The Kimberley, Western Australia
The Kimberley is roughly three times the size of England, with a population you could fit into a small town. It’s one of those places that resists easy description. Ancient gorges carved through 350-million-year-old Devonian reef systems. Boab trees older than European settlement. Rock art galleries that predate the pyramids. Working cattle stations where the nearest neighbour is a day’s drive away. And a road – the Gibb River Road – that threads through the middle of it all like a red dirt spine.
These small group adventures cover the Kimberley by land rather than sea. Travelling in small groups with a dedicated local guide, clients get up close to the gorges, swim in freshwater pools, stay on outback cattle stations, and meet the people who actually live out here. We offer three itineraries: a comprehensive 13-day circuit, a focused 5-day Bungle Bungles journey, and a 2-day caves and gorge experience. All three depart from Broome. Accommodation is locked in for the 2025 season, but availability is already limited – so early booking is essential.
KIMBERLEY CIRCUIT IN STYLE
13 Days – Broome to Broome
Western Kimberley & the Prison Boab Tree
The journey begins heading north-east from Broome through the remote Western Kimberley, crossing the Fitzroy River and learning about local history along the way. The first notable stop is the 1,500-year-old Prison Boab Tree – its hollow girth measures over 14 metres and was used in the 1890s as a lockup for Indigenous prisoners being transported to Derby for sentencing. It’s a sobering and significant site.
There’s a visit to one of the local Indigenous art centres where clients see paintings depicting the culturally significant Wandjina and Gwion Gwion figures. Derby itself sits on the edge of King Sound, home to some of the highest tidal movements in the world, and its horseshoe-shaped wharf is worth the walk. Comfortable motel-style accommodation for the night.
Trade tip: Derby often gets overlooked on Kimberley itineraries, but it sets the scene well. The tidal flats and the sheer remoteness of the town give international travellers an immediate sense of just how far from the beaten track they are. Lunch is included on this day.
Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek & Bell Gorge
Day 2 hits the famous Gibb River Road – the legendary cattle track that runs through the Kimberley interior. The route heads towards the Napier Range, a Devonian reef system over 350 million years old. Windjana Gorge is a 3.5-kilometre geological wonder, and Tunnel Creek is a 750-metre cave system carved straight through the range, complete with stalactites, secret caves, and the legend of Jandamarra – an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as his hideout in the late 1800s.
The afternoon continues along the Gibb, traversing the King Leopold Ranges before an afternoon walk into Bell Gorge with the chance to swim. Two nights at the Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge. Day 3 includes a visit to Adcock Gorge and more time at Bell Gorge itself – the stunning waterfall and swimming hole with a picnic lunch. Plenty of time to simply sit with the landscape.
Trade tip: Bell Gorge is a standout moment early in the trip. The combination of the walk, the swimming hole, and the wilderness lodge accommodation makes for strong photographic content. The Tunnel Creek experience is genuinely exciting – torches on, wading through water in a cave system. Clients love it.
Drysdale River Station
A swim at the Barnett River starts the day, then the road trip continues deeper into the Kimberley interior. Leaving the Gibb River Road, the route ventures into the remote Northern Kimberley to reach Drysdale River Station – a working cattle property owned and run by the Koeyer family for many years. Completely cut off from the outside world by road during the wet season.
This is outback Australia as it actually is. Don’t be surprised to hear someone strumming a guitar around the campfire while the evening settles in. The outdoor bar, the characters, the stories – it ticks every box for an authentic outback setting.
Trade tip: The station stay is a genuine highlight for international travellers. It’s the kind of experience that can’t be manufactured or replicated in a resort setting. For incentive groups especially, the communal atmosphere around the campfire creates natural bonding moments. All meals included.
Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge & Mitchell Falls
Day 5 takes the rough and ready Pt Warrender Road into Wununbal country – the traditional lands of the people north of the King Edward River. The day includes incredible rock art sites, swimming, and a picnic lunch on the banks of a pristine river shaded by giant paperbarks. Accommodation is at the Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, which comes with its own swimming hole.
Day 6 is the big one. A full day discovering Mitchell Falls – a tiered waterfall system that’s arguably the Kimberley’s most iconic natural landmark. A guided hike takes in Little Mertens Falls with rarely seen Aboriginal art, then Big Mertens Falls, before arriving at Mitchell Falls itself. There’s time to swim in the pools above the falls. A helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls and the surrounding wilderness is included (the hike and flight may operate in reverse order). Longer helicopter flights along the remote coastline are available at additional expense.
Trade tip: Mitchell Falls by helicopter is a defining moment. Overland access takes days by 4WD on brutal tracks – this itinerary makes it accessible in relative comfort. The combination of the hike, the swim above the falls, and the chopper flight back is genuinely hard to beat. Clients come back from this day transformed.
