100% customisable travel idea
To the West, the untamed Outback From Kununurra to Broome, the great Kimberley crossing
Australia - Perth - Kununurra - Bungle Bungle - El Questro - Bell Gorge - Broome
100% customisable travel idea
Australia - Perth - Kununurra - Bungle Bungle - El Questro - Bell Gorge - Broome
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the following day.
Land in Perth. Perched between the Indian Ocean and the red desert, the capital of Western Australia is closer to Bali than it is to Sydney, and lies more than 2,500 km (1,553 miles) from the nearest city, Adelaide. Perth has an easy urban feel and golden beaches. It combines its urban energy with an alternative culture. With its parks and beaches, free public transport network, art galleries, sustainable restaurants and cocktail bars, it embodies the best a city has to offer. All the more so since, as you’d expect in Australia, its 2 million inhabitants embrace a laid-back vibe embodied by the endlessly repeated mantra: no worries.
Private transfer to the city centre and stay for one night not far from the train station. The property has around one hundred rooms. Each room has a kitchenette. So, you decide whether you want to go out for dinner or not. As for the decor, it’s contemporary and tasteful. You’re staying in a truly great spot right in the city centre.
Flight to Kununurra (derived from the Miriwoong word Goonoonorrang, meaning "meeting of big waters"). The town gets its name from the immense Lake Argyle, known for its diamond mines, which are among the largest in the world. The town's streets are filled with jewellery stores selling this precious stone, along with typical Aboriginal art from Western Australia.
At the airport, pick up your rental car and spend the night at a simple property regarded as the best in town. Close to the lake and a small park, it is in a beautiful natural setting. Some rooms look out over a charming garden that blends into the surroundings. Surrounded by greenery, shaded by palm trees, the bedrooms feature brown and green colours that echo the outdoors. A large swimming pool stands nearby, perfect for cooling off after a day on the road and exploring the area. To top it off you can dine on site. There’s a good-sized bar-restaurant with a pool table and televisions, so you won't miss any live matches.
Our suggestion a short drive from Kununurra - Mirima National Park. The park is also known locally as the Hidden Valley or "the mini Bungle Bungles". The striated rock formations, whose colours change as the sun moves, are reminiscent of their counterparts in Purnululu. These, however, have the advantage of being concentrated in a smaller area and are easy to access. There are three marked trails to help you explore the park.
Head south to Purnululu National Park. This is where the Bungle Bungle Range rises, one of the continent’s most mysterious landscapes. At the junction with the Great Northern Highway, the adventure begins. The vehicle switches to 4WD mode and heads out onto Spring Creek Road, an unmaintained track with undulating sections, bumps, rocks and river crossings of varying depths.
Upon arrival, stay for two nights in the heart of the national park, on the banks of the Piccaninny River. The campsite has around thirty tents. Does that make it quite basic? Not really, as they all have private bathrooms. It’s surprisingly comfortable given the setting. What about your tablet? Leave it at the bottom of your suitcase, it’s unlikely to work here. Besides, none of that really matters in the end. True luxury is found outside, in the raw and untamed landscapes.
Set in the Kimberley plateau, Purnululu National Park (the name means "sandstone" in the Kija language) covers an area of 3,000 km² (1,864 square miles). It is home to the Bungle Bungle Range, striped sandstone domes that are 350 million years old. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and best explored on one of the fantastic hikes. These lead to Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Creek, Echidna Chasm, or the Kungkalanayi Lookout, which offers a 360 degree view of the western escarpment of the Bungle Bungle Range. It's a great idea, at the end of the day, to walk along the old stream beds and through the gorges, as they turn into a golden paradise.
Optional extra - Helicopter flight over the mountain range..
Today's goal: leave behind the geological wonders of Bungle Bungle to reach El Questro and its gorges. A wonderful road trip awaits, winding through the red desert stretches dotted with trees and the low scrub of the Outback, with rocky plateaus as a backdrop.
