Kimberley Highlights No. 1
May 24 - June 20, 2009

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Your choice. This trip is divided into five very different sections. Choose any one or do them all. Spectacular scenery. Every section has it's own amazing views.

Great Swimming. Every walk offers you a variety of pools, perfect for swimming. More than just walks. The trip is a wonderful experience you'll never forget.

Section 1: Bungle Bungles: May 24-30
We begin with the long drive from Kununurra to the end of the vehicle track at the base of Piccaninny Gorge. We then begin our walk up to a campsite about a few km up the gorge. The following day, we pack up and continue to a second camp about 12 km up the gorge. We use this camp as a base as we explore some of the beautiful side gorges.
Some of the walking is quite flat and easy. Some is more difficult and requires a bit of rock scrambling. Having a base camp means that we do not have to carry full packs over the roughest terrain. as the photo below right shows, parts of the gorge are quite shady for mush of the day.

Click here to see a gallery containing more photos of the Bungle Bungles. Please be patient while the photos load. Purnululu was listed as a world heritage site in July 2003. The following quote is from the Australian Department of Environment and Heritage website. "Famous for the 45 000 hectare Bungle Bungle Range, with its huge expanse of striking banded beehive structures, sandstone cliffs and towers, Purnululu has been listed as an outstanding landscape that is a superlative natural phenomenon, revealing the history of its formation over hundreds of millions of years. Purnululu National Park has such outstanding universal natural values that it enriches the world and should be conserved for the benefit of all people. Before 1982, when aerial pictures were first released, it was virtually unknown except to pastoralists, scientists and the local Aboriginal community. It is now seen as one of the scenic jewels of outback Australia." Click here to see the full Department of Environment and Heritage Purnululu World Heritage page. Click here to see the UNESCO Description of the World Heritage listing. If you would like more information about the Bungles, the link below is a 72 page PDF of the Australian government application for World Heritage status for Purnululu. The document contains a wealth of information (much more information than in the actual listing) as well as some beautiful photos. It's over 2MB, so you'll need a lot of patience if you don't have a fast internet connection. Nomination of Purnululu National Park for World Heritage Status

Section 2: Cockburn Range: May 31 - Jun 6
The Cockburn Range contains some of the most spectacular gorges in the Kimberley. Some of the walking is flat and relatively easy. Some of it includes rock hopping and walking along rock ledges. As shown in the first picture on this page, we plan to use a helicopter to get to the start of the walk.
Not only is the scenery specatcular, we also find a number of Aboriginal art sites.
These photos give you a hint of what the trip is like but they are no substitute for the actual experience.
Click here to see a gallery containing more photos of the Cockburn Range. Please be patient while the photos load.

Section 3: Carr Boyd Range: June 7-11
After a night in Kununurra at the end of the second section, we take a boat back up the Ord and get dropped off near a series of waterfalls. After a swim at the first pool, we climb to the top of the plateau.
Once on top, we work our way north, stopping to enjoy the many pools and waterfalls along the way. At the edge of the range, we are met by the vehicle which drives us back to Kununurra.
Click here to see a gallery containing more photos of the Carr Boyd Range. Please be patient while the photos load.

Section 4: Keep River National Park: June 12-16
After another night in Kununurra, we drive across the NT border and into Keep River National Park, one of the least known yet most interesting parks in the Territory. We leave the vehicles, walk to a base camp and begin our exploration of this wonderland of rock formations.

	As always, we know where the best pools are so there are plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim.
Click here to see a gallery containing more photos of Keep River National Park. Please be patient while the photos load.

Section 5: Ord River Canoe: June 17-20
We finish the trip with a leisurely paddle between the dams on the Ord, watching the birds and doing some short walks to scenic views along the way. This is one of the easiest and most scenic canoe trips in the Kimberley.
Terrain and difficulty. The walking is a complete mix. Some will be flat and easy (just how easy depends on the current state of the vegetation which can vary dramatically from year to year). There will be some short, but steep climbs and some rock hopping. There are one or two places where floating your pack a short distance saves you a long and tedious climb. Overall, we rate this as moderate difficulty. The trip notes contain detailed information about the terrain and difficulty on each section. Your rewards are beautiful pools, gorges and an incredible Kimberley wilderness experience no other operator can offer you.

Click here to see a PDF file of the detailed trip notes. If you have any questions or would like to find out how to book, please click the link below and send us an email. Kimberley Highlights No. 1 Information If you know someone you think would enjoy this trip, please click the link below to send them a link to this page. Forward to a friend