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  4. 4WD Darwin to Broome Overland

Drive from Darwin to Broome via Lake Argyle, Purnululu National Park and El Questro station.

Get lost in the beauty of the Australian Outback on this intoxicating tour from the Top End to Western Australia. Spot wildlife around enchanting Lake Argyle, explore the soaring walls of Windjana Gorge, hike along narrow paths at Echidna Chasm and cool off in crystal-clear watering holes beneath cavernous gorges. The Outback is a truly magnetic place – experience it in all its rugged beauty on this 4x4 adventure through the red desert Kimberleys under the blazing Australian sky.

Start
Darwin, Australia
Finish
Broome, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer, Overland
Code
PDB10
Physical rating
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 1, Max 20

Why you'll love this trip

  • Experience the beautiful Kimberleys in rugged style with a local guide. Our passionate leaders love this trip as much as you will

  • Enjoy plenty of time to discover the untamed natural beauty of El Questro Station. Paddle around in waterfalls, hike through gorges and access remote parts of this huge park on adventurous 4WD expeditions

  • The red domes of the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park form one of the most iconic Australian landscapes in existence. You'll have a whole day to explore the gorges and valleys of the park, not to mention soak up a few fiery sunsets

  • Tunnell Creek has a rich First Nations and bushranger history. Walk through the underground passage with your guide, learning about the culture and traditions of the first Australians

Is this trip right for you?

  • You'll spend most nights of the trip sleeping in outback camping grounds. While it's all a part of the adventure, facilities can be extremely basic

  • This trip requires a HIGH level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to truly enjoy the surrounding nature. Some long hikes will really get the blood pumping, and involve wading through water and clambering over rocks. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • On some days of the trip, you will spend several hours driving, often through very sparse areas of desert. Some drives along off-road tracks can be bumpy as you really get 'amongst it'. Get to know your fellow travellers and sit back to enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel.

  • Temperatures in Western Australia are extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing.

  • We don't recommend this trip for older passengers who are perhaps less fit or agile

Map of 4WD Darwin to Broome Overland including Australia
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Itinerary
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Welcome to the tropical city of Darwin, where your overland adventure begins. After meeting up with your group and leader, head south and stop at either Edith Falls for a swim or explore Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. This is where the group will have lunch (seasonal choice). Head to your overnight private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk National Park, where permanent tents with swags await you. In the evening, settle down for dinner with the group.

Note: Total driving time today is around four hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nitmiluk National Park
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast this morning, continue on to Lake Argyle, which has been created by the Ord River Dam. Admire the sheer size of this 700 square kilometre man made spectacle. The lake is home to many species of native fish and thousands of freshwater crocodiles. Take an optional sunset cruise before setting up camp nearby for the night.

Note: Total driving time today is around seven and half hours. Total walking distance is around 1 kilometre. 
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Argyle
Optional Activities
  • Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise - AUD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Start the morning with some free time for a stroll around the picturesque town of Kununurra. Don’t forget to use this time to stock up on any last minute supplies before heading out into the remote Kimberley region. Once out of town its time for some 4WD action as your experienced guide winds our specially designed truck across the challenging terrain of the entrance to Purnululu National Park, home of the iconic Bungle Bungles. It’s a rugged ride but the scenery is fantastic. Enjoy an amazing Kimberley sunset at your bush camp.

Note: Total driving today is around five and a half hours. Total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities - no showers) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast prepare for a full day of activities, as the group heads back out to explore the remarkable rock formations of the Bungle Bungles. Hike to the thin, red gap of Echidna Chasm and the enormous Cathedral Gorge. There’s also the opportunity to experience a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles (at your own expense). As the sun goes down, head back to your overnight bush camp.

Note: Total driving time today is around 1 hour. Total walking distance is approximately 5 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities - no showers) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)
  • Echidna Chasm Walk
Optional Activities
  • Helicopter Flight - Bungle Bungles - from - AUD350
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast today, get back on the road toward El Questro Station. Admire the remarkable scenery of the Carr Boyd and Durack Ranges, and head along the vast nature trail of Warnum (Turkey Creek). In the late afternoon, head to your campsite in El Questro, a wilderness park since 1991 for dinner and a cool drink at the swinging Arm Bar.

Note: Total driving time today is around five hours. Total walking distance is approximately 1 kilometre.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Spend the day exploring El Questro. Start off with a dip at Zebedee Springs before taking on a hike in the Cockburn Ranges for a swim under the waterfall at Emma Gorge. Tonight, enjoy another night at the El Questro campsite.

Note: Total driving time today is around 45 minutes. Total walking distance is up to 7 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Zebedee Springs
  • Emma Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast, its time to hit the road again and start travelling along the legendary Gibb River Road, a 600 kilometre dirt track running through the centre of the Kimberley. Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. We’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there is a fair bit of drive time, but we’ll be breaking the journey up with lunch and at a few stop-offs along the way. Tonight’s destination is at Mt Barnett station located very close to Manning Gorge. This evening we camp at Mount Barnett by the banks of a crystal clear fresh water river, perfect to cool off in after your day hiking.

Note: Total driving time today is around 5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately 2 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gibb River Road
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

We spend the morning exploring the stunning Manning Gorge and enjoy a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. Depending on the season, post-lunch we spend the afternoon exploring Adcock or Galvans gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.

Note: Total driving time today is around 1 hr hours. Total walking distance is approximately 6 kilometres.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Adcock Gorge
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this morning is no exception. After breakfast we adventure to Bell Gorge home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. The afternoon sees us head to Windjana Gorge, a segment of 375 million-year-old reef that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry, this gorge attracts many species of bird and bat and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles.

Note: Total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately four to six kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Windjana Gorge
  • Bell Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Begin the day exploring the Napier Range. The major attraction here is a guided walk through Tunnel Creek, an extensive limestone cave system that extends 750 m underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream in through crevices, little bats flutter about and enormous stalactites rear down from the ceiling. Then make the final drive on to Broome, hopefully arriving in time for a stunning Cable Beach sunset.

Note: Total driving time today is around 4 hours. Total walking distance is approximately 4 kilometres. Any onward travel must be booked for the following day after the tour finishes.
Included Activities
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
 View this trip in reverse

Meals

9 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

All Terrain vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights), Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Permanent, furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)

Included activities

  • Nitmiluk National Park
  • Lake Argyle
  • Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)
  • Echidna Chasm Walk
  • Zebedee Springs
  • Emma Gorge
  • Gibb River Road
  • Adcock Gorge
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
  • Windjana Gorge
  • Bell Gorge
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk

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Important notes

1. Tour commences in Darwin on day 1 at 6:30am and finishes in Broome day 10 in the afternoon. Onward travel needs to be booked for the following day after the tour finishes.
2. This trip requires a sleeping bag
3. Trip runs in reverse see tour code PBD10
4. This trip has a difficulty rating 4 out of 5. Please ensure this trip is suitable for you; we also offer an Original level Kimberley trip. See code PKOW.

Essential trip information

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