| |
Day 1 : Broome (D)
On arrival in Broome you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. Enjoy some free time before meeting your Outback Discovery crew and fellow travellers during your welcome dinner this evening.
Two Night Stay: Broome
|
Day 2 : Broome (B,L,D)
This morning enjoy a tour of the sights of Broome. Stop at Gantheaume Point for a great photo opportunity looking back across Cable Beach. We then stop at the Broome Jetty before we visit the Japanese Cemetery, a testament to the dangerous early days of the pearling industry as over 900 divers are buried here. View the Old Courthouse and enjoy a tour at the Pearl Luggers’ Museum where you will learn of the perils of the deep and what made the pearl divers life so hazardous. This afternoon, wander through the old buildings in Chinatown where many indigenous art galleries and pearl showrooms can be found. There is also the opportunity of taking an optional scenic flight over the picturesque Buccaneer Archipelago (at own expense, must be pre-booked^).
|
Day 3 : Broome – Derby (B,L,D)
After checking out of our hotel, we travel to Willie Creek Pearl Farm where you will discover, during a guided tour and cruise, how the rare and beautiful Australian South Sea Pearl is produced. We then continue to Derby, stopping en-route at the famous Boab Prison Tree that for many years was used by police as a convenient lock-up for prisoners.
Overnight Stay: Derby
|
Day 4 : Derby – Fitzroy Crossing (B,L,D)
This morning we travel along the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge where a large population of Johnston freshwater crocodiles inhabit the waterhole. From here it’s on to Tunnel Creek for a guided walk into Western Australia’s oldest cave system. We then take a cruise along magnificent Geikie Gorge. This sanctuary was formed by layers of fossilised coral reefs that formed 30 metre steep limestone walls over a period of 50 million years.
Overnight Stay: Fitzroy Crossing
|
Day 5 : Fitzroy Crossing – Bungle Bungles (B,L,D)
Our journey this morning takes us into World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, home to one of Western Australia’s most fascinating landmarks, the Bungle Bungle range.
Two Night Stay: Bungle Bungles
|
Day 6 : Bungle Bungles (B,L,D)
This morning there is the opportunity of taking an optional helicopter flight over the magnificent Bungle Bungle range (at own expense). Today we drive to the northern end of the Bungle Bungle range for a memorable day of walks into two of the Park’s best attractions. The first walk is into Echidna Chasm through a narrow gorge that reveals something new at every bend – it’s like walking through a huge gap in the landscape with sunlight bouncing off the flaming red hues of the rock walls. After lunch we set off along a creek bed into Mini Palms to a platform atop a scenic amphitheatre for spectacular views of verdant palm trees and the valley beyond.
|
Day 7 : Bungle Bungles – El Questro Wilderness Park (B,L,D)
After breakfast we travel to the southern end of the National Park for a walk into Cathedral Gorge, an acoustically magnificent natural amphitheatre. We then leave Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park and make our way through the rugged landscape of the Carr Boyd Range before arriving at El Questro Wilderness Park, a working cattle station set on a million acres.
Two Night Stay: El Questro Wilderness Park
|
Day 8 : El Questro Wilderness Park (B,L,D)
Enjoy the peaceful surroundings on your early morning walk into Emma Gorge before our cruise on Chamberlain Gorge. This freshwater hole is enclosed by a towering escarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora and fauna. This afternoon there is the chance of taking an optional helicopter flight over some of El Questro’s many gorges and waterfalls (at own expense – subject to availability). Then it’s on to the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dip in this natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffs and Livistona Palms.
|
Day 9 : El Questro Wilderness Park – Kununurra (B,L,D)
We reboard our coach this morning to follow the Cockburn Range before reaching the port of Wyndham. A visit here is not complete without taking in the panoramic views of the region at the Five Rivers Lookout. You will see for miles out across the Cambridge Gulf and the five rivers that flow into it - the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King and Forrest. Continuing to Kununurra we will follow the Carr Boyd Range then cross the diversion dam that was built to stem the waters of the Ord River. Kununurra is a vibrant town at the centre of the fertile Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Before our orientation tour of Kununurra, we’ll stop at the Zebra Rock Gallery where you will see works carved by local residents from the patterned stone unique to the region.
Two Night Stay: Kununurra
|
Day 10 : Kununurra (B,L,D)
We start this exciting day with a cruise from Lake Kununurra down the spectacular Ord River. Next we drive to the rebuilt homestead of the Durack family – Argyle Downs. After a visit to the homestead that is now a museum, we visit the Hoochery, the State’s only licensed distillery where rum is produced from local sugar. We then make our way to Ivanhoe Crossing, the original crossing across the Ord River.
|
Day 11 : Kununurra – Katherine (B,L,D)
Today we leave the Kimberley and Western Australia and enter the Northern Territory. We will pass by Bullo River Station, made famous by top-selling author Sara Henderson whose books vividly described station life. On to the mighty escarpment country in the Victoria River region, one of the most picturesque areas in the Northern Territory. We’ll travel through Timber Creek and near the Victoria River Crossing, we’ll pass by the Victoria River Downs Station which was once the largest land holding on earth. The Victoria River, known by locals as ‘The Vic’, was a key influence on Aboriginal heritage and today is a lifeline for pastoral properties. Overnight Stay: Katherine
|
Day 12 : Katherine – Jabiru (B,L,D)
Start the day with a cruise through stunning Katherine Gorge. At the Nitmiluk Visitors’ Centre you will see informative displays outlining the geology, landscape and Aboriginal history of the national park. At spectacular Edith Falls we’ll take a swim in the large pandanus fringed waterhole at the base of the falls. We then drive on to Kakadu National Park, 20,000 square kilometres of savannah woodland, ancient escarpments and tropical wilderness inhabited by a multitude of flora and fauna. Depending on time and availability you might choose to take a scenic flight over the wetlands of Kakadu (at own expense).
Overnight Stay: Jabiru
|
Day 13 : Jabiru – Darwin (B,L,D)
This morning enjoy a cruise on the Yellow Waters Billabong where it is possible to see estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat. One third of Australia’s bird species is represented in Kakadu National Park with at least 60 species found in these wetlands. Then it’s on to Ubirr to view Aboriginal rock art galleries that date back thousands of years. After a climb up onto the escarpment, you will be rewarded with panoramic views you will never forget. In the heart of crocodile, buffalo and barramundi country, we will stop briefly at the quirky Bark Hut Inn. Our journey then takes us to the laid-back tropical city of Darwin.
Two Night Stay: Darwin
|
Day 14 : Litchfield National Park – Darwin (B,L,D)
We’ll spend our last touring day in Litchfield National Park where numerous waterfalls cascade from a sandstone plateau called the ‘Tabletop Range’. View intriguing magnetic termite mounds. We then travel to the extraordinarily beautiful Wangi Falls for the chance to swim in the pool at the base of the falls, which is one of the Top End’s most popular swimming spots. After lunch we’ll spend the afternoon at the Territory Wildlife Park where you can get close to the birdlife in the dome aviary or walk through the aquarium tunnel as barramundi and turtles swim overhead. Our dinner this evening is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers.
|
Day 15 : Darwin (B)
This morning after breakfast you will be transferred* to the airport for your homebound flight. ^The Buccaneer Archipelago optional flight must be booked at the time of booking this tour. Flights are not included. *Check transfer entitlements with your Travel Agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
|