At a Glance
Discover the fascinating Indigenous culture and stunning natural beauty of the Dampier Peninsula and Cape Leveque, with this fully guided, 2-day 4WD camping expedition departing from Broome.
If Broome is the gateway to the Kimberley, then the Dampier Peninsula is the gateway to the Kimberley Coast. Your adventure continues beyond Broome, with an Ardi experience. Meaning “northeast” in the ancient Bardi language, your Ardi experience is a journey that begins with the 200-kilometre stretch of Cape Leveque Road. It’s a journey taken by the local people for thousands of years – an experience that connects you with the past, as you begin to unlock the secrets of this ancient place and culture.
Departing from Broome, set out with a small group of likeminded travellers to discover the highlights of the Dampier Peninsula ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Knowledgeable and experienced driver guide
- All transport in a custom built 4WD truck
- Community entry permits
- 1-nights’ camping accommodation on a twin share basis
- Meals: 1 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 1 x Dinner
- Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm tour
- Sea Safari: Islands of the Giant Tides, Waterfall Reef or Kimberley Island Explorer (depending on the tide)
- Guided tour of the One Arm Point Aboriginal community’s aquaculture hatchery
Itinerary
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Driving information: 250km/155mi | 3hrs Departing from Broome, hit the red dirt road and drive 3.5-hours north to the Dampier Peninsula. This pristine and rugged slice of the Kimberley is renowned for its Aboriginal heritage and the striking colours of the landscape, where dramatic red-rock cliffs meet pure white sand and turquoise waters. Call into Beagle Bay, one of four Aboriginal communities on the Dampier Peninsula. Named after a boat that was once moored in the bay, Beagle Bay is home to the Nyul Nyul people, who have existed in this harsh but unspoilt coastal environment for thousands of years. Pay a visit to the Sacred Heart Church with its mother of pearl shell altar. The church was built entirely by hand by local Aboriginals and the Pallottine monks who started the Catholic mission in the late 1800s. The monks are still here and are responsible for running the church and school. |
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Continue onto the next Aboriginal community at One Arm Point, also known as Ardyaloon to the local Bardi people. Check out the stunning coastline with spectacular views out to the Buccaneer Archipelago. Watch in amazement as the massive tides rip past the thousand small islands. While in the area, you will also tour the local hatchery and see a working aquaculture centre with a range of local art and artefacts on sale. Purchase trochus shells and jewellery, which has been locally carved out of this beautiful shell, which only the local Aboriginal people are allowed to collect. After a picnic lunch, head for the remote Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. Embark on an extraordinary Sea Safari through the islands and feel the power of the world’s largest tropical tides as you cruise among the giant whirlpools and standing tidal waves. Venture into Escape Passage, recently described by scientists as the fastest ocean currents in the world. Tonight, you’ll stay at the private Cygnet Bay Safari Camp. Shared onsite ablutions have hot showers and toilets.
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Cygnet Bay Safari Camp, Cygnet Bay
Lunch, Dinner |
Driving information: 250km/155mi | 3hrs Return to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm for a fascinating tour of the farm. This land-based tour will give you an insight into the history of pearling in the bay and how some of the world’s most sought after and beautiful pearls are cultivated. After the tour, take part in a hands-on pearl grading experience, where you will have the opportunity to touch, feel and sort a selection of the shimmering harvest. You will finish the session feeling like a pearl expert! |
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Come mid-morning, travel across the Peninsula to Kooljaman at Cape Leveque. Situated on Native Title land, this remote wilderness camp is owned and run by the Indigenous Bardi Jawi Communities. Take a leisurely stroll along the beach or the interpretation boardwalk through the coastal vine thicket, cool off in the crystal-clear turquoise waters. The surrounding reef systems are home to a beautiful array of tropical sea life. Driving back at dusk, keep an eye out for wildlife before arriving back in Broome at approximately 5:00pm. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Child Price (4-12yrs): $995pp
More Info
The start and finish point for this tour is Broome, Western Australia.
The closest airport is Broome International Airport (BIA), which is serviced by Qantas from most Australian capital cities.
The Kimberley has two distinct seasons: wet season (December to March) and dry season (April to November). During ‘the Wet’ most 4WD roads and National Parks are closed. As such, this tour operates during ‘the Dry’ with daytime temperatures ranging from 28-30-degrees Celsius. Be aware, however, that the region can get surprisingly cold overnight: Broome can get to 12-degrees Celsius, while Purnululu can drop to a frosty 5-degrees Celsius!
Note: In September and October, as ‘the Wet’ approaches, temperatures increase accordingly, and it can be very hot during the day. It is essential you are prepared for this.
This tour uses custom-built, 21-25 seat 4WD trucks with a PA system and built-in storage (no risky trailers!). These comfortable and robust remote area vehicles provide a comfortable amount of space (including standing room) and full air-conditioning with adjustable air-vents, reclinable seats, map pockets and footrests. It is important that when booking a 4WD outback adventure in the Kimberley, you understand that the roads can be heavily corrugated. Rest assured, these are the conditions for which the 4WD trucks are designed.
Telstra users will get phone reception in most towns and the occasional remote hot spot. However, there will be long stretches on no reception at all. Nevertheless, power points will be accessible on most nights for recharging cameras and other electronic equipment.
Travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including emergency repatriation, is an essential requirement of this tour. Your policy should also cover personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects, though this is not essential.
Other Important Information
- It is essential that you call the Kimberley Wild office on 9193 7778, the day prior to departure to confirm pick up, and provide a mobile number for any late notifications.
- Departures are all subject to regional weather conditions and road closures – usually only a concern in April and October/November.
- Space in a 4WD is limited so please keep luggage light. Bring only essentials in a small soft bag, no more than15 kilograms. Suitcases are NOT suitable. Excess luggage must be left in Broome or sent to a forward destination.
- Due to distances covered, this trip involves early departures on some morning and frequent stops between destinations.
- The trip hosts reserve the right to assess the fitness capability of passengers prior to tour departure.
- It is your responsibility to advise us if you have any dietary requirements or medical conditions (including allergies).
- It is important that you participate in setting up camp each night (the tour hosts will assist as much as possible). Tour hosts also appreciate the assistance or one or two group members in preparing/clearing meals. It is essential that all groups leave the camps they stay in as they found them for the next travellers; the Kimberley is a pristine wilderness and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure it stays this way.
- The road to Cape Leveque can be rough and is therefore not suitable for pregnant women or travellers with back problems.
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 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 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 90 days prior to departure, your deposit will be retained as a credit for a new departure date of the same tour within 24 months
- Between 60 and 89 days (inclusive) prior to departure, money will be refunded less deposit
- Within 59 days prior to departure 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
Covid Cancellation: 10% cancellation fees for any bookings cancelled more than 14 days prior to departure. The remaining balance will be held in credit for a new departure of the same tour for 24 months.
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.
