Broome or late flights ex Broome. Accommodation own arrangement BLD

Next day option –  Optional Activities include a scenic flight to the Horizontal Waterfalls or visit the Willie Creek Pearl Farm, visit spectacular & controversial James Price Point, or simply shop or relax in Broome’s balmy climate. You can store your gear with us to enjoy the day before flights home or alternate destinations or consider travelling with us on a Karijini National Park & Pilbara Tour or to Alice Springs via the Tanami Track, Wolfe Creek Crater and art centres.

Inclusions

• Small group in modern 4 wheel drive vehicles
• Professional and experienced driver / guides
• Helicopter flight for photos at Mitchell Falls – Longer flights available over coast.
• Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people enriches experiences
• Access to remote areas and rock art sites unreachable by most tour vehicles
• 13 nights camping with comfortable sleeping options (self inflating mattress or stretcher).
• OR choose all or some nights motel style accommodation at extras when booking
  
• Delicious meals, including vegetarian, unless noted in the itinerary. Celebration completion meal.
• Guided cruises of Geike Gorge and Fitzroy River, and Chamberlain River Gorge
• All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees
• Aboriginal Art community visits for “direct from artist” purchases
• Contributions of tour price supports Outback Kids and nature care programs.
• A knowing that you are co-creating Australia’s future.

Exclusions

• Helicopter flights at Bungle Bungles – Approximately $285 for an 18 minute flight or longer options.
• 1 Dinner at El Questro (1 included) restaurants. Alcohol
• Accommodation upgrades if required. Available all locations if booked early.
• Flights to and from departure points.

Kimberley Complete Mitchell Falls Mt Elizabeth Lake Argyle DARWIN TO BROOME Tour 14 days

via Gibb River Road (Code KDBA14)  includes Lake Argyle cruise, Mitchell Falls (2 Nights), Bungle Bungles (2N), El Questro (2N), Kununurra, Mt Elizabeth Station (2N), 5 Rivers Lookout, Galvans Gorge, Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek, plus exceptional extra remote Aboriginal Rock Art sites and Art centres