Trip Notes Kimberley 10 Day Tour
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TRIP NOTES KIMBERLEY 10 DAY TOUR This trip departs and ends in Kununurra (the gateway to the Kimberley) The Kimberley is one of the last Australian frontiers, a place soaked in indigenous culture and 10 days: Fully accommodated pioneering history. It takes no time at all to feel the spirit of the country, it is said to capture your soul. Maximum group size is 10 passengers. Includes: It also offers fantastic hiking experiences; whether it be exploring unexpected and spectacular • Two experienced and professional guides who will care for swimming holes or trekking through open eucalypt you for the duration of the walking tour forests dotted with the iconic and wonderfully • Comfortable 4WD transport shaped boab trees endemic to this region. Each walk is different to the next and offers a new • Most meals and trail snacks for hiking experience. • Pick up and drop of at your pre and post tour accommodation in Kununurra The Kimberley is famous for the Gibb River Road. • All National Park fees On this tour you will explore the region, hiking by day and sleeping in comfortable accommodation at night. Accommodation suggestions in Kununurra • The Lakeside Resort is located at 50 Casuarina Way, We start and end the tour in Kununurra. On tour Kununurra you are sure to love the breathtaking sights and To book accommodation here P: 08 9169 1092 picturesque scenery of this ancient land. See wallabies, dingoes, kangaroos, crocodiles, lizards Pick up time: from 6.30am and an incredibly diverse bird life. • The Kimberley Grande is located at 20 Victoria Highway, Kununurra Your time in the Kimberley allows you to To book accommodation here P: 08 9166 5688 experience the beauty and wonder of the natural environment whilst homestyle meals and Pick up time: 7.00am country hospitality. Highlights: • Guided walks in the Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) National Park including Cathedral Gorge, the Dome Walk, the Mini Palms Walk and the Echidna Chasm Walk • Soak in Zebedee Springs on El Questro Wilderness Park • Sunset photography opportunity of Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges • Guided walks exploring Bindoola Falls and Gorge Lookout Trail on Home Valley Station • Guided walk into Manning Gorge on Mount Barnett Station • Guided walks into Bell Gorge, Adcock Gorge and Galvins Gorge • Guided walks exploring the remote Mount Hart Station • Guided walk through Tunnel Creek and exploration of Windjana Gorge What’s not Included: • Flights • Pre or Post tour accommodation • Alcohol • Soft drinks, ice creams and souvenirs at roadside stops E:[email protected] | P:03 5639 2615 | M:0456 375 264 | W:www.parktrek.com.au © 2019 Park Trek. All Rights Reserved DAY ONE Mini Palms and Echidna Chasm Walk, Purnululu National Park 6.7km for Mini Palms and 2.7km for Echidna Chasm (total 9.4kms) – moderate to hard approx 3-4 hours walking Depart Kununurra at 6.30am from the Lakeside Resort and 7am from the Kimberley Grande (please be ready to go just before pickup time). We make our way to the northern end of the Purnululu National Park and the start of our first walk of the day into Echidna Chasm – which is perhaps one of the most well known in the Park. This return walk through a narrow chasm with some large boulders to be scrambled over. Visually stunning as you look up between the narrow gap of tall red cliffs to the brilliant blue sky way above. This walk starts almost right away in a dry creek bed and there are lots of rocks to climb over. Before long you are in the gorge and will notice the sides close in dramatically. The rocky path continues as you weave your way through the tight spaces between the rock walls. The second walk is the Mini Palms Gorge Walk. This is a moderate to hard return walk to a scenic amphitheatre with many young palms which stand out against the rich red backdrop. The first few kilometres are easy and then things get a bit more difficult. When you start to get into the gorge there are some very large conglomerate boulders to climb over and walk in between for a little while. This section is more difficult and the turn-around point for anyone who feels it is too much of a challenge. After the boulders we walk back to creek bed before climbing up some rock and tree root stairs, followed by a man-made staircase and platform. There are two platforms and before long you reach the second platform which is the end of the trail. We then retrace our steps back to the vehicle. There is the opportunity for optional scenic helicopter flights