The Kimberley – The Ultimate Self Drive

Overview

The Kimberley, in Australia’s northwest, has been called the last wilderness. Its main artery is the Gibb River Road, a 400 mile track, built in the 1960s to transport cattle, that links some of the most awesome natural sights, including gorges and waterfalls, in this rugged escarpment country. Travelling the route on a wellcrafted, independently undertaken expedition by 4WD, along mostly unsealed track, is the way to experience one of the most adventurous self-drive road trips anywhere on earth. Think Ranulph Fiennes, but with back-up and simple but comfortable beds (this is not a holiday for seekers of luxury). Here is the perfect two-week trip that can be tackled any time between April and October.

Days 1 and 2 BROOME

After arriving at the old pearling town of Broome, you will pick up your 4WD at the airport desk and drive to the Cable Beach Resort (room only). You might want to consider taking a scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago (£192).

Day 3 GEIKIE GORGE

Follow the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing, with a cruise en route at Geikie Gorge, sailing between its 100 foot high walls embedded with fossils. You’ll spend the night in a Riverview Studio at Fitzroy River Lodge on the banks of the Fitzroy River (room only).

Day 4 MOUNT HART

Highlights of the day include a walk through Tunnel Creek, a 750 metre long cave, and Windjana Gorge National Park situated in the Napier Range an famed for its abundant wildlife as well as freshwater crocodiles. Your night will be spent at Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge (dinner and breakfast included).

Days 5 IMINTJI

Time for a swim at Lennard and Bell Gorge, both part of the King Leopold Conservation Park, before arriving at Imintji Wilderness Camp, a basic but comfortable camp with hot showers and tented cabins with twin beds (dinner and breakfast included).

Day 6 Mount Elizabeth Station

After admiring even more impressive gorges, including the horseshoe-shaped Galvins, you’ll see Aboriginal rock art sites and magnificent Boab trees that dominate the landscape, and have time for a swim at the Manning waterhole before checking in at Mt Elizabeth Station (dinner and breakfast included).

Days 7 and 8 EL QUESTRO

A million acre wilderness park, within the fiery red walls of the Cockburn Ranges, with accommodation in a deluxe tented cabin at the Emma Gorge Resort room only (or you could consider upgrading to the exclusive Homestead from £957 including all meals). On your free day you can swim in the thermal waters at El Questro’s Zebedee Springs or take a short cruise on Chamberlain Gorge, with horse riding, barramundi fishing, plus numerous walks or scenic flights through the endless gorges also on the menu of options.

Days 9 and 10 KUNUNURRA AND THE BUNGLE BUNGLES

It’s a short drive to Kununurra where we will have booked you a cruise on the wildlife-rich Ord River, then you’ll spend two nights at the Kimberley Grande (room only). The following day you’ll need to make a very early start (5.30am) for your scenic flight out to the famous Bungle Bungles, arriving at a bush camp for a much deserved breakfast followed by a walk into the spectacular Northern Gorge's Echidna Chasm. The afternoon’s focus is the spectacular Cathedral Gorge and the remarkable beehive dome formations. Enjoy afternoon tea back at the camp before your scenic flight back to Kununurra at approx 5pm. Note: If you want to extend your stay you might want to spend a night at the Bungle Bungles wilderness camp (for a supplement of £265 including all meals and 2 days’ touring).

Day 11 ONWARD FLIGHT

Drive ends, unless you want to continue your drive to Darwin via Katherine and Kakadu National Park.

Guideline price £2087 per person including 10 nights’ accommodation and meals as specified, Geikie Gorge/Ord River cruise, a fly-safari into the Bungle Bungles and 10 days’ large 4WD hire (some local charges apply including a one way drop off fee of approx AUD$880 and a daily excess reduction charge of approx $53).

Katherine and Kakadu Extension -Day 11 KATHERINE

It’s a long day’s drive to Katherine, with little time left in the day by the time you arrive at Maud Creek Lodge, built on the site of an old cattle and buffalo station (room only).

Days 12 and 13 KAKADU

Before setting off there’s time to explore the magnificent gorges of Nitmiluk National Park on a two-hour scenic cruise, as well as the chance along the way to cool off for a swim at Edith Falls. You’ll spend two nights at Holiday Inn Gagudju Crocodile (room only), leaving time to explore the highlights of Croc Dundee’s Kakadu, including a cruise on the Yellow Waters, the ancient rock art at Nourlangie Rock, and the awesome Barramundi Falls.

Day 14 DARWIN

Head back to Darwin for a night at Mantra Esplanade (room only) before your onward flight the next day.

This extension will add £608 per person to the itinerary, including an additional four nights’ accommodation, Katherine Gorge Cruise and four extra days’ car hire. Note that all our drives can be privately guided.