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SECURE YOUR PLACE NOW, FOR OUR 2017 KIMBERLEY/GIBB RIVER ROAD ADVENTURE TOUR
Join Adventurous Women ® ™ on the experience of a life time exploring the magical Kimberley Region of WA! The Gibb River Road is one of Australia's must do bucket list travel experiences. The wide open spaces, the gorges, waterfalls and the spectacular Bungle Bungles.
We start off with a 7:30 - 8:00 pick up from your hotel in Broome and then hit the road - ready for adventure!
We’ll visit the Prison Boab Tree just outside of Derby, before heading onto Fitzroy Crossing where we'll set up camp, freshen up and head out to enjoy a sunset scenic boat cruise through beautiful Geikie Gorge, formed as the mighty Fitzroy River carved through the ancient limestone reef....beautiful way to start the tour.
Today get ready to hit the dirt, as we take off for the iconic Gibb River Road. Our first stop on the Gibb, will be the Mowanjum Arts Centre, showcasing some of the Kimberley's best Aboriginal Art. By early afternoon we'll be setting up our first campsite at the beautiful Windjana Gorge, where we'll kick back and enjoy watching the colours change on the gorge walls as the sun sets.
Get ready for an exciting day!!
We'll break camp early, head into Windjana Gorge and wander through this ancient Devonian Reef, hearing stories of a local Aboriginal hero and see if we can spot the freshwater crocodiles that live here. Then, it's time to break out the headlamps as we head to Tunnel Creek, where we walk and wade through this amazing 800m tunnel, with it's beautiful cave formations. As we re-emerge into the light, it's back on the bus to head to Silent Grove Campsite.
The Gibb River Road is known for its beautiful swimming holes and today we will visit three! In the morning we will walk into Bell Gorge and waterfall, where you can enjoy a number of swimming holes and laz on the flat orange rocks at the waters edge. Next up, it's over to Galvan's Gorge with it's crystal clear water and huge boab trees above. We will finish the day at the campsite at Manning creek, where the water babies can have a third dip if they wish, while others can opt to chill out under a boab tree.
After an early morning swim across the Manning Creek, we walk overland for about 1.5 hours, before dropping into Manning Gorge. There is a spectacular swimming hole and waterfall awaiting us, where we can spend the morning relaxing, swimming, climbing around on the rocks or just soaking up the sun. We then make our way back to camp for lunch, where you can spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming in the oasis of Manning Creek.
Today is a mostly travelling day. We will pass through some picturesque areas of the Gibb, including the Pentecost River with the stunning Cockburn Range as it's backdrop, and finish up the day at El Questro.Famous for it's $1500 a night Homestead, we'll be taking the more affordable option of dome tents ... yay!! :) After set up, perhaps do some washing and enjoy a beer or wine at the bar, before heading to El Questro's famous steakhouse, where the staff will cook up a feast for us!
El Questro has so much on offer, but we're giving you a taste of the best! We'll head into the adventurous El Questro Gorge this morning with it's fern lined rock walls, this is a stunningly beautiful experience. Some may choose not to challenge themselves to get right to the end, but some may take on the challenge...it's completely up to you. We'll return to base early afternoon, for those who wish to take part in one of the many 'optional' tours on offer at the resort. These include horse riding, boat cruise up Chamberlain Gorge, 4 hour safari/boat cruise - Explosion Gorge / Branco Lookout / Sunset.
Thismorning we pack up camp and take a short drive to Zebedee Springs for a luxurious soak in the hot springs, before heading out of El Questro to stunning Emma Gorge, where we take an enjoyable walk to explore. Emma Gorge is about a 40 minute walk each way from the carpark. We then drive onto Parry's Lagoon - a wonderful spot to view masses of waterbirds and then onto Kununurra. We anticipate arriving late afternoon and setting up camp at a local caravan park, before enjoying sunset drinks & nibbles over the adjoining lake.
Today is a day of leisure for you to explore the town of Kununurra, perhaps visit the stunning Mirima National Park and enjoy more walking, or take part in an 'optional' Full Day Ord River & Lake Argyle Tour/Cruise. Tonight we'll be sampling the local food, with dinner out at The Pumphouse (own expense)
With a sense of anticipation we’ll head south to Purnululu National Park, home of the famed Bungle Bungles. If it's open, we can drop into Warmun Arts Centre on the way through, before taking the rough four wheel drive road into Purnululu. We will arrive in the late afternoon, where you will then have the opportunity to take a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles (Optional)
The southern end of the Bungles Range is where we’ll find the incredible beehive domes that first attracted visitors to this outstanding place. We'll take a walk up the dry Picaninny Creek, taking in the beauty of this unique and incredibly beautiful landscape and end up at the Lookout. This morning's walk is quite exposed, so you'll enjoy spending some time in the cool shade of Cathedral Gorge afterwards. It's a magic place to lie back and quietly let the Kimberley in.
After we break for lunch, we'll head off to the northern end of the Bungles Range and explore the enchanting Echidna Chasm, the ethereal light within the walls of the chasm will leave you spellbound.
We’ll start the day rocking and rolling out of the Bungles on that fun four-wheel drive track again, before we're back on the tarmac for our drive back to Kununurra. It's time to reflect on our amazing adventure with our fellow Adventurous Women ® ™ before saying our goodbye's in Kununurra.
This is a camping tour!! There is no better way to do the Gibb than to camp out under the stars. We are looking after your comfort though and will endeavour to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Toilets/showers: There are toilets and showers at all of the camp sites with the exception of no showers at the Bungle Bungles (where we can rig up a rudimentary washing station).
