ITINERARY FOR THE NORTH WEST DARWIN TO BROOME or vice versa 10 Night/11Day

Arrive in Darwin

Collect your medium sedan auto (CCAR) at the Thrifty counter and drive to your Travelodge Mirambeena Resort Darwin to check into your accommodation. Have a walk around Darwin city or visit the Crocodylus Park, the International Market.

Darwin –Litchfield National Park Distance 129kms

After breakfast, make your way to Litchfield National park. This spectacular Northern Territory Park is only two hours drive away from Darwin. It is a great location for a day visit, there are many pleasant swimming spots cattered thoughout the park. The popular ones include Wangi, Florence, Tjaynera Falls and Buley Rockhole. These areas offer safe swimming, with care. Visitors should not swim in the Finniss or Reynolds Rivers, as they are inhabited by Saltwater Crocodiles.

Open year round and admission is free.

Spend the day enjoying the different waterfalls, have a picnic and relax

Then go to the Batchelor’s resort which is 15min drive from the waterfalls and check in for your accommodation for the night.

Litchfield to Katherine Distance 317km (about 3 hours)

Early morning depart to Katherine. Continue on Stuart Hwy for 316 km. Turn left at Giles St and entering the town of Katherine, continue heading northeast on Giles St toward Second St .Continue on Gorge Rd for 24.2 km. Turn left. Sharp right toward Gorge Rd Turn left at Gorge Rd.

Arriving in Nitmiluk National Park (allowing 30min drive)

Check into your Accommodation at Nitmiluk Chalet in your One bedroom Accommodation

Visit the little town of Katherine or relax and enjoy the climate of Katherine.

Decide to go at the beautiful thermal pools. The bubbling natural spring has a constant temperature of approximately 25 - 30 degrees celcius. Used by many a way of healing. With full disable access anyone can enjoy this magnificent natural wonder. Have a picnic near this place.

Directions: From the CBD of Katherine, head down the Victoria Highway approximately 2kms.

Katherine

08.00-Today is your Full day Explorer of the First Three Gorge of Katherine

This is a memorable and exciting way to explore Nitmiluk Gorge taking into account your own itinerary and fitness level. Experience the diversity of landscapes and habitats as you paddle your way through this national park, a visual treat for any nature lover. Swap to another canoe to resume your journey on the upstream side of the rock bar separating the first and second gorges. Experienced canoeists will make it to the end of the fourth gorge, where you’ll be rewarded with more Jawoyn paintings and a perfect picnic spot for lunch or a refreshing swim.

2nd gorge paddling distance - 12.2 kms (return)

3rd gorge paddling distance - 14.6 kms (return)

4th gorge paddling distance - 16.6 kms (return)

Deposit: A $20 refundable deposit per canoe is required at the time of booking. This will be given as a cash refund at the end of the tour.

Finish your at 4.30pm

Go back at your accommodation or heal your muscles with the thermal pool.

Katherine-Kununurra Distance 514kms (about 6 hours)

Early morning departure(06.00am)- Depart to Kununurra: Head southwest on Giles St toward Stuart Hwy. Turn right at Stuart Hwy. Turn left at Victoria Hwy

Entering Western Australia 512 km

Turn right at Messmate Dr then continue on Messmate Way and turn right at Coolibah Dr.

Arriving early afternoon, check in your accommodation (All Seasons Kununurra) then go to change your car at Thrifty Kununurra and change it for a large 4WD to allow you to visit the Bungle Bungles.

Visit a little bit the town of Kununurra: there is the Elephant Rock (Sleeping Buddha)This large rock formation is easily seen from the banks of Lily Creek) and is named due to two unique rock features. From one angle, it appears as Buddha in repose and from a southern angle (Packsaddle area), an elephant's head is definable!

Check out the Lake Argyle - Ord Valley The 1960's and 70's were the defining decades that saw enormous development in the East Kimberley region with the construction of the Diversion Dam and Argyle Dam. Argyle Dam is the largest man made water storage structure in the Southern hemisphere and holds, in water volume, the equivalent of 25 Sydney Harbours.

Then don’t miss out Kelly's Knob Lookout, a great place to catch an East Kimberley sunset and it is walking distance from the CBD (be prepared for the steep hill up to the viewing area if walking!). Scenic views over the town and valley.

Kununurra- Bungle Bungles Distance: 250km

Depart Kununurra to Purnululu National Park traveling south along the Great Northern Highway, The World Heritage listed area of the Bungle Bungles.

From the turn off it is only 53 km to the park entrance, but this last stretch of road is strictly four wheel drive and off-road trailers only. Don't even think about taking anything else. (Caravans are not allowed.)

It's a rough road with a lot of corrugations, creek crossings, steep climbs and tight.

Purnululu is one of the parks in Western Australia where you have to pay for entry. The one-off fee is charged per vehicle. So no matter how many of you are in the car and how long you want to stay, you only pay once. The fee is $10 as of 2008/2009.

