
The Kimberley Roadtrip
What better way to explore the Kimberley than roadtrippin' with your new tribe of wild women besties, camping under the stars and exploring all the best hikes and waterfalls?!
This adventurous retreat is for all you wild women who are craving earthy ground beneath your feet, a detox from technology and reception, and to slow down and reconnect with your inner wild-child!
One of the most raw and untouched places in Australia, the Kimberley Region is full of towering red gorges, stunning hiking trails, crystal blue swimming holes, amazing campsites and is rich with Indigenous culture. The vast distances and remote-ness can make it a tricky (and expensive!) place to travel solo, which is why it has been one of our most requested trips and we are thrilled to announce that we are hosting another road trip from Broome to Kununurra! Woohoo!
Expect endless laughter, late night conversations around the campfire, lots of water holes for swimming, blissfull moments watching the sunset and amazing connections with your new like-minded friends!
Trip Highlights:
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Road trip across the infamous Gibb River Road in our epic 4wd adventure-mobile!
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Get active and reconnect with nature by exploring many hiking trails and swimming holes.
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Visit the stunning Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, El Questro and more locations.
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Sleep in swags around the campfire under the outback stars!
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Swim in the stunning Lake Argyle infitity pool.
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Travel slow with 2 nights at most locations to really explore the local areas.
Information
What's Included:
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2 experienced and knowledgable female outback guides.
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Swags and tents
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Transport in our 4wd adventure vehicle.
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7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners.
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National park passes & campsite fees.
Not Included:
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Flights
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Sleeping bag. There's an option to rent one if you don't have one.
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Food on the transfer back to Broome if you come with.
Fitness:
This is an active trip involving short walks every day. You can expect to walk 3-6km each day as we explore rock holes and waterfalls. The exact hikes we choose to do will depend on the climate on the day, and what regions are open. Bring a sturdy pair of walking shoes/boots as we will be crossing a variety of terrains.
Swimming:
Kimberley and the top end national parks feature many beautiful waterholes and waterfalls. Certain waterholes are managed to remove crocodiles creating perfect swimming opportunities during the dry season, your guides will tell you which places are safe for swimming.
Starting point:
This adventure starts in Broome. You should fly in on the 24th of May or earlier and we will pick you up from your accomodation at 7am on 25th of May.
Finish point:
We will arrive to Kununurra at on June 1st and we'll either drop you off at the airport or your accomodation (Unless you are driving back to Broome with us). We would recommend booking one nights accomodation in Kununurra and flying out the next day just in case of flat tyres or anything delaying our arrival time to Kununurra. Whilst unlikely, we would hate for you to miss a flight, and the outback can be unpredictable!
Optional transfer back to Broome:
There is an optional transfer to return to Broome with us (free of charge) after the trip finishes if you wish to continue travelling or get cheaper flights from Broome airport. It is about a 12 hour journey, so we will leave Broome at midday on June 1st once everyone is dropped off, free camp half way that night and then arrive to Broome in the afternoon on June 2nd. We would again recommend not booking any flights out of Broome airport on the 2nd and instead staying overnight in Broome just in case of a flat tyre or delay on the highway.
If you would like to join us for the return transfer just let us know via email before the trip. Meals wont be included on these days but there is plenty of roadhouses and opportunities to buy food along the drive. Download your podcasts and settle in for the long drive back!
What to Bring:
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Towel
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Swimmers
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Sunscreen
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Insect repellant
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Hat
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Sturdy walking shoes/boots
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Light summer clothing
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Jacket (nights can be cool)
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Camera/ gopro
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Power bank (power points are limited at most campgrounds)
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Head torch
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Day pack (small backpack to use during day times)
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Sleeping bag (option to rent one from us for $45)
***Luggage is limited to a small (approx 10kg) duffle bag per person.***
Itinerary:
The following itinerary is an accurate estimate of the activities that we will be doing during the trip. These activities, as well as the times, may vary due to weather conditions or by common consent of the group. At Wild Women Journeys, we don’t like to set things on stone, as we believe that traveling should be a mindful activity that adapts to our present feelings and requirements. We like to leave some room for unpredictability and spontaneity! That’s what life is all about at the end of the day. 😊
DAY 1 - SUNDAY, MAY 25TH
BROOME TO WINDJANA GORGE
As we begin our roadtrip and see the first amazing views of the beautiful Kimberley landscape, we will have introductions and get to know each other. We will have a morning tea break by the Fitzroy River and visit the Derby ‘Boab Prison Tree’ before we hit the Gibb River Road. The afternoon is devoted to exploring Tunnel Creek. In this 750-metre cave system carved through the Napier Range, we discover stalactites, secret caves and a large variety of wildlife. It is here we also learn the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800’s. Following this will be a refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole. That night we settle into our first night under the Kimberley night sky!
Overnight at Windjana Gorge Campground.
DAY 2 - MONDAY, MAY 26TH
WINDJANA GORGE TO BELL GORGE
This morning’s adventure is a trek to Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge), a hidden highlight of the West Kimberley. This idyllic retreat, considered amongst the most beautiful in the area, boasts cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear pools formed over millions of years – an easy place to while away a few hours!
Overnight at Manning Gorge Campground
DAY 3 - MAY 27TH
GALVINS GORGE TO MANNING GORGE
Further up the Gibb River Road, we discover the cool waters of water lily-laden Galvans Gorge. Swim across the Manning River to start our trek into Manning Gorge. Amid the rugged beauty of Manning Falls we swim in deep clear pools, relax, explore wandering streams, uncover local wildlife and take a dip in the waterfall pools.
Overnight at Manning Gorge Campground
DAY 4 & 5 - MAY 28TH & 29TH
MANNING TO EL QUESTRO
El Questro Station is an icon of the Kimberley: two nights in our private campsite allows free time to immerse all this iconic Wilderness Park has to offer. We will go for a refreshing dip in the Zebedee Springs, a walk into Emma Gorge and the more challenging trek into El Questro Gorge.
Overnight at El Questro Campground
DAY 6 - FRIDAY, MAY 30TH
EL QUESTRO TO LAKE ARGYLE
Today we emerge from the Gibb River Road and travel on to the shores of the expansive Lake Argyle, the heart of the Ord River Irrigation System which has transformed this dry region into a lush agricultural oasis. Enjoy a refreshing afternoon swim in the Infinity Pool, with a magnificent view across the lake. And what's a better way to close the day than a sunset boat cruise on the lake!
Overnight at Lake Argyle Campground
DAY 7 - SATURDAY, MAY 31ST
EXPLORE AROUND KUNUNURRA
Today we'll spend exploring the town, checking out art galleries, visiting Zebra Rock and Pink Diamonds and driving across the famous Ivanhoe Crossing.
Overnight at Lake Argyle Campground
DAY 8 - SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST
IT'S NOT GOODBYE, IT'S SEE YOU LATER!
This morning we will pack up camp and leave Lake Argyle and make the short drive to Kununurra. This will sadly bring us to the end of our trip and we will drop you at the airport or your accomodation in Kununurra . If you have extra time in Kununurra, a great optional addition to your trip, which we highly recommend, is a scenic flight over the bungle bungles.
OPTIONAL TRANSFER:
For those of you who would like a transfer back to Broome with us we will leave straight after everyone has been dropped off at their accomodation in Kununurra, drive part way and camp the night at a free bush camp in swags. It will be another 8 or so hours drive the next day to return back to Broome in the afternoon of June 2nd.