over the Bungle Bungle Range – Own expense. Flights start at $269 pp. Breakfast, lunch prepared by guides and three-course dinner at the Bungle Bungles Wilderness Lodge Restaurant. (Drinks at own expense) Accommodation: Overnight at Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge - Ensuited safari tents The eco-friendly Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge is set in the wilderness of Purnululu National Park World Heritage Area. At the end of the day you will rest well knowing that your stay here has minimal impact on the environment and that part of your fees contribute towards the conservation of the Park. The Camp operates on 24 hour solar power and the environmental standards are world’s best practice. The permanent, stand alone, ensuited Superior cabins are equipped with either a Queen bed or 2 King single beds, side tables, pedestal fan, small couch set, table & chairs outside, fully enclosed bathroom with hot shower and low flush toilet. The Lodge is licensed so you can have a cold beer, glass of wine or mixed drink in the Bungles Bar at the end of the day. Enjoy you can also enjoy a refreshing dip in the only swimming pool in the Bungle Bungles. There is no mobile phone coverage in the Park. E:[email protected] | P:03 5639 2615 | M:0456 375 264 | W:www.parktrek.com.au © 2019 Park Trek. All Rights Reserved DAY THREE Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge 6.5km – easy to moderate Approx 3 hours walking After breakfast we grab our torches and some shoes that can get wet and make our way to Windjana Gorge National Park - one of the most beautiful gorges in the Kimberley. We start at Tunnel Creek. The walk starts off right near the cave entrance. There is a small descent down to get to the DAY TWO opening then you will get a view of the large smooth boul- ders you have to straddle. We then duck down under the Cathedral Gorge and the Dome Walk, Purnululu low roof to enter the cave. National Park 5.3km – easy to moderate After carefully choosing our path through the smaller rocks walking time approx 2 hours and water we turn our head lamps on and start the trail through the dark section of the cave. It’s relatively flat but We get up, have breakfast then make our way to the there are a lot of wobbly rocks to navigate. There is a sandy Piccaninny Creek carpark where we prepare for two section in the middle and then we come across the second walks. This is where you start to see those typical rock roof collapse and see some interesting roots growing right formations the National Park is famous for and you through the cave roof. At the end there is a large pool of can’t help but be a little excited when you start this water. walk. Not far from Tunnel Creek is our next top at Windjana The trail starts heading towards the domes then turns Gorge. We are sure to see dozens of freshwater crocodiles to follow the dry Picaninny creek bed. You are walking sunning themselves on the banks of the Lennard River on flat but uneven terrain with a mixture of sand and here. large rock slabs. When the track turns toward the gorge the sides narrow and there is some stair climbing and We start by walking through an opening in the rocks that descending. takes us through a small cave like tunnel. We then walk alongside the beautiful limestone cliffs for a bit on flat Before long you will sight the cathedral. This is a ground with beautiful eucalypts overhead. massive natural amphitheatre that is sure to impress. Apart from other walkers, it’s very quiet and cool. We There are no major obstacles to walk over and the path is stop for a snack and relax to enjoy the atmosphere. quite wide in some places. We follow the creek bed for a while and can then pop down onto the sand to get a good We then return almost to the start of the trail and head look at some freshwater crocodiles. to the domes for a loop walk. Here you will see some Aboriginal rock art and appreciate the age of the The views of the surrounding cliffs are epic and it’s a very environment. pleasant stroll up the creek bed, all the while seeing crocodiles in their natural habitat. The geology here is We’re on the road by 10am and spend the rest of the incredible, some of the best limestone to get a good look at day travelling to Fitzroy River. in Australia. An absolutely fascinating place. Breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner prepared by We then hop back in the vehicle and travel to our next place your guides of stay at Mt Hart Homestead. Overnight at Fitzroy River Lodge – safari tent Breakfast, lunch and dinner (at Mount Hart Station Bistro).