Stay in for two nights at the foot of Mount Cockburn in the El Questro region. Your accommodation is in the ideal setting to enjoy the nature that surrounds you. Rediscover the joys of sleeping in a cleverly glamped up tent, having a pool just a stone's throw away, and eating and drinking on site. Once again, the slightly basic comfort and the rather small sleeping quarters are of very little importance. People come here for the setting and to be in the great outdoors.
El Questro Wilderness Park spans over 400,000 hectares (988,000 acres) and is home to a wide range of ecosystems. Still an active cattle station, it is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, emerald virgin forest, deep gorges, hot springs and enchanting waterfalls. Visitors can hike along one of the many trails to see Emma Gorge, Moonshine Gorge or Amalia Gorge.
On your schedule - Chamberlain Gorge cruise . As this gorge is only accessible by water, you have to go with the flow. Fast transfer to the jetty. From there, you board the boat to take you to this oasis encircled by towering rocky cliffs. During the three kilometre (2 mile) cruise, enjoy the scenery and the sparkling wine and fresh fruit served on board too.
Drive to Mount Elizabeth via Gibb River Road. The route passes by Aboriginal rock paintings, gorges, waterfalls and large cattle stations. Here, the Kimberley region has a distinct Wild West feel, with its ranches and cowboys.
Stay for the night at a rustic but clean property, one of the few places to stay for miles around. This cattle station is the oldest in the Kimberley and has been in operation since 1945. It now features a homestead with 15 rooms and a campsite. What about the surroundings? You're surrounded by rivers, sacred Aboriginal sites and 6,000 head of cattle! There’s also plenty of local wildlife that are easily spotted here.The property is so vast you're bound to come across wallabies and small kangaroos. Your accommodation includes half board, which always makes guests feel at home. Especially as the fairly common Australian concept of BYO or Bring Your Own applies to drinks. Stock up at the pub before you arrive, then enjoy your own drinks at the table for a small corkage fee. Of course, there is no mobile signal here and no internet.
Drive to Bell Gorge, 150 km (93 miles) away. The journey passes through stunning sandstone landscapes, with a few ranches dotted here and there It's not easy to get there as it lies deep inland, but the natural park is well worth the effort. After leaving the Gibb River Road, and with it, civilisation, continue along the track to the lodge.
Stay for two nights on the lands of the Imintji Aboriginal community, along Saddlers Creek. The accommodation has stunning views of the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges. Each tent has a private terrace, so you can enjoy the panoramic views but also have perfect privacy for the sunrises and sunsets that set the surrounding landscape ablaze. Finally, in terms of comfort, all the basics are provided: a private bathroom, bar and lounge. You feel completely at home here.
Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) in Wunaamin Conservation Park sits in the heart of the sandstone landscape and can only be reached on a track. Surrounded by canyons, waterfalls, wild vegetation, natural pools, and amazing light it's an adventure getting there. The gorge, which gave its name to the area, is a picturesque sight bordered by a natural pool, a real breath of fresh air. You reach it after a short walk along the charming Bell Creek stream, which you eventually cross. Once at the top, stop for a while to admire the view of the waterfall, which cascades down 100 metres (328 feet) before crashing into a pool below, where you’ll be tempted to swim. Your accommodation is close by, making it an ideal base camp for exploring the West Kimberley.
Drive to Fitzroy Crossing (3.5 hours). To get out of the gorge the road takes quite a few twists and turns. After the Lenard River Crossing, the Gibb River Road becomes smoother before joining the Great Northern Highway for the last few miles.
Spend the night in this small town in the Kimberley region. Ideal for a stopover, it also serves as a great base for exploring Tunnel Creek National Park, known for its 750-metre (2,460-foot) natural cave and ancient rock paintings. What about your accommodation. There are about a hundred rooms on site. Some, clustered together overlooking the car park, are reminiscent of traditional motels. Others are tucked away with lovely views of the Fitzroy River and the sunset that fades over it each evening. While the standard may not reach that of a "lodge", the property is far too well equipped to be called a "motel", what with its restaurant and swimming pool. The typical ambience of the bushland is all-enveloping.
