2013 - APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures

1 2 Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge Mitchell Plateau 2 Drysdale River Station Bell Gorge Bell Gorge Derby Broome Western Australia 1 Wilderness Lodge 2 Windjana Gorge d Tunnel Creek 1 Fitzroy Crossing Geikie Gorge Home Valley 1 Emma Gorge 1 Questro El 2 Wyndham 2 Kununurra Lake Argyle Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge Purnululu National Park Halls Creek See Mitchell Falls from above with a helicopter ride Day 5. Mitchell Falls, Aboriginal Art, Helicopter Flight over the Falls. Today we have a full day to discover the beauty of Mitchell Falls, with its magnificent waterfalls and Aboriginal art. When available, local Aboriginal guides will join us for the adventure, imparting their knowledge of the area and sharing their cultural beliefs. Begin with a guided hike to Little Mertens Falls to view rarely seen Aboriginal art. Continue on to Big Mertens Falls before arriving at Mitchell Falls. With superb scenery and rich culture, you can swim in the pools above the falls and look for the region's wildlife. We have also included a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls and surrounding wilderness back to the vehicle (or, if you prefer, hike back with your guide). Longer helicopter flights over this captivating remote coastline are available at additional expense. Then, it's time to meander back to our wilderness lodge to relax, knowing you have just experienced a day most people only dream of. Perhaps spend some time in front of the camp fire recounting today's tales with your new found friends. Day 8. El Questro, Wyndham, Parry's Lagoon. Enjoy time to explore El Questro. Relax with a soak in the hot pools of Zebedee Springs, and visit the station township. Farewelling the Gibb River Road, we head to Wyndham and take in spectacular views of Cambridge Gulf from Five Rivers lookout. Enjoy lunch at an iconic outback pub before visiting Parry's Lagoon, a bird watcher's paradise. Drive past farms of the Ord River Scheme to Kununurra. Two Night Stay: Kununurra Country Club Resort, Kununurra. Day 9. Ord River and Lake Kununurra Cruise. This morning you have some free time to explore Kununurra. Then, we travel to Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere with nine times the capacity of Sydney Harbour. Join a guided cruise on the mighty Ord River. Admire the spectacular scenery and look out for birdlife, flying foxes and crocodiles, then witness the sunset while cruising Lake Kununurra. B BLD Day 6. Mitchell Plateau, Gibb River Road, Home Valley Station. Rejoin the Gibb River Road, fording the mighty Durack River before arriving at the immense cattle property, Home Valley Station. Discover the spellbinding scenery that captivated audiences in Baz Luhrmann's movie 'Australia', including the omnipresent yet strikingly beautiful backdrop of the Cockburn Range. Here, you'll enjoy an overnight stay in this inspirational setting. Stay: Home Valley Station, Guesthouse Rooms. BLD Day 7. Home Valley Station, El Questro Wilderness Park. Gain a fun-filled insight into the operation of a working cattle station on a Station Tour this morning. Discover Home Valley's Indigenous training project, meet Moo the pet bullock, and look out for crocodiles at Ryder's Hole. APT guests will enjoy privileged access to areas within the Station and get a real taste for what life is like on the vast plains of this rugged land. Rejoin the Gibb River Road, cross the Pentecost River into El Questro Wilderness Park – one million acres in the Kimberley wilderness. Hike into beautiful Emma Gorge, where you can indulge in a revitalising swim before dinner at the resort. Stay: Tented cabins with spacious ensuites at Emma Gorge Resort, El Questro. Day 10. Echidna Chasm, Purnululu National Park. Travel to World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, a stunning wilderness region and home to the unique Bungle Bungle Range. Discover this rarely visited site, which was only 'discovered' by a film crew in 1983. Hike into Echidna Chasm, a mysterious cleft in the rock massif, and view a magical sunset before we head to our lodge. Two Night Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Stay in tented cabins with private ensuites at Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge, Purnululu National Park. BLD Day 11. Cathedral Gorge, Beehive Domes. Hike into Piccaninny Creek and spectacular Cathedral Gorge. Walk among the orange and black striped beehive domes, as your guide brings the natural history of the range to life. Learn about bushtucker, bush medicine and the area's significance to local Aborigines. There's also time for an optional helicopter flight (own expense). Enjoy drinks as the sun sets over the domes. BLD BLD Day 12. Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing. After breakfast visit Halls Creek, an old gold mining town. Here, you can marvel at the unusual China Wall, a natural quartz formation, before heading to Fitzroy Crossing, the place picked by early settlers to ford this mighty river. Stay: Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing. Day 13. Geikie Gorge Cruise, Broome. Explore Geikie Gorge, where annual flooding has created a bleached effect on the limestone walls. Board a unique cruise and learn more about its surrounding flora and fauna. After lunch, travel to Broome, where the tour concludes. BOOK BY 31 DEC. 2012 SAVE $1,500# BLD per couple Travel April, May, Sept. or October 2013 SAVE $800# per couple Travel June, July or August 2013 2013 DEPARTURES GKC13 – 13 Day Tour Apr. 30; May 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 31; June 2, 7, 8, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29; July 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 24, 26, 28, 30; Aug. 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 27, 31; Sept. 2, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 23, 26; Oct. 1, 3, 6. PRICES (AU$) Includes all sightseeing, park fees, cruises, meals as specified, permits & accommodation. To 31 March 2014 13 Day GKC13 Twin Share $7,895 # Solo Traveller $9,695 APT Club Members – SAVE $100 per person. TOUR NOTES See pgs 10-11 for details. This tour includes some more challenging walks. Weather events may cause disruptions to itinerary, especially in remote locations. See page 83 for terms & conditions. # 4WD Track Sealed Road No. of nights stay World Heritage Area APT Wilderness Lodge BL STAY TWO NIGHTS IN BROOME BLD Extend your trip with a stay at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa at both the beginning and end of your tour. Includes full buffet breakfast. 2 night price from $380 per person, twin share. www.kimberleywilderness.com.au 41 i G R R b b e v ir

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