Wonders of the Kimberley

You’re about to spend the next 11 days with a group of similarly minded adventure-seekers who will likely become best friends before you even leave tonight’s dinner venue. Break the ice over a few cool drinks and a suitably dazzling Broome sunset that sinks into the Indian Ocean with a sizzle.

Which direction should you choose to venture today? Consider an optional experience. Perhaps head north deep into the Kimberley where the Horizontal Falls reveals the power of nature. Get some perspective of the tides here on a scenic flight. Or perhaps veer off to a pearl farm, to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques.

At Gantheaume Point, the magnificence is on a grand scale, even in the remnants of ancient dinosaurs. Over 125 million years ago, these prehistoric creatures left their footprints along the coastline, leaving a fascinating legacy. Take a moment to catch a glimpse of their stomping ground before embarking on a journey towards Fitzroy Crossing, a remote town that serves as a gateway to captivating natural wonders. The Kimberley boasts a geological history that is nothing short of spectacular. The rugged terrain showcases a diverse range of natural wonders, including towering ancient rock formations, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, and expansive river systems.

This morning, stop at the spectacular Mimbi Caves to observe the delicate limestone formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from the Devonian Great Barrier Reef that formed over 350 million years ago. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, take a deep dive into First Nations culture with an Indigenous guide, discovering ancient rock paintings before hearing Dreamtime stories over billy tea and damper. Then, arrive at El Questro Wilderness Park, backdropped by the rusty red Cockburn Range. Hidden among the pandanus and palms are a string of slick safari-style tents. Which means you can gaze at the stars while you drift off to a chorus of frogs and cicadas. When darkness falls, expect a bedazzlement of stars overhead.

The best way to wake up? With the sun streaming through your tent, wildlife all around. Travel to Wyndham this morning, the most northerly township in Western Australia. Discover this small outback town and surrounding landforms and wetlands. When it’s time to cool down, take a dip in the resort pool or a dip in a waterhole within Emma Gorge. Be back on your patio in time for sundowners.

Kununurra appears to have been dropped in the middle of nowhere, born through the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. It now waters crops like sugarcane, turned into lip-smacking rum at family-owned Hoochery Distillery. Go behind the scenes with the owners, before sitting down to morning tea. See what life was like in the region for early pioneers at the Durack Homestead Museum, which was meticulously moved and recreated before the land it formerly sat on was flooded as part of the Irrigation Scheme. The same project not only helped water the countryside but created Lake Argyle. A cruise to sunset here, surrounded by freshwater crocs and birds, is something you won’t forget in a hurry.

Today, consider an optional experience and enjoy a scenic flight over (or 4WD tour of) the Bungle Bungles. Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park, known as a ‘mini Bungles’, while hearing about how the landscapes were formed.

Say goodbye to WA and hello to your time in the Northern Territory, your introduction to the state the vast pastoral lands that characterise the outback here. Locals come with plenty of country swagger, as you’ll discover at the Katherine Outback Experience, celebrating the Northern Territory’s unique pastoral history and culture. You'll be entertained with songs and stories. It’s not a show or a tour but an immersive adventure! One that is real, raw, and funny at times.

Nature takes over at Nitmiluk National Park on Jawoyn land. The history and culture of the Traditional Landowners comes into full focus as you set off on a cruise through dramatic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Remarkably, this is one of 13 gorges carved through the national park, and at every bend in the river, the sun casts its soaring sandstone cliffs a different colour. Your northern sojourn begins with yet more insights into the region’s historic events – the huge impact WWII had here is remembered in a war cemetery on the banks of the Adelaide River. It’s a sombre affair. More reminders of WWII await in sultry Darwin, where a city tour showcases architectural style as well as the events that have shaped it over the years. A Darwin waterfront restaurant is the location for you to join your fellow travellers to reminisce about your travels during dinner.

Countless adventures. A bunch of new friends. And a renewed appreciation for the wild side of Australia. What a journey.