Wild Kimberley Overland

Trip Code: PKOW

Why we love it

Explore the Tunnel Creek cave system and learn about Jandamarra, a First Nations freedom fighter who used the caves to evade police in the late 1800s., Take a guided hike through the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park to Manning Gorge, where you can swim under a waterfall and see ancient First Nations rock art., Spend two nights in a private safari camp in the heart of Purnululu National Park, with glorious views of the Bungle Bungle Range., Go inside Cathedral Gorge and wonder at the natural amphitheatre of red rock, hollowed out over millions of years to create this massive acoustic wonder.

Is this trip right for me?

On some days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would 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.

Our leaders know the best spots to watch the sunset, can drive you to your next destination, take you on a guided hike or even whip up dinner for the group on some trips. While they won’t always do all these jobs on every trip, be aware they will be juggling many things on your tour and may have less time to spend with you. They will always be working hard to ensure you and your group have a fantastic time exploring Australia.

This trip involves activities like hiking on uneven terrain and clambering over boulders. It is best suited to travellers with a very good level of mobility and fitness. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

This is a camping trip. Simple facilities and lack of emphasis on creature comforts make this an authentic experience of the Australian outback. A Single Supplement is not available on the default version of this trip. As a single traveller you will have a tent to yourself on camping nights, however in the permanent tented camps you will be paired up with another single traveller of the same gender. An accommodation upgrade (Camping Plus) for nights 4, 5, 6, 7 & 10 is available upon request and subject to availability at an additional cost. Camping Plus can also be booked with the option for a single supplement. Please see the accommodation section of your trip notes or speak to your travel agent for more details.

You’ll be travelling through regions with very little mobile service or internet connection.

Important information

TRIP STYLE & SLEEPING BAG
Accommodation on this trip is camping in tents. Please bring your own sleeping bag or purchase one from us in advance. A pillow, pillowcase, bottom sheet and a swag/canvas bed roll are always provided.

START & END TIME
This trip starts in Broome with an early pick-up at 7:00am on day 1 at our default pick-up location, unless you request an alternative pick-up location well ahead of departure. The trip finishes in the late afternoon or early evening on the last day. We recommend you arrive a day prior to the trip's departure date and onward travel should not be booked until the following day.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS & ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE
A Single Supplement is not available on the default version of this trip. You will be paired up with another single traveller of the same gender. An accommodation upgrade (Camping Plus) for nights 4, 5, 6, 7 & 10 is available upon request and subject to availability at an additional cost. Camping Plus can also be booked with the option for a single supplement. Please see the accommodation section of your trip notes or speak to your travel agent for more details.

What to bring/pack

It is essential that you bring a torch, shoes you don’t mind getting wet – and we mean fully immersed in water: ideally, wet shoes, sandals or old runners, a broad-brimmed hat with a sun visor for all-round protection, sunscreen, swimming costume and towel, good walking/trekking shoes and a personal water bottle.

You will also need to bring a sleeping bag – 10ºC sleeping bags are available for sale at $50pp – these must be requested with our office prior to travel and can be kept following your trip or donated to local indigenous communities.

Other recommendations include warm clothes for the evening (particularly if traveling May-Aug), personal toiletries and first aid, with any personal medication required.

Physical rating

4

Fitness Level: Moderate-Advanced
This itinerary involves some clambering over rocks, wading in water by torchlight, walking on rocky creek beds that are unstable underfoot and ascending/descending into gorges. The ability to swim and a reasonable level of fitness and being sure on your feet is required to participate.

Joining your group

Kimberley Travellers Lodge departing 07:00am, 9a Bagot Street, Broome, AUSTRALIA

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

The default pick up location for this trip is at 7:00 am at Kimberley Travellers Lodge.

The default pick up point is where we will meet you for your tour, unless you or your travel agent requests an alternative location (contact our Reservations team for more information). It is your responsibility to contact us with your preferred pick up point well ahead of departure. We do not take responsibility for missed tours if we have not been advised of an alternative in advance and you are not at the default location on time.

