Wonders of the Kimberley

You’re about to spend the next 11 days with a group of similarly minded adventure-seekers who will likely become best friends before you even leave tonight’s dinner venue. Break the ice over a few cool drinks and a suitably dazzling Broome sunset that sinks into the Indian Ocean with a sizzle.

Among the most multicultural cities in Australia, Broome became a base for fortune-seekers the world over during its ‘pearl rush’. Many of them never left. The pristine waters here grow great oysters, and the resulting pearls are prized by lovers of all things that gleam. The hardest thing you have to do today is decide how to spend it. We have a few ideas. Opt to go to the source and see how pearls are painstakingly grown and harvested. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship and discover the allure of these exquisite gems. Alternatively, you may opt to venture further afield and explore the natural wonders of the area. Speak to your Travel Director about the possibility of joining a scenic flight, soaring above the landscape to witness the awe-inspiring sights from above (all own expense). We wouldn’t blame you for simply enjoying Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, discovering colourful Chinatown then following locals to the sand, or a beachside bar, to salute the end of a spectacular day in WA.

At Gantheaume Point, the magnificence is on a grand scale, even in the remnants of ancient dinosaurs. Over 125 million years ago, these prehistoric creatures left their footprints along the coastline, leaving a fascinating legacy. Take a moment to catch a glimpse of their stomping ground before embarking on a journey towards Fitzroy Crossing, a remote town that serves as a gateway to captivating natural wonders. The Kimberley boasts a geological history that is nothing short of spectacular. The rugged terrain showcases a diverse range of natural wonders, including towering ancient rock formations, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, and expansive river systems.

This morning, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, explore the spectacular Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide to observe the delicate limestone formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from the Devonian Great Barrier Reef that formed over 350 million years ago. Discover ancient rock paintings before hearing Dreamtime stories while enjoying billy tea and damper.

More Aboriginal history and culture awaits at the Yarliyil Arts Centre in Halls Creek. The Yarliyil Art Centre provides a place for local cultural expression by ensuring the ethical production and sale of Indigenous art. Yarliyil artists paint in a variety of styles and palettes, depicting stories that embody a rich culture of country, history and lifestyle. Get a taste of the Gibb River Road before arriving to El Questro Wilderness Park, backdropped by the rusty red Cockburn Range. Hidden among the pandanus and palms are a string of slick safari-style tents. Which means you can gaze at the stars while you drift off to a chorus of frogs and cicadas. When darkness falls, expect a bedazzlement of stars overhead.

The best way to wake up? With the sun streaming through your tent, wildlife all around. Travel to Wyndham this morning, the most northerly township in Western Australia. Discover this small outback town and surrounding landforms and wetlands. When it’s time to cool down, take a dip in the resort pool. Be back on your patio in time for sundowners.

It’s not every day that you have the privilege of glimpsing the inner workings of a rum distillery with the family that owns it. Thanks to our AAT Kings connections, we’ve organised for you to meet the makers and discover how Hoochery Distillery prepares its lip-smacking, award-winning rums and whiskys. Perhaps try a tasting paddle to get your heart started (own expense), and later sit down to morning tea. Kununurra is the middle of nowhere, and only exists because of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Before it was a twinkle on the map, farming pioneers came here to establish vast cattle stations. The life of one such family is chronicled at the Durack Homestead Museum, revealing how the property was dismantled then reassembled on higher ground when much of the countryside was flooded for the dam. The project not only helped water the countryside, but created Lake Argyle. An afternoon cruise here, surrounded by freshwater crocs and birds, is something you won’t forget in a hurry.

Today is one of decisions: A scenic flight over (or 4WD tour of) the dramatic World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungles (own expense). Or wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park, known as a ‘mini Bungles’, while hearing about how the landscapes were formed.

Say goodbye to WA and hello to your time in the Northern Territory, your introduction to the state the vast pastoral lands that characterise the outback here. Locals come with plenty of country swagger, as you’ll discover at the Katherine Outback Experience, celebrating the Northern Territory’s unique pastoral history and culture. You'll be entertained with songs and stories. It’s not a show or a tour but an immersive adventure! One that is real, raw, and funny at times.

Eleven days. Countless adventures. A bunch of new friends. And a renewed appreciation for the wild side of Australia. What a journey this has been.