Day 1
Head out of Broome on the Great Northern Highway to Derby (2.5hrs) which is located on the tidal mud flats on the edge of the King Sound. It has the highest tidal range of any port in Australia.
The Boab tree is an iconic feature of Derby and about 7km south of Derby is the most famous of them. The Boab Prison Tree is a culturally significant site for the local Nyikina and Warrwa people. It is believed to be around 1,500 years old with a circumference of over 14 metres with a hollow centre in which a long held myth said it held Aboriginal prisoners being transported long distances to Derby in the 1800s.
Other places of interest in Derby is the Mowanjum Arts Centre where visitors can view and purchase artworks by local first nations people and see important peices of cultural history at The Mowanjum Museum. You can visit the Norval Art Gallery also and the Sculptures on The Marsh as well as the Derby Jetty. Horizontal Seaplanes Adventures also depart for the incredible Horizontal Waterfalls from here and KAS Helicopters also offer scenic flights of the Buccaneer Archipalago or speciality heli-fishing tours.
From Derby double back 36km to the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing.
Stay at the Fitzroy River Lodge campground where you can have dinner, a swim in their swimming pool or a refreshing drink in the bar in the evening.
Day 2
Tunnel Creek to Bell Gorge
Head to Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge. At Tunnel Creek you can take a walk through the 750m tunnel which takes you from one side of the Napier Range to the other. Keep your eye out for the many bat species and freshwater crocodiles that live in the cave. The roof has collapsed through to the top of the range near the centre of the tunnel. Take a torch, wear sneakers and be prepared to get wet and possibly cold and always let someone know where you are.
Further on at Windjana Gorge is another beautiful walk (well series walk options) taking you around and in to the gorge where you will see wildlife, freshwater crocodiles and pools of water. They also have a campground here and it is a good place to stop for lunch.
Bell Gorge is one of the most popular gorges - no doubt as it is not far along the Gibb River Road. Once you walk down from the carpark the gorge will open up and you will find yourself at the top pools of the gorge with the waterfall cascading down to the lower pools.
You can float down the pools to discover some great views back into the gorge.
Stay; Dulundi (Silent Grove) campground just near Bells Gorge.
Day 3
Bell Gorge to Mt Elizabeth Station
The distance between Bell Gorge and Mt Elizabeth is only just over 2.5hrs so you can take your time enjoying the various gorges and stops along the way in including Adcock Gorge, Galvans Gorge and Manning Gorge.
Manning Gorge is located in Mt Barnett Station. Water remains at the base of the waterfalls and in several pools along the creek year round making it the perfect place to take your flotation device and enjoy a leisurely swim or picnic. Its 3 kilometres to the top of the gorge from the campground, where you must first swim 100metres across Manning Creek or use the rope guide with floats to ferry belongings. The terrain is challenging, hot and uneven but is well worth it in the end.
Stay; Mt Elizabeth Station is about as close to the heart of the Kimberley region in Western Australia as you can get. Located roughly half way between Kununurra and Derby, Mt Elizabeth is a half-million acre, fully operational cattle station that also welcomes guests. Offering camping, dinner, bed and breakfast options within a genuine outback setting .
Day 4
Mt Elizabeth to Home Valley Station
The distance from Mt Elizabeth to Home Valley Station is 4hours 40 minutes along the Gibb.
Along the way you can stop at Ellenbrae Station (a short drive up their 5km driveway open daily 8-4pm) and try one of their famous scones and stretch your legs in their gardens and view their rustic Kimberley homestead and even have a dip in one of their waterholes.
Located beside the iconic Pentecost River on the Gibb River Road overlooking the magnificent Cockburn Ranges, Home Valley offers different camping areas as well as tours and activities and a chance to be immersed in the Indigenous culture of the East Kimberley. It also is home to “Dusty’s”, an iconic outback pub serving quality Australian tucker, cold beers and live entertainment in an authentic outback setting.
Day 5
Home Valley to El Questro
Super close to each other in Kimberley terms is the next and final stop on the Gibb - El Questro Station where there is lots to see and do with 700,000 acres to explore. You can do lots of self guided tours and there are rangers to talk to and maps and other information available. If you are thinking of tours or helicopter flights from here please book in advance.
