Arrive in the very middle of the remote Kimberley, transfer to a 4WD bus and off on a short adventure.
KIMBERLEY – KAKADU – Remote Adventure Lodges (BULLO RIVER, FARAWAY BAY) on a very special 13 Day Safari AROUND AUSTRALIA! See all of the Kimberley, not just the coast!
Using remote luxury adventure lodges and Gorges which give you the heart and soul of the Kimberley and the Top End Remote Outback of Australia. 15-06-18
DAY 1 ADELAIDE – ALICE SPRINGS
Depart Adelaide at 9.00am, see Spencer Gulf and Port Augusta, abeam Woomera to Coober Pedy. A small bus will take you on a town tour of Coober Pedy to see this vibrant cosmopolitan outback township – now a far cry from the early days of dugouts and mullock heaps. See the extended moonscape of the opal-fields. Cross the mighty rivers of Central Australian legends – the Finke and Palmer. See the MacDonnell Ranges as we arrive in Alice Springs. Time to view the Todd Mall in Alice. Overnight in a pleasant motel central to the township.
DAY 2 ALICE SPRINGS – YELLOW WATERS
All at peace with the world, enjoying a sunset cruise in a remote part of your KAKADU adventure.
An early start. Over the rugged ranges of the Centre, to arrive at an aboriginal community, centre of the famous Dot Paintings. An opportunity to purchase a painting of the Warlpiri Aboriginal Desert People. This is produced under the management of their own appointed art curator, who will provide provenance and authentication. Paintings vary in price from $80 to $8,000 and are prepared for travel for you. Across the Tanami Desert, near Central Mt Stuart. We may see Tennant Creek and are soon in Kakadu with the beautiful Arnhem Land escarpment alongside of us. We are now in the heart of Kakadu at Cooinda, Yellow Waters. Deluxe tropical accommodation on the edge of the Yellow Water Lagoons.
DAY 3 COOINDA – JABIRU – KAKADU
A majestic sea eagle, seen perching on the lagoons in KAKADU.
An early rise to capture the beauty of the magnificent boat cruise around the teeming lagoons, to see giant crocs and hundreds of birds. A later breakfast and a short trip across Kakadu into the famous Crocodile Hotel. The day is spent travelling to remote Nourlangie or Obir, where you walk short distances into hidden rock escarpments. The Aboriginal rock art is outstanding. There may be opportunities for distant views of large, but shy, saltwater crocodiles. O/N at Croc Hotel.
DAY 4 JABIRU – OFFSHORE TIWI ISLANDS – REMOTE KIMBERLEY BULLO RIVER VALLEY CATTLE STATION
Depart Jabiru early, travelling north from Darwin to Bathurst Island. An air-conditioned bus and guide will meet us and we have arranged for a special welcome dance from members of the local indigenous people. Tea, coffee and damper follow. A quick visit to a local museum and Art store. Depart, past Darwin, into the impressive Victoria River Valley, to the spectacular Bullo River Station Homestead. This was the station made famous by Sarah Henderson, with her book on a remote wilderness cattle station. This will be an exciting adventure for you. If you are able to, please google Bullo River Station where you will be able view the many adventures on offer. At the time of paying your deposit you will be asked if you would like to take part in some of the following: Barramundi Fishing, Cattle Mustering, Horse Riding, viewing Aboriginal Rock Art, 4wd Safaris, Boating in a gorge. It may be doubtful that your particular request is available on the day, however we will make your request known to Bullo Station. Overnight in comfortable motel style rooms at Bullo.
DAY 5 BULLO RIVER – KUNUNURRA
We spend the morning on activities around Bullo River Station, before taking a short trip to Kununurra. Transfer to our own bus, for a drive out through the East Kimberley, to view the magnificent Lake Argyle. It is a huge undertaking and is a most impressive and picturesque sight. Drive down to a shady spot, high above the roaring Ord River, often where cheeky bower birds and butcher birds enjoy our visit. See the historic Lake Argyle Homestead of Durack fame, with its gardens, bird-life and native fauna. We view all aspects of the Lake, before returning to this friendly, well equipped town, for a view of the Kimberley Diamonds and any shopping. Transfer to our pleasant well-grassed motel on the banks of Lake Kununurra.
DAY 6 KUNUNURRA – THE EXOTIC FARAWAY BAY
Travel North West from Kununurra, past the Cambridge Gulf near Wyndham to one of the most north westerly points of W.A. and see the magnificent King George River Falls as the fresh waters tumble deep into the ocean below. Into Faraway Bay followed by a 40 minute drive to our remote accommodation overlooking the exotic, adventurous Timor Sea. This is one of Australia’s more remote lodges and deserves the high reputation it has for safe adventure. In the afternoon, a choice of exploring the area, with its fresh water rock pools and hidden Aboriginal Rock Art. Self-contained cabins for our two night stay.
DAY 7 YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE BY BOAT THROUGH THE OCEAN TO THE HUGE KING GEORGE FALLS (a highlight)!
Make certain that you have packed a long sleeve shirt, slacks, sun hat and sunscreen for our open sea adventure. Departing from the lodge area, we travel out into the Timor Sea around the coast to enter the long, impressive cliff-bound sound that makes up the ocean section of King George Sound. A spectacular boat ride with cliffs high above us on both sides, right up to the base of these lofty waterfalls that tumble from the plateau above us. A stunning journey with side trips of adventure along the way. Perhaps a freshly caught ocean fish for our dinner at Faraway Bay. Apart from Bullo River Station, this is a once-in-a-lifetime remote adventure today.
