Trek Notes - Australia

Top End Australia 21 Days


This epic adventure starts by covering the best of north-western Australia following the Gibb River Road through the Kimberley. Starting in the historic pearling town of Broome, we travel along this colourful part of the island continent and discover spectacular gorges carved into ancient river beds on an ancient land. We visit outback sheep and cattle stations and spend time in remote Aboriginal communities, where we experience first-hand their unique way of life. There will be time to swim in pristine clear gorges and waterholes along the way. After relaxing on the world-famous El Questro property we explore the amazing Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park and before continuing to Kununurra and then flying to Darwin.

Katherine Gorge and Kakadu are names synonymous with this amazing part of the Northern Territory where stunning scenery and diverse landscapes are mixed with a deep notion of Aboriginal history and heritage. Our journey to this beautiful area becomes not just a wilderness expedition, but a spiritual journey in which we learn how important the region is to the indigenous people, in more ways than one. We venture out to Nitmiluk National Park, where we enjoy canoeing on the river in beautiful Katherine Gorge. In Kakadu we climb to the top of waterfalls to survey the stunning surroundings. We learn about Aboriginal culture on informative riverine walks before travelling to Jim Jim Falls - the highest drop of any waterfall in Northern Territory. A shuttle boat takes us through the gorge at Twin Falls. We also enjoy a sunrise cruise on the Yellow Water Wetlands and then look out for some of the abundant bird life as well as the enormous estuarine (saltwater) crocodile before heading across the Jabiluka Floodplains to look at some ancient Aboriginal rock art and enjoy stunning views to the Arnhem Escarpment. The final leg of our journey takes us across the floodplains of the mighty South Alligator River and back to Darwin.

Itinerary

Day 1: Broome

Your trip starts in the historic pearling town of Broome, in Western Australia. Today is just an arrival day, so no activities are planned. Please make your own way to our centrally-located joining hotel (details are in your travel documents). In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place on message on a noticeboard located near the reception of our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant around 7:30pm.
Meals included: 1 dinner

Day 2: Windjana Gorge

We depart Broome early in the morning and journey to Windjana Gorge. We travel on the open plains and, along the way, pass several baobab trees (also known in Australia as boab trees) including the famous Prison Tree near Derby. We also visit the aboriginal community of Mowanjum and enjoy viewing their unique art display. The work of this community's artists became renowned after the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, when much of their art was show in performances at the Opening Ceremony. Upon arrival at Windjana we explore the gorge, which cuts a swath through the Napier Range and is recognised by geologists as a classic example of the Devonian Reef. Within the gorge there is time to explore and look out for wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles and numerous species of birds. Tonight we enjoy our first night of camping - a great way of absorbing the ambience of the outback.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Days 3-4: Windjana Gorge - Mornington Station

We leave Windjana Gorge and travel to the site of Lillimilura Station - a great place to discover about the Aboriginal heritage in the area. We drive along the Gibb River Road and pass through the Napier and King Leopold Ranges on our way to Mornington Station. On the way we explore the wonders of the wilderness at the Mornington Sanctuary, a 3000 square kilometre area full of spectacular gorges and open savannahs that are home to two endangered species of bird species - the gouldian finch and the purple crowned fairy wren. We spend two nights camping at Mornington Station. A visit here would not be complete indulging in some canoeing (optional and at extra cost) or enjoying a swim in the Fitzroy River.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 5: Manning Creek

We return to the Gibb River Road and head towards Manning Creek. On the way we stop at Galvins Gorge - a lovely place to explore hidden waterholes in the Phillips Range. After arriving at Manning Creek, we have plenty of time to set up camp in this magnificent oasis before enjoying a swim or exploring its surroundings.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6: King Edward River

We make our way up to King Edward River. The highlight of today's drive is experiencing several creek crossings on our journey; the best known of these is crossing the Gibb River. We stop by at the remote Drysdale River Station for fuel and ice before continuing on to our picturesque campsite located by King Edward River.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7: Mitchell Falls

This morning we spend some time having a look at the Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion) aboriginal rock art sights, which can be found at the King Edward River crossing area before just before we head to the campsite at Mitchell Falls. We get to explore the spectacular falls area in the afternoon. One optional activity that can be enjoyed here is to book on one of the several helicopter flights that over the falls and the surrounding Mitchell Plateau and beyond. These are seasonal and may not always be available - please ask your tour leader for more details.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 8: Mitchell Falls - Drysdale Station

Today is an early start as we enjoy a three kilometre walk to the falls. This is a genuine wilderness area that has a lot to offer in terms of spectacular scenery and walking opportunities, as well as the chance to view aboriginal art and observe wildlife. We have plenty of time at the falls to fully enjoy the various experiences there, as well a cool off in the crystal-clear waters in this incredibly remote and tranquil place. Early in the afternoon we trek back to our campsite. It may be possible for those not wishing to walk back to hire a helicopter for a short scenic flight (at extra costs and subject to availability). After packing up the rest of our gear, we leave Mitchell Plateau and drive back towards Drysdale Station.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 9: El Questro Station

We head down Kalumburu Road and back on to the Gibb River Road on our way to El Questro Station. Along the way we cross Durack River and pass the site of the old Durack River Homestead, which was destroyed by flood in 2002. A spirit of adventure is essential for this journey as the roads can be rough with a mixture of steep rises and rough corrugations. Our reward is that we are surrounded by spectacular scenery that includes the Pentecost River and the Cockburn Range.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 10: El Questro Station

