Kimberley Itinerary
(Travelwise can organise your flight from any state to join this tour)
Day 1 – Tuesday 13th July
07.00am – Depart Boomerang Beach
07.25am – Depart Golden Ponds
07.30am – Depart Forster Keys
07.40am – Depart Club Forster
07.50am – Depart Tuncurry Beach St Bus shelter
08.10am – Depart Tallwoods
08.35am – Depart Club Taree
08.55am – Depart Harrington Turn-off
09.25am – Arrive Port Doughnut (comfort stop)
09.40am – Depart Port Doughnut
12.10pm – Arrive Walcha (lunch at own leisure)
01.00pm – Depart Walcha
04.30pm – Arrive Burk & Wills Motor Inn, Moree NSW
06.30pm – Dinner
Day 2 – Wednesday 14th July
07.00am – Breakfast
08.30am – Depart Moree
11.15am – Arrive Saint George QLD (lunch at own leisure)
12.10pm – Depart Saint George
05.45pm – Arrive Tambo Mill Motel, Tambo QLD
Step back in time when you arrive in Tambo, enjoy the slower pace and all the history that the oldest town in Outback Queensland has to offer (including town chicken races).
07.00pm – Dinner (Carrangarra Hotel) Day 3 – Thursday 15th July
07.00am – Breakfast (Fanny Mae’s)
08.00pm – Depart Tambo
11.30pm – Arrive Qantas Founders Museum Longreach (tour & lunch provided)
Qantas Founders Museum is an award winning, world-class museum and cultural display, eloquently telling the story of Qantas through interpretive displays, interactive exhibits, original and replica aircraft and an impressive collection of genuine artifacts.
Our aircraft collection incorporates five of the world’s most significant aircraft – the Consolidated PBY Catalina Flying Boat, Douglas DC-3, Lockheed L1049 Super Constellation, Boeing 707-138 and the legendary Boeing 747- 238. In addition, we have full scale replicas of some of the most important aircraft in the early Qantas fleet – de Havilland DH-61 Giant Moth, de Havilland DH-50, and Avro 504K Dyak; Qantas’ first aircraft.
01.30pm – Depart Longreach
03.30pm – Arrive Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton
Winton's Waltzing Matilda Centre tells the story of Waltzing Matilda, Winton, and the Outback region. An experience you will remember forever. From the ashes of the fire on 18th June 2015, the Waltzing Matilda Centre has been reborn.
05.00pm – Depart Waltzing Matilda Centre
05.15pm – Arrive Boulder Opal Motor Inn, Winton QLD
Winton is the Dinosaur Capital of Australia, home of Waltzing Matilda and Queensland’s Boulder Opal; abundant in nature, culture and heritage.
“Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong…” You’ll be forgiven for relentlessly whistling this famous tune while you’re in Winton, as it’s the very home of Banjo Patterson’s ‘Waltzing Matilda’. Reputedly inspired by an 1894 shearer’s suicide at the nearby Combo Waterhole and first performed in Winton’s North Gregory Hotel on 6th April 1895, you can learn all about Banjo and the adopted national anthem at the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton.
Day 4 – Friday 16th July
07.00am – Breakfast
08.30am – Depart Winton
11.15am – Arrive Crocodile Dundee’s Walkabout Creek Hotel, McKinlay (lunch provided) McKinlay and the Walkabout Creek Hotel. If it sounds familiar, then it should. This quirky hotel was made famous in the blockbuster movie Crocodile Dundee. Inside the pub you'll find plenty of memorabilia from the days when Paul Hogan swaggered up to the bar as Mick Dundee. These days you are assured of a hearty pub meal and great outback hospitality, so it's definitely worth the trip.
12.15pm – Depart McKinlay
05.00pm – Arrive Roadhouse Camooweal QLD
Driving from Mount Isa across the deserted lands of western Queensland we reach the tiny town of Camooweal to be greeted by a sign which proudly declares: 'Gateway to the Northern Territory' and adds 'Population 310'. The population has increased, at least by the signage, by 10 people in the last 30 years. It also happens to be the most westerly town in Queensland as the Northern Territory border is only 14 km to the west. (Camooweal, possibly one of the best ballads Slim Dusty ever recorded - it was written by "Mack" Cormack - Slim sang this in just about every concert he did)
07.00pm - Dinner
Day 5 – Saturday 17th July
07.00am – Breakfast
08.00am – Depart Camooweal
Crossing the NT boarder, we gain 30 minutes - put your clocks back 30 minutes
10.15am – Arrive Barkly Homestead, Outback Oasis Roadhouse (morning tea provided)
Barkly Homestead is a remote roadhouse situated on the Barkly Highway, halfway between Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and Camooweal in Queensland. It is the first and only stop for travellers crossing the border into the Territory.
