ITINERARY:

Please note: accommodation en route is limited and local conditions can result in necessary changes to the itinerary. Road conditions, travel restrictions, weather events and other unforeseeable situations can lead to a change of plans at short notice. It pays to be flexible in this regard, as changes will always be in the clients’ best interests. This is designed as a guide to give you an idea of how much ground you can cover in 12 days.

Day 1: ARRIVE DARWIN
Arrive in Darwin and catch a taxi to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 2: DARWIN TO NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK – 383 KILOMETRES; ABOUT 4 HOURS VIA EDITH FALLS
After leaving the tropical city of Darwin, head south along the Stuart Highway towards Katherine, stopping at the pandanus-fringed Edith Falls – located on the west side of Nitmiluk National Park – for a dip along the way. Refreshed, continue another 40 kilometres south to Katherine and onto Nitmiluk National Park. Continue on to Katherine where you will overnight for two nights at the Katherine Motel or similar.

Day 3: – NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Spend the day exploring Nitmiluk National Park, home to 13 dramatic gorges that rise up from Katherine River. Join a scenic cruise, swim at rock pools and waterfalls, hire a canoe to paddle the gorges, take a helicopter flight to see the landscape from above, or join a local Indigenous guide for a presentation on Jawoyn culture.

Day 4: – KATHERINE TO PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK, WA – 848 KILOMETRES; ABOUT 10 HOURS VIA TIMBER CREEK AND KUNUNURRA
The drive into Western Australia will take most of the day via the Victoria Highway so get an early start and make sure you’re well-prepared for the drive with plenty of petrol and water. Stop at Timber Creek (two hours before the border crossing) for lunch and stretch your legs on the town’s two-kilometre Heritage Trail. Strict quarantine laws mean you can’t carry any fresh food with you over the border, so stop at Kununurra, the first major town in Western Australia, to stock up on any supplies. Continue on to Purnululu National Park, home to the fascinating Bungle Bungle Ranges, a maze of orange and black-striped sandstone domes. Overnight Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge for 2 nights.

Day 5: – PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK
Take a break from driving and explore the UNESCO Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park: hike through the Bungle Bungles or take a scenic flight over them; marvel at the acoustics of Cathedral Gorge; and wander through the narrow red walls of Echidna Chasm.

Day 5: – PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK TO EL QUESTRO STATION – 303 KILOMETRES; ABOUT 4 HOURS
Head north to El Questro Station this morning, a 283,000-hectare property that was a former cattle station in the heart of the Kimberley, located on the legendary Gibb River Rd. Accommodation ranges from camping to hotel-style rooms to the ultra-luxe El Questro Homestead, which is perched on a clifftop overlooking the Chamberlain River. The ultra-luxe El Questro Homestead is perched on a clifftop overlooking the Chamberlain River. Overnight in a El Questro Station Riverview room for 2 nights

Day 7: EL QUESTRO STATION
This sprawling landscape is a natural wonderland of deep gorges, soaring mountains, hot springs, mud and salt flats, lush rainforests and waterfalls. There is a multitude of activities to join, including a cruise to Chamberlain Gorge, relaxing in the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs, a guided trek to Emma Gorge, horse riding along rugged tracks, or even taking a dip in remote waterholes only accessible by helicopter. Relax in the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs.

Day 8: – EL QUESTRO TO MANNING GORGE – 338 KILOMETRES; ABOUT 5.5 HOURS VIA ELLENBRAE STATION
Top up on petrol and supplies before leaving El Questro and head west along the Gibb River Road, stopping at the Cockburn Ranges Lookout for a spectacular view of the 600-metre-high sandstone escarpment. Stop in at Ellenbrae Station, a 404-hectare station for a dip in the swimming holes or to try one of their famous scones. Continue west along the rugged Gibb River Road towards Mount Barnett Roadhouse, the entrance point for Manning Gorge and a great spot for supplies and petrol. Overnight Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights.

Day 9: – MANNING GORGE
Take the three-kilometre trail from the campsite to Manning Gorge. The trail includes a swim across the Manning River (or you can take the rope-guided dinghy if you’d prefer to stay dry) and has views out to the ranges and savannah woodland. The gorge has several waterfall-fed pools, which are perfect for swimming and rock hopping.

Day 10: – MANNING GORGE TO WINDJANA GORGE – 213 KILOMETRES; ABOUT 3.5 HOURS Rise early and fuel up for the drive to Windjana Gorge, where you’ll stay the night at the campground. Spend the afternoon exploring the 3.5-kilometre gorge, which was once the bottom of a tropical sea. Fossilised remnants are visible in its limestone walls. At its centre, the Lennard River is home to a huge concentration of freshwater crocodiles, so stay safe and don’t go in the water. Spend the day exploring Windjana Gorge. Overnight Mornington Wilderness Lodge.

Day 11: – WINDJANA GORGE TO BROOME – 358 KILOMETRES; ABOUT 5.5 HOURS VIA DERBY
You’re on the final stretch! The Gibb River Road ends in the small town of Derby today, located on the edge of King Sound, its streets lined with boab trees. For those wanting to see the famous Horizontal Falls, stay overnight in Derby and join a day tour to this natural wonder.
After a break in Derby, continue along the Great Northern Highway to Broome. This small multicultural pearling town is where the desert meets the sea and your final destination on this epic outback road trip. Overnight Broome Time Resort.

Day 12: – DEPART BROOME. Your tour concludes today when your drop your car off at Broome airport.

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, road conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.