Darwin to Broome
9 day tour
Join a remarkable 9 day adventure tour from Darwin to Broome through the Kimberley. An authentic, down-to-earth outback experience, allowing you to take in the true untouched beauty and rugged landscape on offer. With all the essentials onboard, we’ll head off on a trip-of-a-lifetime discovering Edith Falls, the Bungle Bungles, Gibb River Road, Lake Argyle as well as other iconic bucket list locations. Adding to the magic we’ll embrace bush camping, swim in waterfalls, wander escarpments and learn about Australia’s rich in indigenous culture.
If you find our tours advertised elsewhere at a cheaper price, please book direct with us and we’ll beat the price.
NT Park Pass not included you must purchase your own NT Parks pass to participate on this tour. You can find out more information here and buy your parks pass using the NT Parks booking system.
Itinerary
Day 1
Your Kimberley off-road tour begins when we pick you up from your Darwin accommodation at 6am and make our first stop at the remarkable Magnetic termite mounds. We then continue on to Edith Falls for a refreshing swim beneath the waterfall. Afterwards, we will move on to the Victoria River region for our first night’s camp. (Breakfast not included on this day)
Day 2
We start today with a hike into the Victoria River escarpments to see some of the unique rock paintings and breathtaking scenery in Jubarra National Park. We then cross the border into Western Australia and arrive at Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake. Here, we will embark on a unique experience exploring the lake and we’ll spend the night on one of its secluded islands.
Our Lake Argyle Island adventure* will begin when we board the cruise vessel with our camping gear and head out on to the lake. We’ll explore the islands and bays in search of wildlife including the Short-eared rock-wallaby, wallaroo, Freshwater crocodile, and numerous fish species and bird-life. We’ll also have the opportunity to plunge into the cool waters and take a refreshing swim before we head to the island to setup camp. We will enjoy the welcomed solitude and sunset with a campfire meal, before resting for the night ready to be woken by the sound of water, wildlife and an unmissable sunrise. When we are ready, we'll pack up and head back to the mainland for breakfast.
Day 3
Today the Kimberley off road tour heads through the Durack and Carr Boyd Ranges before embarking on a challenging off-road adventure into the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) where we will hike into Echidna Chasm. Tonight, we will camp in the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) in the Kimberley.
Day 4
Our day starts with a hike through the magnificent Bungle Bungles as we make our way to Cathedral Gorge, the Window and Piccaninny Creek Lookout. There will also be the option of a scenic helicopter flight starting from $299 for an 18-minute scenic tour. We will then continue on to our campsite.
Day 5
Today we will start the Gibb River Road and head into the Cockburn Ranges to Emma Gorge, a pristine swimming hole. We then continue onto the famous El Questro station where we will camp for the night. You will be able to quench your thirst at the Swinging Arm Bar and catch up with the locals and fellow travellers. Tonight, you will dine at the bar/restaurant at your own cost.
Day 6
Our first stop today is a series of crystal-clear hot springs known as Zebedee Springs before embarking on an adventurous hike up the palm-filled gorge known as El Questro Gorge. At the top you will be rewarded with a swim in the spring-fed waterfall before we trek back to the truck and drive on to our bush camp, which will include crossing the well-known Pentacost River.
Day 7
Today we continue our off-road tour on the Gibb River Road making stops at lookouts and rock art sites along route. We will hike into Manning Gorge where you will see ancient Bradshaw rock paintings and have the opportunity to spot the Northern Red-Faced turtle that’s found in the area. We will enjoy another night bush camping under the stars.
Day 8
We start the morning by taking a swim at either Galvans or Adcock Gorge depending on the seasonal conditions. We then continue on to the remarkable teared waterfall known as Bell Gorge in the King Leopold Conservation Park before heading to our camp.
