Darwin to Broome Outback
Darwin to Broome Outback
Darwin to Broome Outback
10 Days Starting in Darwin and ending in Broome
Visiting: Darwin / Katherine, Lake Argyle, Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles), El Questro Station, Gibb River Road / Mt Barnett, West Kimberley Gorges, West Kimberley Gorges / Broome
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PKOR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
18-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
See the Australian Outback in all its sun-kissed glory on this 10-day trip from Darwin to Broome. By day, you’ll explore Nitmiluk National Park, Purnululu National Park, El Questro, Gibb River, Manning Gorge, Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Cable Beach. Swim in watering holes and waterfalls, hike through creeks to sandstone spires and learn about fascinating First Nations history. By night, camp under the starry skies of Western Australia and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of every life. This one’s for the lovers of the outdoors, wanting to recharge in a unique, ever-changing landscape.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin / Katherine
Location: Darwin / Katherine
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: lunch, dinner
Welcome to Darwin! Or Gulumerrdgen, in the language of the Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Darwin is now located. Your adventure starts with a drive south to Nitmiluk National Park. Depending on the season, you’ll take a swim in the natural pool by the base of Edith Falls and visit the croc-filled waters of Katherine Gorge. After lunch, you’ll head to your private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk, where you have the option of spending the night in a tent or snuggled up in a swag (an Aussie bedroll) under the stars.
Day 2: Lake Argyle
Location: Lake Argyle
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today you’ll visit the huge (and absolutely gorgeous) Lake Argyle, which looks perfectly at home despite being entirely man-made. You have the option of taking a cruise here, where you can look out for the native fauna that has settled here – keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, wallabies and the rare birdlife. Soak up the backdrop of mountains-turned-islands as you explore some of the 700 square km surface of the lake. Tonight, you’ll camp under some seriously starry skies.
Day 3-4: Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
Location: Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Over the next two days, you’ll explore the distinctive sandstone towers of the Bungle Bungle Range – which only became known to wider Australia when a group of documentary filmmakers stumbled across them in the early 1980s! Travelling by both foot and vehicle, you’ll see craggy gorges, unique rock formations and hidden waterholes. Cap off a scenic day with a stunning Kimberley sunset from your bush camp. Day 4 is all about getting to know the Bungle Bungles from another angle. Your first stop is the ever-narrowing gap of Echidna Chasm – formed over millions of years by water flowing through an opening in the sandstone, the path winds through palm-filled gorges up to 200 m high (but in parts it’s only 1 to 2 m wide). Next, trade the tight spaces for the wide-open natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge.
Day 5: El Questro Station
Location: El Questro Station
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Hit the road again this morning, passing Warmun (Turkey Creek) and the Durack Ranges on the way to El Questro – not too long ago, it was mostly cattle that got to enjoy the million-acre sprawl of El Questro but the owners recognised the beauty and turned it into a wilderness park in 1991. At more than one and a half times the size of the UK, there are plenty of scenic spots to explore here!
Day 6: El Questro Station
Location: El Questro Station
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
On the drive in you will have got some clue as to the huge cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes contained in the Cockburn Ranges, but now you’ll be exploring them on foot. Walk to Emma Gorge, cool off in a waterfall-fed subtropical pool and bliss out in the thermal springs of Zebedee. (BLD)
Day 7: Gibb River Road / Mt Barnett
Location: Gibb River Road / Mt Barnett
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Weaving through gorges and rivers, you’ll travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road today – a 600 km stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. You’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there’s a fair bit of drive time, but you’ll be breaking the journey up with a lunch stop and a few breaks along the way to stretch your legs. Tonight’s camp is at Mt Barnett Station, close to Manning Gorge.
Day 8: West Kimberley Gorges
Location: West Kimberley Gorges
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
This morning, stretch your legs on an early hike and be rewarded with a refreshing swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls. After lunch, you’ll discover Adcock or Galvins Gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.
Day 9: West Kimberley Gorges
Location: West Kimberley Gorges
Accommodation: Camping with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges waiting to be explored, and this morning is just for that. After breakfast, you’ll adventure to Dalmanti (Bell Gorge) – home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. Tonight, you’ll camp at Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) – a segment of a 375-million-year-old reef that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season and then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry season. This gorge attracts many species of birds and bats and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles!
Day 10: West Kimberley Gorges / Broome
Location: West Kimberley Gorges / Broome
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning's major attraction is Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) – an extensive limestone cave system extending 750 m underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream through crevices, little bats flutter above you and enormous stalactites point down from the ceiling. In the late 1800s, an Indigenous man called Jandamarra waged a one-man uprising against European settlers, becoming a hero to his people. You’ll hear a bit about his legacy during your time at Tunnel Creek, then you’ll make the final drive to Broome, where your trip comes to an end in the late afternoon or evening.
What's Included
9 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
- 4WD tours are operated in custom-built, 21-25 seat 4WD trucks with a PA system and built-in storage. These comfortable, strong remote area vehicles allow our small groups extra space (including standing room), are fully air-conditioned and fitted with adjustable air-vents, reclinable seats, map pockets and footrests. It is important that when booking a 4WD outback adventure in the Kimberley, you understand that the roads we travel on can be heavily corrugated, which can be a bit uncomfortable at times. Rest assured, these are the conditions for which our 4WD trucks are designed.
Accommodation
- All Nights: Camping in National Parks, Caravan Parks or on Cattle Stations involves dome tents (twin-share), swags with fitted sheets & pillows with pillow cases. Some on site ablutions have hot showers and flush toilets however on some nights the ablution facilities can be very basic. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Important Information
- START & END TIMES:
- Your trip commences in Darwin on Day 1 at 7 am and finishes in Broome on the last day at approximately 6 pm. We recommend you arrive a day early and onward travel should be booked for the following day. No accommodation is included on Day 10.
- LUGGAGE
- A strict luggage limit of 15 kg applies. Please bring a soft-sided bag only.
- CAMPING
- The accommodation on this trip is Basix-style twin-share camping in dome tents with swags with fitted sheets & pillows with pillow cases. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Some on site ablutions have hot showers and flush toilets however on some nights the ablution facilities can be very basic.
- SLEEPING BAG
- This trip requires a sleeping bag. You can bring your own or can purchase one. Please let your booking agent know ahead of time if you would like to add this to your booking.
Mode of Transport
- 4WD tours are operated in custom-built, 21-25 seat 4WD trucks with a PA system and built-in storage. These comfortable, strong remote area vehicles allow our small groups extra space (including standing room), are fully air-conditioned and fitted with adjustable air-vents, reclinable seats, map pockets and footrests. It is important that when booking a 4WD outback adventure in the Kimberley, you understand that the roads we travel on can be heavily corrugated, which can be a bit uncomfortable at times. Rest assured, these are the conditions for which our 4WD trucks are designed.
Accommodation
- Camping & Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (9 Nights)
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
On some days of this trip, you'll spend many hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you'd miss in any other form of travel. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. Think of it as a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. The drive days can be long, but it's as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie!
This trip involves camping out in nature so the facilities are very basic. It is definitely a trip for either younger, fit travellers or the young at heart and fit in body! A lack of emphasis on creature comforts makes this an authentic experience of the Australian outback. Some locations will have little to no Internet connection or phone service.
This trip involves activities like hiking on uneven terrain and clambering over boulders. It is best suited to travellers with good mobility and fitness. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.
If you are looking to extend your tour to Perth, please see trip code PKOPC on our website. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions