Western Australia Broome to Darwin
13 Day Jewels of the Kimberley with Outback Spirit
To be immersed in the Kimberley is like touching the spiritual heart of this extraordinary country. Exploring this region with Outback Spirit you will feel a deep sense of fulfilment, captivated by the history, the rich Indigenous culture and the spectacular scenery.
Tour Highlights:
- Visit the Horizontal Falls by seaplane with exciting boat ride
- Discover the Mitchell Plateau and spend 2 nights at our luxury safari camp
- Enjoy a guided walk to Mitchell Falls via rarely seen Gwion and Wanjina cultural art sites. Includes return scenic helicopter flight
- Discover the World Heritage Listed Bungle Bungles including Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm
- Visit spectacular Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek National Parks
- Enjoy an Ord River adventure cruise and learn about the Irrigation Scheme
- Travel the northern half of the infamous Gibb River Road
- Discover Kununurra and Wyndham including Five Rivers Lookout
- Spend 2 nights at El Questro and discover Zebedee Thermal Springs
Your inclusions
- 10 nights of hotel, resort, safari camp and lodge accommodation with en-suite facilities
- 2 nights in Outback Spirit's luxurious & exclusive Ngauwudu Safari Camp
- All meals including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners while on tour
- All attractions including; entry and cruise
- Small Group Size of 20 people
- Travel aboard a 5-star All Terrain Mercedes Benz Coach
- Escorted by experienced and professional Tour Driver and Tour Director
- Outback Spirit Explorer Pack (for first-time travellers only)
13 Day Small Group Guided Holiday
- From $12775 per person share twin
- Select departures: 26 Apr, 30 Apr, 02 Sep, 06 Sep, 07 Sep, 09 Sep 26
- From $13885 per person share twin
- Select departures: 07 May-26 Aug 26
- BONUS: Includes a saving of $5550 per couple
Itinerary
Today, you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Director. The remainder of the day is free to spend at your leisure, before viewing a spectacular sunset from the resort, prior to your welcome dinner.
Start your day early as we set off on an unforgettable full-day adventure to Horizontal Falls and the Dampier Peninsula. Your day includes a breath-taking seaplane flight, offering panoramic views of the stunning Buccaneer Archipelago, before landing in the calm waters of Talbot Bay. Enjoy either a delicious hot breakfast, or locally sourced barramundi lunch prepared by your expert hosts at the Horizontal Falls houseboat.
Throughout the day, experience a scenic cruise through the Horizontal Falls, followed by a refreshing swim in the marine viewing enclosure, where you can get up close to the local marine life. You’ll also visit the renowned, third-generation Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, learning about the rich history and culture of this family-owned business, and explore the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community, home to the iconic Mother of Pearl Church. After a day full of adventure and discovery, we make our way back to Broome, where the Horizontal Falls team will transfer you back to your accommodation.
Tonight, we gather for dinner at the Sunset Bar & Grill.
Note: this tour may be done as drive first/fly second or fly first/drive second depending on the itinerary offered on that day. The same inclusions and activities are provided in both directions.
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures seaplanes are governed by individual guests’ weight and therefore all guests must declare their accurate weights (with clothes on) at the time of booking. All guests are weighed upon boarding for weight verification and safe loading of the aircraft. In addition to the individual weights, they also have an upper weight limit of no more than 120kg.
What to pack: 2kg hand luggage weight allowance is applicable per guest. Please bring water bottle, sun protection, camera and light towel.
Today we depart Broome and head for Derby. Enjoy a look around town and visit the Boab Prison Tree before joining the start of the Gibb River Road.
We visit an Art gallery before visiting Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek), where water has carved a large tunnel through the limestone Napier Ranges. At 750m long and up to 20m in height in places, this was formed 350 million years ago as part of an ocean reef system.
Later today we continue to Fitzroy Crossing, arriving late-afternoon to check in to the Fitzroy River Lodge
This morning we depart Fitzroy Crossing and continue along the Great Northern Highway before we turn off the highway to Mt Pierre Station where we will veer onto a track that will lead us to Mimbi Caves.
Your local guide will take you through this natural wonder which is part of the 350 Million-year-old Devonian Reef system. This amazing cave system will take your breath away with its vivid colours and limestone rock formations.
Listen to Dreamtime stories and learn about one of the most significant Devonian fossil sites in the world from the local Gooniyandi people. Enjoy freshly brewed tea and damper made the traditional way by your guides using native seeds.
Afterwards, we travel to Halls Creek for lunch. This afternoon we continue east and turnoff to the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles). Enjoy two nights at the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, owned by Outback Spirit in partnership with Aviair/Helispirit. The lodge features comfortable cabins with ensuite bathrooms.
*The walk into the Mimbi Caves is uneven and you will need to be reasonably confident on your feet. In the caves the light can be poor and in some places non-existent. Those suffering a fear of close spaces should be mindful of this.
