Exquisite Kimberley & Cape Leveque 2021

Today you’ll be met at the airport* by your Outback Spirit Tour Driver. The adventure begins as we head up the Dampier Peninsula and arrive at Cape Leveque late this afternoon. Home for the next two nights will be Kooljaman Cape Leveque in ocean view safari tents with ensuite bathrooms. This evening, get to know your travelling companions over dinner in the lodge restaurant. (D)

*Please book flights to arrive by 2pm. Alternative pickup locations available.

Today the pace is a little more relaxed. Head back down the Dampier Peninsula and stop off at Beagle Bay, established in 1895 by Trappist monks. Take in the stunning Mother of Pearl altar at the Sacred Heart Church before continuing on to Derby. After a visit to the Boab Prison Tree and Myall’s Bore & Cattle Trough we’ll check in to the 4-star Spinifex Hotel. (B,L,D)

Combined with the neighbouring Marion Downs, Charnley River/Artesian Range and Tableland Sanctuaries, AWC owns and/or manages a staggering 2.6 million acres in the Kimberley, giving threatened species like the iconic Northern Quoll and Gouldian Finch a fighting chance for survival.

This morning we enjoy an informative ecology tour and discover why AWC is at the forefront of protecting threatened species in the Kimberley. Then, head off and explore Mornington’s vast wilderness in specially built open back safari vehicles for a true appreciation of its stunning natural landscapes. Your guides will provide commentary on AWC’s conservation programs, all whilst travelling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Kimberley! Enjoy a picnic lunch at Cadjeput waterhole on the upper Fitzroy River, where you’ll also have the opportunity for a swim.

This afternoon we return to the wilderness camp where the remainder of the day can be spent at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy an outdoor slide show highlighting how AWC is tackling some of the most significant ecological challenges in the Kimberley. (B,L,D)

Continue north this morning along the Kalumburu Road before turning off to the Mitchell Plateau. After fording the King Edward River we’ll visit a series of spectacular Wandjina rock art galleries, known as some of the best in the Kimberley. After a picnic lunch we drive through an ancient Livistona Palm forest before arriving on the Mitchell Plateau mid-afternoon. We then check-in to our very own Ngauwudu Safari Camp, perfectly positioned amongst the palms beside a tranquil creek.

Featuring deluxe Safari Suites with ensuite bathrooms, quality furnishings and large balconies, Outback Spirit’s Ngauwudu Safari Camp is the most luxurious and spacious accommodation on the Mitchell Plateau. Built in 2011 exclusively for Outback Spirit guests, it’s truly a magical spot for the next two nights of our adventure and the ideal base from which to discover the Mitchell Plateau and Mitchell Falls.

This afternoon, take a dip in the camp’s private palm fringed waterhole or simply relax in your safari suite. Enjoy a drink around the campfire at sunset before retreating to the restaurant for dinner. (B,L,D)

Today we retreat from the Mitchell Plateau and follow the Kalumburu Road back to the Gibb. From here we head east and ford the Durack River before arriving at the foothills of the Cockburn Range. Admire the stunning vista in the soft late afternoon light before crossing the mighty Pentecost River en route to Emma Gorge Resort, part of El Questro Wilderness Park. Here we spend the next three nights in unique tented safari cabins dotted through the bush. (B,L,D)

This morning we enjoy a tour to Wyndham and Five Rivers Lookout, boasting dramatic views over Cambridge Gulf. En route we’ll also visit Parry Lagoons, home to a vast array of birdlife.

Upon returning to Emma Gorge Resort late-morning, you can either relax in the surrounds of the resort or set off on a guided walk to the Emma Gorge waterfall (3 hours return – a good level of fitness required, but well worth it!). A swim here is a highlight of any visit to El Questro, so be sure to bring your swimming attire! We return from the walk mid-afternoon, where the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. (B,L,D)

This morning we take a tour of Kununurra’s surrounding farming country. Drive through parts of the massive Ord River Irrigation Scheme on Ivanhoe Plains, where melons, mangoes, sandalwood and other crops are grown. After a visit to the award winning Sandalwood Factory we begin our trek south to the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, arriving late afternoon. We’ll spend the next two nights at the Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge, owned by Outback Spirit in partnership with Aviair/HeliSpirit. The lodge features comfortable cabins with ensuite bathrooms and is the only lodge in the park with a swimming pool! (B,L,D)

Departing the Bungle Bungles, we pass through Halls Creek and onto Fitzroy Crossing. Nature and geology lovers will delight as we head into Geikie Gorge National Park for a 1-hour cruise on the Fitzroy River, winding through ancient limestone where fossils are embedded in the walls of the gorge. Retire for the night in Fitzroy Crossing at the Fitzroy River Lodge. (B,L,D)

Our journey is ending on a high with a sensational half day adventure to the Horizontal Falls. Described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world’, the falls are created when the 2nd largest tides in the world hurtle through two narrow coastal gorges.

First up, join us for a town tour of Broome or relax at the resort until you are collected for the start of your Horizontal Falls adventure!

Enjoy a 50-minute seaplane flight and land on the calm waters of Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago. Then, board the fastest boat in the Kimberley, ‘Jet-Stream’ for an exhilarating ride through the Horizontal Falls. You’ll be awestruck at the power of the Kimberley tides as your expert skipper gives you an experience you’ll never forget. We’ll also cruise some of the surrounding bays and creeks and have a bite to eat on a commercial houseboat before returning to Broome.

Tonight, we gather for our final dinner together and celebrate our adventure through the Kimberley. Meals: B.L.D

Note: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures have a weight restriction of 120kg.