10.45am – Depart Barkly Homestead
01.00pm – Arrive Threeways Roadhouse (lunch provided)
Located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometers north of Tennant Creek. This is a great place to take a break and unwind during a long journey, all while enjoying warm Northern Territory hospitality. A local point of interest is the Flynn Memorial. Reverend John Flynn pioneered the Royal Australian Flying Doctors Service. The memorial originally sat at the exact meeting spot of the Barkly and Stuart Highways, but the point has now been moved 250 metres south. The Three Ways Roadhouse offers restaurant meals, take away food and refreshments. 01.45pm – Depart Threeways 06.00pm – Arrive Daly Waters Historic Pub, Daly Waters NT
A true-blue outback pub - the Daly Waters Pub is a colourful pub, clad in corrugated iron, draped with bougainvilleas and crammed with decades of memorabilia.
It began its current incarnation serving passengers arriving on the new Qantas airline in 1934 and was the first international runway and airport in Australia. As a popular watering hole along the track, the Daly Waters Pub holds a liquor licence that has been in continuous use since 1938. The pub is on the old droving track and was a watering hole for the drovers as well as travellers heading north and south. It was used as a staging post during the Second World War for the Australian and American Air force. There is a static historical display housed in the WWII hangar at the airport.
07.30pm – Dinner (Barra n Beef on the BBQ provided)
Day 6 – Sunday 18th July
07.00am – Breakfast
09.00am – Depart Daly Waters
12.30pm – Arrive Katherine Gorge Nitnit Dreaming Cruise (lunch provided)
A trip to the Northern Territory is not complete without visiting the spectacular “Nitmiluk Gorge”. Open all year round, it features some of the most stunning gorge scenery in the Northern Territory, with raging waterfalls, a myriad of wildlife and breathtaking views of the Jawoyn country. Nitmiluk Gorge winds along 12km of sheer rock extending more than 70m high. Consisting of 13 seperate gorges, Nitmiluk Gorge is a maze of waterways sculpted from the sandstone over countless millennia by the Katherine River.
The essential cultural cruise, Nitnit Dreaming incorporates travel along two gorges, where you’ll discover the customs of the traditional landowners, the Jawoyn people.
04.00pm – Depart Nitnit Dreaming Cruise
05.00pm – Arrive Pine Tree Motel, Katherine NT
The Northern territory’s third-largest town, Katherine is on the banks of the Katherine River, which flows from the nearby world-renowned Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park). The Katherine region extends from the Gulf of Carpentaria near the Queensland border towards the Kimberley in the west.
07.00pm – Dinner
Day 7 – Monday 19th July
07.00am – Breakfast
09.00am – Depart Katherine
11.15am – Arrive Victoria River Roadhouse (morning tea provided)
The Victoria River Crossing is 194km west of Katherine. The Stunning escarpment country provides a perfect backdrop for fishing and boat cruises, with Red Valley Gorge providing a shady and scenic rest area. The Roadhouse is close to the crossing, with camping and accommodation available. You can even take a helicopter flight over this incredible landscape. Diverse and awe-inspiring landforms, history, heritage, abundant wildlife, climate and economic pursuits, the region challenges you to discover its unique attractions.
11.45pm – Depart Victoria River
12.45pm – Arrive Timber Creek Hotel (lunch provided)
Timber Creek was named in 1855 when the explorer Augustus Gregory used timber from the banks of the creek to repair his expedition’s boat. The first inhabitants were the Nagaliwurra and Nangali Aboriginal people, decedents of whom still live in Timber Creek. Today, this small town has a range of accommodation, activities and other facilities for the traveller. Walk along the Heritage Trail to see wildlife, historic sites and pioneer graves.
01.45pm – Depart Timber Creek
Crossing the WA boarder, we gain 90 minutes - put your clocks back 1 hour 30 minutes
02.45pm – Arrive Kelly’s Knob Lookout, Kununurra
For sweeping views over Kununurra, the Ord River Irrigation Area and Mirima National Park, a trip to Kelly’s Knob is a must. Sunrise and sunset are the most spectacular times to visit the lookout.
03.30pm – Depart Kelly’s Knob
03.45pm – Arrive Kununurra Town Centre (free time)
04.45pm – Depart Kununurra Town Centre
05.00pm – Arrive Kimberley Grande Resort, Kununurra WA
Kununurra is booming town on the eastern edge of the Kimberley. According to the Mirima Language Centre the name is based on the Miriwoong word "Goonoonoorrang", which simply means big water. The vast majority of the attractions here involve water, lots of water. And water means life, both an amazing flora and abundant wildlife.
