Darwin to the East Kimberley
Gorges and thermal springs, Lake Argyle, three nights at El Questro and a flight over the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungles – on a private 4WD expedition with your own guide.
Plan my Kimberley tripSee the itinerary
Ancient country, at your own pace
Between Darwin and the Kimberley lies some of Australia’s wildest country: sandstone escarpments, palm-lined gorges, warm springs and vast skies.
This private journey follows the Victoria Highway west into Western Australia, with time to swim, walk and settle in. Three nights at El Questro let the pace slow right down, and a scenic flight reveals the striped domes of the Bungle Bungles from above.
- Just your party. A private 4WD and your own driver-guide – never a coach group.
- Tailored to you. Flexible start times, extra swim stops, longer where you’re loving it.
- Local experts. Darwin-based Top End specialists who know this country.
7 days or 10 days
Both follow the same route into the Kimberley. The 10-day version drives you home through the thermal springs of Mataranka and the waterfalls of Litchfield.
East Kimberley Adventure
- Darwin to Kununurra, about 1,400 km by road
- Edith Falls, Lake Argyle and El Questro
- Finishes with the Bungle Bungle scenic flight
- Fly home from Kununurra (we can arrange it, at extra cost)
East Kimberley & Top End Adventure
- Darwin and back by road, about 2,500 km
- Everything in the 7-day journey
- Plus Bitter Springs at Mataranka
- And Litchfield’s waterfalls on the way home
The itinerary
A guide only – we adjust each departure to the season, road and park conditions, and to you.
| Day | Route & highlights | Overnight | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin › Edith Falls › Katherine | Katherine | 360 km |
| 2 | Katherine › Joe Creek › Lake Argyle | Lake Argyle | 520 km |
| 3 | Lake Argyle › Kununurra › El Questro | El Questro | 200 km |
| 4 | Zebedee Springs · Amalia Gorge · Saddleback Ridge | El Questro | local |
| 5 | El Questro Gorge · Chamberlain Gorge cruise | El Questro | local |
| 6 | Emma Gorge › Wyndham › Kununurra | Kununurra | 200 km |
| 7 | Bungle Bungle scenic flight | Kununurra (10-day) / tour ends (7-day) | flight |
| 8 | Kununurra › Mataranka | Mataranka | 620 km |
| 9 | Bitter Springs › Katherine › Litchfield | Litchfield | 360 km |
| 10 | Litchfield waterfalls › Darwin | — | 160 km |
Shaded days are in the 10-day journey only.
Down Under Safaris1Darwin to Katherine via Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Head south down the Stuart Highway into the savannah country of the Top End. At Leliyn (Edith Falls), on Jawoyn country in Nitmiluk National Park, there’s time for a swim in the plunge pool, a walk and a relaxed picnic lunch before the short run into Katherine.
2Katherine to Lake Argyle
Head west into the Victoria River country, where red escarpments and huge skies signal the change of landscape. In Judbarra/Gregory National Park, walk the Nawulbinbin (Joe Creek) track up through rugged sandstone to Aboriginal rock paintings, then cross into Western Australia and arrive at Lake Argyle for the evening.
Photo: W. Bulach / CC BY-SA 4.03Lake Argyle & Kununurra to El Questro
Wake beside Lake Argyle and enjoy the morning on the lake before heading into Kununurra. There’s time for Mirima National Park (Hidden Valley), local lookouts and the Ord irrigation area, then out to El Questro for three nights.
4Zebedee Springs & Amalia Gorge
Begin with a morning soak in the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs, then explore Amalia Gorge. In the afternoon, take the 4WD track up Saddleback Ridge for sweeping views and a Kimberley sunset.
Photo: Neil / CC BY 2.05El Questro Gorge & Chamberlain Gorge cruise
Explore El Questro Gorge in the morning, with time to swim in the spring-fed gorge. In the afternoon, slow the pace with a Chamberlain Gorge cruise between towering escarpments.
6Emma Gorge, Wyndham & Kununurra
Walk into Emma Gorge for a swim beneath the cliffs, then travel to Wyndham. Take in five rivers from the Five Rivers Lookout, stop at Molly Springs on the way back, and continue to Kununurra.
Photo: Graeme Churchard / CC BY 2.07The Bungle Bungles from the air
Take to the air over Purnululu National Park and the striped, beehive-shaped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range – one of the great highlights of the trip. The 7-day journey ends in Kununurra after the flight; on the 10-day journey you return to Kununurra with time to relax.
The journey home
8Kununurra to Mataranka
Travel east through the Victoria River region. It’s a longer day on the road, but it sets you up for a relaxed thermal-springs morning. Clocks go forward 1.5 hours as we cross back into the Territory.
Tourism NT/Helen Orr9Bitter Springs to Litchfield
Start the day floating in the clear thermal water of Bitter Springs, then travel north through Katherine and Pine Creek to the Litchfield region for the final night.
Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen10Litchfield to Darwin
Finish among Litchfield’s waterfalls, monsoon forest and magnetic termite mounds. Depending on access, visit Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole and Wangi Falls before returning to Darwin.
The Bungle Bungles
From the air, the striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range stretch away in every direction, cut by narrow gorges lined with Livistona palms. The range was barely known beyond local Aboriginal people and pastoralists until the 1980s; today it’s one of Australia’s most recognisable landscapes.
The banding is living colour: dark stripes are cyanobacteria growing in sandstone layers that hold more moisture, while the orange bands are drier, iron-stained rock.
Bungle Bungle fly-in adventure
Swap the scenic flight for a full fly-in day: fly over Lake Argyle, land at Bellburn Airstrip, walk among the domes and into Cathedral Gorge, enjoy a picnic lunch and fly back to Kununurra. Runs April to September – ask us to add it.
Everything taken care of
What’s included
- Private air-conditioned 4WD with your own driver-guide
- All meals during the tour, plus snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- National park passes and entry fees
- All listed activities, including the Chamberlain Gorge cruise and Bungle Bungle scenic flight
- Accommodation arranged to suit your style and budget
- Flexible pick-up and drop-off in Darwin
Not included
- Flights, including Kununurra to Darwin on the 7-day journey
- Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
- Optional upgrades, such as the Bungle Bungle fly-in
- Travel insurance
Good to know
- Season: designed for the dry season, roughly April to October.
- Fitness: walks are short, but Leliyn, Nawulbinbin and Emma Gorge have steep, rocky sections. Every walk is optional.
- Swimming: only where it’s safe and permitted on the day.
- Crossing into WA: clocks change by 1.5 hours and fresh produce can’t cross the border.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
“Becs filled our day with adventure, all tailored to our interests and capabilities.”Carolyne J. · Google review
“Her knowledge and storytelling was fantastic, which really brought to life the historical features we saw.”Wendy Murray J. · Google review
“Amazing 5 day trip around the national parks in the NT.”Jonas A. · Google review
Let’s plan your Kimberley adventure
Every journey is private and built around you. Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll tailor the itinerary, accommodation and pace to suit.
Prefer to talk? Call Scotty on (+61) 458 510 921
Itinerary is a guide only and may change due to weather, road and park conditions. Accommodation subject to availability. Images: Down Under Safaris; Tourism NT/Helen Orr; Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen. Bungle Bungles aerial: David Nicolson (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons. Other Kimberley photos credited beside each image, via Wikimedia Commons.