Durack Country & Home Valley Station
Retracing the Kalumburu Road to rejoin the Gibb, the route enters Durack country – named for the cattle pioneers who pushed through this harsh landscape in the hope of building something. Many came and went. Some perished. Others became the backbone of opening up Northern Australia, and their legacy lives on through the stations that still operate today.
There’s an unexpected devonshire tea stop at an outback oasis along the way. The afternoon arrival at Home Valley Station brings modern outback facilities that are very much appreciated after the wilderness of the previous days.
Trade tip: The shift from remote wilderness lodge to a more polished station experience gives the itinerary a nice rhythm. Home Valley is well set up and the facilities are good. Breakfast included; other meals can be arranged at the station.
El Questro Wilderness Park
Crossing the mighty Pentecost River, the journey continues through the iconic El Questro Wilderness Park – and yes, clients may recognise the landscape from Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia. This is the most famous station and tourism resort along the Gibb River Road, and it delivers. The spectacular landscape is dotted with boab trees and gorges.
There’s time to explore the gorges and take a refreshing dip in the warm spring waters of Zebedee Springs. The afternoon is perfect for tackling the challenging Emma Gorge walk before a cocktail and dinner under the evening sky at Emma Gorge Resort.
Trade tip: El Questro is well known among Australian travellers but often a revelation for international clients. Zebedee Springs is a real crowd-pleaser – warm thermal water surrounded by palms. The Emma Gorge walk is the most physically demanding of the trip, so flag this with clients who have mobility concerns.
Lake Argyle & the Ord River
Departing El Questro and the Gibb River Road, the group arrives in Kununurra before travelling to Lake Argyle – the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. A spectacular wildlife cruise down the Ord River follows, from a modern shaded vessel through a fascinating ecological system created by the damming of the river. Rich in wildlife, flora, and undeniable scenic beauty.
The sunset on the return to Kununurra is one of those quiet, perfect moments. Overnight at the Kununurra Country Club.
Trade tip: The Ord River cruise is a welcome change of pace after days of 4WD and walking. It’s relaxed, scenic, and the wildlife sightings are consistently good. Breakfast included; we recommend clients explore Kununurra’s dining options in the evening.
Purnululu National Park & the Bungle Bungle Domes
Day 10 journeys deep into the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park via the Spring Creek Track. The first hike is to Echidna Chasm – a spectacular natural cleft in the rock, narrow in width with walls reaching 100 metres high. In the afternoon light, the chasm is at its most glorious. Two nights at the private Bungle Bungles Lodge.
Day 11 is a full day among the famous Bungle Bungle domes themselves – those unique orange and black striped beehive formations created by rivers over 20 million years. Remarkably, only locals knew they existed until the early 1980s. The area became a national park in 1987. A walk into Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre, is followed by an optional helicopter flight that puts the entire landscape into perspective. Sunset drinks and nibbles round out the evening.
Trade tip: The Bungles are a genuine bucket-list destination and the two-night stay gives clients proper time to absorb it. The helicopter flight is optional but highly recommended – it transforms the experience from impressive to extraordinary. Cathedral Gorge has remarkable acoustics; incentive groups have been known to arrange surprise performances there.
China Wall, Halls Creek & Fitzroy Crossing
The route heads to the outback town of Halls Creek to see the China Wall – a natural quartz formation running six kilometres along the landscape, echoing the structure it’s named after. Continuing towards Fitzroy Crossing, there may be a stop at a remote Aboriginal community art centre where local artists showcase their country (subject to opening times).
Comfortable accommodation on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River for the night.
Trade tip: This is a travel day with interesting stops along the way. The China Wall surprises people – it’s a genuinely unusual geological feature. The art centre visits depend on local schedules but are worthwhile when available. Breakfast included.
Geikie Gorge & Return to Broome
The final morning takes in Geikie Gorge National Park (Dangku) with a guided boat tour through the magnificent gorge. Flooding of the river has bleached the walls white over time – an intriguing sight that makes it a favourite with photographers. The gorge was carved between the Geikie and Oscar Ranges during the Devonian geological period, and the wildlife along the waterway is abundant.
Departing Fitzroy Crossing, the journey traverses the West Kimberley, crossing the Fitzroy River one final time before arriving in Broome in the late afternoon. Tour concludes.
Trade tip: The Geikie Gorge cruise gives the itinerary a strong finishing note rather than just a long drive back. We recommend booking clients at least one night in Broome post-tour – Cable Beach at sunset is the ideal way to decompress after 13 days in the outback. We can arrange Broome accommodation, touring, and onward flights.
SHORTER ITINERARIES
Additional Kimberley Adventures
Frequently Asked Questions
