11 Day Guided Holiday Untamed Kimberley

Transcription

1 11 Day Guided Holiday Untamed Kimberley

2 Itinerary 1 May September 2018 Day 1 Welcome to Darwin Life in cosmopolitan Darwin, Australia s only tropical capital, is vibrant but unhurried. Take an afternoon tour of the city with its mix of old and new architectural styles and cultural influences, stopping to view Old Government House and the new Northern Territory Parliament building. Some traces of the devastation wreaked on the town by tropical Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve in 1974 can still be glimpsed. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner this evening with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a restaurant, which affords spectacular views over the Darwin waterfront. Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin Included Meals: Dinner with wine Darwin Katherine Day 2 Travel south along the Stuart Highway today, stopping at Adelaide River, the site of a large WWII military base and a significant War Cemetery, the final resting place of nearly 500 military personnel and civilians who died in the service of their country. This afternoon, travel on via Katherine to Nitmiluk National Park, where a tranquil cruise along the spectacular Katherine Gorge will allow you to sense the spirituality of the land while you catch glimpses of the abundant wildlife and learn about the history and culture of the local traditional owners, the Jawoyn people. Later on you ll meet Tom Curtin during his entertaining show at the Katherine Outback Experience. Hotel: Paraway Motel, Katherine Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine Katherine Kununurra Day 3: Katherine Kununurra Day 3-4 Watch the landscape transform dramatically as you journey across vast pastoral leases and Aboriginal homelands into Western Australia. Pause at the historic Durack Homestead Museum: originally built in 1895, the homestead was relocated when nearby Lake Argyle, Australia s largest man-made lake, was created. Later, cruise along the Ord River, now a permanent waterway which supports an abundance of native fish, birds, marsupials and amphibians. Experience a magical sunset over the water before your arrival in Kununurra.

3 Day 4: Kununurra Today you may choose an optional early-morning scenic flight over the spectacular beehive-shaped towers of the Bungle Bungle Range before a tour of Kununurra, or a full-day 4WD tour of the Bungle Bungles. Kununurra, the hub for agriculture, tourism and mining. It s also close to Mirima National Park, home to a vast array of wildlife and a site of great cultural significance to the local Miriwoong people. It also features intriguing natural rock formations. After an afternoon at leisure, dine this evening on locally-grown produce at a privately-hosted Be My Guest dinner in the heart of Kununurra s sandalwood plantations while learning about this fascinating local industry. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort, 2 nights Included Meals: Day 3: Breakfast and dinner with wine. Day 4: Breakfast and Be My Guest dinner Kununurra Emma Gorge & El Questro Day 5: Kununurra Emma Gorge Day 5-6 This morning, take a guided tour of Hoochery Distillery, the home of Ord River Rum, before travelling on to Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve (weather permitting) to see egrets, herons, ibis, magpie geese and perhaps even a jabiru or a lurking crocodile. Continue on the Gibb River Road to your safari-style tented cabin nestled in an oasis of native pandanus and palms at the foot of the red-hued Cockburn Ranges in the El Questro Wilderness Park. Day 6: El Questro Awake to the calls of native birds, and after a hearty breakfast, take a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge, an extensive waterhole fringed by tropical vegetation and soaring escarpments. Spend a little time at the station before returning to your resort to enjoy an afternoon at leisure: take a dip in the pool, relax with a good book on your cabin s verandah or join your Travel Director for a challenging hike to Emma Gorge and a dip in its crystal-clear waterhole. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities, El Questro, 2 nights Included Meals: Day 5: Breakfast and dinner with wine. Day 6: Breakfast and dinner with wine Emma Gorge Halls Creek Day 7 Today visit the Argyle Diamond Mine, the world s largest source of natural coloured diamonds, where a local Indigenous guide will join you for a behind-the-scenes look at the mining process. Continue south to the historic town of Halls Creek. Situated on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, the town is rich in Aboriginal and European history and culture. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel, Halls Creek Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine

4 Day 8 Halls Creek Fitzroy Crossing Travel on today to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing, stopping en route in Halls Creek to visit an art gallery with a chance to meet Indigenous artists. This afternoon, cruise with a local guide through magnificent Geikie Gorge. Watch for freshwater crocodiles, fruit-bats and wallabies as the 30-metre walls of the gorge tower above you. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner with wine Fitzroy Crossing Broome Day 9: Fitzroy Crossing Broome Day 9-10 Travel through spectacular landscapes today en route to the tropical former pearling outpost of Broome. Enjoy a town tour with your Travel Director, visiting the fascinating Japanese Cemetery and nearby Gantheaume Point, whose rugged red cliffs rise in stark contrast to the cobalt blue waters. Relax with a drink while the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Day 10: Broome Free Time Today is yours to explore this tropical hideaway. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the pristine sands of Cable Beach and swim in its turquoise waters, or wander through Chinatown and shop for pearls. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort, Broome, 2 nights Included Meals: Day 9: Breakfast. Day 10: Breakfast and farewell dinner Farewell from Broome Day 11 Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Included Meals: Breakfast Please Note: Itinerary, departure dates & prices may be subject to change.

5 11 Day Guided Holiday Tour departs from Darwin and returns to Broome Highlights Tour Darwin s city sights Indulge in food and wine on Darwin s waterfront Take in some history at Adelaide River War Cemetery Cruise Katherine Gorge & see ancient Aboriginal rock art See the entertaining Katherine Outback Experience show Visit fascinating Argyle Downs Homestead Take a thrilling boat ride on the Ord River Explore Hidden Valley (Mirima) National Park Admire views of Kununurra from Kelly s Knob Lookout Experience the Ord Valley s gourmet produce at a unique private dinner at Kununurra s Sandalwood Factory Travel on the Gibb River Road Relax on Chamberlain Gorge with morning tea Hike up Emma Gorge Tour Argyle Diamond Mine Visit an art gallery featuring Indigenous artwork Float down Geikie Gorge Enjoy two nights in Broome Marvel at a Cable Beach sunset Inclusions Quality accommodation Travel by luxury coach Experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide Airport transfers (see flight information below) Dining 10 Full buffet breakfasts 2 Lunches 1 Be My Guest dinner 7 Dinners with wine 1 Farewell Dinner Flight Information Day 1 Day 11 Flights to arrive prior to 1.30pm into Darwin Airport Flights to depart anytime from Broome Airport

6 What to bring Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Camera Jacket in cooler months Swimwear and beach towel Fitness Level Moderate: The hike to Emma Gorge is classified as difficult. It may not be suitable for all guests.