Day 9
We start the day exploring Windjana Gorge and spotting Freshwater crocodiles, which are abundant in the area. As you wonder into the gorge your guide will tell you stories of Jandamarra and the Bunuba resistance. Afterwards we will grab our torches and sink into Tunnel Creek, an amazing limestone cave system where bats and Freshwater crocodiles hang out. We will finish our Kimberley off-road tour in Broome in the afternoon but not before a visit to the Derby Boab Prison Tree.
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Kapalga Travel reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule to adapt to seasonal changes or if one of our stops becomes closed.
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Our tours are participation tours, everyone helps out by contributing to the cooking, cleaning, setting up camp, rolling out swags, collecting firewood, lighting the fire, etc. This allows the tour to run more efficiently, helps the group to bond and gives you the opportunity to get involved in the bush camping experience.
Bush camping is all part of the adventure and the experience of the outback. For many centuries Australia’s ancestors survived in the bush living off nature. Sometimes we will bush camp and there will be no facilities such as a toilet and a shower. We do have ways of dealing with this, which will be explained to you by your guide. One way of dealing with not having a shower is by making the most of the swimming opportunities, which occur on most days.
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• Lake Argyle Cruise
• Exclusive island camping experience at Lake Argyle
• Camping fees
• WA National Park entry fee
• Snacks
• Drinking water (please bring a drink bottle)
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
• Driver and guide
• Licensed air-conditioned tourist vehicle
• Pick up and drop off from accommodation
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• Bungle Bungle Helicopter ride (optional activity)
• NT Park Pass - We don’t include these because it’s a 2 week pass and some people have already purchased, so to save doubling up on this fee we ask you to please buy your own.
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• Sleeping Bag suitable for the conditions (-5 degree Celsius sleeping bag if travelling between May – September)
• Comfortable, appropriate hiking shoes or boots / strapped sandals with ankle support (whichever you feel most confident hiking in)
• Thongs / your comfy breathable shoes for on the truck and around the campsites
• Shoes you are happy to get wet, thongs are fine (You’ll be walking through Tunnel creek)
• Torch
• Large water bottle (2 litre bottle or two 1 litre bottles)
• Swimming gear
• Towel
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Suitable clothing to keep you cool and protect you from the sun
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• iPod / MP3 (We can play your music on the truck)
• Camera
• Jumper / long pants (to keep you warm in the evening)
• Cash for souvenirs
• Small or inflatable pillow
• Rain jacket (from tours running in May, September, October & November)
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Our tours aim to get you off the beaten track and into the remote gorges, waterholes and rock art sites. In order to do this, you will be required to hike for several kilometres a day and occasionally swim and climb (swimming is not essential). You’ll be walking on well-trodden paths as well as rocky, dry creek beds and rough trails.
If you are generally healthy and can walk around 8 kilometres a day, our tours are likely to be suitable for you.
We do not recommend pregnant women travel on our tours; this is due to the risks involved with hiking on uneven ground, and the fact that the roads are corrugated and bumpy which can affect unborn babies.
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Our food is fresh and passengers are often amazed at the meals we are able to cook up in the bush. Our guides aren’t chefs but they can most definitely cook up a great feed in a camp oven or on a BBQ plate.
Our trailers have an 80 litre fridge and an 80 litre freezer so we can deliver nutritious food in the outback.
Breakfast* – Continental style and some mornings we do cook ups
*On day 1 of your tour we’ll pick you up early and we’ll be driving straight away so please have breakfast before you board or pack a snack to eat on the truck
Lunch – Varies from wraps, sandwiches, burgers, salads, cold meats, etc.
Dinner – Roasts, stir-frys, curries, stews, damper, etc.
On the truck we carry camp ovens, frying pans, BBQ plates, pots, etc., so we can cook almost anything.
We cater for vegetarians and gluten-free passengers. Other allergies are also catered for, although our guides are not specialists in these areas, so we ask that you provide some assistance when meals are being prepared to ensure you are correctly catered for. Please make sure you inform us at the time of booking if you have a dietary requirement or allergy.