The Authentic Kakadu & Kimberly 16 Day Tour Ex Darwin return

 Personalised Small Group Travel experiencing Nature and Heritage with a Personal Touch

Day One 

Darwin to - Kakadu NP

This morning we drive to Jabiru the largest centre of Kakadu National Park.

Visit Marrawuddi Arts & Culture a vibrant Aboriginal art centre and gallery, owned and governed by the Mirarr Traditional Owners in the Kakadu National Park. Engaging over five hundred artists, Marrawuddi Arts & Culture highlights authentic Aboriginal art from across Kakadu and West Arnhem Land. The centre supports artists across different arts disciplines such as painting, screen-printing, weaving, photography, and sculpture. 

This afternoon experiences the iconic Northern Territory Yellow Water Cruise.  Located at the end of the Jim Jim Creek, Yellow Water is part of the South Alligator River system. This river system is unique as it is included in its entirety within a UNESCO World Heritage listed National Park.

The billabong exhibits its basking crocodiles, vibrant birdlife, and the tranquil rhythm of nature. Guided by knowledgeable locals, the tour unfolds the intricate relationship between local Bininj/Mungguy (Indigenous) people, their culture and the significance of these waterways to their existence for thousands of years. The Yellow Water Cruise is an exploration of Australia's true beauty, and one you'll remember for a lifetime.

Accommodation Cooinda Lodge Kakadu 

Day Two

Kakadu NP - Katherine 

Stopping along the way to take in various scenic spots and for lunch 

Katherine is where the outback meets the tropics, adventure meets relaxation, and the outdoors meets ancient culture.

fourth-largest town in Australia's Northern Territory, located 320 km southeast of Darwin on the Katherine River. Known as where "the outback meets the tropics," it serves as a major regional hub for transportation, defence, and tourism with a population of approximately 9,600, featuring a hot climate with distinct wet and dry

This afternoon we join the NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour 2hours. A truly authentic cultural experience with stunning scenery, dreamtime stories and more

Venture through the first 2, and longest 2 Gorges, guided by our knowledgeable River Guides.

Starting at the Gorge Entrance, journey through the first gorge before disembarking on a walk of 400m to the second gorge (and vice versa on your way back).

Throughout the tour, you will learn about Indigenous Culture, history of the region, flora, fauna and much more!

Our overnight accommodation is award winning Cicada Lodge is a luxurious sanctuary

to where you can retreat at the end of a busy day. With just 18 rooms, this private lodge will allow you to get back to nature without sacrificing the creature comforts.

Dinner could be Crocodile Laksa cooked the indigenous way 

Accommodation Cicada Lodge

Day Three

Katherine – Kununurra

Victoria River Roadhouse, Timber Creek, Western Australia and NT Boarder

Travelling west, the timbered country subtly changes to plains before hilly country abruptly encounters escarpments and cliffs, where the Moray Range rears up from the woodlands. Beyond here are the massive Stokes and Fitzroy Ranges. This is where the highway cuts through the Eastern Section of the Judbarra/Gregory National Park, and the Sullivan Creek campground is the first encountered when entering the park.

Stopping along the way to take in various scenic spots and lunch

Accommodation Best Western Cambridge Hotel Kununurra

Day four 

Lake Argyle, Ord River Cruise, Lake Kununurra, Crocodiles and Birds 

Explore the spectacular Ord River on this full-day cruise from Lake Argyle. Enjoy a buffet lunch, stunning scenery, wildlife encounters, and visits to the Ord Top Dam and historic Durack Homestead Museum.

Begin your adventure with a 9:00am pick-up from your accommodation before boarding your Triple J Tours boat at the marina. Cruise along the stunning Ord River, taking in spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and lush vegetation, make sure to keep an eye out for freshwater crocodiles basking on the banks.

Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at one of our peaceful riverside camps before continuing up to the Ord Top Dam, an awe-inspiring sight when viewed from the base on the Lake Kununurra side.

Return to your Kununurra accommodation at approximately 3:30pm—an unforgettable journey through the heart of the East Kimberley.

