Kimberley Complete with Horizontal Falls

The perfect addition to our most popular Kimberley adventure, skim across Horizontal Falls on an exhilarating fast boat ride and feel the intense tidal currents rushing through two narrow coastal gorges.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Broome

Arrive in Broome, where we meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. This evening, a relaxed dinner gives you the chance to meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2: Gibb River Road, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge

Your day starts with a visit to the Boab Prison Tree. Believed to be more than 1,500 years old and measuring an incredible 14 metres in diameter, this remarkable tree was once used by early police patrols as a standing point for prisoners as they were walked to Derby. Today, the hollow tree is a registered Aboriginal site of great cultural significance. Continue your journey along the iconic Gibb River Road, a remote 660-kilometre outback highway stretching between Broome and Kununurra. The ‘Gibb’ traverses the wild heart of the Kimberley, passing spectacular landscapes of intensely coloured ranges, dramatic gorges, deep rock pools and spectacular waterfalls. Turn off the Gibb River Road to the extraordinary Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre-long natural tunnel carved through the Napier Range. With torch in hand, wade through the cool waters that fill the tunnel and emerge on the other side to the sight of a tranquil and stunning oasis. Continue on to Windjana Gorge, where sheer cliffs tower above glistening white sands. Admire the ancient marine fossils embedded in the gorge walls and scour the banks for a glimpse of the freshwater crocodiles. Back on the Gibb River Road, travel into the Wunaamin Miliwundi Range National Park, which covers more than 900,000 acres and features seven rugged ranges. Later, arrive at your lodge for dinner.

Day 3: Bell Gorge

Back on the Gibb River Road, travel to Bell Gorge, where stunning cliffs surround a series of tiered waterholes. Sitting approximately 300 metres above sea level, Bell Gorge is an idyllic natural spot for swimming and photography. Here you can also enjoy a spot of birdwatching. If you are feeling particularly energetic, you can hike to the lower pool of the gorge and take a relaxing dip below the cascading waterfall.

Day 4: Galvans Gorge, Manning Creek, Drysdale River Station

Travel through the heart of Kimberley cattle country to discover some of the region’s most secluded gorges. At Galvans Gorge, a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole where boab trees cling to the escarpment above. Inspect the Wandjina rock art on the gorge walls and take a leisurely swim. Continue to the beautiful Manning Creek, where you’ll enjoy lunch in the shade of paperbark trees. Look out for the region’s bird life and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine water. Turn off the Gibb River Road and travel north on the Kalumburu Road towards the isolated Mitchell Plateau. Later, arrive at Drysdale River Station and enjoy a unique stay at this historic cattle property, including a delicious dinner.

Day 5: Mitchell Plateau, King Edward River, Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Rock Art

Cross the beautiful Drysdale River, then ascend the Mitchell Plateau to enter a remote world of Livistona palm forests, beautiful lookouts, magnificent waterfalls and isolated swimming holes. The Kimberley’s rock art is arguably some of the world’s oldest, with evidence suggesting the earliest occupation in the region dates back 50,000 to 60,000 years ago. Visit Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) art galleries and swim in the clear waters at King Edward River. For the next two nights, experience Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, with its Ungolan Pavilion, where you can relax in the lounge, treat yourself to a drink or read up on the local culture. In the heart of the Mitchell Plateau, your accommodation is perfectly positioned beside the Pandanus palm-fringed Camp Creek, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. For wildlife watchers, the region’s fantastic array of birdlife includes brolgas, herons, kites and sea eagles, as well as rainforest birds. This evening, be treated to a superb three-course dinner that showcases the region’s finest local produce. For the perfect accompaniment, a selection of flavoursome beers from Matso’s Broome Brewery and wines from Rosabrook Estate are available.