Equipment:
Transport is by an air-conditioned custom built 4WD Tour Coach. All Camping equipment (except sleeping bags & pillows) is provided. In the case of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances affecting the vehicle or guide, the operator reserves the right to substitute vehicles and guides, other than those specified, to ensure the operation of a tour.
Seat Allocation: Seats on tour vehicle are not pre allocated. To ensure all participants get to enjoy forward positioned and window seats, we have incorporated a daily seat rotation system.
Luggage: Please note that due to health and safety requirements luggage on tour is limited to one medium sized, soft sided bag per person. The sum of it's length, width and height is not to exceed 140cm. The maximum weight of the bag should not exceed 15 kilograms. If you are travelling as a couple, please pack two smaller bags, rather than one large one. A small daypack each is also permitted.
Group Sizes: Minimum and maximum numbers apply. This tour has a minimum of 8 passengers and a maximum of 13 passengers. Accompanying the group will be three guides, Sue & Brad Hile from Adventurous Women ® ™, as well as a male guide/driver from Inspiration Outdoors.
About the Camping Experience
Relaxed Evenings
A holiday isn’t a holiday if there isn’t time to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures. It's our policy to provide crew members to carry out the campsite duties on camping tours. Simply set up your tent (we will show you how and assist where needed) and enjoy the sights and sounds of the night as you sit around the campfire, recapping the highlights of the day with your fellow travel companions.
Delicious Food
A resourceful camp cook will accompany the tour. Your camp cook will ensure that fresh local produce and ingredients are used when available. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the variety and quality of the meals prepared under what are sometimes difficult conditions. Three meals a day, plus morning tea and snacks are included in the price of your tour (unless otherwise specified - see tour itinerary for details). .
If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know when you book, we are happy to adapt our tasty, nutritious meals to suit a variety of dietary needs.
Quality Equipment
Relax in air conditioned comfort in our 4WD vehicle – designed for outback conditions. Our vehicles are comfortable and regularly serviced to ensure their safety and reliability. They are also fitted with long-range high frequency radios and recovery gear, in case of emergency.
On our camping tours all the high-quality equipment you need is provided, including stretcher beds and a mattress to sleep on, double tents (YOU HAVE YOUR OWN TENT ... NO NEED TO SHARE) that you can stand up in and comfortable armchairs. All the eating utensils and crockery you will need, are provided for your convenience. All you need to bring are your personal effects, a pillow and a sleeping bag (or you can hire one from us if you need to).
Travel Arrangements
You will need to arrive in Broome the day prior to departure and fly out of Kununurra the day after the tour finishes. We will pick you up from your hotel on the first day. We recommend staying in Broome itself, rather than at Cable Beach, however if you prefer to stay at Cable Beach we will just pick you up earlier than the rest of the group on our departure day.
Cancellations
Adventurous Women ® ™ reserves the right to cancel any tour in the event of minimum numbers not being reached. We hope that you do not need to cancel your booking. However, if you do, our cancellation fee, based on the notice given prior to the departure date, is:
- More than 12 weeks: $150 Administration Fee
- 6 to 12 weeks: loss of deposit
- 4 to 6 weeks: 25% of full tour cost
- 2 to 4 weeks: 50% of full tour cost
- less than 2 weeks: 100% of full tour cost, no refund
If you have any concerns about cancelling, please take out travel insurance covering this contingency. This policy will be adhered to despite the most compelling and compassionate circumstances.
What to bring
- Day-pack – one with a waist strap is best to help take some weight off your shoulders;
- Shorts, trousers and shirts for walking – lightweight and quick-dry material are best;
- Casual clothing for evenings and rest days;
- Warm clothing in case of cold evenings & mornings – jumper, tracksuit pants, beanie;
- Wind and waterproof jacket;
- Socks – note that thick explorer socks can get uncomfortably hot in the Kimberley;
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots (ankle support recommended);
- Shoes suitable for walking in water (creeks). Sturdy walking sandals are best – they dry
easily; you can shower in them; and you can wear them around camp;
- Gaiters – for keeping grass seeds out as well as protecting legs from spinifex & snakes;
- Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, clothing;
- Bathers and swimming towel (lightweight so you can easily carry it);
- Towel for washing;
- Toiletries, hand sanitiser and personal medication;
- Sleeping bag (warm enough for min temperatures of approx 4 degrees Celsius). You can
hire a sleeping bag from us for $33 for the whole tour if you would prefer;
- Pillow;
- Reliable headlamp with spare batteries (better than a torch because you can still use
both hands when wearing a headlamp);
- Any preferred first aid supplies such as blister treatment (Your guides will carry a full
first-aid kit);
- Water bottle/s or camelback – 2 to 3 litre capacity;
- Fly net;
- Insect Repellent;
- Camera and charger/batteries (optional);
- Walking poles (optional);
At this time of year the days are typically clear and warm (average max 33°C)
and the evenings can be cool.
PRICE PER PERSON : $3450.00 (incl gst)
Adventurous Women ® ™ Financial Club Members: $3350.00 (incl gst)
Deposit Required To Secure Your Place $500.00 - CLICK ON THE BOOK NOW BUTTON BELOW, FILL OUT OUR BOOKING FORM AND WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH PAYMENT DETAILS BY RETURN EMAIL.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
Each of our Tour Operators/Service Providers have their own booking conditions & cancellation policy over and above those of Adventurous Women's booking conditions, please ensure you request them and read them carefully.
Adventurous Women's Cancellation Policy can be viewed at the bottom of this website under the heading 'Cancellation Policy'. Please ensure you read it carefully, as by paying your deposit, you acknowledge that you accept this cancellation policy, over and above that of our Service Providers.
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.