Today we explore the wonders of Purnululu, including its unique orange and black beehive shaped domes. First up, enjoy a breathtaking 18-minute scenic helicopter flight over the park with a bird's eye view of its astounding natural features. Afterwards enjoy a walk along Piccaninny Creek to the mind boggling natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. Then follow the 'dome trail' for a closer inspection of the park's unique geological formations.
This afternoon we'll head to the northern region of the Bungle Bungles to visit Echidna Chasm before returning to the lodge.
Today we farewell the Bungle Bungles and travel north to Wyndham. Enjoy a visit to the spectacular Five Rivers Lookout, with dramatic views over Cambridge Gulf. After a picnic lunch we make our way to Kununurra and check in to the centrally located Kununurra Country Club for our overnight stay. The rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.
This morning we head to the banks of Lake Kununurra to board our sensational three-hour cruise up the Ord River. Enjoy the mesmerising scenery and diverse wildlife as your skipper takes you upstream to Lake Argyle, with expert commentary along the way. Once we reach the dam wall we board our coach and return to Kununurra by road, stopping off at the Argyle Homestead Museum along the way. Located at the base of the Cockburn Range, our home for the next two nights is Emma Gorge Resort, where we stay in unique tented cabins.
This morning we head deeper into this iconic Kimberley wilderness park to Chamberlain Gorge, a beautiful three-kilometre-long fresh waterhole bound by towering escarpment. Enjoy a 90-minute gorge cruise and feed some of the cheeky Archerfish before returning to Emma Gorge Resort via the Station township.
After lunch, enjoy a guided walk up to the stunning Emma Gorge waterfall (2.5 hours return – a good level of fitness required, but well worth it.). Enjoy a swim in the large rock pool at the base of the falls and marvel at the beauty of the gorge, one of the best in the Kimberley. Upon returning to the resort, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure before re-grouping for dinner.
You'd be hard pressed to find a better way to start the day than a swim in the warm, crystal clear waters of Zebedee Thermal Springs. We'll spend a relaxing morning here before resuming our journey west along the Gibb River Road.
Cross the mighty Pentecost River and continue past Ellenbrae Station to the 'Y' junction. From here we follow the Kalumburu Road to Drysdale River Station, which runs 9,000 head of cattle across more than 1 million acres. We spend the night here in comfortable station cabins with private ensuite bathrooms.
This morning we continue north along the Kalumburu Road before turning onto the Mitchell Plateau track. After fording the King Edward River we'll visit a series of spectacular Wanjina rock art galleries, known as some of the best in the Kimberley.
After a picnic lunch we drive through an ancient Livistona Palm forest before arriving on the Mitchell Plateau mid-afternoon.
Featuring deluxe Safari Suites with ensuite bathrooms, quality furnishings and large balconies, Outback Spirit's Ngauwudu Safari Camp is the most luxurious and spacious accommodation on the Mitchell Plateau. Built exclusively for Outback Spirit guests, it's truly a magical spot to spend the next two nights of our adventure and the ideal base from which to discover the Mitchell Plateau and Mitchell Falls.
This afternoon, take a dip in the camp's private palm fringed waterhole or simply relax in your safari suite. Enjoy a drink around the campfire at sunset before retreating to the restaurant for dinner.
A big walk today, but also a big highlight! After a short drive to the ranger station we'll set off on a guided 4km walking tour to the incredible Mitchell Falls (good level of fitness and mobility required). Along the way we'll discover rarely seen Gwion and Wanjina rock art galleries, accompanied by a local expert guide from Kandiwal Community. The walk also takes us past Mertens Falls before arriving at the top of the Mitchell Falls, one of the most awe-inspiring wonders of the Kimberley.
After a picnic lunch and enough time to admire the falls we'll take to the skies for a spectacular helicopter flight (included) back to where the walk started. Viewing the falls and surrounding landscape from the air is an absolute highlight, and a great way to finish off the experience. Once we're on the ground at the ranger station, we return to the camp for a well-earned rest and perhaps a swim in the palm fringed creek.
Please Note: For passengers not wishing to do the Mitchell Falls walk there is an option to fly down by helicopter. An Outback Spirit guide will still escort you. The flight cost is $179.00 per person (own expense). Please note: Weight limits apply to all scenic flights
This morning we head to the Mitchell Plateau airstrip for our scenic flight to Darwin. Our aircraft for the morning is Outback Spirit's state-of-the-art Cessna Grand Caravan, featuring a high wing for excellent visibility, air-conditioning and turbine reliability. Head east to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf before hugging the coastline to Darwin, arriving early in the afternoon. We then check in to the Hilton Garden Inn on the Esplanade, where the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.
Tonight, enjoy our final dinner together and celebrate a wonderful Kimberley adventure
Today your tour concludes. You may wish to join us for a city tour, including a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or alternatively, you can spend the morning at your leisure. You will then be transferred to the airport or accommodation if staying on.