Finishing your trip

Broome, , Broome, AUSTRALIA

Alternate Finish Point


Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 10

Lunches included: 10

Dinners included: 8

On most days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your leader will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour. Please read the daily itinerary to find out what is included. Due to the often remote nature of our trips, food is basic but plentiful and delicious.

PARTICIPATORY CAMPING
Our tours are activity and participation based. During your travels with us you will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
All food for this trip is purchased and packed prior to your group leaving on day one. After we’ve left town it can be very difficult to source special dietary requests. Travellers with special dietary requirements or food allergies are required to advise us at the time of booking. You may be asked to pay for any additional food if you have not advised us of any special dietary requirements. Please don’t hesitate to contact u if you have any specific dietary concerns.

Climate & seasonal information

The Kimberley has a Wet Season (DEC to MAR) and a Dry Season (APR to NOV). During ‘the Wet’ most 4WD roads and National Parks are closed. Our tours operate during ‘the Dry’ when it can get surprisingly cold overnight, depending on where you are – in Broome, it can get down to 12ºC, while in Purnululu, it can fall as low as 5ºC! During the day, we usually enjoy 28 to 30ºC. Note: in September and October, as ‘the Wet’ approaches, temperatures increase accordingly and it can be very hot during the day. It is essential that you are prepared for this!

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

ALL general enquiry must be directed to our reservations team. In case of a GENUINE EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the day of departure ONLY, please contact our local Operations Team on the number listed below:

GENUINE EMERGENCIES ONLY: 1300 544 882 or +61 8 6219 5164

Accommodations

Nights 1, 6, 7 & 10: Camping in National Parks and in the grounds of Lake Argyle and the Fitzroy River Lodge involves dome tents (single/twinshare), swags with fitted sheets & pillows with pillow cases. On site ablutions have hot showers and flush toilets.

Nights 2 & 3 Enjoy two nights in the comfort of our own private safari camp at Manning Gorge. The camp features large tents on raised platforms with twin stretcher beds, mattresses and our own sheltered kitchen area. Nearby shared ablutions have hot showers and flush toilets.

Nights 4 & 5 Our private camp on the grounds of El Questro also features large tents on raised platforms with twin stretcher beds, mattresses and our own sheltered kitchen area. Nearby shared ablutions have hot showers and flush toilets.

Nights 8 & 9 In the heart of Purnululu National Park, our eco safari tents at the Bungle Bungles Safari Camp boast views of the Bungles Massif from your door. The camp features modern facilities, a covered dining deck with panoramic views and an open air campfire around which you can relax beneath a sparkling Kimberley night sky: chatting, star-gazing and sharing the adventure with like-minded travellers.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
A Single Supplement is not available on the default version of this trip. As a single traveller you will have a tent to yourself on Camping nights (nights 1, 6, 7 & 10). On the remaining nights, due to limited availability, you will twin share with a fellow traveller of the same gender.

ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE (CAMPING PLUS)
An accommodation upgrade is available upon request and subject to availability for nights 4, 5, 6, 7 & 10. Camping Plus can also be booked with the option for a single supplement for those nights.

Nights 4 & 5 (Camping Plus): The Permanent Tents at El Questro Station offer an affordable upgrade option at the famous El Questro Wilderness Park. With twin beds, lighting and a quality ablutions block nearby, these tents ensure you have a comfortable nights sleep while still enjoying the outback essence of Kimberley camping.

Nights 6 & 7 (Camping Plus): The Standard Rooms at Lake Argyle Resort each have a queen & single bed, private ensuite bathroom, a small fridge, tea/coffee making facilities. airconditioning and a private verandah to enjoy the beautiful surrounds.

Night 10 (Camping Plus): The new Safari Tents at the Fitzroy River Lodge offer elevated glamping, with twin beds and power. Shared facilities.

Transportation

We operate our 4WD Kimberley trips in custom-built, 21-seat 4WD trucks with a PA system and built-in storage (no risky trailers!). 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. Rest assured, these are the conditions for which our 4WD trucks are designed.