At a Glance
Treat yourself to the best of the Kimberley, with this epic 7-day safari that showcases the Bungle Bungles, Punamii-Unpuu (Mitchell) Falls, and the best in between. With a small group of maximum 8 people, this safari is perfect for those who want to get off the beaten track for a truly authentic Kimberley experience.
Three times larger than England and with a population of less than 40,000, the Kimberley region – spread over Australia’s entire north-western corner – is one of the world’s largest wilderness frontiers. Despite the region’s remoteness, you will find fascinating geological formations, vast lakes, majestic gorges, cascading waterfalls and prolific wildlife. You will also find that Australia’s Indigenous people have survived and thrived in this special place for tens of thousands of years.
Commencing in the outback town of ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 2-nights’ accommodation at Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments, Kununurra (or similar), on a twin share basis
- 2-night’s accommodation at Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, Purnululu National Park, on a twin share basis
- 2-nights’ accommodation at Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, Mitchell Falls, on a twin share basis
- Scenic flights over Lake Argyle, Osmond Ranges, Argyle Diamond Mine, the Cockburn Ranges, Mitchell Plateau, Kimberley coastline, Faraway Bay, King George Falls, the Berkeley River and across the Cambridge Gulf
- Guided Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Creek, Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms Gorge walks (Day 2 & 3)
- An exclusive Bush Tucker and Rock Art tour down to the King Edward River area of the Mitchell River National Park (Day 4)
- Guided Mitchell Falls tour including hiking, swimming in the beautiful waterholes and waterfalls, and visiting the rock art galleries (Day 5)
- Mitchell Falls heli flight
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
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Arrive into East Kimberley Regional (Kununurra) Airport (KNX), and make your own way to Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments. Located just 2-minutes from the Kununurra town centre, Freshwater is the town’s newest executive-style, self-contained accommodation and the ideal relaxing environment for your holiday adventure. Settle into your apartment and spend the rest of the day making use of facilities including a stunning resort style swimming pool. In the evening, make the short walk into town to dine at one of the local restaurants (own cost). |
Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments or similar
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Walking Distance: Bungle Bungle domes – 1km/0.6mi | 1hr circuit walk | Easy Walking Distance: Cathedral Gorge – 3km/1.9mi | 2hrs | Moderate (passing over rock ledges, waterholes and eroded potholes) Depart Kununurra on a scenic flight over Lake Argyle, Osmond Ranges, and station country to land within Purnululu National Park. After touching down in Purnululu National Park, you will be met by your expert guide, who will lead you on a tour of the famous Bungle Bungle domes. Rising 300 metres (986 feet) above the surrounding grass-covered plains, these incredible orange and black sandstone domes are one of the world’s most fascinating geological sites. Explore the range on foot and discover long narrow chasms and hidden gorges large enough to hold a full-scale concert. Along the way, keep an eye out for some of the 130 bird species found here and unique native animals including the nailtail wallaby and short-eared rock wallaby. |
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After exploring the domes, venture on to Cathedral Gorge. This astonishing, natural amphitheatre of red rock is the perfect place for a picnic lunch. Be sure to bring your wide-angle camera lens! In the late afternoon, arrive at Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, where you can relax and unwind in the privacy of your ensuite cabin, or else take a dip in the only pool located within the national park. In the evening, enjoy a 3 course dinner in the dining area or outside under the starry night sky, by the warmth of the fire pit. |
Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, Purnululu National ParkLunch, Dinner |
Walking Distance: - Echidna Chasm – 2km/1.25mi | 1-2hr return walk | Easy – Moderate (includes challenging short climb near the end) After a hearty breakfast, journey to the northern end of Purnululu National Park, where you will spend the day exploring the famous Echidna Chasm. Long and narrow and dotted with Livingstonia palms, this spectacular chasm has striking colour variations that change with the angle of the sun. Explore the area with your expert guide and take time to admire the view of the dry, wild and rugged Osmand Range from the nearby Osmand Lookout. A picnic lunch is once again provided. In the evening, return to Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, where you can relax after a day of amazing adventures. Enjoy 3-course dinner. |
Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, Purnululu National ParkBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Depart Purnululu for the Mitchell Plateau over the Argyle Diamond Mine and the Cockburn Ranges tracking North-West to the top of the Kimberley landing amongst the ancient Livistona Palms. Your guide will take you on an exclusive Bush Tucker and Rock Art tour down to the King Edward River area of the Mitchell River National Park, rarely visited by guests. Enjoy afternoon drinks and nibbles on the King Edward escarpment. Relax at Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge in the afternoon and enjoy a 3-course meal on the deck and a glass of wine by the fire after your meal. |
Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, Mitchell FallsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Punamii-unpuu/Mitchell Falls Trail: 8.6km/5.3mi | 2-6hrs | Grade 4: Challenging (includes uneven ground, water crossings and scrambling over rocks). After a hearty breakfast, embark on the Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls) hike, swimming in the beautiful waterholes and waterfalls, visiting the rock art galleries that showcase some of the world’s oldest rock art - dating up to 45,000 years old. Enjoy a picnic lunch in front of the famous Mitchell Falls followed by a swim in the Mitchell River above the falls and then board your Heli transfer, taking in the incredible view of the falls from the open-door Heli's and then landing back at the beginning of the trail. There'll be time to refresh after the hike before heading out for sunset drinks and back in time for your last night under the stars at the Lodge with your guide. |
Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, Mitchell FallsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Take the start of the morning to relax with a coffee by the swimming hole at the Lodge and then you'll be transferred back to the Mitchell Plateau airstrip. Board your scenic flight following the coastline of the Northeast Kimberley, overflying Trustcott, the old Paspaley Pearl Farms and Kalumburu Community, one of the oldest running communities in the Kimberley. From Kalumburu we continue along the coast flying over Faraway Bay, King George Falls, the Berkeley River and across the Cambridge Gulf where the 5 major river systems in the East Kimberley meet before landing back in Kununurra. |
Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments or similarBreakfast, Lunch |
All good things must come to an end. Check out at 10:00am and make your own way to the airport to commence your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneNoneDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings.
More Info
The start and finish point for this tour is Kununurra, Northern Territory.
Qantas, Air North and Virgin Australia run daily commercial flights into Kununurra from all major Australian cities via Darwin, Broome or Perth. You can also fly direct from Melbourne to Kununurra with Virgin.
Like the rest of the Kimberley, Kununurra, Purnululu National Park and Lake Argyle experience distinct dry and wet seasons. Average daily maximum temperatures in the dry season (April to September) range from 29 degrees (Celsius) in July to 38 degrees in September with little rain and low humidity. Overnight, temperatures decrease to become considerably cool by early morning and sunrise. Average daily maximum temperature during the waterfall season (October to March) is 40 degrees with significant humidity. Most of the 500-700mm annual rainfall occurs between December and March resulting in unsealed roads becoming impassable and park closure.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
