|
|
The 5 Western Australia National Parks (NP) and 15 remote gorges we visit in the North-West frontier region, known as the Kimberley, are jewels in a great Australia outback wilderness area covering 423,000 sq kms and home to only 30,000 people, most of whom you are ever likely to see.Your Kimberley tour also features an optional flight over the wild iconic scenery of the Buccaneer Archipelago and King Sound, Talbot Bay and the phenomenon known as the Horizontal Waterfall. We travel remote bush tracks to the isolated Mitchell River Plateau and its spectacular three tiered falls, to outback rural stations and homesteads where neighbours live hundreds of kilometres apart and the huge black and orange striped domes of Purnululu National Park (The Bungle Bungle Ranges) an extraordinary and compelling experience in any Australian National Parks tour of the north west. Experience a walking holiday with a difference, a remote travel adventure tour where the emphasis is on outback expeditions and camping safaris style experiences with shorter guided walks scheduled for most days. Nature has a supreme influence in this rugged WA region, determining how locals survive and visitors travel. Contrast between the arid areas and the life line of watercourses is intense. The rivers and creeks are some of the strongest flowing in the world, pouring thunderous volumes of water into the Indian Ocean during the "big wet", invariably receding to a chain of waterholes in the dry, on which wildlife and travellers converge and depend. We commence our journey in Broome, a remote seaside town oozing with unique charm and colour, having a fascinating multicultural heritage and fusion of people suggesting you really should stay awhile for the social and cultural experience before joining our tour. Broome still remains a dream destination for most Australians to this day. This Nature Bound Australia journey includes optional (extra cost) and astonishing aerial inspections of two Kimberley "jewels", the first being the flight over the wilderness coastline and later in the tour, the Bungle Bungle Ranges. We walk the fascinating gorges of Purnululu NP and in relative solitude a series of stunning gorges along the Gibb River Road, all of varying character and size, each with refreshing natural swimming holes.. We search for historic Aboriginal rock art galleries depicting the Wandjina and Bradshaw paintings. Some ranges dominating the region were once part of a coral reef system before the sea receded. The latter part of the tour (8 days of 22 days) takes us to the Katherine Gorge - Nitmiluk NP, Kakadu NP, and Litchfield NP within the Northern Territory, NT, all of which feature in greater detail in our Wild Top End Journey. Your ultimate 22 day North-West Frontiers journey combining National Parks of both the Kimberley and the Top End promises an extraordinary lifetime experience.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTSKimberley section from Broome to Kununurra (Western Australia) Broome, a remote seaside town oozing with the colour and charm of a fascinating multicultural heritage and a fusion of races. The dream destination most Australians will never be privileged to enjoy though it is a "must see" for those who embark on an extended around-Australia holiday. We journey to the coastal town of Derby with its famous jetty and mud flats and the highest sea tidal range in Australia, 10.5 metres between low and high tide. Derby has one of the largest local government areas in Australia of 102,000 sq kms. 45% of the population comprise Aborigines.From Derby there is the optional flight across King Sound, Buccaneer Archipelago and Talbot Bay to the Horizontal Waterfall, viewing extraordinary wild scenery typical of the north-west coast. Windjana Gorge National Park- the Lennard River has carved its way through the limestone Napier Range, an ancient, inland, fossilised coral reef from the Devonian era, 350 million years ago. The gorge is home to Leichardt trees and native figs, waterbirds, corellas, fruit bats and freshwater crocodiles. Wading through the 750metre long cave of Tunnel Creek National Park we'll recall the hunt for Pigeon or Jandamarra the Aboriginal tracker turned outlaw, killed at the entrance in 1897. Five species of bats inhabit the tunnel including ghost and fruit bats. The 660km lifeline to the region, the Gibb River Road, every year provides a true bush travelling experience with its dust and corrugations, road trains and wandering livestock and wildlife. You'll enter a region that is virtually inaccessible by vehicle for 5 months of the year, where some property owners driveways are up to 50kms long and cut by floods for those months. Bell Gorge, Silent Grove, Adcock Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Manning Gorge, Mt Barnett and Barnett River Gorge are places of compelling interest in our journey. Wandjina paintings, ancient Boab Trees, rock hopping walks to cascading falls and irresistable refreshing swims in natural settings are pleasant diversions in the travel day.. Mt Elizabeth Station and Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge offer wonderful remote Kimberley style retreats with genuine outback hospitality and "down to earth" yarns over fine seasonal cuisine. Drysdale River Station is our launching point for a back track journey into the remote Mitchell River Plateau and its multi tiered Mitchell Falls and Merton Falls. The 115,000 hectares of rugged wilderness, is home to the striking Livistona Eastoni palm You'll cross the ledgendary Durack River and Pentecost River great waterways in the "big wet" season draining vast areas of the north-west into the Cambridge Gulf and then view in awe, imposing colourful ranges highlighted by Mt Cockburn. El Questro Station and wilderness park will be our base for boating and walking in Chamberlain Gorge and Emma Gorge. Purnululu National Park - An optional flight over the Bungle Bungle Ranges viewing this 350 million year old beehive shaped geological wonder, is spectacular. This landform was hidden by sheer remoteness until revealed publicly in the mid-1980's. The extremely fragile sandstone formations are susceptible to erosive forces. We have a choice of 2 hr guided walks to Echidna Chasm and Cathedral Gorge and a 2 day overnight trek deep into the spectacular Piccaninny Gorge You will depart the Kimberleys and West Australia emotionally hardened by the rigors of a remote environment, energised by the Aussie bush spirit, touched by all forms of life in the wild and wondering if you will ever experience its equal again. We travel from the northern township of Kununurra and the Lake Argyle - Ord River region into the Northern Territory NT, toward Victoria River, Gregory National Park and the town of Katherine. Details of the Katherine Gorge - Nitmiluk NP, Kakadu NP and Litchfield NP featured in the following 8 days of this tour, may be found in our Wild Top End Journey. Your North-West Frontier journey concludes in the northern most Australian city of Darwin.
