Untamed Kimberley

Welcome to Darwin, where the air is warm, the sunsets are fiery and the vibe is as laid-back as it gets. Set out on a city sights tour and get a feel for this tropical capital, from its distinctive architecture to the stories that shaped it, including the 1942 bombing and Cyclone Tracy in 1974. You’ll take in key sights like the Botanic Gardens and the sweeping coastal views from East Point Reserve. Tonight, round things off with dinner at a waterfront restaurant, the perfect way to ease into Top End life.

Today you head south with history and nature sharing the spotlight. Stop by the Adelaide River War Cemetery, a moving place that brings the region’s WWII story into focus. Then it’s onto Nitmiluk National Park on Jawoyn land for a real showstopper. Cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that supports the Traditional Owners and their living culture. The sandstone cliffs shift colour as the light changes and every bend feels like a new reveal. Later, enjoy the Katherine Outback Experience, packed with songs, stories and plenty of laughs.

Cross the border from the Northern Territory into Western Australia and arrive in Kununurra, a town that feels wonderfully remote. Step back in time at the Durack Homestead Museum, relocated piece by piece before the original site was flooded as part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. That project transformed the region, creating farmland and the vast expanse of Lake Argyle. Later, get out on the water for a cruise, keeping an eye out for freshwater crocs and birdlife. Kununurra might look quiet at first glance, but it’s your gateway to some of WA’s most postcard-ready scenery.

Today is all about smart choices. If you want the Kimberley’s headline act, you can opt for a scenic flight over World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and the beehive-shaped Bungle Bungles. Prefer to stay grounded? Choose a Choice Experience 4WD tour instead. Or keep it local with your Travel Director on a walk through Mirima National Park, often called the ‘mini Bungles’. You’ll hear how these rugged landscapes were formed while soaking up the views close to town. Whatever you pick, you’ll get a big hit of Kimberley scenery with zero fuss.

Kick off the day with a behind-the-scenes visit at Hoochery Distillery, a long-time local favourite. Learn how their award-winning rums and whiskies are made, with time for a tasting if you fancy it, plus morning tea to keep you going. Then it’s time for a taste of the legendary Gibb River Road as you travel to El Questro Wilderness Park, framed by the rusty red Cockburn Range. Tonight’s stay is a treat, with safari-style tents tucked among pandanus palms. Expect frogs, cicadas and a sky absolutely packed with stars.

Wake up to the sounds of the bush and the light streaming into your tent. This morning, you’ll travel to Wyndham, the most northerly township in Western Australia. It’s small, rugged and full of character. Explore the town and take in the surrounding landforms and wetlands, where the wide-open scenery makes you feel a million miles from anywhere. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how vast the Kimberley really is. Then return to El Questro with time to relax and enjoy your unique wilderness setting, with another night under those seriously dazzling skies.

The Kimberley boasts a geological history that is nothing short of spectacular. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, explore the Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide to observe the delicate limestone formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from the Devonian Great Barrier Reef that formed over 350 million years ago. Discover ancient rock paintings before hearing the Gooniyandi Dreaming story, while enjoying billy tea and damper. Travel through the Kimberley towards the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing.

The reason Broome was born is because of pearls. Today, it’s just as well known for its sizzling Indian Ocean sunsets, best enjoyed from the Cable Beach sand. This stretch of sand is long. So long that it can accommodate 4WDs, camels and foot-traffic. Perch here, or head to a waterside cafe. Order a drink, and settle in.

Now that you have your bearings thanks to your Broome tour, today is yours to explore. Take your time to discover the charms of the town, and embark on a leisurely stroll along the magnificent Cable Beach, stretching over 22 kilometres. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can choose to embark on Choice Experiences that will take you to breathtaking destinations.

Ten days, countless memories, a bunch of new friends… you’ll leave Broome with your travel wanderlust ignited.