TOP END & KIMBERLEY STATIONS FARM TOUR
17 DAYS
Dep: 17 June 2016
DAY 1: Fri 17 Jun MELBOURNE/SYDNEY – FLY TO DARWIN (D) Depart your home port and fly to Darwin. On arrival at the airport meet your Swagman Tours driver and guide then transfer to your hotel to settle in before enjoying a seafood smorgasbord dinner with magnificent sunset views over Cullen Bay. Overnight: Darwin
DAY 2: Sat 18 Jun DARWIN (BL) This morning a representative from the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Council will speak about the state of play of the pastoral industry in the Top End (subject to confirmation). Afterwards travel out of Darwin to visit an export mango farm that produces mangoes and starfruit to supply the major supermarkets throughout the country. After lunch travel to Berry Springs and visit the Territory Wildlife Park in time to see the Birds of Prey presentation. This expansive park has three main areas; the Wetlands with its aquarium, lagoons and billabongs housing tropical fish, turtles, and both species of crocodile. A Monsoon Vine Forest which hosts a 1km boardwalk gently lifting toward the canopy of natural bushland to view the array of birdlife and finally a Woodland area that includes a Nocturnal house, where you have the opportunity to see animals rarely seen in the wild. This evening is free to dine out (own expense). Overnight: As Above
DAY 3: Sun 19 Jun DARWIN – LITCHFIELD NATONAL PARK – KATHERINE (BLD) After an early breakfast head south along the Stuart Highway toward Litchfield National Park. Spend time in this pristine area marvelling at the spectacular double waterfall of Florence Falls and enjoy a swim at the popular Wangi Falls. See the unique architectural feat of the magnetic termite mounds before stopping at the solemn but beautiful Adelaide River War Cemetery and then continue down the Stuart Highway to Katherine. Overnight: Katherine
DAY 4: Mon 20 Jun KATHERINE PROPERTY VISITS (BD) Local managers of Elders and Landmark will assist in organising property visits today. Properties will most likely be commercial cattle producers with stock bred for the live export trade. We will also visit the Katherine Research Station to see their research and development on pasture/grass management along with an export feed cubing plant, export stock yards and handling facility plus see the pivot irrigation area growing feed for the cube plant. Later in the day visit the Katherine Ag College to see a practical outback educational experience. Overnight: As Above
DAY 5: Tue 21 Jun KATHERINE – HOME VALLEY STATION (BD) Join the Victoria Highway passing through some of the largest station properties in the Top End. Stop off at Timber Creek on the mighty Victoria River and cross the border into Western Australia entering the picturesque Kimberley landscape of rivers, gorges, red ochre colours and wide open spaces heading for our two night stay at Home Valley Station. Enter the heart of the Kimberley as the going gets tough but the scenery is superb travelling along the Gibb River Road through the Cockburn Ranges. Overnight: Home Valley Station
DAY 6: Wed 22 Jun HOME VALLEY STATION (BLD) A free morning to enjoy this Aboriginal run cattle station property with time to stroll along the station tracks, perhaps go barra fishing on the Pentecost River of just soak up the surroundings of this wonderful place. After lunch travel to Bindoola Gorge and walk into this rugged and unique area. Enjoy sundowners overlooking the three fingers of the Cockburn Ranges this evening. Overnight: As Above
DAY 7: Thu 23 Jun EL QUESTRO – ORD RIVER CRUISE – KUNUNURRA (BLD) This morning cross the Pentecost River traversing El Questro Station and time for a stroll in picturesque Zebedee Springs set amongst the palm trees with its circular backdrop gorge wall and crystal clear rock pools. Afterwards cross the Lake Argyle dam wall that holds the water for the gravity fed Ord irrigation scheme. Board your cruise boat this afternoon for the Ord River cruise into Kununurra, enjoying a spectacular Kimberley sunset over the Carr Boyd Ranges and Lake Kununurra. O/N: Kununurra
DAY 8: Fri 24 Jun KUNUNURRA (B) A local stock agent will join us today and take us to a cattle station with river and coastline frontage. Time with station management to learn about the separate breeding and fattening operation and how they live with the salt water crocodile and cattle losses. This afternoon our local guide joins us for a tour of the town itself, the Ord River irrigation scheme farms, Ivanhoe Crossing, Diversion Dam, Indian sandalwood plantations, hybrid seed production plus chia, melon and pumpkin crops. Dinner is at own expense this evening. O/N: As Above