You can enjoy Zebedee's thermal springs, ancient gorges, fishing, aboriginal art, incredible outlooks and sunset insta spots plus excellent amenities for campers at The Black Cockatoo General Campground which is central to all facilities at The Station including retail and food and beverage options or some more private spots which can be booked along the Pentecost River nearby.
Emma Gorge has glamping options, a gorge walk, swimming pool and a restaurant also.
Day 6
Farewell Gibb - Hello Bungle Bungles
Either make it all the way to Kununurra where you can stay, explore and take a scenic flight to the Bungles or drive in there yourself. The road into the Bungles is unsealed, corrugated and has many creek and river crossings. Access for high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles with low-range gears, and single-axle high-clearance camper trailers and caravans only.
The road conditions can vary and if you are going to make the trip in there it is best to stay at least a night after the trek in to explore.
The Parks and Wildlife Service operate two campgrounds within Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park – Walardi and Kurrajong.
The Bungle Bungles Camping is fantastic anyway; its remote, full of wildlife and the stars are like nothing you’ve seen before.
Day 7
Kununurra
The drive to Kununurra (depending on road conditions) is roughly 4.5 hrs. Here you will find the most incredible scenery with lots of opportunities for insta worthy pics.
There are plenty of scenic flights, boat tours of Lake Kununurra and the Ord River which is rich in wildlife, birdlife and fish.
Located just 70km south of Kununurra, Lake Argyle is the magnificent result of some of the greatest pieces of engineering ever witnessed in Australia. The result is a massive expanse of fresh water (1000km2), the second largest in Australia and equivalent to an average of 19 Sydney Harbours.
It is home to an estimated 30,000 freshwater crocodiles, 26 species of native fish and a third of Australia’s bird species and is designated as a RAMSAR wetland of International Significance. You can take to the Lake on a very popular lunch or sunset cruise or simply hire a canoe, pontoon or paddle board and have a look around at your leisure!
STAY; Lake Argyle also has a caravan park, resort-style accommodation and one of the most photographed infinity pools in Australia for those wishing to stay a while. As well as cruising and watercraft hire options, there are walking trails and the historic Argyle Downs Homestead Museum is just a short drive from the Resort.
Day 8
Crossing the Border
Depart Lake Argyle or Lake Kununurra for Keep River National Park where you will cross the border into the Northern Territory.
Keep River is well known for its spectacular geology and hosts notable species of birds and marsupials within the sandstone environment. The Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng people have also lived here for thousands of years. As a result there are various sites scattered throughout the Park containing evidence of their occupation. This includes two rock-art sites which we you are able to hike to.
Following this head east along the Victoria River to Katherine. Visit Katherine's thermal springs, situated on the banks of the Katherine River, within the Katherine township.
With a series of pools the area offers a place to relax, enjoy swimming in the pools, the picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks.
After Katherine travel to Nitmiluk National Park, home to Katherine Gorge For many visitors to Katherine, Nitmiluk National Park and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is the reason they come.
Stay Nitmiluk Katherine campground.
Day 9
Adelaide River & Lichfield
The Adelaide River is well known for its high concentration of saltwater crocodiles, along with other wildlife including barramundi, white-bellied sea eagles, whistling kites, freshwater crocodiles, bull sharks and Black Flying-fox - so needless to say - dont swim!
Further north toward Darwin is the last stop - Lichfield National Park and it is full of waterfalls and safe places to swim including Buley Rockhole with its spa-like pools linked by small waterfalls. It’s one of the most popular places to swim. There are so many waterholes to visit from Walker Creek to Wangi Falls - take your pick and be sure to explore as many as you can.
There are many campgrounds in Lichfield. Stay; Lichfield Safari Camp or Banyan Tree Resort
Day 10 -
You have arrived in Darwin!
It's exciting, balmy and full of colour, characters, activity, cultural history, galleries and great food and nightlife. Be sure to visit the Mindi Beach Sunset markets and join the throng of visitors to watch the sunset from the beach.
From Darwin you can spend a few nights and reset for further travels to nearby Kakadu or bid farewell to your journey.
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