DAY 8 FARAWAY BAY – KUNUNURRA – BUNGLES – GEIKIE GORGE – DERBY
An early morning tour gives you the best views possible of the unique Bungle Bungle.
An early departure from Faraway Bay to refuel at Kununurra so that we get the good morning light and calm flying conditions for our adventure ahead of us. We see the mighty Lake Argyle and then across to the giant Argyle Diamond Mine for a quick overview. Then it is on to one of the highlights of our trip – around the Bungle Bungles with the beauty of early morning light. It is an impressive sight. Depart the Bungles near the inaccessible gorges of the King Leopold Range before arriving at remote Fitzroy Crossing. A tour of this interesting town, including a closer look at the giant Fitzroy River. Then a short drive out for a cruise on the Fitzroy River at Geikie Gorge. This gorge has smooth, coloured limestone walls high above you, quite different from anywhere else. A short flight to Derby, an old and historic town of the North West. Overnight in a comfortable and relaxing motel.
DAY 9 THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR ADVENTURE – THE THOUSAND ISLANDS, HORIZONTAL WATERFALL, GEIKIE GORGE – BROOME
An early departure across King Sound, the mouth of the mighty Fitzroy River. See the “Thousand Islands” Archipelago. This is Australia’s most outstanding coastal feature. Rocky pinnacles, submerged mountains, pearl farms, barramundi boats, Yampi Sound, Cockatoo Island and the amazing Horizontal Waterfall (if the tide is right). It is a very special tour and perhaps one of the highlights of any safari in Australia. We then arrive at the remote red land of Kimberley. Our bus is waiting for a short transfer to the mouth of Windjana Gorge. A walk down into the gorge itself, with its really interesting environment. There are a lot of tropical specials to see and talk about – fossils, Archer fish, baby barramundi, freshwater crocodiles and the sheer majesty of the gorge itself.
Walk up close to Johnstone crocodiles in the remote Kimberley. She’s not menacing – just cooling off through the open mouth (but no closer than 10metres, just to be sure!)
Into Broome with an afternoon tour. This is one of the prettiest, most tropical towns in the north. We visit the many interesting features of Broome, including the deep-water port, Gantheaume Point, Anastasia’s Pool, the Dinosaur footprints, the interesting Chinese cemetery, and Cable Beach. Overnight in our luxury motel overlooking the huge Roebuck Bay.
DAY 10 BROOME – PARABURDOO – TOM PRICE
Out of Broome along the Ninety Mile Beach, possibly seeing Port Hedland. Then cross-country, near such legendary places Wittenoom, Fortescue River, to Paraburdoo. This is the land of huge iron ore mines. Transfer to our own small mini-bus. On our one hour drive north, we are sometimes lucky enough to see one of the giant ore trains, the longest in the world. Drive through the colourful Pilbaras, often with a landscape of wild flowers – if the rains have been recent.
One of the many beautiful Ptylotus Family – Mulla Mulla.
Drive into the neat and tidy town of Tom Price. It is a central core town to the huge mines in the area. Overnight at the Tom Price Hotel/Motel.
DAY 11 KARIJINI GORGES DAY
The Pilbaras are a deep blue in the distance with bright red rocks inn the foreground. Enter the Karijini National Park. Travel on to Knox Gorge, Oxer Gorge and other very impressive gorges and views in between. It is very difficult to describe how magnificent these gorges are – however, in this case you may be assured that with life-long adventure travel and writing of them, these are the most spectacular in Australia. This morning, drive a short distance to Oxer Lookout, which is perhaps the most spectacular gorge view in Australia. Dropping down 100 metres and 100 metres across, there are three huge gorges converging at this one point.
Return to Tom Price for a relaxing time before dinner.
DAY 12 PILBARAS – KALGOORLIE
Return to Paraburdoo to see the huge mines that are exporting millions of tonnes of iron ore from the mountains around Paraburdoo. In the distance we may see Mount Augustus, the largest rock in the world, eclipsing Ayers Rock in size. Past the vast flat goldfields country before arriving Kalgoorlie. A tour of the twin towns of Boulder and Kalgoorlie. There are large mine heaps and winches throughout. Detour to visit the “Big Pit”- amongst the deepest mines in the world. Transfer to our deluxe motel in the heart of Kalgoorlie – allowing you time for a walk into the nearby town centre, with its beautiful, restored buildings.
DAY 13 KALGOORLIE – FORREST – THE BIGHT – CEDUNA – ADELAIDE
Across the huge expanse of the Nullarbor, passing Rawlinna and Loongana, before arriving Forrest. Past the giant cliffs of the Nullarbor to the Head of the Bight, where in seasonal times we may see whales. Last year, 2017, we counted in excess of 40 Whales and calves. Please remember, we are may have a distant view and they are easily seen but not close-up.
Travel to Ceduna before crossing Eyre Peninsula for Adelaide, arriving at 5.30 p.m.
2018 DEPARTURE: FRIDAY AUGUST 3.
Could you please note that this particular trip spends quite a few nights at remote and luxury camps where the accommodation rate is often in excess of $1,000 p.p. per night..
FARE: $12,990 p.p. (twin share), $14,490 (single) All inclusive – all meals & motel accommodation, all tours, transfers, cruises, entry fees and gratuities. Please Note: We have not “padded” your fare, so your fare does not cover extra meals or accommodation in the event of flooding or delays of any type.
When this tour operates it will be with our associate Bruce Hartwig Flying School Ltd trading as Hartwig Air (AOC) with our aircraft and our own experienced pilot.