The opening times for the Visitor Centre are 8am - 12 noon and 1pm - 4pm. If you arrive outside those hours you can self register by putting the money for your entrance and camping fee in a provided envelope and drop it in a box there. You just have to have the right change.The Visitor Centre has information about the park and the Kimberley in general, leaflets and books. The Purnululu National Park rangers also offer activities and free talks on some evenings, so find out what's happening when you arrive.There is a small shop selling souvenirs and cool drinks, but you can't purchase ice or food. Make sure you bring everything you need with you.

Bellburn—the commercial campground in the southern part of the Bungles—is as luxurious as you could hope.The Bellburn camping facilities are located not far from the Bellburn airstrip and helicopter booking office/landing pad. And it’s formerly known as Bungle Bungle Wilderness Camp

Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park. This state-of-the-art Wilderness Lodge raises the standard of tented accommodation in the Kimberley to a new level. No bush toilets and no 'roughing it'. It offers tented cabins with exclusive private facilities, comfortable beds with crisp linen, clean flush toilets, state-of-the-art solar power and hot water plant. In the evening, enjoy dinner under the stars in our unique indoor/outdoor dining facility and relax with new friends around the campfire. With a maximum capacity of just 60 guests at any one time, Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge delivers an intimate and unforgettable wilderness experience.

Take the time to enjoy our new flora and fauna interpretive trail and in the evening enjoy close up views of the brilliant Kimberley skies as you view the stars through our on site telescopes.

Head to the southern end of the park for a walk into Cathedral Gorge, an acoustically magnificent natural amphitheatre which is also one of the easiest: the walk to Cathedral Gorge. It starts at Piccaninny Creek car park, like all other walks in the southern part.

Cathedral Gorge is a huge natural amphitheatre. The rock ledges on the left invite you to sit down, and watch, and observe...

The acoustics are fascinating (if there aren't too many people around). The voices are carried around and if you turn your head in the right direction the people on the opposite side sound as if they were right behind you...

Early in the season there is a pool in the middle of the theatre, and if you look up you will see shrubs dangling from the towering walls.

Just sit there and reflect on the time, the amount of water and the forces it took to form this place...

Domes Walk

The Domes Walk is connected to the Cathedral Gorge Walk. It's like a detour or a couple of side tracks. What you will see is more of the scenery that you also encounter on your way to Cathedral Gorge: sandstone beehives, creek beds, gaps and crevices, evidence of wet season waterfalls and of weathering...

It only takes about 20 minutes, so why not?

Back to Bell Burn Wilderness lodge camp

Bungles Bungle

Start your day with a walk to Echidna Chasm

This one is fun, too. And easier and shorter then Mini Palms (1 hr/2 km return). Initially you walk through a palm filled gorge, but that soon becomes narrower and narrower, and then narrower still.

Every now and then you have to climb over boulders blocking the way, or duck under some that didn't quite make it to the floor and are stuck above you, where you hope they'll stay until you're gone...

In the end you find yourself in a gap that's less than a metre wide, with walls so tall that it's nearly completely dark at the bottom.

Unless you can schedule this walk around midday. Then you will see the walls above you glow in striking colours, changing with the angle of the sun.

If you want to keep discovering amazing scenery you can also do Mini Palms Gorge

This 2 hr/5 km return hike takes you over loose rocks in a riverbed into a narrow, boulder strewn gorge filled with Livistona Palms. The further you go the steeper the track becomes.

You will have to squeeze through and clamber over boulders. It's a fun walk and not too hard because there are stairs for the steepest parts.

You eventually reach a viewing platform overlooking a palm filled valley surrounded by 150m high cliffs.

At the end of the valley is a cave. Tempting to look at but the climb to get down has been closed to protect the mini palms that cover the floor. (The footprints are proof that many people ignore the signs...)

Bungles Bungle to Kununurra-Halls Creek

Decide to go back to Kununurra to bring back the 4WD and change with a medium sedan auto, then take the direction to Halls Creek

Head southwest on Coolibah Dr toward Banksia St 0.9 km

2. Turn left at Ivanhoe Rd 0.9 km

3. Turn right at Victoria Hwy 43.8 km

4. Turn left at Great Northern Hwy and enter Halls Creek for your overnight accommodation 360 km (about 4 hours 10 mins from Kununurra)

Accommodation: Best Western Halls Creek Motel

Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing. Distance: 290kms (about 3 hours 16 mins)

Early morning head southwest on Great Northern Hwy toward Roberta Ave, then turn right at Forrest Rd.

Fitzroy Crossing is located on the banks of the Fitzroy River approximately three hours drive southeast of Derby. It is situated in the heart of some of the best pastoral country in Australia. Other industries include tourism and mining. Check into your accommodation at The Fitzroy River Lodge and get ready for your tour of Geikie Gorge river cruise and Fitzroy Crossing town tour (pick up included)

The tour includes a full town tour which visits all of the highlights of Fitzroy Crossing including the local art centre featuring indigenous artworks, and includes a one hour river cruise of Geikie Gorge.

Departs daily at 8:00AM and 2:00PM. The tour takes approximately 2 hours total.

Price includes cruise fees. Limited seats available. Tag-along option may be available. Pick up from accommodation is available. The only walking involved is to the boat at the gorge - approximately 250m each way. Time spent at Geikie Gorge is one hour.