Day 6: Mitchell Falls

Today you have a full day to discover the beauty of Mitchell Falls, with its magnificent waterfalls and Indigenous art. When available, local Aboriginal guides will join the adventure, imparting their knowledge of the area and sharing their cultural beliefs. Begin with a guided hike to Little Mertens Falls to view rarely seen Aboriginal art. Continue to Big Mertens Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls. With superb scenery and rich culture, you can swim in the pools above the falls and spot the region’s abundant wildlife. We have also included a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls and the surrounding wilderness back to the vehicle. Longer helicopter flights over this captivating and remote coastline are available at additional expense. Then, it’s time to return to your wilderness lodge to relax, knowing you have just experienced a day most people can only dream of. Perhaps spend some time in front of the camp fire recounting today’s tales with your newfound friends.

Day 7: Mitchell Plateau, Gibb River Road, El Questro

Rejoin the Gibb River Road and ford the mighty Durack River before arriving at Emma Gorge Resort, located at El Questro, a sprawling wilderness area which covers 700,000 acres. Settle in before enjoying dinner this evening.

Day 8: El Questro, Emma Gorge

This morning hike to Emma Gorge where you'll be rewarded with a swim beneath a towering droplet waterfall. Enjoy lunch at El Questro Station, before relaxing at Zebedee Springs. Enjoy dinner this evening back at Emma Gorge Resort.

Day 9: Wyndham, Parry's Lagoon, Kununurra

After a hearty breakfast, head to Wyndham and view the breathtaking Cambridge Gulf from the spectacular Five Rivers Lookout. Enjoy lunch at an iconic outback pub before visiting the serene Parry Lagoons, a splendid birdwatcher’s paradise.

Day 10: Ord River, Lake Kununurra

Explore the beauty of Kununurra this morning at leisure before travelling to the majestic Lake Argyle, the largest constructed lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a spectacular wildlife cruise on the mighty Ord River. From modern shaded vessels, discover a fascinating ecological system that has developed from the damming of the Ord River at two locations to create an area rich in wildlife, flora and undeniable beauty. Enjoy a mesmerising sunset while cruising on tranquil Lake Kununurra. This evening, spend your time at leisure or simply relax at your hotel.

Day 11: Purnululu National Park, Echidna Chasm

Depart Kununurra and journey to Purnululu National Park, one of Australia’s most stunning natural landscapes. The park is home to the famed black and orange striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, ascending to 578 metres above sea level. Standing over a grass-covered plain, steep cliffs form the western face. Created by the constant erosion of river movements over a staggering 20 million years, the range has both geological and Indigenous cultural significance. It is an imposing sight and one that you are sure to remember forever. Join a hike along a Livistona palm-fringed trail into Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the rock. Settle into the tranquil ambience of the Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of this stunning national park. Enjoy a delicious dinner and share your adventures with your fellow travellers.

Day 12: Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge

Explore the magic of Purnululu for yourself and discover the depth of the Bungle Bungle Range. Walk along Piccaninny Creek, a winding gorge within the Bungle Bungle domes. Your next stop is the natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge, a spacious cavern where the acoustics are astounding. Marvel at the majestic beehive domes as your guide brings the natural history of the range to life. You may like to experience an optional scenic helicopter flight over the domes (own expense).

Day 13: Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing

Head to Halls Creek and admire the unusual China Wall. A natural quartz formation that runs six kilometres along the landscape, the wall is an echo of the Great Wall of China, after which it is named. Continue on towards Fitzroy Crossing, a small settlement situated on the Fitzroy River.

Day 14: Yiyili, Broome

Travel to Yiyili for a Signature Experience, then return to Broome and later this evening, perhaps enjoy a drink before your farewell dinner at the Sunset Bar and Grill.

Day 15: Independent Touring: Horizontal Falls, Depart Broome

Start your day with a spectacular half-day scenic seaplane flight to Horizontal Falls, admiring the stunning scenery as you fly in over the bay. Described by Sir David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, explore the astounding falls on a high-powered, exhilarating boat ride. Experience the intense 12-metre tidal currents rushing through two narrow coastal gorges. Later in Broome, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.