An early morning departure as we set off for a hike up Emma Gorge, where we are rewarded at the top with a swim in the cool waters of a pool at the bottom of a waterfall. Heading back to the station we call into Zebedee Springs, where we enjoy a dip in the thermal spring. In the afternoon there is an opportunity participate in an optional afternoon boat ride (at extra cost) in Chamberlain Gorge, which is full of interesting wildlife, evocative aboriginal rock art and beautiful scenery.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Days 11-12: Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park)

We leave El Questro Station and El Questro Wilderness Park and head south on the Great Northern Highway. Our destination is one of Australia's most distinctive natural attractions - the sandstone area of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park. These unusual 'beehive' domes are very striking with alternating grey and orange horizontal bands. The area is also rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage and in 2003 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. We spend time here exploring the natural wonders the park including Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms Gorge, Piccanniny Creek and Cathedral Gorge. There is also time during our stay for an optional helicopter flight (at additional cost) over the Bungle Bungle Range. This is highly recommended as it showcases the intricacies of this stunning area and enables you to appreciate it from another perspective.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Day 13: Kununurra

This morning we leave the national park and make our final journey to Kununurra, where we in the mid to late afternoon. Kununurra is a town of 6000 inhabitants that was founded in the 1960s to administer the Ord River irrigation project. Located nearby is stunning Mirima National Park, with its own unique rock formations. After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we have to opportunity to go out for a group dinner (optional and at extra cost) and farewell our first Peregrine crew who have looked after us since Broome.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 14: Darwin

We have a free day in Kununurra until our afternoon flight to Darwin. Please note that we will be unescorted on this flight. On arrival in Darwin International Airport, we are met and transferred to our hotel in town. We will also have a new Peregrine tour leader meeting us in Darwin and there may be other Peregrine travellers joining us for the Northern Territory sector of our tour, so another tour briefing is held this evening at our hotel around 6pm.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 15: Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park - Katherine

Leaving Darwin, we head south down the Stuart Highway to Pine Creek, scene of a major gold rush a century ago. After a brief stop here, we continue on to Katherine. After lunch we pick up our two-man canoes to enjoy an afternoon paddling in the beautiful Katherine Gorge, in Nitmiluk National Park. We are able to canoe in the first two gorges of this 13 gorge river system. There are areas where we can pull up our canoes and walk over to a tropical plunge pools for a refreshing swim. We stay the night in the town of Katherine.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 16: Kakadu National Park - Gunlom Falls

It's an early start to the day as we make our way to Kakadu National Park. We then head northwards into the spectacular stone country in the southern section of the park, arriving in the late afternoon at Gunlom Falls. After settling in at our wilderness camp we set off on an energetic climb to the top of the falls, where we enjoy breathtaking views of the escarpment and surrounding countryside. We spend the first of our two nights in our permanent wilderness camp.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 17: Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) - Gunlom Falls

This morning we travel to Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), a pristine wilderness area of very limited access. Koolpin Creek flows down several hundred feet through a series of waterfalls and spectacular pools and is often called the Giant's Staircase. We have the entire day to explore this area, photograph its grandeur, swim in the crystal clear pools or just relax on the sandy banks of the creek. In the late afternoon we return to our permanent wilderness camp at Gunlom.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 18: Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre - Mardugal

We break camp and travel northwards to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) on the Arnhem Escarpment, where we can swim and explore the monsoon rainforest. After lunch we visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, an impressive building built in the shape of the local pig-nosed turtle. From here we travel to Patonga where we meet Mandy Muir, a traditional Murumburr woman who will lead us on an informative river walk and explain to us the Aboriginal and European history of the area. Afterwards there is the opportunity to discover more about the Aboriginal culture and traditions, as we learn how to use pandanus plants to weave basket and mats, as well as the local ways to make jewellery. Tonight we stay at another permanent wilderness camp, this time at Mardugal.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 19: Jim Jim Falls - Mardugal

Today we travel by 4WD on a track to Jim Jim and Twin Falls. At Jim Jim we have the opportunity to view the tallest cascade in Northern Territory - a most impressive sight! On our visit to Twin Falls, we travel by shuttle boat through the gorge and then by foot to the base of the falls. We return in the late afternoon to our permanent wilderness camp at Mardugal.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 20: Yellow Water Wetlands - Jabiluka Floodplains - Darwin

We make an early start to the day and enjoy a sunrise cruise on the Yellow Water Wetlands. Here we have a chance to see the abundant bird life and perhaps the awesome saltwater crocodile. We then head north across the Jabiluka Floodplains to Ubirr to view the Aboriginal rock art, which bear testimony to some 23,000 years of seasonal occupation. Our walk around the galleries culminates in a short climb to the highest point in the area, where we enjoy magnificent views from the top of the rock across the floodplains to the north and west and to the Arnhem Escarpment in the east. As we travel back to Darwin we cross the floodplains of the mighty South Alligator River, which is around six kilometres wide at this point. We arrive back in Darwin in the late afternoon. After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we have to opportunity to go out for a final group dinner (optional and at extra cost) and farewell our crew who have looked after us for the past week.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 21: Darwin

Our trip ends in the morning after breakfast in Darwin. If you wish to stay on in Darwin, it is possible to book additional post-tour accommodation. Please book this before you commence your travels.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

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