The town is approximately 114 metres above sea level and is surrounded by vast flood plains of the Fitzroy River. From May to October, days are warm and dry and nights are cool

Geikie Gorge contains permanent fresh water throughout its length and supports sawfish, stingrays, freshwater crocodiles and many other varieties of fish, bird life and animals. A Cruise up the Gorge with one of the Park Rangers will offer an insight into the park's features as well as a relaxing view of nature at work.

The park normally opens in early to mid April after the mighty Fitzroy River has subsided.

Accommodation: The Fitzroy River Lodge

Situated on the northern side of the Great Northern Highway, around three minutes drive east of the Fitzroy Crossing township (just next to the Fitzroy River bridge).

Check into your safari lodge or budget room.

Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorges

07.00am Early morning depart (pick up included) for a full day tour to Tunnel Creek and Windjana Tour

Learn about the history of the Kimberleys, see amazing wild life including freshwater crocodiles and spectacular bird life, take in marvellous rock formations, fossils, and homestead ruins plus the scenery of Tunnel Creek, Bandingan Rock and Windjana Gorge. This full day tour includes billy tea & damper for morning tea, full buffet lunch consisting of cold meats, fresh dinner rolls & fresh salads, cold drinks, tea & coffee. Our experienced guide will ensure you have a day to remember.

From Fitzroy Crossing to Windjana Gorge is approximately a 200km round trip; 80km of this is on sealed roads.

There is some light walking involved at both Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge - approximately 3km in total; an easy walk for elderly people.

Return 05.00pm relax at your lodge

Accommodation: The Fitzroy River lodge

Fitzroy Crossing to Broome. Distance 396 km (about 4 hours 50 mins)

Early morning departure head south on Forrest Rd toward Bell Rd, take the 2nd right onto Great Northern Hwy 216 km, turn left to stay on Great Northern Hwy 145 km. Continue on Broome Rd finally Slight right at Napier Tce. Arrive in Broome, you can have your car until tomorrow if you wish otherwise bring it back to Thrifty office.

Check into your accommodation at The Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat for 2 nights.

Here some suggestion for your next 2 days in Broome:

Meet camels and characters in Broome, an exotic pearling town that sits at the gateway to the Kimberley. Buy pearls and soak up the melting pot of nationalities in Chinatown, once the bustling hub of billiard saloons and opium dens. Ride a camel along the white sand of Cable Beach, the place to watch a blazing sun sink into the Indian Ocean. Check out dinosaur footprints preserved in rock and birdwatch from Roebuck Bay. Between March and October, you can catch the romantic magic of ‘Staircase to the Moon’, a silvery illusion created by the reflection of a rising moon.

Five can’t-miss Broome experiences

Cable Beach

1.Swim on Cable Beach

Ride a camel along the white sand of Cable Beach, the place to watch a blazing sun sink into the Indian Ocean. With 22 kilometres of white sand, clear, turquoise waters and spectacular sunsets, it’s known as one of the world’s most stunning beaches. Named after the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889, the beach is perfect for both swimming and soaking up the idyllic scenery.

Wander through Chinatown

2. Soak up the colours of Chinatown

Wander through Chinatown, once the bustling hub of pearl shells, billiard saloons, entertainment houses and opium dens and brothels. The finest pearl showrooms, retail outlets and sidewalk cafes now provide great shopping and an opportunity to soak up the charms of Broome old and new.

Pearling history

3. Explore Broome’s pearling history

Visit a pearl farm or take away a precious memento from the showrooms in Chinatown. Broome was once the capital of Australia's South-Sea pearl industry, and you’ll find plenty of places to buy pearls or take in stories of its pearling past. Watch pearls being cultured at a local farm. Learn about the early Japanese, Filipino and Malay pearl divers who arrived here in droves in the local pearl museum. See headstones dedicated to some 900 Asian pearl divers at the Japanese Cemetery. Or feel the drama and high seas of the early pearling days as you cruise the bay on a Pearl Lugger.

Dinosaur footprints

4. Discover dinosaur prints and moon staircases

See 130 million-year-old dinosaur footprints preserved in rock at Gantheaume Point. Its craggy cliffs and azure water are just six kilometres from Broome. You can see them from the reef at very low tide, or check out the plaster cast at the top of the cliff. For more natural marvels, don’t miss the ‘Staircase to the Moon’, a spectacular, silvery illusion created by a rising full moon reflecting off the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay. Broome celebrates the phenomenon – which happens three nights a month between March and October – with live music and markets on Town Beach.

Roebuck Bay, WA

5. See birds flying from Siberia

Visit the Broome Bird Observatory in Roebuck Bay, and watch tens of thousands of migratory birds fly from Siberia between September and April. This area is home to around 40 per cent of Australia’s total number of bird species and you can meet a few of them on a bushwalk through the beach, mangroves, mudflats, tropical woodland and grasslands. Other great places to spot birds are Entrance Point and Deepwater Jetty, Broome golf course and ovals, the town mangroves and Barred and Willie Creeks. Even if you’re not an avid bird watcher, you’ll love Broome’s golden chorus of birdsong.