We've recently added a 11 day and 12 night photography tour through the Kimberley to our 2017 touring program and we'd like to offer the Yea Camera Club a discount. The tour was arranged more last minute than we would have liked due to a last minute cancellation of a different tour in this period. Having already got the accommodation and activities booked, we decided to run a photography trip instead with a photographer we've worked with several times before, including through the Kimberley.
The tour includes 12 nights accommodation, most meals, 3 cruises and it's escorted by a professional photographer. The price is $6995pp twin share and $8444 single but we'd like to offer your members a discount of 15%
when they call 08 8536 2234 or email info@sacredearthsafaris.com.au and quote VICPHOTOCLUB. This brings the price down to $5945pp twin share and $7175 single supplement.
The tour is already confirmed with a handful of seats remaining.
If you have an newsletter you could feature it in or any other forms of member communication, it would be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Danielle Mobbs
Sacred Earth Safaris Pty Ltd
GPO Box 2216, Darwin, NT 0801
ABN 45 129 055 269
Tel : 08 8536 2234 / 0415 692855
Here is a details itinerary of the tour.
11
Day / 12 night Darwin to Broome 4WD Kimberley Safari - 2017
Arrival day into
Darwin– Tuesday 16th May (D)
On
arrival into Darwin, please make your way to our accommodation, at your
leisure. Taxis and shuttle buses are available at the airport.
The
rest of your group, tour leader and driver guide will all be arriving at
different times today, so once you’ve settled in, the rest of the day is yours
to relax and enjoy this vibrant city !
This
evening we’ll meet in the hotel restaurant for dinner and to go over the
program for the next 11 days.
Overnight
accommodation- Double Tree by Hilton Darwin-
hotel room with en-suite.
Touring Day 1 – Wednesday
17th May (B,L,D)
We
depart at 7am this morning on our 11 day adventure through the Kimberley !
We head south along
the Stuart Highway towards Katherine Township. En-route we have a leg stretch
at the historic township of Adelaide River and then call into our first
waterfall of the tour- Leilyn (Edith Falls). Leilyn
is part of Nitmiluk National Park and is well known for it’s picturesque waterfalls and pools, particularly
the large pool at the base of the escarpment which is great for a swim.
We
arrive in Katherine, check into our hotel and then make our way out to Nitmiluk
(Katherine) Gorge, which is home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the
rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years. Late this afternoon
you’ll cruise for 2 hours through the gorge, discovering the customs of the
traditional land owners, the Jawoyn people.
Discover
the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of
the Nitmiluk Gorge, changing colour with the setting sun. Tour includes a three course candle light
dinner, featuring fresh, local Australian produce cooked on board, a complimentary
glass of sparkling wine, tea and coffee.
Overnight
accommodation in Katherine- Ibis Styles- motel room with en-suite
Day 2- Thursday 18th May (B,L,D)
We
travel west today. En-route, we can stop to view the Victoria River, one of the
largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater
crocodiles.
We
cross through the border into Western Australia and onto Lake Argyle,
Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering 1000sq km and built as part of the
Ord River scheme. It offers a great expanse of water from which
steep red rocky slopes reach up approximately a 150m, in awe-inspiring
grandeur.
You
have some free time when we arrive, to take a look around, before we join the
sunset cruise on the lake. Cruise through some
of the 90 islands and inlets and take in the magnificent scenery of the Carr
Boyd Ranges. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and nibblies as the sun sets over
the rugged red cliffs and azure blue water.
Overnight
accommodation - Lake Argyle Resort, in standard
rooms with en-suites
Day 3 – Friday 19th
May (B,L,D)
This
morning we pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border
restrictions) and for a look around before heading south to the Bungle Bungles.
Purnululu
National park (the Bungle Bungles) is famous for the ancient range of unusual
beehive-shaped domes, gorges and chasms over 350 million years old. The section
of road into the park is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of
off-road adventure !
This
afternoon we can take a walk into Echidna Chasm, which is a narrow gorge of
conglomerate rock. The walk in is beautiful, passing endemnic livistonia palms.
Overnight
accommodation – EKT Bungle Bungles safari camp in en-suite cabins on a DBB
basis (2 night stay).
Day 4 – Saturday 20th
May (B,L,D)
We
spend today in the Bungle Bungles. Our first stop in the park is Cathedral
Gorge, a huge natural amphitheatre, with fantastic
acoustics. We then take the walk to the Piccininny Lookout, followed by the
“Domes trail walk”.
We’ll
play this afternoon by ear, depending on what we have already seen and done in
the park. We might get another shot at a location or try something different,
based on discussion with your tour leader and driver guide.
There’s
time today for optional helicopter flights (additional cost).
Overnight
accommodation – EKT Bungle Bungles safari camp in en-suite cabins on a DBB
basis
Day 5 – Sunday 21st
May (B,L)
After
breakfast, we leave the Bungle Bungles and head north again, to El Questro
Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.
En-route,
we visit the beautiful Parrys Lagoon, which offers excellent bird
watching in the comfort of the purpose built bird hide or from one of the
walkways. We also stop to enjoy the breathtaking views from Telegraph Hill,
over the billabong and wetlands.
We also head to Wyndham and drive up the bastion to
take in the sensational views of the 5 rivers lookout and the Cambridge Gulf.
Our accommodation this evening is at Emma Gorge Resort,
part of the El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.
Overnight
accommodation – Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with en-suites, pedestal fans
and power (2 night stay)
Day 6 – Monday 22nd
May (B,L)
We
start today with a dip at the Zebedee Springs thermal pools, set amongst palm
trees.
