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Your Adventure Begins in Darwin
Hilton Garden Inn
Please check your required arrival time with the office before booking your flights.
Today you will be met by your friendly and professional crew at the time and location specified above and transferred to the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. This evening meet your fellow adventurers over dinner and receive a briefing on the adventure that lies ahead. Meal (D)
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Darwin – Joseph Bonaparte Gulf – Faraway Bay
Faraway Bay
After breakfast at the hotel we head back to Darwin Airport to board our Cessna Grand Caravan EX. This state-of-the-art aircraft features a high wing for excellent visibility, air conditioning, leather seats and turbine reliability. Furthermore, its glass cockpit is equipped with the latest avionics and technology, a must-have during the wet season.
This morning’s scenic flight will take us south west over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. From here we'll fly over some of the Kimberley's stunning coastline, culminating with the thunderous King George Falls - an incredible sight from the air. We then land at the Faraway Bay airstrip, where we'll be greeted by their friendly team and transferred to the lodge, our home for the next two nights. The rustic yet comfortable cabins feature ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and stunning views of the bay.
Faraway Bay is an award winning coastal lodge nestled on a rocky hilltop overlooking the turquoise Timor Sea. Located 280 kilometres north-west of Kununurra, this far north area of Western Australia is a remote and spellbinding part of the Kimberley. With King George Falls just a short boat trip away, this unique wilderness retreat offers an experience you will never forget.
This afternoon is free for you to relax and absorb this magical location. Perhaps enjoy a swim in the pool with views over the Timor Sea! Later in the afternoon savour some sunset drinks and experience the usual wet season lightning display before an appetising dinner in Eagle Lodge. Meals (B.L.D)
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King George Falls Marine Adventure – Barramundi Fishing
Faraway Bay
Waking up at Faraway Bay is an experience in itself. As birds sing their dawn chorus, the morning sun lights up the dramatic escarpment across the bay. To really get the day off on the right foot, each cabin features a private outdoor shower with views over the stunning coastal landscape - there is simply no better way to start the day!
After breakfast in Eagle Lodge it's time to head off on what can only be described as one of the best marine adventures in Western Australia. The King George River, located just 30 minutes away by boat, tumbles over the edge of 100m high sandstone cliffs to create WA's highest twin waterfalls. During the dry season, it's a spectacular sight - in the wet it's simply mind-boggling! The sheer volume of water tumbling off the plateau has to be seen to be believed. As the falls plunge into the Timor Sea, it truly creates a once in a lifetime, aweinspiring spectacle. From a cultural point of view, the river is highly significant to the Balanggarra people. To them, the Falls are the male and female Wunkurr (Rainbow Serpents). To get to the falls, your skipper will meander the boat up-river between the massive sandstone cliffs either side, all whilst giving detailed commentary. There’s even a swimming hole to visit along the way! Enjoy lunch on the river and soak up this incredible part of the Kimberley before returning to Faraway Bay early in the afternoon. On the cruise back to the lodge, you’ll also have the opportunity to throw a line in and try your luck for a Barramundi.
Upon returning to Faraway Bay the rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Take a walk along the beach, go for a swim in the delightful swimming pool, or relax in Eagle Lodge. Gather for drinks later this afternoon for the lightning show, and look to the escarpment for the many little waterfalls which come to life in the wet. Meals (B.L.D)
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Mitchell Plateau (‘Ngauwudu’) & Mitchell River National Park
Ngauwudu Safari Camp
This morning we board our aircraft for a 45-minute scenic flight further west to another iconic part of the Kimberley, the Mitchell Plateau. Home to the four tiered Mitchell Falls and several rare Indigenous rock art galleries, the Mitchell Plateau is a truly unique part of the Kimberley. With all roads into the Mitchell Plateau closed this time of the year, the region is accessible only via aircraft.
Upon our arrival on the Mitchell Plateau we’ll be transferred to Outback Spirit's Ngauwudu Safari Camp, where we’ll spend the next 3 nights. Check-in and enjoy lunch before a familiarisation tour of the camp, including the private palm fringed swimming hole. This afternoon is free for you to relax before dinner in the restaurant. Meals (B.L.D)
5
Hunter River – Donkin Falls – Indian Head – Mitchell Falls
Ngauwudu Safari Camp
Today is all about experiencing the Mitchell River National Park by air. With most tracks in the area impassable due to swollen rivers, our main transport for the next couple of days will be by helicopter, an exclusively chartered Bell Long Ranger. However, some of the areas we visit are only ever accessible by helicopter, regardless of the time of year.
Our first scenic helicopter flight takes us to the south west of the Mitchell Plateau to the mouth of the Hunter River. The scenery in this area is truly breathtaking! You’ll fly over Donkin Falls, Indian Head and the upper reaches of the Hunter River before flying east and landing at the majestic Mitchell Falls. We also fly over the Mitchell Falls themselves and after a couple of passes, we land and prepare for our ground tour.
There are four tiers to the Mitchell Falls and each one can generally be defined from the viewing area. However, during the wet season these four tiers turn into one or two tiers thanks to the sheer amount of water flowing down the Mitchell River. The view from both the air and the ground can only be described as sensational.
After the ground tour and some morning tea we’ll board our helicopter again for a scenic flight back to the camp for lunch. This afternoon we head off on a 4WD ground tour to the impressive Lawley River lookout. Travel through the palm forests of the Mitchell Plateau and learn about the cultural significance of this special area. If available, we’ll be accompanied by a local Indigenous guide from the Kandiwal Community.
We return to camp late afternoon and enjoy another lightning show before sitting down for dinner under the floodlit Bloodwood tree. Meals (B.L.D)
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Lower Mitchell Falls Art Site - Coastal Scenic flight
Ngauwudu Safari Camp
This morning we embark on our third scenic helicopter flight, this time down to the lower Mitchell Falls. The area is home to a number of stunning art galleries, some of which are among the most graphic in the Kimberley. Our expert guide will interpret the art work and give you a fascinating insight into its significance.
After visiting various art sites, we board the helicopter for our fourth scenic flight, this time taking in some of the magical Kimberley coastline. Following the Mitchell River we’ll fly over Crystal Creek and out over Port Warrender before returning to the safari camp. Once back in camp, the afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Enjoy a swim or simply relax in your safari suite. This evening we enjoy our final dinner at Ngauwudu Safari Camp. Meals (B.L.D)
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Mitchell Plateau – Darwin
Hilton Garden Inn
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ngauwudu and head to the airstrip to board our Cessna Grand Caravan. We’ll fly north east for a two hour scenic flight back to Darwin, arriving early afternoon. Upon arrival at the General Aviation terminal we’ll be transferred to the Hilton Garden Inn.
Tonight, we look back on our adventures and enjoy a delicious and all inclusive farewell celebration at Wharf One Food & Wine. Meals (B.L.D)
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Farewell
This morning you’ll be transferred to Darwin airport for your return flights home. Bon Voyage! (B)