06.30pm – Dinner Day 8 – Tuesday 20th July
Option
06.00am - Spectacular sunrise Bungle Bungle Flight over the “lost world” of the unique and fascinating beehive-like striped rock dome formations starting with a pre-dawn breakfast. $405pp (needs to be pre-booked)
08.00am – Depart Kimberley Grande for Lake Argyle Lunch Cruise & Ord River Discoverer
This cruise includes a stop on one of the many islands on Lake Argyle plus lunch and a swim in the pristine waters of Australia’s largest man-made, freshwater lake. A personalised commentary from your tour guide/skipper will include information about the history of the area and you will also see amazing wildlife including crocodiles, birdlife, rock wallabies and more! Lunch with beverages included plus tea, coffee, iced water available throughout the cruise. Remember to take your bathers and towel as you are able to have a swim as part of your tour on Lake Argyle. After your cruise you will drive across the Ord Top Dam wall and see the Ord Hydro-Power Station before boarding the Triple J Tours boat for a scenic 55km Ord River journey back to Kununurra. Marvel at the spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna found along the way, including the elusive freshwater crocodile! Enjoy afternoon tea at our riverside camp before heading back to Kununurra. Take in a colourful East Kimberley sunset before docking back at the Marina and re-boarding your coach for your accommodation drop-off.
05.30pm – Arrive Kimberley Grande Resort, Kununurra WA
07.00pm – Dinner
Day 9 – Wednesday 21st July
07.00am – Breakfast
08.30am – Depart Kununurra
10.45am – Arrive Argyle Diamond Mine
You are met by Traditional Owner Ted Hall of Luridgii Tours for a welcome to country before commencing an unforgettable tour through the mine, from the processing plant to the open pit. The Luridgii Guide will explain the cultural significance of this sacred site as well as the modern processes of how these beautiful diamonds are mined. Continue on to the diamond shop where you can buy a diamond directly from the source and to the gallery that outlines the history and shows off an extraordinary display of coloured diamonds.
01.15pm – Depart Argyle Diamond Mine
04.00pm – Arrive Kimberley Hotel Halls Creek WA This is a very significant place. It is the site of the first gold discovery in Western Australia and where the WA gold rushes began. In 1885 Charles Hall found a 28-ounce nugget. The 'Golden West' had its beginnings in Halls Creek. This is the site of the original gold mining community where prospectors followed the gold up the creeks and gullies from Brockman to Old Halls Creek. The Halls Creek gold rush might have been short lived but it nevertheless left an important legacy. The gold strike contributed to the establishment of the Ports of Derby and Wyndham as well as the town of Halls Creek as men and mining equipment were brought in from places as far away as California.
07.00pm – Dinner
Day 10 – Thursday 22nd July
07.00pm – Breakfast
09.00am – Depart Kimberley Hotel
12.30pm – Arrive Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing (lunch provided)
Fossil Downs Station located 50km’s North East of Fitzroy Crossing
In March 1883 two brothers, Charlie and Willie Macdonald set out on an epic three and a quarter year journey to drive their mob of cattle 5,600 kilometres from Goulburn in NSW to the Kimberley. Their wagon was the first vehicle to cross the Australian continent from east to west and their diary entry for June 1886 reads: “Arrived here and called it Fossil Downs”
No cattle have been over landed as far before or since.
01.30pm – Depart Fitzroy River Lodge
02.15pm – Arrive Fitzroy River, Geikie Gorge Cruise (Cruise departs at 02.30pm)
Darngku Heritage Cruises provide the opportunity for you to see the magnificent features of Darngku, Geikie Gorge National Park, in the West Kimberley, through the eyes of its traditional Aboriginal owners. With your indigenous Bunuba guides you will cruise the placid waters of Geikie Gorge within the Napier Range, hear the story of Mangunambi and look for bush foods on the Larrawan Walk. Fresh water crocodiles and bird life abound. Fish in the waters of the Fitzroy River in Darngku are the home of barramundi, freshwater sharks, bream and other species.
03.30pm – Depart Geikie Cruise
04.00pm – Arrive Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing WA
Set on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, Fitzroy Crossing is a true outback town, and a great base for exploration of the nearby Devonian National Parks – Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge and Geikie Gorge. Fitzroy River lodge was a setting featured in the movie “Australia” starring Nicole Kidman.
06.30pm – Dinner
Day 11 – Friday 23rd July
08.30am – Depart Fitzroy Crossing
10.15am – Arrive Giant Boab Tree (morning tea provided)
10.45am – Depart Giant Boab Tree
01.15pm – Arrive Mangrove Hotel (lunch provided)
03.45pm – Depart Mangrove Hotel
04.00pm – Arrive Cable Beach Sunset Happy Hour (Sunset Camel Ride $100 optional)
Our award-winning tours guarantee an unforgettable experience and memories to last a lifetime. Learn about the history of camels in Australia, the unique stories of our much-loved camels and personality traits of these gentle giants. The sunset camel ride, being our most popular tour, is a relaxing and informative experience along the beautiful white sands of Cable Beach. Watch the awe-inspiring backdrop of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean, from atop your camel.
