Days
10
Price from
3295AUD
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
Darwin, Australia
Finish
Broome, Australia
Destinations
Kakadu & Top End,Northern Territory,The Kimberley,The Outback,Western Australia
Style
Swag Camping
Theme
Explorer,Overland
Code
DB10
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 19

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 the tropical city of Darwin, where your overland adventure begins. After meeting up with your group and leader, head south and stop at either Edith Falls for a swim or explore Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. This is where the group will have lunch. Head to your overnight private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk National Park, where tents with swags await you. In the evening, settle down for dinner with the group.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nitmiluk National Park
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

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

After breakfast we stop for a morning dip in Katherine Hot Springs before continuing on to Lake Argyle, which has been created by the Ord River Dam. Admire the sheer size of this 700 square kilometre man-made spectacle. The lake is home to many species of native fish and thousands of freshwater crocodiles. Take an optional sunset cruise before setting up camp at our exclusive campsite on the Ord River.

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

Total driving time today is around 7.5 hours. Total walking distance is around one kilometre.

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 Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total driving today is around 5.5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.

Wake up with the knowledge of not having to pack-up. After breakfast prepare for a full day of activities, as the group heads back out to explore the remarkable rock formations of the Bungle Bungles and hike to the enormous Cathedral Gorge. There’s also the opportunity to experience a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles (at your own expense). As the sun goes down, head back to your overnight camp.

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

Total driving time today is around 2 hours. Total walking distance is approximately 5 kilometres.

You will once again experience some serious 4WD action as you wind your way out of the Bungle Bungles heading through the East Kimberley region. 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 facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Emma Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total driving time today is around 5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately one kilometre.

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
  • Short Hike to 360 degree views of Ord River & East Kimberley
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total driving time today is around 45 minutes. Total walking distance is up to seven kilometres.

After breakfast, its time to hit the road again and start travelling along the legendary Gibb River Road. 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. We’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there is a fair bit of drive time, but we’ll be breaking the journey up with lunch and at a few stop-offs along the way. Tonight’s destination is at Mt Barnett station located very close to Manning Gorge. This evening we camp at Mount Barnett by the banks of a crystal clear fresh water river, perfect to cool off in after your day hiking.

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

Total driving time today is around 6 hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

We spend the morning exploring the stunning Manning Gorge and enjoy a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. Depending on the season, post-lunch we spend the afternoon exploring Galvan’s 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

Total driving time today is around 1 hour. Total walking distance is approximately six kilometres.

The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this morning is no exception. After breakfast we adventure to Bell Gorge (subject to weather and road conditions) home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. The afternoon sees us head to Windjana Gorge, a segment of 375 million-year-old reef that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry, this gorge attracts many species of bird and bat and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles. We’ll set up camp for the last time together in the Western Kimberley region.

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

Total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately four to six kilometres.

We continue through the Napier Range on a guided walk-through at Tunnel Creek, a vast cave system that extends 750 metres underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream in through crevices, little bats flutter about and enormous stalactites rear down from the ceiling. Then make the final drive on to Broome, hopefully arriving in time for a stunning Cable Beach sunset.

Included Activities
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information

Total driving time today is around 6 hours. Total walking distance is approximately four kilometres. Any onward travel must be booked for the following day after the tour finishes.

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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 Darwin on Day 1 at 6.30 am and finishes in Broome (Day 10) in the afternoon. Onward travel needs to be booked for the following day after the tour finishes.
  3. This trip requires a sleeping bag
  4. Trip runs in reverse see tour code BD10
  5. This trip has a difficulty rating 5 out of 5. Please ensure this trip is suitable for you.
  6. 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.
  7. 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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