Old Kimberley Highlights No 2

EXPERIENCES / KIMBERLEY

Kimberley Highlights No 2

Overview   -   Details   -   Itinerary   -   Gallery   -   Map

Overview


  • Three sections, any of which can be done on its own.
  • 1) Ord River canoe, a perfect way to acclimatise before the long walks.
  • 2) Carr Boyd Range:  Spring fed creeks trickle through deep, cool gorges and lovely pools bounded by a lush vegetation.
  • 3) El Questro: off the beaten rack, waterfalls and gorges non-walkers will never see.
We created this trip to give you the most variety possible at this time of year when other areas have dried up. Every section is spectacular in its own way. Every section includes beautiful pools, perfect for swimming. More than just walks, this trip is an experience you'll never forget.
KIMBERLEY
Aug 19 - Sep 4 2021
1) Ord River Canoe

A relaxing way to acclimatise. Using canoes allows us to carry more with less effort — a good way to carry a few little luxuries you wouldn't put into a pack. It also allows us to get closer to large numbers of birds than is normally possible and get access to some otherwise inaccessible waterfalls and pools.

From Kununurra we are driven to Lake Argyle where we put the canoes in the river just below the main dam. The next four days are spent doing a leisurely paddle back to Kununurra, stopping to do a few day walks up into the hills through which we are passing.

2) Carr Boyd Range

From the road, the Carr Boyds present a forbidding face, dry, barren, rugged beyond belief. Up close, they show a different nature.  Spring fed creeks trickle through deep, cool gorges and lovely pools bounded by a lush vegetation.

A boat ride up the Ord River brings us to a drop off on Cooliman Creek. A relatively flat walk of about 4 km gets us to the first of the many waterfalls and pools we get to enjoy on this walk. One waterfall follows another as we make our way up one creek, then overland and down another.
2) Carr Boyd continued

Along the way we stop to enjoy numerous swims and take time to simply relax and look at nature around us.

We exit the range near Packsaddle Creek where we are met by the pick up vehicle that brings us back to Kununurra.
3) El Questro Gorges

We begin by walking up El Questro Gorge toward an area called the Lost City. From there we head roughly south, keeping to the relatively easy high ground before dropping into another creek system where we do a detour, without packs, to a nice waterfall.

Continuing south, we stop at Miri Miri Falls before continuing past numerous pools and waterfalls before swinging back to the north east to Amaroo Falls where we get picked up by helicopter and brought back to our vehicles.

Details


DATES
August 20 - September 5
PRICES
Full price: A$3695
Sec 1: A$995
Sec 2: A$1195
Sec 3: A$1895
Sections 1 & 2 cost $1995. Sections 2 & 3 cost $2895.
Discounts available
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITES
Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are good to excellent. You are unlikely to see anyone else along most of the the walks.
ART
We visit a few art sites
SWIMMING
Good swimming on all sections.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but spread out at this time of year. You are unlikely to see many large animals. The Ord Canoe section gives you the best birds as well as a good chance to see small freshwater crocodiles.
CLIMATE
Although September is cool compared to the three months which follow, it is hot. The average daily maximum during the first half of the month is about 35ºC (95ºF). It is, however, still reasonably cool at night. The average nightly minimum is about 20ºC (68ºF). However, it is not uncommon for the temperature to drop as low as 15ºC (about 60ºF). Occasionally it goes lower still. We recommend you bring a light sleeping bag. Rain is highly unlikely but it can get dewy at night. A fly over a mosquito net or dome can help keep you dry.
COOKING
We should be able to have campfires on all sections. How water will be available every morning.

WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
 
Highly varied. Every section is different. Please see the PDF trip notes for details.

Vegetation 

Much of the walking is through relatively flat, open woodland with a grassy understorey.

Distance

4-6 hours per day 

Pack Weight

You need to carry up to 6 days of food.

Booking Information Enquire Now

Download detailed trip notes

20 August - 5 September

Download

Itinerary


  • DAY 0

    Pre-trip meeting, 6.00 p.m., outdoor area, Kimberley Croc Motel. This meeting is important. If you cannot make the meeting, please advise us well in advance.

  • DAY 1

    Morning pick up, time to be arranged the night before. Pick up is from your accommodation in Kununurra provided you have given us the address at least a week before section one departs. Otherwise the pick up is from in front of the Kununurra Visitors Centre. If you have not contacted the guide the night before, you will need to be ready by 6.30 a.m. as we may leave anytime between 6.30 and 9.30 a.m.

    Bus to Argyle Dam. Begin canoe trip. Bush camp.



  • DAY 2-3

    Bush camping. Canoeing and day walks.

  • DAY 4

    Finish paddle to Kununurra. Afternoon drop off at accommodation for those finishing here. For those continuing, overnight in budget rooms at the Kimberley Croc Motel. Opportunity to do laundry and shopping.

  • DAY 5

    Pick up for those beginning with this section. Pick up is from your accommodation if you have notified us where you will be staying at least a week before section one departs. Otherwise pick up is from in front of the Kununurra Visitors Centre sometime between 7 and 8 a.m. 

    Boat to Carr Boyds. Begin walk, carrying full packs. Bush camp.

  • DAY 6-9

    Bush camping, carrying full packs.

  • DAY 10

    Finish walk and get driven to Kununurra.  Drop off at accommodation for those finishing here. Overnight in budget accommodation for those continuing. 

  • DAY 11

    Pick up for those beginning with this section. Pick up is from your accommodation if you have notified us where you will be staying at least a week before section one departs. Otherwise pick up is from in front of the Kununurra Visitors Centre sometime between 7 and 8 a.m. 

    Drive to El Questro. Begin walk, carrying full packs. Bush camp.

  • DAY 11-16

    Bush camping, carrying full packs.

  • DAY 17

    Finish walk at Amaroo Falls. Helicopter flight to El Questro. Drive to Kununurra. Drop off at accommodation for those finishing here. Overnight in budget accommodation for those continuing. 

*This itinerary is subject to change
Share by: