13 Day Jewels of the Kimberley: Outback Spirit Adventure | 2024

Broome

Our day starts on a high with a sensational half day adventure to the Horizontal Falls. Described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world’, the falls are created when the 2nd largest tides in the world hurtle through two narrow coastal gorges.

First up, join us for a town tour of Broome or relax at the resort until you are collected for your Horizontal Falls adventure.

Enjoy a 60-minute seaplane flight and land on the calm waters of Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago. Then, board one of their power boats for an exciting ride through the wider gap of the Horizontal Falls. You’ll hear from their expert skipper on the unique geological structures that have formed to create the Horizontal Falls while admiring the amazing azure waters that wash around you. We’ll also cruise some of the surrounding bays and creeks and have a bite to eat on their floating pontoon. Learn from their experienced Pontoon crew about rich local marine life and have a refreshing swim in Talbot Bay waters in a safety of their partly-submerged marine viewing platform before returning to Broome. Tonight, we gather for dinner at the Sunset Bar & Grill.

Accommodation: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Note: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures seaplanes are governed by individual guests’ weight and therefore all guests must declare their accurate weights (with clothes on) at the time of booking. All guests are weighed upon boarding for weight verification and safe loading of the aircraft. In addition to the individual weights, they also have an upper weight limit of no more than 120kg.

Broome to Fitzroy River Lodge

Today we depart Broome and head for Derby. Enjoy a look around town and visit the Boab Prison Tree before joining the start of the Gibb River Road. From here we travel east before turning off the Gibb and heading into Windjana Gorge, one of the most spectacular gorges in the Kimberley. In places, the water-streaked walls rise majestically to stand 100 metres above the floodplain. Your guide will take you on a walk through the Gorge and give you an insight into the history and geology of the area. 
This afternoon we visit Tunnel Creek National Park, where you can take a fascinating underground river walk. 

We then continue to Fitzroy Crossing, arriving late-afternoon where we check in to the Fitzroy River Lodge. 

Accommodation: Fitzroy River Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

*We recommend packing water/reef shoes to take part in the Tunnel Creek walk

Fitzroy River to the Bungle Bungles.

Nature and geology lovers will delight as we head into Geikie Gorge National Park for a 1-hour cruise on the Fitzroy River, winding through ancient limestone where fossils are embedded in the walls of the gorge. Then, return to Fitzroy Crossing before heading further east to Halls Creek. After lunch we continue along the Great Northern Highway to the turnoff in to the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles). Enjoy two nights at the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, owned by Outback Spirit in partnership with Aviair/HeliSpirit. The lodge features comfortable cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

Accommodation: Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Exploring Purnululu

Today we explore the wonders of Purnululu, including its unique orange and black beehive shaped domes. First up, enjoy a breathtaking 18-minute scenic helicopter flight over the park with a bird’s eye view of its astounding natural features. This flight is valued at $299 and is now included in the tour fare for 2019! Afterwards, enjoy a walk along Piccaninny Creek to the mind boggling natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. Then, follow the ‘dome trail’ for a closer inspection of the Park’s unique geological formations.

This afternoon we’ll head to the northern region of the Bungle Bungles to visit Echidna Chasm before returning to the lodge.

Accommodation: Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Kununurra

Today we farewell the Bungle Bungles and travel north to Wyndham. Enjoy a visit to the spectacular Five Rivers Lookout, with dramatic views over Cambridge Gulf. After a picnic lunch we make our way to Kununurra and check in to the centrally located Kununurra Country Club for our overnight stay. The rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.

Accommodation: Kununurra Country Club Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Ord River to El Questro

This morning we head to the banks of Lake Kununurra to board our sensational three-hour cruise up the Ord River. Enjoy the mesmerising scenery and diverse wildlife as your skipper takes you upstream to Lake Argyle, with expert commentary along the way. Once we reach the dam wall we board our coach and return to Kununurra by road, stopping off at the Argyle Homestead Museum along the way. Located at the base of the Cockburn Range, our home for the next two nights is Emma Gorge Resort, where we stay in unique tented cabins.