05.30pm – Depart Cable Beach
05.45pm – Arrive Continental Hotel, Broome
Broome is a large coastal community in the Kimberley region. This great city is known for its numerous tourist attractions such as Cable Beach, Roebuck Bay and has an intriguing Pearling Industry. Broome is also known as home for the world’s oldest open-air cinema popularly known as the Sun picture Garden. Broome was established in the 1880s during the time of John Forrest. John Forrest can historically be regarded as the founding father of the land due to the fact that he was the first person who chose the site (coastal side of Kimberley) for the establishment of Broome town. Forrest was also the person who gave the site the name. He named the town after Sir Frederick Broome, who was the Western Australia Governor during 1883 when forest discovered that the land would be suitable for living and properties to dwell in.
06.30pm – Dinner Banquet
Day 12 – Saturday 24th July
07.00am – Breakfast provided
08.00am – Discover Broome plus Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour (high tea & lunch provided) Discover Broome tour is the perfect way to see Broome’s major landmarks and local attractions, from ancient rocky outcrops to rugged landscapes and the spectacular coastline. Our expert guides will walk you through the colourful heritage that has shaped Broome into the rich, multi-cultural community it is today. The last stop of the Discover Broome tour is Pearl Luggers in the heart of Chinatown, where you’ll be treated to a Pearling Master’s high tea and a Pearl Luggers Tour. Incorporating the historical and cultural influences of Broome, you’ll enjoy tea, coffee or a glass of sparkling wine on arrival followed by some delectable sweet and savoury treats, an experience not to be missed!
The Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour gives unique insight into the fascinating process of modern cultured pearl farming, from shell to showroom. You will discover exactly what makes the perfect pearl and leave Willie Creek a pearling expert! The journey starts with the collection and spawning of oysters in our state-of-the-art hatchery, then moves on to the delicate operations of seeding and harvesting oysters, and finally the valuing of pearls and the creation of stunning jewellery. You will cruise Willie Creek’s azure waters and view live oysters suspended in their natural environment amongst our native flora and fauna.
05.00pm – Arrive Continental Hotel, Broome
06.00pm – Walk 8 minutes to Mangrove Resort Hotel
06.00am – Dinner Banquet viewing Staircase to the Moon
The Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon caused by the rising full moon reflecting off the exposed mudflats in Roebuck Bay at extremely low tide, to create a beautiful optical illusion of a stairway reaching to the moon. This spectacular sight occurs on only a few nights per year.
Day 13 – Sunday 25th July
05.30am – Broome to Horizontal Falls (optional)
This awe-inspiring tour lets you experience the incredible Horizontal Falls and the pristine beauty of the Kimberley by air and water. Enjoy low level flying over the amazing islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago and Cape Leveque before your seaplane lands safely in the calm waters of Talbot Bay right near the Horizontal Falls. Then enjoy a thrilling ride on the fastest boat in the Kimberley through the waterfalls, followed by a laid-back island cruise. Return to our luxury houseboat for a freshly prepared breakfast before returning to Broome on the seaplane to complete your memorable Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure. $830pp (must be pre-booked)
07.00am – Breakfast
09.00am – Depart Continental Hotel (optional)
09.15am – Arrive Broome Chinatown (free time) 11.15am – Depart Broome Chinatown
11.30am – Arrive (both groups) Continental Hotel (lunch at own leisure)
01.15pm – Depart Continental Hotel
01.30pm – Arrive Broome Airport
03.15pm – Qantas flight departs (dinner on-board - total duration 4h 10m)
09.25pm – Arrive Sydney Domestic Airport
10.00pm – Depart Sydney Domestic
10.15pm – Arrive Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel
Day 14 – Monday 26th July
07.30am – Breakfast
09.00am – Depart Stamford Plaza Hotel (Port Stephens Coaches)
11.00am – Arrive twin servos M1 (comfort stop)
11.30am – Depart twin servos
01.30pm – Arrive Nabiac (Taree, Harrington & Port Macquarie change to coach 2)
02.00pm – Arrive Club Taree (coach 2)
02.30pm – Arrive Harrington (coach 2)
02.00pm – Arrive Tallwoods (coach 1)
02.30pm – Arrive Tuncurry (coach 1)
02.40pm – Arrive Club Forster (coach 1)
02.50pm – Arrive Forster Keys (coach 1)
03.00pm – Arrive Golden Ponds (coach 1)
03.30pm – Arrive Boomerang Beach (coach 1)