DAY 9: Sat 25 Jun BUNGLE BUNGLES FLY IN DAY TOUR (BL) A wonderful chance to visit this world famous area with its unique beehive shaped domes. After an early breakfast fly by light aircraft into the Bungle Bungle Ranges. Transfer into 4WD’s and visit Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Creek and Bellburn Camp. On your scenic flight to and from the Bungle Bungles today see the Ord River irrigation scheme, Ord River, Lake Argyle and the Argyle Diamond Mine before returning to Kununurra. Enjoy dinner out this evening (own expense). O/N: As Above
DAY 10: Sun 26 Jun KUNUNURRA – HALLS CREEK (BD) Depart Kununurra after breakfast and join the Great Northern Highway, passing vast cattle stations toward the historic township of Halls Creek. Lying on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, Halls Creek is a busy service town for surrounding pastoralists, Aboriginal communities and travellers. Upon arrival travel out to the original Old Halls Creek site where gold was discovered in 1885 and see the crumbling mud brick ruins plus the China Wall – a natural quartzite formation. Also visit the statue in the town park known as ‘Russian Jack’ and hear about his heroic act. O/N: Halls Creek
DAY 11: Mon 27 Jun HALLS CREEK – JUBILEE DOWNS STATION (BD) This morning travel through open flat grassland cattle stations on the way to Fitzroy Crossing. Stop off for lunch then enter a different landscape with the unique bottle or boab trees becoming a predominant feature. This afternoon relax with a cruise on Geikie Gorge on the mighty Fitzroy River to see the abundant birdlife and freshwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks. Continue on to our two night station property stay. O/N: Jubilee Downs Station
DAY 12: Tue 28 Jun JUBILEE DOWNS STATION (BLD) This morning property owner Keith Anderson will join us after breakfast and show us around the property, in particular his unique droughtmaster cattle. This afternoon can be spent relaxing in the lounge/dining area of the old homestead or take a stroll along a station track. O/N: As Above
DAY 13: Wed 29 Jun JUBILEE DOWNS – WINDJANA GORGE – DERBY (BLD) Travel along the western end of the Lennard Ranges to visit Windjana Gorge. On with the walking shoes for a stroll into the gorge – a fossilised barrier reef with walls soaring 90 metres above the river bed. See freshwater crocodiles in the pools then continue to Tunnel Creek to walk through the underground stream, marvelling at this unique stream in its arid environment. End the day travelling into the small settlement of Derby on King Sound. See the Prison Boab Tree and Myall Stock Trough. Dine out this evening watching sunset over King Sound enjoying fish and chips or seafood at the ‘el fresco’ dining spot. O/N: Derby
DAY 14: Thu 30 Jun DERBY – BROOME (BD) After breakfast travel through vast station properties heading along the Great Northern Highway toward the cosmopolitan pearling township of Broome on the Indian Ocean where we will stay for the next three nights. This evening enjoy a poolside BBQ at the accommodation. O/N: Broome
DAY 15: Fri 01 Jul BROOME SIGHTSEEING (B) This morning see the highlights of Broome including Chinatown, the Sun outdoor theatre, the Japanese Pearl Divers Cemetery, Antastasia’s Pool, Gantheaume Point and the Dinosaur’s footprints. After lunch activities will be organized by both a local pastoral company and your tour leader, and will involve visiting a property on the edge of town plus seeing the marshaling/loading of cattle from Broome Port (subject to confirmation) for the live export trade into the Pacific Rim, Middle East and South East Asia. Dinner out this evening (own expense). O/N: As Above
DAY 16: Sat 02 Jul FREE DAY – HORIZONTAL FALLS OPTIONAL TOUR (BD) A free day for private sightseeing. Maybe take the opportunity to go fishing. The day is yours to do as you please and to soak up the colour and atmosphere of this pearling town or alternatively see the below option;
HORIZONTAL FALLS ½ DAY OPTIONAL TOUR Fly from Broome Airport to the Horizontal Falls on board a Seaplane and enjoy a spectacular landing on the calm waters of Talbot Bay. Transfer to our fast boat and enjoy the experience the incredible tidal power of this natural phenomenon, as you are taken through the falls. Enjoy breakfast or lunch on the houseboat. View Paspaley pearl farms in Talbot Bay as we take off for our return flight. Fly at 200m over hundreds of islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago and Cape Leveque before heading south along the coast of the Dampier Peninsula over Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Carnot Bay and Willie Creek & Cable Beach prior to landing in Broome. PRICE $TBA. Tour must be booked and paid to Swagman Tours prior to departure.
