The full itinerary:??Updated 31st Dec 2017.
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th May 2018
Meet at Katherine 2 nights / 1 day
Accommodation - Stay at Riverview Tourist Park. (Book for 2 nights arrive Fri 4th May leave Sunday 6th May. You will be advised on what sites to book)
Meet and greet everyone for the ultimate adventure ahead. A chance for people to do tours of Katherine Gorge. Also stock up here but no vegetables as they will be taken once we hit the WA border. Also stock up here with alcohol. Next Woolies is at Kununurra.
Notes-
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Sunday 6th - Mon 7th
Katherine to Timber Creek – 3 hrs
A leisurely drive through Gregory national park crossing the Victoria River and arrive at Timber Creek around lunchtime. Plenty of time to do some sight seeing with a number of lookouts in the area
Accomodation: TBA
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Mon 7th - Wed 9th May
Timber Creek to Zebra Rock Mine. 3 hrs
We head towards Zebra rock mine travelling along the Victoria Hwy.
Accommodation - Zebra Rock Mine / 2 nights / 1 Day
The camping is non powered but gennies are allowed. Basic grass sites. No shop but Zebra Rock is available to purchase. There are a number of tours available.
(Note bookings required but I will email them)
Notes-
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Wed 9th / Sat 12th
Zebra Rock Mine to Lake Argyle
Only a 2hr drive and we go back an hour and a half due to the time zone. At the WA border you will be checked for fresh fruit.
Accommodation - Lake Argyle caravan park 3 nights /2 and a half days. Powered sites and we will be next to the camp kitchen with the infinity pool only a 70mtr walk or half a beer. A great place to relax and tours are also available.
Notes-
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Sat 12th - Thurs 17th May
Lake Argyle to Kununurra.
Only an hour and a half drive from Lake Argyle.
Accommodation-Kununurra 5 nights / 4 and a half days
Notes- The Ord Valley Muster runs from 11-20th which we will enjoy while we are in town, plus many places to explore. We will top up here at Coles for the next 3 to 4 weeks. Grab items that will be hard to get in the Kimberley.
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Thurs 17th - Tues 22nd May
Kununurra to El Questro
Its only a 2.30 hr drive to El Questro from Kununurra.
Accommodation - El Questro 5 nights / 4 and a half days.
Notes- Spend 4 and a half days exploring El Questro. One of the feature events of the Ord Valley Muster is the Aviair Helispirit Moon Experience (headlining Lee Kerneghan) which is on Sat 19th. Those interested can travel back to Kununurra to join in.
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Tues 22nd- Fri 25th May
El Questro to Home Valley Station
Only a short drive to Home Valley. We cross the famous Pentecost River and head to Home Valley Station.
Accommodation - Home Valley Station 3 nights / 2 and a half days. Camp on the Pentecost River.
Notes-
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Fri 25th – Sun 27th May
Home Valley Station to Ellenbrae – 2.5 hrs
We leave Home Valley and travel 2 and half hrs and stop at Ellenbrae.
Accommodation - Good camping areas (2 nights, 1 and a half days)
Notes- Enjoy morning tea and sample their famous scones
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Sun 27th -Mon 28th May
Ellenbrae to Drysdale River Station
Accommodation - (1 night) We arrive at Drysdale River Station. We don't need to book.
Notes - We will be traveling roughly 350 klm from Drysdale to Mitchell Falls and onto Kalumburu, make sure you have enough fuel available.
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Mon 28th - Thurs 31st May
Drysdale River Station to Munurru
We arrive at King Edward River, Munurru and use this as our base to visit Mitchell Falls.
Accommodation- (3 nights / 2 Days*)
Notes - *Option is drive to Mitchell Falls for the day or spend one of the nights at Mitchell Falls.
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Thurs 31st May – Tues 5th June
Munurru to Kalumburu
Today we tackle the rough Kalumburu Rd. If the going is slow, we will camp overnight on the track as the distance is only a hundred kilometres but the road is expected to be rough. We will be camping at one of the beach front caravan parks.
Accommodation- 5 nights / 4 days.
Notes: Permits Required to enter Kalumburu, will advise as the time gets closer. Also, Kalumburu is a dry community. Will chat about that via group email.
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Tues 5th June – Wed 6th June
Kalamburu to Drysdale River station
We leave Kalumburu and head back to Drysdale River Station for an overnighter.
Accommodation- Drysdale River Station (1 night)
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Wed 6th June - Fri 8th June
Drysdale River Station to Manning Gorge
We leave Drysdale River Station and only travel to Mt Barnett Roadhouse / Manning Gorge.
Accommodation- Mt Barnett Roadhouse (2 nights / 1 day and a half days)
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Fri 8th June - Sun 10th June
Manning Gorge to Bells Gorge
We leave Manning Gorge and head to Bells Gorge. Being a national park, people with pets will camp just outside of it.