Then
we drive back to the resort and you have the option of taking the walk to the
beautiful Emma Gorge. A cool reward awaits you at the end of the walk in, where
you can swim at Emma Gorge pool and the 200ft waterfall that is fed from a
series of natural springs high above the plateau of the Cockburn Range.
Overnight
accommodation – Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with en-suites
Day 7 – Tuesday 23rd
May (B,L,D)
Leaving
El Questro, we head onto the Gibb River Road and we’ll drive through the
Pentecost River to a lookout, for fantastic views of the river and the mighty
Cockburn Range.
We
turn onto the Kalumburu Road and make our way to Drysdale River Station.
This
afternoon you have the option (additional cost) of taking a spectacular 2 hour
flight over Mitchell Falls and the Kimberley coast.
Your
flight takes you past Mt Hann, Deep Gorge and the Rift, then over the
magnificent Prince Regent Nature
Reserve.
Follow the Prince Regent River, fly over unnamed waterfalls, King Cascades, St
George Basin, Mt Trafalgar, Prince Frederick Harbour, the Hunter River, Donkins
Hill Falls and the spectacular Mitchell Falls. The vast beautiful unspoilt
coastline of the wilderness nature reserve is always a heart winner. You may
even be lucky enough see crocodiles, dugong and whales.
Overnight
accommodation – Drysdale River Station, in station rooms with fan, power and shared
bathroom facilities, on a DBB basis
Day 8 – Wednesday 24th
May (B,L,D)
This
morning anyone who didn’t fly yesterday, will fly today at 6.30am and 9am if
needed. There are only 3 daily flights,
at 6.30am, 9am and 2.30pm.
Our
destination today is Mt Elizabeth Station, a
working cattle station, established in 1945 by the pioneering Lacey Family, who
still own and run the property today. En-route we visit an art site in the Gibb
River area.
Once we’ve checked into our Mt Elizabeth accommodation, you should have a couple of hours to take the station
nature walk or relax and enjoy your surrounds, before dinner.
Overnight accommodation – station rooms with shared
bathroom facilities at Mt. Elizabeth Station, on a DBB basis
Day 9 – Thursday 25th
May (B,L,D)
Our
first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge, where a short walk leads to a pretty
gorge and plungepool, surrounded by boab trees. It also has some interesting
rock art.
We
continue west to Bell Gorge, which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in
the Kimberley. We have lunch here and spend the rest of the afternoon swimming
and relaxing at the waterfall and plungepool.
Then
we’ll make our way through the Napier and King Leopold Ranges to our
accommodation
Overnight
permanent camp – Mt Hart Station, in fixed safari tents with proper beds and en-suites
Day 10 – Friday 26th
May (B,L,D)
Today
we pass through the King Leopold and Napier Ranges to Windjana Gorge, part of
an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the
Napier range. We take a walk into Windjana gorge to view the fossilised reef
system and freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river
banks.
Then
onto Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone tunnel in the Napier Range, carved
into the rock over thousands of years. As you walk through the tunnel, view
stalactites and stalacmites and hear the story of Jandamarra, who used the
tunnel as a hideout in the late 1800’s.
Overnight
accommodation- Fitzroy River Lodge, safari lodges with proper beds, en-suites,
fridge, tea & coffee and power, on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (DBB) basis
Day 11 – Saturday
27th May (B,L)
This
morning you’ll take a ranger lead boat cruise through Geike Gorge, where flood
waters of the Fitzroy River have carved the 30-metre-deep Gorge through the
limestone at the junction of the Oscar and Geikie Ranges.
In the dry season, the river transforms itself into a quiet stream strung out beneath the
towering cliffs of the Devonian reef. Here, layers of fossils and the limestone
strata of an ancient reef are exposed in cross section, showing glimpses of
life in the Devonian period before reptiles or mammals evolved.
The
last leg of our journey takes us towards Broome and we’ll stop en-route at
Willaire.
We
arrive into Broome in the early evening and make our way to our accommodation,
Beaches of Broome. Beaches of Broome is located in the Cable Beach area, only a
few minutes walk from the famous Cable Beach itself (lovely for sunset photos)
and has a bar as well as a café.
Overnight
accommodation- Beaches of Broome, motel room with en-suite.
Departure Day – Sunday
28th May (B)
Self-serve
toast and spreads are available from the communial kitchen this morning.
At
your leisure, please make your way back to Broome airport from your onward
flight. Alternatively you may like to stay in Broome for a day or 2 more and
additional nights at Beaches of Broome can be included for an additional $180
per night.
END ITINERARY
B= Breakfast L= Lunch
D= Dinner
Itinerary is
exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris, subject to availability road, weather and
cultural conditions
SHOULD
BE - AUD $6995 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE. $1449 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
But for Victorian
Camera Clubs- special price of $5945pp twin share and $1329 single supplement
when you call 08 8536 2234 or email info@sacredearthsafaris.com.au
and quote VICPHOTOCLUB
Minimum 10 guests,
maximum 15 guests
Inclusions:
- Sole use of 26
seat 4WD tour bus, with air
conditioning, tinted windows, reclining coach seats and speaker system with professional driver guide & escorted
by a professional photographer
- Most meals, as
stated.
- Tour accommodation,
as listed
- Pre and post
tour accommodation in Darwin and Broome for 1 night each end
- Entry fees and
El Questro Wilderness pass
- Lake Argyle
cruise
- Sunset dinner
Nitmiluk Gorge cruise
- Geike Gorge
cruise
Exclusions:
- Arrival/departure
flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcohol
- Airport
transfers
- Extra optional
activities, such as Bungle Bungles helicopter flight and the Mitchell
Falls scenic flight (please request the flights upon booking to avoid
disappointment).