Accommodation Best Western Cambridge Hotel Kununurra

Day Five 

Kununurra to Bungle Bungle 

Warmun Art Centre, Purnululu National Park 

The work of the Warmun artists draws on the Ngarrangkarni or Creation period, a concept referred to in many areas of Australia as the Dreaming. Aboriginal art from the Warmun region glows in the natural ochre hues and serves to confirm the vibrancy of this ancient and evolving culture.

The road from the highway to the lodge has fabulous scenery as we are approaching the World Heritage protected Purnululu National Park, a spectacular wilderness region that is home to some of Western Australia’s striking geological formations. 

Bungle Bungle Wilderness 2-night stay 

Accommodation: Bungle Bungles Wilderness Lodge

Day Six 

Bungle Bungle

Helicopter flight, Cathedral Gorge, Echidna Chasm Piccaninny Creek, 

This morning takes a 30 Min helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungle Domes & Red Rock Gorges Flight

This 30-minute flight is brimming with more impressive natural features and landforms than you could imagine. The sandstone massif of the Bungle Bungle Range is almost 99 times the area of Uluru. 

Take in the remarkable hidden red rock gorges of the north-west tip and Horseshoe Valley before soaring over Piccaninny Gorge, Cathedral Gorge and the show-stopping striped Bungle Bungle Domes that have contributed to the listing of Purnululu National Park as one of Australia’s World Heritage areas. 

Later visit Cathedral Gorge Echidna Chasm, Piccaninny Creek,

Travel the Spring Creek Track and discover the magnitude of Purnululu as we hike to Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the rock. Narrow in width, with walls reaching 100-metres high, the chasm is a must-see in the Kimberley as the afternoon light sees it at its most glorious. 

End your day of discovery by watching the sunset over the Bungle Bungle Range. The massive beehive-shaped

domes are cast in a golden glow at this time of day. Enjoy such an epic sight with a glass of bubbly in hand, of course.

Accommodation: Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge

Day Seven 

Halls Creek - Mimbi Caves Tour - Fitzroy Crossing

At Halls Creek visit the extraordinary China Wall, a sub-vertical quartz rock protruding six metres off the ground. Drive across the original causeway crossing into Old Town home to the first gold discovery mine WA in 1885.

Experience Mimbi Caves Tour, visit Mimbi Caves at the heart of Gooniyandi country, is part of the 350 million year old Devonian Reef system and a place of deep spiritual significance. Radiocarbon dating from ancient fireplaces confirm that Aboriginal people have inhabited this part of the Kimberley for more than 40,000 years.

Join the Girloorloo guides on an insightful tour of Mimbi Caves, one of the most significant Devonian fossil sites in the world. Start the tour with a walk between towering karst cliffs, stopping to taste bush tucker and traditional medicines.

From the cave entrance, the Gooniyandi people will guide you by torchlight, revealing beautiful limestone rock formations, stalagmites, shawls, flowstones, and sparkling calcite crystals, and sharing Dreamtime stories of this extraordinary subterranean world.

Continue to Fitzroy Crossing our overnight stay. 

Accommodation Fitzroy River Lodge 

Day Eight 

Fitzroy River to Bell Gorge

Boab Prison Tree, Derby, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek National Park

Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges

Derby the first town settled in the Kimberley, its residents have embraced life beside the largest tidal movements in the southern hemisphere. With a variation of over 11 metres, these extreme tides have created the most extraordinary phenomenon, the Horizontal Waterfalls of Talbot Bay.

Visit the 1,500 year old Prison Boab Tree with a large hollow girth of over 14 metres. It was used in the 1890s as a lockup for indigenous prisoners on their way to Derby for sentencing. 

We also call into one of the Indigenous art centres in the area where we see the paintings of the culturally significant Wandjina and the Gwion Gwions. 

Derby is home to some of the highest tidal movement in the world and no trip to the town would be complete with-out a walk on their horseshoe shaped wharf.

Continue along the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge, where ancient marine fossils lay embedded in the gorge walls. 

