At a Glance
Experience the best of the iconic Gibb River Road on this 8-day, private, luxury 4WD adventure through the breathtaking Kimberley region from Broome to Kununurra (or vice versa).
Departing from Broome in a modern and comfortable 4WD with a group of maximum 8 travellers, set out along the Gibb River Road, the legendary track forged in the 1960s to expedite the movement of cattle from remote pastural leases. Cruise the majestic Danggu Geikie Gorge carved from an ancient fossil reef. With an Aboriginal guide, delve into the 750-metre cave system of Tunnel Creek. Explore and swim in outback oases including Bell Gorge, Galvans Gorge and Manning Gorge. Stay a night at the famous El Questro Wilderness Park, the backdrop to Baz Luhmann’s Australia. Ponder the mysterious Bungle Bungle domes, as well ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Sightseeings and park fees as specified
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Pick up and drop off at your accommodation
- Services of a friendly, experienced driver guide
- Transport in a modern and comfortable 4WD vehicle
- Drinking water and snacks while on tour
- 8-nights’ accommodation in comfortable and stylish accommodation on a twin share basis.
Itinerary
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Departing from Broome in the morning, set out in a comfortable and modern 4WD into the breathtaking West Kimberley region. Sit back and relax and watch as the city fades into rugged, red Australian outback. As you drive, your expert driver guide will regale you with fun facts about the fascinating local environment, history and people. First stop: Derby. Here, you will visit the infamous 1,500-year-old Boab Prison Tree, which was used in the 1890s as a lock up for Indigenous prisoners on their way to Derby for sentencing. While in the area, you will also call into an Indigenous art centre to view the paintings of the culturally significant Wandjina and the Gwion Gwions. Finally, a visit to Derby would not be complete without a visit to the town’s horseshoe wharf where you can witness some of the world’s highest tidal movements. You’ll stay the night in comfortable motel style rooms at Spinifex Hotel. |
Spinifex Hotel, Derby
Lunch |
Enjoy lunch in the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing before joining a cruise through the majestic Danggu Geikie Gorge. Famed for its sheer white and grey walls, Danggu Geikie Gorge was carved from an ancient fossil reef by the mighty Fitzroy River over period of 350 million years. During the cruise, keep an eye out for local wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, birds and fish. In the evening, check into your accommodation at Fitzroy River Lodge. Perched on the banks of the Fitzroy River, on fifty acres of natural bushland, the Fitzroy River Lodge features a fully licenced bar and restaurant, refreshing pool, tennis court and more. |
Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy CrossingBreakfast, Lunch |
Delve into Tunnel Creek, a 750-metre (2460-ft) cave system filled with stalactites, stalagmites and hidden recesses. With an Indigenous guide, explore the cave and listen in to the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used this place as a hideout in the late 1800s. Continue onto Windjana Gorge, renowned for water-streaked walls rising to heights of 100-metres (328ft). Here, you will enjoy a picnic lunch and have the opportunity to get up close (but not too close) with freshwater crocodiles. After lunch, hit the iconic Gibb River Road. Forged to expedite the movement of cattle from pastoral leases, this legendary track is alive with the spirit of early pioneers. Journey through the picturesque Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, formerly known as the King Leopold Ranges, to your comfortable accommodation at Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge. This will be your home for the next two nights. |
Bell Gorge Wilderness LodgeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
First stop of the day: the little-known Adcock Gorge. Fringed by red cliffs and lush grassy banks, this emerald green, waterfall-fed pool is just perfect for a morning swim. If you’re lucky, you might even get the place to yourself! After, continue on to Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge), where you will find one of the only easily accessible waterfalls that flows all year round. Enjoy another swim or else sunbathe on the large flat rocks before partaking in a delicious picnic lunch. All around you, you will see folded rock formations millions of years in the making. In the evening, return to your accommodation at Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge. |
Bell Gorge Wilderness LodgeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Continue along Gibb River Road into Durack country, where you will gain insight into the lives of early pioneers in the Kimberley. The Duracks were a prominent pastural family, who made this rugged and remote land home and helped open Northern Australia to the rest of the world. Call into an outback oasis for Devonshire tea before completing the day’s journey to Home Valley Station. Here, you will enjoy modern outback facilities including a fully licenced bar and restaurant, general store, large main swimming pool and more. |