Accommodation- (2 nights / 1 and a half days)
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Sun 10th June - Tues 12th June.
Bells Gorge to Windiana Gorge - Approx 2 to 3 hrs travel
We leave Bells Gorge and head towards Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Again being a national park people with pets will camp outside the park.
Accommodation-(2 nights / 1 and a half days)
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Tues 12th - Fri 15th June
Windiana Gorge to Derby
We leave Windjana Gorge and head to Derby.
Accommodation- We will be staying at Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park. (Pets allowed). 3 nights / 2 days.
Notes- Derby is a tiny town and has a woolies and bottle shop.
Our flights to the horizontal waterfalls for our overnight trip will leave from here. Overnight at the falls will Wed 13th June. Will advise when to book.
http://kimberleyentrancecaravanpark.com.au/ _____________________________________________________________________
Fri 15th - Tues 19th June.
Derby to Broome
We leave Derby and head to Broome. Approx 3 hr drive.
Accommodation-(Caravan park to be arranged.) ( 4 nights / 3 and a half days).
Notes- Time to explore Broome enjoy Cable Beach and the surrounds. Stock up here for our expedition to the Cape Leveque area. Enjoy a day or 2 fishing with Boab Boats.
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Tues 19th - Fri 22nd June.
Broome to Manari Rd.
We leave Broome for our expedition north. We head to:
Accommodation-(3 nights / 2 days)
Manari Road, WA
60km north of Broome
Notes- Secluded barramundi fishing holes and blissfully remote beaches sandwiched between shallow coral reefs and an uninhabited coastline of red sand cliffs make this one of the west’s best beach camping destinations.
The threat of Woodside’s gas processing plant development has long past, reserving this pristine stretch of Pindan woodlands for anglers, campers and beachcombers. To get there, head about an hour’s drive north of Broome to Willie Creek with its natural boat ramp, and Barred Creek further up the track: both ideal camps for barramundi-chasers.
For beach life, ocean views and the chance to spend long, lazy days swimming, snorkelling and spotting whales, continue along Manari Road to Quondong Point where a 3km-long stretch of campsites (some with shade), tops the red cliffs. There are more beachfront campsites 13km north at James Price Point, and a large, flat clearing at Coulomb Point on the southern edge of a nature reserve, both providing beach access for four-wheel-drivers.
There are no facilities on offer so the usual camp courtesies apply: make use of your onboard toilet, use only existing fire rings, and take all rubbish away with you.
Location: Travel 10km east of Broome, turn north onto the Broome-Cape Leveque Road and after 15km take a left onto Manari Road and follow the signs to your choice of camp.
Facilities: None, maximum three-day stay, generators permitted.
Pets: Allowed.
Visit Willy Creek Pearl farm.
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Fri 22nd - Tues 26th June.
Manari Rd to Gnylmarung Retreat.
We head to Gnylmarung Retreat. Gnylmarung Retreat is located approximately 150 kilometres north of Broome, on the Middle Lagoon
Accommodation- Camping sites. At Gnylmarung we have about 20 camping sites, some with an ocean view, others are in shadier areas, and some are in secluded bushland. Wash-up sinks are provided at camp sites, along with good drinking water. Bush bbq's are provided and firewood is available. We have a boat ramp and dedicated fish cleaning area. Gnylmarung Retreat has clean ablution blocks with solar heated showers. There is also a laundry with a washing machine, and all we ask for is a gold coin donation. (4 nights - 3 days)
http://www.gnylmarung.org.au/ (We will confirm with them 3 months prior to arrival. )
Notes-
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Tues 26th - Sun 1st July
Gnylmarung to Middle Lagoon
We head to Middle Lagoon. Camping on the beachfront.
Middle Lagoon is a wonderful place to go exploring, rediscover your love of nature and refresh yourself by getting active. Stroll along beautiful beaches spotting the fabulous shells that are abound.
Accommodation-(5 nights / 4 and a half days).
http://www.middlelagoon.com.au/ Notes –
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Sun 1st July leave Thursday 5 July 2018
Middle Lagoon to Gumbanan
We leave Middle Lagoon and head to Gumbanan Bush Camp.
Accommodation:
http://www.kimberleyoutbackxposure.com.au/page/the-campground/ Facilities include:
* Toilets
* Showers
* Water
* Camp Kitchens
* Camp Fire Areas
Camping
* General Camping
* Camper Trailer Sites (unpowered only)
* Caravan Sites (unpowered only)
(4 nights / 3 and a half days)
Members with Pets can stay longer here as Cygnet Bay Pearl farm does not allow pets. Other members can book a few days if they wish at Cygnet Bay.
http://www.cygnetbaypearls.com.au/
