WESTERN AUSTRALIA53Cape LevequeCruising the OutbackAlthough most visitors to this remarkable wildernessarea travel the inland route, it is possible to cruisebetween the two unique frontier centres of Broomeand Darwin with Coral Princess Cruises. Withspacious ensuite cabins for just 50 guests, theshallow draft of this 35 metre luxury expeditioncatamaran makes her ideally suited to navigate themighty rivers and scenic inlets of the Kimberleycoast. Over a ten-night cruise you will explore thehundreds of islands in Buccaneer Archipelago, thetidal phenomena at Montgomery Reef and theextraordinary horizontal waterfalls near Talbot Bay.An excursion boat lets you navigate the gorges ofthe Mitchell, King George, Prince Regent andHunter Rivers, and it is the abundance of bird lifeand native wildlife that makes this Kimberleyexperience exceptional. tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.CAPE LEVEQUE,DAMPIER PENINSULA A string of deserted beaches washed by cobaltblue waters make this remote peninsula ofAboriginal land north of Broome a very specialplace. In this beautiful setting the residentAboriginal communities invite visitors toexperience their lifestyle and learn of theirtraditional fishing methods. Beagle Bay is hometo the delightful Sacred Heart Church, built in1917 by the Pallotine monks, while MiddleLagoon is one of the most beautiful secludedbeaches we have seen. Teetering on the verynorthern tip Cape Leveque itself is resplendent,with sparkling waters that see humpbackwhales on their annual migration (July andOctober) while the sunsets blaze with colour allyear round against the red pindan cliffs. Kooljaman Camp, Cape Leveque Blessed by some of Australia's finest views, thesehilltop safari-style tents are secluded, have largebalconies and an unrestricted outlook over the bay.Each tent has a double bed, ensuite bathroom andbarbeque. Kooljaman is owned by two aboriginalcommunities, and befriending them will give yougreat appreciation for this beautiful slice of theOutback. Some offer tours in search of mud crabsand bush tucker while others tell of the culturalhistory of the area. There is a restaurant on site oryou may like to barbeque your own dinner withproduce supplied by the 'bush butler'. Kooljamanoffers a quiet place to explore the natural beauty ofthe area in simple yet comfortable surroundings.Sightseeing with Coral PrincessKooljaman CampThe Capeand KimberleyCombine a small group guided tour of beautifulCape Leveque with some of the Kimberley's moreaccessible gorges and waterfalls. Travelling along theGibb River Road you will experience a fascinatinginsight into Outback life.Day 1:Arrive in Broome with the rest of the dayfree to explore, strolling along CableBeach or taking a sunset camel ride.Day 2:Leave Broome and head up the DampierPeninsula, stopping at Beagle Bay andMiddle Lagoon. Arrive at Cape Levequein time for the sunset.Day 3:Explore the cape - go swimming, mudcrabbing or perhaps take a scenic flightover the Buccaneer Archipelago.Day 4:Return to Broome. Day 5:Leave Broome and travel to Derby andthe start of the Gibb River Road andWindjana Gorge National Park.Day 6:Explore the national parks and the poolsat Bell Gorge. Day 7:Visit the Dimond Gorge and MorningtonWilderness Sanctuary.Day 8:Travel to Galvans Gorge and BarnettRiver Gorge.Day 9:At Mount Elizabeth station take a rockart tour and then head for El QuestroWilderness Park and Emma Gorge.Day 10:Spend the day at El Questro WildernessPark, admire the majestic ChamberlainGorge. Later travel to Wyndham and takein the view of the Five Rivers Lookoutand then head for Kununurra.Day 11:Explore Kununurra and Lake Argyle.Take a cruise along the Ord River.Day 12:Depart Kununurra.EXTENSIONSExtend your stay in Kununurra to take either ascenic flight over the magnificent Bungle Bunglerange in Purnululu National Park, or continue alongthe Gibb River Road.Fishing at Cape Leveque

Mitchell River National ParkDERBY ANDTHE GIBB RIVER ROADThe town of Derby, set on the edge of KingSound to the northeast of Broome, is oftentreated simply as a provisioning point fortravellers, but its streets lined with boab treesare a tempting place to relax for a few leisurelydays and it is a good base from which toexplore. From Derby you can take a cruise to theBuccaneer Archipelago, a series of islandsreplete with rugged red cliffs, cooling waterfallsand sandy beaches, or fly over the region on ascenic flight. The Gibb River Road was originallyconstructed to transport cattle from thesurrounding stations, but today the 'Gibb' leadstowards three of the region's most spectacularnational parks, collectively known as theDevonian Reef National Parks. Apart from thegorges, waterfalls and rivers, it is theaccommodation, in real Aussie roadhouses,cattle stations or permanent camps, that reallymake the experience. Although some roads aresealed many are of natural rocky earth, so a4WD vehicle is essential. 54Boab prison tree, DerbyMITCHELL RIVERNATIONAL PARK Carved into the sandstone margins of theMitchell Plateau, these craggy wilds comprisethe gorges and waterfalls formed by theMitchell River, with striking fan palms andpatches of rainforest on higher levels, openwhite gum woodlands in the valleys and creekbeds lined with pandanus and paperbark trees.Mitchell Falls and Surveyors Pool are the twomain draws, and both change charactercompletely with the seasons: in the 'dry' theFalls plummet modestly in the centre of ancienteroded terraces, in the 'wet' they thunderspectacularly. The view from the air is awesome,but it's also worth exploring on foot, as this isan important site of Aboriginal heritage.THE DEVONIAN REEFNATIONAL PARKS The exposed limestone remnants of an ancientbarrier reef make for a dramatic landscape nowfar from the sea, seen at its best in the nationalparks of Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek andGeikie Gorge. Most spectacular of all are thetowering walls of Windjana Gorge, formed bythe Lennard River which seasonally curves itsway through the ancient limestone cliffs. Themain trail leads through a limestone crevice intoa wide gorge that splits the Napier Range, linedwith paperbark and leichhardt trees. TunnelCreek National Park is centred around an oldtunnel that worms its way through the NapierRange that has in turn provided a hiding placefor the Bunuba Aboriginal people. You can walkthrough the tunnel, wading through icy poolsamongst stalactites and beautiful black dolorite,with light shining through collapsed parts of theroof onto Aboriginal cave paintings. Close toFitzroy Crossing, Geikie Gorge National Park hasan exquisite gorge where the river has slicedthrough a limestone barrier reef, the yellow andorange of the steep walls mirrored in the water.White cliffs are studded with fossil deposits andfreshwater crocodiles and freshwater-adaptedstingrays jostle for space in the water. Walkingtrails lead along the forested banks, though acruise is a better way to appreciate the gorge.Geikie GorgeGibb River Road, Cockburn Range