Days
10
Price from
2966AUD
BD10_DB10_ATA_2023

Embark on an epic tour through Western Australia and the Top End

Experience the wild and rugged beauty of Australia’s northwest tip on this 4WD journey through the Kimberleys. A region of breathtaking natural scenery, rich brooding landscapes and plentiful iconic wildlife, this is a taste of Australia at its most untamed. Explore the narrow rock passages winding through the Bungle Bungles, spot crocodiles sunning on the banks of Windjana Gorge and discover the gorgeous swimming holes of El Questro and Katherine. For a trip that brings you face-to-face with Australia’s vast horizons and immense wilderness, you really can’t go past this 4WD Darwin to Broome adventure. 


Start
Broome, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destinations
Kakadu & Top End,Northern Territory,The Kimberley,The Outback,Western Australia
Style
Swag Camping
Theme
Explorer,Overland
Code
BD10
Physical rating
Level 5: Long trips to very remote destinations with limited/no communication and emergency services access. Excellent health and fitness is essential.
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 8, Max 20

Why you’ll love this trip

  • Experience the beautiful Kimberleys in rugged style with a local guide. Our passionate leaders love this trip as much as you will.
  • The red domes of the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park form one of the most iconic Australian landscapes in existence. You’ll have a whole day to explore the gorges and valleys of the park, not to mention soak up a few fiery sunsets.
  • Tunnell Creek has a rich First Nations and bushranger history. Walk through the underground passage with your Guide learning about the culture and traditions of the First Peoples.

Is this trip right for you?

  • You’ll spend most nights of the trip sleeping in outback camping grounds. While it’s all a part of the adventure, facilities can be extremely basic
  • This trip requires a HIGH level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to truly enjoy the surrounding nature. Some long hikes will really get the blood pumping and involve wading through water and clambering over rocks. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.
  • On some days of the trip, you will spend several hours driving, often through very sparse areas of desert. Some drives along off-road tracks can be bumpy as you really get ‘amongst it’. Get to know your fellow travellers and sit back to enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel.
  • Temperatures in Western Australia are extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing.
  • We don’t recommend this trip for older passengers who are perhaps less fit or agile

Itinerary

Welcome to Broome, an easy-going tourist town with a pretty striking strip of coastline. We set off into the West Australian wilds pretty early today, so consider arriving a day or two early if you fancy getting to know Broome better.

After a bit of highway driving we reach the Fitzroy River, then it’s all off-road to the Napier Range. The main attraction here is a guided walk-through Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek), a vast cave system that extends 750 metres underground. After an awesome day exploring its time to kick back at camp in the Western Kimberley around the campfire.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tunnel Creek Exploration Walk
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is about 8 hours. The total walking distance is approximately three kilometres, including walking through water in Tunnel Creek.

Today we head to Windjana Gorge, once an underwater reef just 350 million years ago. During the wet season a river flows all the way through it, but during the dry it’s really more a series of ponds and billabongs. Set out on a bit of an explore, hopefully spotting a freshwater crocodile or two. The Western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this afternoon is no exception. Bell Gorge (if open) is home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. We enjoy an afternoon swim in the large plunge pool before making our way to camp along the Gibb River Road.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bell Gorge
  • Windjana Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is around 5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately four to six kilometres.

We spend the morning exploring Manning Gorge and enjoy a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. After stretching your legs on the hike in you will be rewarded with a swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls. Spend the afternoon exploring Galvins Gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is around 1 hour. The total walking distance is approximately six to eight kilometres.

Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. Pass through remote and extraordinary country as you travel through this historic part of Australia. Cross the famous Pentecost River and capture that iconic photo before we reach Kunnunurra, where you’ll spend the night camping under the stars at our exclusive camp along the mighty Ord River.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gibb River Road
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is around 8 hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

Today we drive through the rugged landscape of Carr Boyd and the Durack Ranges into Purnululu National Park. This park is home-ground of the Bungle Bungles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by massive sandstone karsts that rear hundreds of metres above the surrounding grasslands. Our key attraction inside the park today is an unforgettable walk into Echidna Chasm. We arrive at our bush camp in time to sit back and watch the sun set over the Osmond Ranges. If you’ve had enough of tent camping by now, you might want to spend tonight sleeping out beneath the stars snuggled up in a swag.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities – no showers) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Echidna Chasm
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is approximately 5 hours.  Total walking distance is up to 6 kilometres.

We take advantage of visiting one of the most remote world heritage national Parks on the planet, and enjoy another spectacular walk in the Purnurlulu NP, the Cathedral Gorge walk. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience another perspective of ‘the Bungles’ in a helicopter flight (at your own expense). As the sun goes down, head to your overnight camp near Purnurlulu National Park.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities – no showers) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cathedral Gorge
Optional Activities
  • Helicopter Flight – Bungle Bungles – from – AUD350
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is approximately 2 hours. The total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.

We pack up camp before you will once again experience some serious 4WD action as you wind your way out of the Bungle Bungles heading through the East Kimberley. We spend the afternoon exploring the key attraction of El Questro Station. Tackle the hike into Emma Gorge where you will be rewarded with a stunning waterfall and a swim. We drive onto our overnight stop our exclusive camp on the Ord River.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Emma Gorge – El Questro Station
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is around 5.5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.

Wake up with the knowledge of not having to pack-up. Take some time to have a look around the picturesque Ord River system (no saltwater crocs). Your guide will show you around the East Kimberley ‘capital city’ of Kunnunurra with local features such as Hoochery Distillery, Walk at Mirima National Park, In the late afternoon, walk up to an exclusive and stunning lookout over the Upper Ord River system and watch the colours change during spectacular Kimberley Sunset.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sights around Kununarra
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is around 1 hours. Total walking distance is one kilometre.

Not long after breakfast we stop in for an optional cruise at Lake Argyle. This vast body of water has been forged by the Ord River Dam. The biggest man-made lake in Australia, Lake Argyle is 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour!

After this Stop say goodbye to WA as from here we cross the state border into the Northern Territory. The day is spent enjoying the last views of the Boabs you have fallen in love with as we make our way towards Katherine and it’s relaxing hot springs, before our last camp for the night just outside of Nitmiluk National Park in the Katherine Region.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Argyle
Optional Activities
  • Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise – AUD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The total driving time today is around 8 hours. Total walking distance is around one kilometre.

On the final day of the trip, stop at either the secluded gorge of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) or take one last plunge for the trip into the cool waters of Edith Falls. In the afternoon, make your way to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end. Please book any onward travel the following day.

Included Activities
  • Katherine Gorge or Edith Falls
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information

The total driving today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

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Important notes

  1. Please refer to the COVID-19 Hub for the latest information on ATA’s COVID-related policies. Read details here.
  2. Tour commences in Broome on Day 1 at 6.30 am and finishes in Darwin (Day 10) at approximately 6 pm. Onward travel should be booked for the following day.
  3. This trip requires a sleeping bag.
  4. Please pack lightly, a strict maximum luggage weight of 15 kg packed in a soft sided bag is required.
  5. This trip has a difficulty rating 5 out of 5. Please ensure this trip is suitable for you.
  6. Trip runs in reverse. Please see tour code DB10.
  7. Due to potential wet weather, road and park closures, we may need to amend the itinerary. This is more likely to take place in the shoulder season months of April, May and September.
  8. Due to significant damage to park infrastructure and roads from flooding events, Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park and campground is closed until further notice. 

Essential trip information

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