Accommodation: Emma Gorge Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

El Questro

This morning we head deeper into this iconic Kimberley wilderness park to Chamberlain Gorge, a beautiful three-kilometre-long fresh waterhole bound by towering escarpment. Enjoy a 90-minute gorge cruise and feed some of the cheeky Archerfish before returning to Emma Gorge Resort via the Station township.

After lunch, enjoy a guided walk up to the stunning Emma Gorge waterfall (2.5 hours return – a good level of fitness required, but well worth it.). Enjoy a swim in the large rock pool at the base of the falls and marvel at the beauty of the gorge, one of the best in the Kimberley. Upon returning to the resort, the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure before re-grouping for dinner. 

Accommodation: Emma Gorge Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Zebedee Springs to Drysdale via the Gibb River Road

You'd be hard pressed to find a better way to start the day than a swim in the warm, crystal clear waters of Zebedee Thermal Springs. We'll spend a relaxing morning here before resuming our journey west along the Gibb River Road.

Cross the mighty Pentecost River and continue past Ellenbrae Station to the 'Y' junction. From here we follow the Kalumburu Road to Drysdale River Station, which runs 9,000 head of cattle across more than 1 million acres. We spend the night here in comfortable station cabins with private ensuite bathrooms. 

Accommodation: Drysdale River Station

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Gibb River Road – Drysdale – Mitchell Plateau

This morning we continue north along the Kalumburu Road before turning onto the Mitchell Plateau track. After fording the King Edward River we'll visit a series of spectacular Wanjina rock art galleries, known as some of the best in the Kimberley.

After a picnic lunch we drive through an ancient Livistona Palm forest before arriving on the Mitchell Plateau mid-afternoon.

Featuring deluxe Safari Suites with ensuite bathrooms, quality furnishings and large balconies, Outback Spirit's Ngauwudu Safari Camp is the most luxurious and spacious accommodation on the Mitchell Plateau. Built exclusively for Outback Spirit guests, it's truly a magical spot to spend the next two nights of our adventure and the ideal base from which to discover the Mitchell Plateau and Mitchell Falls.

This afternoon, take a dip in the camp's private palm fringed waterhole or simply relax in your safari suite. Enjoy a drink around the campfire at sunset before retreating to the restaurant for dinner. 

Accommodation: Ngauwudu Safari Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Mitchell Falls

A big walk today, but also a big highlight! After a short drive to the ranger station we'll set off on a guided 4km walking tour to the incredible Mitchell Falls (good level of fitness and mobility required). Along the way we'll discover rarely seen Gwion and Wanjina rock art galleries, accompanied by a local expert guide from Kandiwal Community. The walk also takes us past Mertens Falls before arriving at the top of the Mitchell Falls, one of the most awe-inspiring wonders of the Kimberley.

After a picnic lunch and enough time to admire the falls we'll take to the skies for a spectacular helicopter flight (included) back to where the walk started. Viewing the falls and surrounding landscape from the air is an absolute highlight, and a great way to finish off the experience. Once we're on the ground at the ranger station, we return to the camp for a well-earned rest and perhaps a swim in the palm fringed creek. 

Accommodation: Ngauwudu Safari Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Note: For passengers not wishing to do the Mitchell Falls walk there is an option to fly down by helicopter. An Outback Spirit guide will still escort you. The flight cost is $179.00 per person (own expense). Please note: Weight limits apply to all scenic flights

Darwin

This morning we head to the Mitchell Plateau airstrip for our scenic flight to Darwin. Our aircraft for the morning is Outback Spirit's state-of-the-art Cessna Grand Caravan, featuring a high wing for excellent visibility, air-conditioning and turbine reliability. Head east to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf before hugging the coastline to Darwin, arriving early in the afternoon. We then check in to the Hilton Garden Inn on the Esplanade, where the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure.

Tonight, enjoy our final dinner together and celebrate a wonderful Kimberley adventure. 

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Darwin

Today your tour concludes. You may wish to join us for a city tour, including a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or alternatively, you can spend the morning at your leisure. You will then be transferred to the airport or accommodation if staying on.

Meals: Breakfast