Home Valley StationBreakfast, Lunch |
Start your day with a short tour of Home Valley Station. Owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Corporation, the station provides an on-site training academy for local Indigenous people in hospitality, farming and tourism. After your tour, cross the mighty Pentecost River to the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park. The most famous station and tourism resort along the Gibb River Road, El Questro’s spectacular landscape of boab trees and gorges served as the backdrop to Baz Luhmann’s movie Australia. Cross the mighty Pentecost River to the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park. The most famous station and tourism resort along the Gibb River Road, El Questro’s spectacular landscape of boab trees and gorges served as the backdrop to Baz Luhmann’s movie Australia. Treat yourself to a refreshing soak in the thermal waters of El Questro’s Zebedee Springs and take a scenic bushwalk into the surreal Emma Gorge. The outback doesn’t get much more luxurious than this! In the evening, take time to explore the station’s beautiful native gardens./p> |
Emma Gorge, El QuestroBreakfast |
Journey deep into what is sure to be a highlight of your journey: the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park. Traverse the Spring Creek Track and discover the magnitude of the park as you hike into Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the rock. Narrow in width with walls reaching 100-metres (328ft), the chasm glows a glorious fiery red in the afternoon sun. In the evening, settle into Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, your home for the next two nights. |
Bungle Bungle Wilderness LodgeBreakfast, Dinner |
Enjoy a full day in Purnululu National Park, starting with a visit to the famous Bungle Bungle domes. Unknown to the outside world until the 1980s, these astonishing black and orange striped domes were forged by rivers over a period of 20 million years. From here, take a short two-kilometre (1.24mi) walk through the domes to Cathedral Gorge, where you can test your singing voice in this incredible natural amphitheatre. You then have the option to take a highly recommended helicopter flight (approximately $395AUD per person) that puts the whole area into perspective. From above, the Bungle Bungles look like beehives or anthills rising from the surrounding plains. |
Bungle Bungle Wilderness LodgeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
After one last delicious breakfast, board a scenic transfer flight over the colossal Argyle Diamond Mine, home to the rare Argyle pink diamonds. (Note that luggage weight & size restrictions may occur on this transfer flight – we are able to assist in forwarding excess baggage if necessary.) Touch down in Kununurra to commence your onward journey. A drop off to Kununurra airport or town is included. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfastAccommodation
Dates & Prices
Departure on request from April to November. Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. The price is based on shared small group tour of 4-8 people per departure. Private departure for 2 guests is available at an additional cost. Please contact us for a quote.
More Info
The start point for this tour is Broome, Western Australia.
The finish point for this tour is Kununurra, Western Australia.
The Broome Airport (BME), services both domestic and international flights.
The East Kimberley (Kununurra) (KNX) Regional Airport provides access to Kununurra, receiving flights from Broome and Darwin through Air North.
The Kimberley experiences 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 may drop to below 6 degrees.
Average daily maximum temperature during the wet 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.
This itinerary involves some clambering over rocks, through water and walking on uneven ground. A reasonable level of fitness is therefore advised, however, options can be arranged to suit most guests’ abilities.
The tour is operated with a fleet of modern 4WD’s, Toyota LandCruisers or similar, which are modified to the conditions from our depot in Broome. The touring vehicles carry full remote area equipment including satellite phones, UHF radios, 1st aid kits as well as fridges with drinking water and snacks. With a maximum of only 4 guests per vehicle (max. 8 people per departure) as an intimate and flexible touring style, you will enjoy a comfortable journey as we traverse the spectacular landscape. Alternatively, we can tailor a trip just for you for a private tour that means it’s your exclusive holiday and it’s built just for you. Either way you’re guaranteed an unforgettable journey with memories to cherish.
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.
