11 Day Trip Darwin to Broome in July 2010

by VASSORT
(SYDNEY)

Day 1: 24/07/2010 : Darwin, Lichfield, Kakadu
• Tabletop Range : view intriguing magnetic termite mounds
• Wangi Falls : swim in the pool at the base of the falls
• Territory Wildlife Park : get close to the birdlife in the dome aviary or walk through the aquarium tunnel as barramundi and turtles swim overhead
• Fogg Conservation Reserve & Window on the Wetlands Visitors Centre : take a Jumping Crocodile Cruise
• Kakadu National Park

Stay:
• Kakadu National Park, Gagudju Cooinda Lodge (http://www.gagudjulodgecooinda.com.au)
• Aurora Kakadu Lodge campgrounds (http://www.auroraresorts.com.au) : 235/280$

Day 2: 25/07/2010 : Kakadu Yellow Water Cruise, Warradjan Cultural Centre, Nourlangie Rock, Rock Art
• East Alligator River : cruise
• Ubirr Rock : view some Arboriginal Art Sites
• Arnhem Land : sensational view
• Bowali Visitor Centre
• Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and gain an insight into the cultural and historical significance the park holds for its traditional owners
• Nourlangie Rock : view Aboriginal art. The Aboriginal art in Kakadu is remarkably different to what you will discover in the Kimberley. As well as X-ray style paintings, there are also Mimi paintings (depictions of delicate spirit figures)

Stay:
• Kakadu National Park, Gagudju Cooinda Lodge (http://www.gagudjulodgecooinda.com.au)
• Aurora Kakadu Lodge campgrounds (http://www.auroraresorts.com.au) : 235/280$

Day 3: 26/07/2010 : Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, Gunlom Falls, Katherine
• Gunlom Falls : Travel through Kakadu National Park to make our way to Gunlom Falls where we will enjoy a relaxing swim in the waterhole at the base of Gunlom Falls.
• Yellow Waters Billabong : Cruise on the Yellow Waters Billabong where it’s possible to see estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat. One third of Australia’s bird species is represented in Kakadu National Park with at least 60 species found in these wetlands.
• Pine Creek : Our route south takes us through the old gold mining town of Pine Creek that was established after a brief gold rush period during the 1870’s. At Edith Falls we’ll stop for a swim in the large pandanus fringed waterhole at the base of the falls
• Katherine River Gorge

Continue onto Katherine the beef capital of Northern Territory

Stay:
• Katherine, All Seasons Hotel (http://allseasonskatherine.street-directory.com.au) : 164/200$

Day 4: 27/04/2010 : Katherine, Kununurra
• Nitmiluk National Park and cruise Katherine Gorge : . cruise between the towering, the region’s rich flora and fauna, and explain the significance of the gorge’s Aboriginal art. At the Nitmiluk Visitors’ Centre you will see informative displays outlining the geology, landscape and Aboriginal history of the national park.
• Ord River Scheme : established to harness the wild, tropical rivers of Western Australia so that the water could be used for irrigation and electricity production. See how the scheme has allowed the region to produce a range of tropical fruits
• Katherine Gorge : cruise which takes in two of thirteen gorges carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River.
• Bullo River Station, made famous by top-selling author Sara Henderson whose books vividly described station life.
• Victoria River
• Timber Creek

A long 500km drive from Kununurra to Katherine with a relaxing stopover half way at Timber Creek : a truly spectacular drive amongst some picturesque scenery. Along the way you will cross over the beautiful Victoria River and escarpments.

Stay:
• Kununurra, Country Club Resort (http://www.kununurracountryclub.com.au)
• Kimberley land Campground
• Discovery Holidays Park (http://www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au/wa/east_kimberley/lake_kununurra)

Day 5: 28/07/2010 : Kununurra, Bungles Bungles – page 129

Depart Kununurra and travel to Purnululu National Park, home to the famous Bungle Bungle Range.
• Ord River Irrigation Scheme : cruise
• Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the southern hemisphere with 18 times the capacity of Sydney Harbour
• Carr Boyd Range before our vehicle turns off the highway and into World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, home to one of Western Australia’s most fascinating landmarks, the Bungle Bungle range

Stay:
• Bungle Bungle BushCamp (http://www.eastkimberleytours.com.au/bush_camp.html)
• Bellburn Wilderness Camp : (info@kimberleywilderness.com.au) : request for booking sent on 1004