Drive to Broome County, where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap at its shores. To get there, you travel along the Great Northern Highway. The paved road is easy and straight. One stretch extends for 13 km (8 miles) without any bends! Don't worry you’ll be too busy taking in the region’s distinctive landscapes to doze off.
Stay for three nights near Roebuck Bay, just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Broome. Your accommodation, overlooking the turquoise waters and mangroves of the bay is a perfect mix of style and comfort, with a stunning view of the ocean. Surrounded by tropical gardens and with a panoramic pool, the setting is enchanting. The rooms, with their pared-back design, are spacious and comfortable. In the evening, guests can enjoy the hotel’s open air restaurant and bar, perfect for relaxing. Live music adds the finishing touch to the atmosphere.
Isolated between the Great Sandy Desert and the Kimberley in the northwest, Broome is a former pearl capital now transformed into a charming seaside town. Its picturesque past is reflected in the faces of its inhabitants, who are often descendants of Japanese pearl fishers and Chinese, Aboriginal and European settlers. The stunning Cable Beach makes Broome very popular during the high season, which runs from May to October. You're bound to love it!
Things to see and do - Explore the art galleries and pearl shops in the centre; wander through the Japanese cemetery to soak up the city’s rich heritage; pick up some local crafts or grab a quick bite on the go at the Saturday market; watch the sunset from the sands of Cable Beach; or travel a few miles to admire authentic dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point (only at low tide).Optional extra - Buccaneer Archipelago and Horizontal Falls by seaplane.
Drive to Broome Airport, return the hire vehicle and flight to Perth. Upon arrival, private transfer and stay for two nights near Elizabeth Quay, in the city centre . The hotel, the latest addition to a renowned Australian group, is one of a kind. Nestled in a sought-after neighbourhood, it is surrounded by lively shopping streets and a cultural centre. The interiors successfully blend an industrial feel with a touch of glamour. The rooms are particularly stylish and have ultra-modern amenities. The highlight is the rooftop terrace.
Our suggestion - Of all the beaches in Perth, Cottesloe is the most iconic. Lined with old pines and soft lawns, it is a magnet for surfers, swimmers, people strolling on the sand and families enjoying a picnic. The shoreline is gentle and the are waves inviting, perfect for a peaceful swim. On the esplanade, people stroll by with iced coffee, barefoot in their sandals. Looking out over the Indian Ocean, the old Indiana Tea Room has stood as an iconic landmark above the beach since 1910. Order a glass of white wine and watch the surfers wait for the perfect wave.
As soon as you arrive in Perth, you’ll be charmed by the infectious friendliness that its residents are known for. The City's skyscrapers stand alongside Victorian facades and the greenery of Kings Park and the Botanic Garden. Nestled within the latter is the Lotterywest Federation Walkway where visitors can walk through the eucalyptus canopy. Not far away, the Bell Tower rises high into the sky, offering a breathtaking 360 degree view at sunset. To top it all off, there is a wide selection of museums, including the Art Gallery of Western Australia and its collection of Aboriginal works. As for night owls, they usually party in Northbridge.
On your schedule - Private custom Perth tour. Are tourist hotspots not really your thing? Your guide for the day takes inspiration from your interests and wishes to create a custom itinerary. With a local like this, a whole world opens up to you: order a flat white or skinny cap in Northbridge; choose between bao buns and Thai curry at Fremantle market ("Freo"to those in the know), Perth’s bohemian enclave with its omnipresent Victorian style; take the ferry to Rottnest Island ("Rotto") to spot quokkas, the marsupials with friendly smiles.
Private transfer to the airport and direct international flight home. Night on board, arrival the following day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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