Next, it's on to Tunnel Creek, which flows through Western Australia's oldest cave system. Wade through the cool waters that fill the tunnel and emerge on the other side to discover a serene oasis.

Tunnel Creek National Park, Windjana Gorge

Back on the Gibb River Road we travel through the King Leopold Ranges are a 560-million-year-old mountain chain in northern Western Australia's Kimberley region. Officially renamed the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges (and the locality as Bularl di Wunami), they rise to 936 meters at Mount Ord and feature dramatic gorges like Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) off the Gibb River Road.

Accommodation Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge two night Stay 

Day Nine 

Bell Gorge 

Bell Gorge and waterfall, Walking opportunities, Swimming holes (where appropriate and seasonally available), Scenic Kimberley landscapes

At Bell Gorge, one of the most spectacular gorges in the Kimberley. Take a walk down to the falls (good level of fitness and manoeuvrability is required) and enjoy a swim in the rock pools at the top of the waterfall. Admire the view down this enormous canyon that eventually flows into Walcott Inlet.

Accommodation Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge

Day Ten 

Galvans Gorge, Manning Creek, Drysdale River Station, Mitchell Plateau & King Edward Rive, Mitchell Falls 

Depart Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge. 

At Manning Creek, you’ll enjoy lunch by the sandy banks. Look out for the region’s bird life and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine water under paperbarks. Continue to Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a picturesque waterhole, the ideal spot for a refreshing swim.

Leaving the Gibb River Road, we venture into the remote Northern Kimberley wilderness where a warm welcome awaits our arrival at the characteristic Drysdale River Station.

We leave Drysdale River Station and make our way across the Drysdale River Crossing.

Continuing north, we cross the King Edward River and pause for a picnic beside its pristine waters, shaded by giant paperbarks. There is time to swim, relax, and absorb the remarkable beauty of this remote natural setting.

Later, we travel a short distance to visit the Wandjina Rock Art Site, to view the extraordinary Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) rock art. After exploring these significant cultural sites, we journey through Livistona forests to our spectacular wilderness accommodation, complete with its own swimming hole.

Accommodation: Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge Two-night stay

Day 11

Scenic Flight,Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls) is located on Wunambal Gaambera Country, Kimberley Coastal Experience

Wunambal Gaambera Country a National Heritage listed place.

There is so much to see from the air at the Mitchell Plateau. A Mitchell Falls helicopter flight gives you a grand perspective of the area you have walked and driven over.

On the 48-minute flight, you will see gorges, waterfalls, remote beaches and surrounding islands.

 Discover the beauty of the Kimberley coastline on this amazing scenic adventure. Soar over the Mitchell Plateau to the waters of the Admiralty Gulf before following the coast from Walsh Point to Crystal Head. Take in the stunning views as you fly over Crystal Creek to Walmsley Bay before making your way upstream to the majestic 3-tiered Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls) and Mertens Gorge. This flight can transfer you from the falls to the campground or vice versa.

This afternoon Little Mertens Falls to view rarely seen rock art. Continue to Big Mertens Falls

Accommodation Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge.

Day 12

Drysdale River Station, Ellenbrae Station, Home Valley Station 

Today we return to the Gibb River Road to Home Valley Station. Where we enter Durack country, cattle pioneers of this tough country. 

Travelling East we get an appreciation of the harsh, but inspiring, country that these early cattle men and their families set through in the hope of improving their lives.

 Many came and went, some perished, however others were the backbone of opening Northern Western Australia and their legacy lives on. A surprise awaits as we call into an outback oasis for a ‘Devonshire tea’ break. 

At Ellenbrae Station Homestead enjoy outback station hospitality with Scones in the Homestead Gardens 

Or you may like to enjoy, Cuppa, Mango Frappe and cold drinks are available.

Refreshed and on to Home Valley Station. Our overnight stay. 

The pastoral lease of Home Valley Station is currently owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation along with nearby Karunjie Station and Durack River Station, which together cover an area of 3,500,000 acres (1,416,400 ha).