WALKING ACTIVITYDay/Half Day walks scheduled for Purnululu NP (Bungle Bungle), Chamberlain and Emma Gorges, Mitchell River NP, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek NP, Nitmiluk NP, Kakadu NP, Litchfield NP Short strolls included in all travel days as we shift from one National Park base or reserve to another.
ACCOMMODATIONSelection from outback resorts, wilderness camps, isolated station homesteads and motels with private and shared facilities. Up to 12 nights comfort camping with facilities provided.
MEALSAll main meals (BLD), morning and afternoon teas on all days included, arranged with local suppliers and travelling staff.
GETTING THEREAccess to the start and completion of this journey requires a little more effort. Flights to Broome and Darwin are simple but longer and connecting flights to Kununurra may need to be considered. It is a 1hour 50 minute flight from Darwin to Broome. Darwin to Sydney (4hrs 50 min) or Brisbane (4hrs 5 min). Alternatively you may wish to fly north from Perth capital of Western Australia to Broome. You might also choose to end your Aussie visit with our journey and depart for home via Darwin. Check the Qantas and Virgin schedules for convenient arrangements.
DURATIONUltimate journey 22 days. See "Price on Application" below.
DEPARTURESOur groups meet at the departure point the evening before, for final administration and a Meet 'n Greet function
BEST MONTHS TO VISITMay to September.
PARTICIPANTSAvailable to special interest
groups.
INCLUSIONSMeals as indicated, tour memento, National Park entries, accommodation twin share, transport and guide services, celebration dinner, local guide fees, various feature entries and travel extras.
EXCLUSIONSFree time and personal costs. Any optional activities elected by participants and not part of our guided journey. Personal travel insurances. Pre and post travel arrangements. Australian departure taxes. Food and beverages additional to those provided.
OPTIONALSpectacular Bungle Bungle Range and Horizontal Waterfall Flights.
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONHEALTH AND FITNESS You will need to carry a small day pack with essential provisions for the day and if selecting the two day / overnight walk in Picanniny Gorge a medium sized pack (provided) with added provisions for the overnight wilderness camp ...More WHAT TO BRING WEATHER
PRE AND POST TRAVEL SUGGESTIONSContact us if we can assist you with travel arrangements complementing this, North-West Frontiers journey.
TERMS AND CONDITIONSWe invite you to read the terms and conditions of travel with Nature-Bound Australia before placing a reservation. You will be asked to confirm your understanding of these details when booking. Participation in our journeys will be on the basis you have read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions ...More
PRIVACY AND DISCLAIMEROur privacy and disclaimer statements govern the manner in which we manage and safeguard private information you supply us in enquiring of and participating in our journeys. Please read these before communicating with us ...More
ENQUIRE FURTHERTo enquire about a tour, please select the appropriate option below...
PRICE ON APPLICATIONOur tours are offered on a near all-inclusive price basis with generous extras and are designed for the discerning traveller who is a collector of authentic experiences. This tour is offered as an extended journey of 22 days to gain the ultimate experience and most diverse coverage of features in the regions visited, given the travel commitment to visit the North-West, especially from eastern ports. Understandably, some guests have limited time and travel budget constraints but recognise the style and inherent value of a Nature-Bound journey. For these guests there is opportunity through regional connections to Kununurra, to join select sections of the tour varying in length of 14 or 8 days with appropriate price variations. To find out more, click to see the online price on application form. You may also care to email us with your specific requirements.
RESERVATION REQUEST
HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | TERMS & CONDITIONS | GALLERY | NEWSLETTER | BROCHURE | TRAVEL OPTIONS | SELECT A JOURNEY | WORLD HERITAGE TOUR | SHORT TOURS | FRONTIER EXPEDITIONS | SPECIAL PACKAGES | TRAVEL GUIDANCE | ABOUT AUSTRALIA | PREPARATION | DID YOU KNOW? | MEDIA | JOIN OUR TEAM | JOIN OUR CLUB | INDUSTRY | LINKS |
