OUTBACK AUSTRALIA WORLD DISCOVERY AUSTRALIA JUNE 2028

Outback Australia – The Gibb River Road and The Kimberley

Outback Australia Adventure – The Kimberley Western Australia

Destination summary

You’re invited to register your interest as one of just 3 guests touring and photographing this stunning  part of Outback Australia.

This photography adventure begins by the turquoise shores of the old pearling town of Broome.  First you’ll  travel the length of the legendary Gibb River Road. This outback  track is a red ribbon of dirt road that passes by spectacular gorges, waterfalls, outback scenery and vast horizons.  This is the Kimberley, the last frontier in the far north of Western Australia.

The Australian outback is a special place. The Kimberley region is a sparsely populated part of of Western Australia, around 3 times the size of England. It borders the Northern Territory to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west.

You’ll be starting off and ending this adventure in Broome completing a 2000km 14 day circuit capturing the vivid outback colours, sunsets, textures and spirit of this ancient land.

Highlights along the route include Bells Gorge, Mount Barnett Station (Galven’s Gorge and Manning Gorge) Windjana and Tunnel Creek plus all the wild flora and fauna along the way. To the east the natural geology around the Cockburn Ranges, Emma Gorge, El Questro station and the Pentecost River will offer a rich array of subject matter.

The Gibb River Road 

This is an iconic outback journey starting with a sunset session on Broome’s Cable Beach before departing for 4 overnight camps under the stars along the Gibb River Road. From the Gateway town of Derby in the west, capturing its famous Boab trees to the high escarpments around Home Valley Station at its eastern end.

Home Valley Station and the Cockburn Ranges 

 After midday break for tea and famous scones at Ellenbrae Station we’ll arrive at Home Valley Station. This is a working cattle station near the magical Pentecost River with spectacular views in every direction. The nearby Cockburn Ranges glow red under an outback sunset, a classic Australian outback image. Here you’ll enjoy all the  comforts of lodge accommodation with good food and refreshments  a great base from which to explore and photograph nearby locations.

El Questro Wilderness Park

A short drive from Home valley is Emma Gorge and  we’ll make camp nearby at El Questro,  where we’ll dine at the restaurant, relax and maybe review some images.
Emma Gorge  sits tucked away in the Heart of the Kimberley in the El Questro Wilderness park.  A quiet 45 minute morning hike through spinifex grass and rocky creeks reveals the dramatic waterfall that plunges into a crystal clear pool surrounded by copper red cliffs

From the Wilderness park  we’ll head into the outback town of Kununurra  for a night. Here we will  replenish our supplies for our next adventure, Purnululu National Park and the Beehive Domes of the Bungle Bungle .

Purnululu National Park

World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park isn’t easy to get to and only accessible by 4×4 vehicle. Indigenous Australians and the traditional owners (the Gija and Jaru) have known about these strange beehive domes for millennia but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that they became more widely known after being “discovered” by a film crew looking for dramatic locations.

Your base, deep in the park will be a 3 night wild bush camp with some facilities. You’ll have two full days to absorb, photograph and explore this incredible place.

 There’s also an option to photograph the domes  by helicopter at dawn, an amazing spectacle.

Other nearby highlights  include Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge, Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge.

Fitzroy Crossing and Geikie Gorge

After our remote camp we’ll make our way west by sealed road to Fitzroy Crossing. We should be in time to  capture a sunset along the Fitzroy River  where a former coral reef has created Geikie Gorge. Its red gorge walls glowing when they  catch the warm evening light.

Broome

After Fitzroy Crossing we end up back in Broome where we’ll enjoy a final  photography session on Cable Beach with a cold sundowner. The beach is famous for its  caravan of camels that promenade the beach  at sunset making an iconic and  evocative image.

 We’ll then enjoy a final dinner together before departing the following day.

If you have time you may which to extend your trip with a visit to the Dampier Peninsula and the remote and colourful Cape Leveque and Cygnet Bay.
A  coastal seascape wilderness of vivid hues, white sand and warm turquoise waters and a working Pearl farm.

More info

This part of Australia has tropical monsoon climate, but in June its winter and the weather is settled. Day time temps from around 26 – 32 degrees centigrade during the day making it the best time to photograph and explore the region.

We will be traveling by air conditioned 4×4 vehicle with all camping equipment, sleeping bags and towels supplied.

This trip will feature some driving and rough terrain and some longer drives on some days. Please ensure you ahem good mobility and a moderate level of fitness

Getting There 

The trip will start in the town of Broome and can be reached by regular flights from Darwin or Perth which both handle international flights. You may also be able to fly from Sydney or Melbourne but these are not as frequent.

Accommodation

This Photography Adventure features both lodge/guesthouse accommodation and outback camping.

Parts of this itinerary are  in remote locations where accommodation is limited. So camping gives us the best practical option, creates some of the best memories and experiences while being immersed in the outback environment.

Evenings  relaxing around a camp fire  under the stars and tucked up comfortably in a tent at night can be a highlight of this tour.

Tents will be vehicle roof top with comfortable mattresses and bedding provided and we will have fridge / freezer with all supplies and refreshments that we require while at emote sections.

Lodge accommodation** – Broome (2 nights), Home Valley Station,  Kununarra, Fitzroy Crossing

Outback Camping – Windjana Gorge, Bells Gorge, Mt Barnett (2 nights), El Questro*, Purnululu National Park (3 nights)

*full facilities and restaurant

**twin share, single supplement available

Itinerary is subject to change depending upon accommodation availability and road conditions. 

Please contact me if you’d be interested on participating. Thanks