11 day Best of the Kimberley escorted tour with AAT Kings

Inclusions

• 10 nights superior accommodation
• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 9 dinners
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with professional tour director and driver
• Airport transfers
• Hotel porterage
• Travel wallet and map
• Cruise the Katherine Gorge
• Relax on Cable Beach

Itinerary

Day 1    Arrive Darwin
On arrival in Darwin you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a tour of the tropical city of Darwin. Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin.

Day 2    Katherine Gorge
We head south along the Stuart Highway towards Katherine. Stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery, a site dedicated to the WWII air raids on Darwin. In Nitmiluk National Park, cruise the placid waters of the Katherine River. Hotel: Paraway Motel, Katherine.

Day 3    Ord River Cruise
Travel via Timber Creek and Victoria River across vast cattle stations into Western Australia. Visit the historic Argyle Downs Homestead. See Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake. Later, cruise along the Ord River from Lake Argyle to Kununurra. This permanent water supply has formed wetland areas, which have become havens for myriads of birds and a variety of marsupials that inhabit the islands in the lake. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort, Kununurra, 2 nights.

Day 4    Kununurra
Enjoy a tour of Kununurra, one of the youngest towns in Western Australia which is the hub of local industry for agriculture, tourism and mining in the east Kimberley. Admire the local views from Kelly’s Knob Lookout. Learn all about the sandalwood industry from soil to oil when we visit the Sandalwood Factory at Mount Romance.

Day 5    Wyndham - 5 Rivers Lookout
We travel to Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve (weather permitting) to see the birdlife of this region. Continue to Wyndham to the 5 Rivers Lookout for sensational views over the Cambridge Gulf. View the Dreamtime Statues and rock art murals at Warriu Park, before continuing along the Gibb River Road to El Questro Wilderness Park. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with private facilities, El Questro, 2 nights.

Day 6    El Questro Wilderness Park
This morning cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, a fresh waterhole fringed by tropical vegetations and 60 metre tall escarpments. At Emma Gorge Resort there is time to relax and sit by the pool or to hike into Emma Gorge for a refreshing swim in the waterhole.

Day 7    Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine
Today visit the Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine, which produces one quarter of the world’s diamonds annually. A local guide will join us for a behind the scenes look at the diamond mining process. Continue south to the historic town of Halls Creek, situated on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, at the doorstep of the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel, Halls Creek.

Day 8    Geikie Gorge
Travel through the Kimberley to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing. This afternoon cruise through Geikie Gorge, which has been formed by the waters of the Fitzroy River tunnelling through the Napier Range. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing.

Day 9    Derby - Broome
Travel to the port of Derby and see the famous Boab Prison Tree, used by the first police as an overnight holding cell. Continue to the resort town of Broome. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort, Broome, 2 nights.

Day 10   Broome 'Free Time'
Today is at leisure to explore this tropical hideaway. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 22 kilometres of pristine sand and swim in the turquoise blue water that is Cable Beach. Wander through Chinatown or shop for pearls.

Day 11    Depart Broome
You will be transferred to Broome Airport for your onward flight.

Departure dates and Prices*

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 9 May 2012
• Price is per person in AUD$ based on twin share
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see AAT Kings Western Australia 2012/13 brochure