Tour Overview
The Kimberley is a vast and pristine area that is an unforgettable adventure to explore. Remote and rugged, its landscape is truly spectacular. With horizons, ancient gorges, picture-book rock pools and pristine beaches, the Kimberley is a special place that will linger in your mind long after you have departed. The Kimberley is located in the northern part of Western Australia, bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean, on the north by the Timor Sea, on the south by the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts, and on the east by the Northern Territory. Kimberley has a tropical monsoon climate and during its rainy season (November to April) it receives 90% of its annual rainfall of about 50 inches. In the dry season (May to October) south breezes bring sunny days and cool nights. Mitchell Plateau and Mitchell Falls are one of the most photographed attractions of the Kimberley. The spectacle of the falls is created by the Mitchell River flowing over the massive plateau into the deep pools below. Your air safari and optional extension to Mitchell Plateau allows you to experience this beautiful and vast region from the air to see these dramatic landscapes yet includes activities to draw you closer to the sites and their ancient Aboriginal history.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Kununurra, Western AustraliaArrive in Kununurra, the gateway to the eastern Kimberley. The local Aboriginal word for ‘meeting of the waters’, Kununurra is home to the Ord River Irrigation Project.
Transfer to your hotel and spend the day at leisure exploring this picturesque town on your own. Consider visiting nearby Lake Argyle (extra cost), the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere with eighteen times the capacity of Sydney Harbor.
All Seasons Hotel Day 02: Kununurra - Purnululu National Park - Bungle Bungle Domes
Depart Kununurra this morning aboard a scenic flight to World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungle Range. Watch as the domes appear on the horizon. On arrival, journey by 4x4 to the southern side of the range to the starting point of your walk into Cathedral Gorge. The huge sandstone cliffs from a natural amphitheater. After lunch enjoy a guided walk along Piccaninny Creek and inspect the domes up close. As you walk, your guide will bring the history of these unique structures to life, explaining how 20 million years of weathering has produced these eroded sandstone towers and banded beehive structures. Listen as your guide explains the Aboriginal cultural significance of the area and learn bushtucker and bush medicine skills. Optional helicopter flight (extra cost) over the Bungle Bungle Range is an option for you this afternoon. For the next two nights, you will be staying at the exclusive Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, in the heart of this World Heritage wilderness. Enjoy the comfort of the tented cabins with private ensuite facilities and crisp linen and towels provided.
Lunch, Dinner
Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge Day 03: Echinda Chasm - Mini Palms Gorge
This morning’s walk to Echidna Chasm takes us along a trail spotted with Livistona palms and through towering bright orange sandstone cliffs. A photographer’s dream, it is known as one of the most amazing walking destinations in Australia. When the sunlight streams down through narrow cracks in the towering rocks, Echidna Chasm is an ideal spot for spectacular photography. Created by millions of wet season rains, the chasm can often be as little as a meter in width. This afternoon, walk to and explore the Mini Palms Gorge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge Day 04: El Questro Station & Wilderness Park
Early flight to El Questro Station and Wilderness Park in the heart of the Kimberley. Encompassing a million acres, El Questro is one of the Kimberley’s unspoiled frontiers. Transfer to the El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort, your home for the next two nights. Remainder of day at leisure. Consider a hike into Emma Gorge for a swim under the droplet waterfall or soak in the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs, surrounded by lush ferns and palms (extra cost).
Breakfast
Emma Gorge Resort or El Questro Homestead Day 05: El Questro Staton
Today discover the highlights of El Questro at your leisure. Perhaps join the Chamberlain Gorge cruise along a 3km long fresh waterhole bound by diverse flora and fauna which is dwarfed by the escarpment; or you can join a ranger-guided horseback tour, a great way to observe all kinds of Kimberley wildlife (extra cost).
Emma Gorge Resort or El Questro Homestead Day 06: El Questro Station - Kununurra - Depart
This morning bid farewell to El Questro Station and travel down the Gibb River Road to Kununurra where your tour concludes upon arrival. Transfer to the airport for your onward departure or to hotel (hotel at own expense) if going on the Mitchell Plateau Extension tour that departs at 6:00 am on Day 07.
MITCHELL PLATEAU EXTENSION TOUR (2 Days/1 Night): Day 07: Kununurra - Mitchell Plateau
After a courtesy pickup from your hotel, depart Kununurra at 6.00 a.m. by light aircraft for a scenic flight to the remote Mitchell Plateau where on arrival you will be transferred to Ungolan Wilderness Camp for breakfast. After a short drive through palm forest, the adventure continues, with a local guide sharing knowledge and stories of the region. Walk to delightful Little Merten Falls with its galleries of impressive rock art. Continue to another art site to inspect rare Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings. Take in breathtaking views as you travel to Big Merten Falls, only a short distance from the thunderous Mitchell Falls. The incredible spectacle of Mitchell Falls is created by the Mitchell River flowing over the massive plateau into the deep pools below. Cool off in rock pools or explore the nearby caves. After lunch, hike out of the falls or take an optional scenic helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls or the Kimberley Coast (own expense). Tonight you will stay at the exclusive Mitchell Plateau Ungolan Wilderness Lodge. Accommodation includes tented cabins with private facilties.
The Wunambai people welcome you!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ungolan Wilderness Lodge Day 08: Mitchell Plateau - Kununurra - Depart
After breakfast you will be picked up to join your scenic return flight over the dramatic landscapes of the Kimberley to Kununurra. Tour concludes upon arrival at approximately 10.00 am. Transfer to the airport for your onward departure or to hotel (own expense).
Breakfast