Home Valley covers a total area of 1,400,000 hectares (3,459,475 acres) and is bordered to the east by the Pentecost River from its neighbour El Questro Station.

Later this afternoon we join the Balanggarra Country Cultural Sunset Tour, Relax at one of Balanggarra Home Valley’s lookouts, where panoramic views of the Kimberley outback unfold before your eyes. With nibbles and a drink in hand, you'll witness the natural beauty of the landscape bathed in the warm glow of sunset. A truly unforgettable sight.

Experienced Balanggarra guides will host you throughout the tour, sharing insights about the land, its history, and the significance of the surrounding environment to the Balanggarra people.

Accommodation Home Valley Station 

Day 13

El Questro Station

This morning we travel to El Questro Station another of our highlights on your Private Kimberly Tour 

First take small trip to investigate El Questro Resort and the magnificent scenery before exploring Zebedee Springs. 

A soothing soak awaits you at Zebedee Springs when you make the short walk through the pre-historic forest of Livistona and pandanus palms to a series of inviting thermal pools and waterfalls. It’s one of many extraordinary rewards to be found when exploring the one-million-acre wilderness of El Questro.

Later embark on a captivating Cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, a pristine freshwater oasis nestled amidst diverse flora and fauna, embraced by towering escarpments. Accessible only by boat, this 3 km stretch offers an immersive experience unlike any other. Indulge in the serene ambiance while savouring sparkling wine and fresh fruit, all while your Ranger regales you with tales of the mischievous Archerfish you may encounter.

 Accommodation El Questro Station two night stay. 

Day 14

Explosion Gorge, Saddleback Ridge Sunset drinks 

This morning we drive 18 km 4WD track to Explosion Gorge takes you deep into one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular landscapes, where towering cliffs, ancient rock art, and rich biodiversity await. The Chamberlain River is approximately 150 km long and flows along the Durack Ranges, named after the pioneering Durack Family. 

Almost 130km of the river flows through steep valleys and the spectacular Elgee Cliffs, forming the Kimberley’s longest ‘gorge’. 

This gorge is home to extraordinary geological formations, sheer cliff faces, ancient rock art and a diverse range of flora and fauna. Explosion Gorge is part of the Chamberlain Gorge system. 

Explosion Gorge is named after old and environmentally damaging fishing techniques.

We also take in Chamberlain waters and Branc’s lookout 

This afternoon is free personal time and swim in the pool or go for a trek.

As a finale is WA immerse yourself in the beauty of Kimberley's rugged landscapes and sheer cliffs as the sun sets in spectacular fashion at Saddleback Ridge. With bubbles beer wine and cheese

Accommodation El Questro Station

Day 15

El Questro Katherine 

This morning we commence our return trip to Darwin with an overnight stay at Katherine.

Stop in Kununurra to refuel and take on supplies we need for the trip return to Darwin and then cross the WA NT Boarder and continue to Katherine taking in stops along the way. Our overnight stay is Cicada Lodge

Our farewell dinner this evening is The Cicada Lodge Restaurant the 2025 winner of two Gold Plate Awards (Best Contemporary Restaurant and Best Dessert) and in 2025 won gold in the Northern Territory’s Brolga Tourism Awards for Tourism Restaurant and Catering services, and Luxury Accommodation.

In 2025, Chef Adam Woods also won the Darwin International Laksa Festival for his delicious Crocodile Tail Laksa smoked using traditional Jawoyn ground oven technique.

Overnight Katherine

Cicada Lodge

Day 16

Katherine, Litchfield National Park, and Darwin

Litchfield National Park is a must see if you're in the Top End.

The park covers approximately 1,500 km2. It's home to several stunning waterfalls that cascade into crystal clear pools, iconic magnetic termite mounds and clusters of weathered sandstone pillars.

Litchfield National Park is an ancient landscape shaped by water. Aboriginal people have lived throughout the area for thousands of years. It is important to the Koongurrukun, Mak Mak Marranunggu, Werat and Warray Aboriginal people.

Their ancestral spirits formed the landscape, plants and animals and are still present in the landscape today.

Transfer to accommodation 

Tour End