Afterwards transfer to enjoy a special celebratory farewell drink at the Sunset Bar at Cable Beach Club tonight to watch sunset then later reminisce about the events, places and happenings over the last fourteen days dining el fresco at Matso’s Brewery Restaurant. O/N: As Above
DAY 17: Sun 03 Jul BROOME – FLY HOME (B) Have the opportunity for last minute shopping to buy mementos or take a final stroll or swim along Cable Beach before transferring to Broome airport for you flight home, so ending a memorable trip to the Kimberley region.
COST: $7,995.00 per person, twin share
Non-refundable deposit required: $500.00 per person
Balance required no later than: 06 May 2016
Single Supplement: $TBA
CANCELLATION: In the event of cancellation, levies will apply, please see booking conditions for details.
MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS: Darwin * 2 Nights Katherine * 2 Nights Kununurra * 3 Nights Home Valley Stn * 2 Nights Jubilee Downs * 2 Nights Broome * 3 Nights
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS Territory Wildlife Park, Darwin Commercial mango/starfruit property
Litchfield National Park Cattle properties, Katherine Ord River Cruise, Kununurra Export stockyards and Ag College visit, Katherine Bungle Bungles fly in day trip Katherine Research Station El Questro & Home Valley Stations Kununurra commercial cattle stations
Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek Melon & vegetable properties, Kununurra Broome sightseeing Jubilee Downs Station, Fitzroy Crossing
Tour Cost Includes: • Economy airfares Mel/Syd to Darwin and Broome to Mel/Syd. • Air-conditioned restroom equipped coach travel throughout with experienced driver/guide & hostess. • Twin share accommodation with ensuite facilities throughout. • Meals as per itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch (bush style, salad rolls etc), D = Dinner. • All entry fees to sightseeing activities, farm & technical visits as per the itinerary.
Tour cost does not include: • Travel insurance – for a quote or to purchase a policy please contact Swagman Tours. • Items of personal nature and any optional extras listed in the itinerary. • Alcoholic beverages and meals not indicated in the itinerary.
Farm & Technical Visits: A fully furnished list of confirmed visits both to farming properties and technical stops will be given with your ticket wallets approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure. Changes and alterations may take place from details set out in this itinerary.
This trip will be escorted by Swagman Tours crew (a driver/guide, hostess & tour escort) who have
been working for many years in this role and are highly experienced in all aspects of group travel.
MEALS: Breakfasts will be served daily at the motel. Provided lunches will be picnic style, eg meat & salad rolls. Most included dinners will be served el fresco style outdoors, prepared by the hostess and served to passengers seated at a dining table with chairs and eating utensils provided.
TOUR ESCORT: Stuart Kyle Stuart was born in East Gippsland, being brought up on the family sheep and cattle farm. He commenced work with Victorian Producers Co-Op in 1981 with a two year stint at Newmarket, then to Bendigo, Deniliquin, Nhill, Finley and Kaniva, where he was Branch Manager for several years. In 1997 Stuart and his wife Gladys started Kyle Livestock in the West Wimmera until 2008, when they with four others formed a new partnership creating Westech Ag/Kyle Livestock offering a full livestock and agronomic service in far west Victoria. In his time at VPC Stuart led farming tours including a memorable trip to Cape York with Swagman and is still in contact with lots of the fellow travellers. Stuart met his wife Gladys when in Nhill where she was nursing. They have 2 children Jessica and Jonathon, he enjoys a spot of fishing when time permits, and is an avid Geelong supporter.
FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: SWAGMAN TOURS Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) GEELONG WEST VIC 3218
P: 1800 808 491 E: [email protected] W: www.swagmantours.com.au