Day 6: 29/07/2010 : Bungles Bungles (Purnululu National Park) – page 129

Helicopter (http://www.slingair.com.au/) : request for booking sent on 1004

• Echidna Chasm : Hike into Echidna Chasm, a mysterious cleft in the rock massif. Enjoy the unique wilderness experience of staying within the national park without having to 'rough it'. Journey into Echidna Chasm along a Livistona palm-fringed trail on a hike regarded as one of the best in Australia. Explore this cleft in the rock massif which is known for being a photographer’s paradise
• Piccaninny Creek
• Cathedral Gorge : Admire the towering sandstone walls and test out the acoustics of the gorge’s natural amphitheatre

Stay:
• Bungle Bungle BushCamp (http://www.eastkimberleytours.com.au/bush_camp.html)
• Bellburn Wilderness Camp : (info@kimberleywilderness.com.au) : request for booking sent on 1004

Day 7: 30/07/2010 : Bungles Bungles, Emma Gorge, El Questro
Farewell the Bungle Bungle Range this morning and join the famous Gibb River Road as we make our way to El Questro station, a million acre cattle station in the heart of the Kimberley frontier.
• Zebra Rock Gallery : see works carved by local residents from the patterned stone unique to the region
• Wyndham : panoramic views of the region at the Five Rivers Lookout. You will see for miles out across the Cambridge Gulf and the five rivers that flow into it - the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King and Forrest
• Chamberlain Gorge : one of the most beautiful gorge. a fresh waterway fringed by tropical vegetation and rugged escarpments
• El Questro Wilderness Park
• Zebedee Springs : natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffs and Livistona Palms
• Wandjina Aboriginal rock art at the gorge. This afternoon walk to beautiful Zebedee Springs to soak in the natural thermal pools, surrounded by lush ferns and palms
• Emma Gorge before our cruise on Chamberlain Gorge. This freshwater hole is enclosed by a towering escarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora and fauna

El Questro Gorge is the most spectacular walk in the park making its way through narrow and shear cliff faces, clear rock pools and tropical rainforest

Stay:
• Station Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with private en suites (http://www.northernterritoryholidays.com.au/eastkimberly/accommodation) TO CALL

Day 8: 31/07/2010 : El Questro, Mount Elizabeth Station, Drysdale River Station
• Departing El Questro : journey the rugged Gibb River Road
• Ford the Pentecost River where saltwater crocodiles inhabit the deceptively calm waters
• Ford the Durack River, named after the region’s most famous pioneering family
• Climb the Mitchell Plateau among a forest of Livistona Palms

Stay:
• Drysdale River (http://www.drysdaleriver.com.au) from 130$
• Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, tented cabins with private ensuites featuring hot showers and toilets (http://www.kimberleywilderness.com.au)

Day 9: 01/08/2010 : Drysdale River
Scenic flight over Mitchell Falls
• Mitchell Falls, Gwion (Bradshaw) Art, Scenic Helicopter Flight over the Falls
• Full day to discover the beauty of Mitchell Falls, with a magnificent system of waterfalls and Aboriginal art.
• Little Merten Falls to view rarely seen Aboriginal art
• Big Merten Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls
• King Edward River Crossing. Continue to our overnight wilderness camp on the banks of the King Edward River, an area which is the traditional home of the Ngarinyin Aboriginal people.

Stay:
• Drysdale River (http://www.drysdaleriver.com.au) from 130$. Request for booking sent on 1004
• Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, tented cabins with private ensuites featuring hot showers and toilets (http://www.kimberleywilderness.com.au)

Day 10: 02/08/2010 : Drysdale River, Bell Gorge or Fitzroy Crossing
Drysdale River station back to the Gibb River Road
• Bell Gorge
• Barnett River Gorge : swim
• Manning Gorge
• Galvans Gorge, a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole, with Boab trees clinging to the escarpment above. Admire the Boab trees above the waterfall and view the gorge’s Aboriginal art
• Manning Gorge
• Tunnel Creek : walk through a 750m underground river that has cut its way under the Napier Range
• Windjana Gorge : birdlife and crocodile. Windjana Gorge : a short walk leads in to the gorge. See ancient marine fossils embedded in the gorge walls. Look out for freshwater crocodiles lazing on the banks of the Lennard River which runs through the gorge

Stay:
• Fitzroy River Lodge (http://fitzroyriverlodge.com.au/) 338$ for 6 people (fitzroyriverlodge@bigpond.com.au)

Day 11: 03/08/2010 : Bell Gorge or Fitzroy Crossing, Broome
• Geikie Gorge Cruise : cruise through the striking coloured walls of Geikie Gorge.
• Derby : visit the famous Boab Prison Tree that for many years was used by police as a convenient lock-up for prisoners
• Willie Creek Pearl Farm : discover how the rare and beautiful Australian South Sea Pearl is produced
• West Coast Subset : End of our Journey , Bravo !!!