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

WESTERN AUSTRALIA55El Questro HomesteadEL QUESTROWILDERNESS PARK This private park contains a million acres ofincredible Outback scenery characterised bycascading waterfalls, gorges, meandering rivers,thermal springs and sprawling mountainousranges. Take a boat along Chamberlain Gorge, afresh waterhole bounded by tropical vegetation,or visit the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs.These pools make a wonderful place to soakand relax, surrounded by dense palms, feralhorses, frilled neck lizards, goannas andcolourful parrots. A knowledgeable ranger is onhand to introduce you to the full spectrum ofthese curious creatures. El Questro Homestead This handsome homestead is cantilevered over themagnificent Chamberlain River and has just sixstylish ensuite guestrooms, decorated with artifactsand antiques collected from Indonesia and tropicalAustralia and with private verandas overlooking thegarden and river. Guests may dine al fresco beneaththe canopy of stars in a number of quirky locationsand this is the ideal place to let the massive beautyof the untamed Kimberley work its magic.Emma Gorge Resort,El Questro Wilderness ParkHidden within the fiery red of the Cockburn Rangesthis lovely resort is shaded by palms and pandanus.Gravel paths link the tented cabins to the resort,where a swimming pool is set amongst native treesand landscaped gardens line the banks of EmmaCreek. Barbecues of fresh fish and Kimberley beefare dinner specialties, all served in the open air ofthe main building's spacious verandas. Each of thesuperior tented cabins is ensuite and has a raisedroof, allowing the tropical sounds and scents topermeate the air. Emma Gorge offers a greatexperience of Kimberley and its myriad wildlife. 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.PURNULULU (BUNGLEBUNGLE) NATIONAL PARKThis UNESCO World Heritage National Parksouth of Kununurra protects a fascinatinggeological landmark, the magnificent BungleBungle range, a unique panorama of beehive-like mounds, dyed a vivid orange and black bymetallic deposits. One of the best ways to seethem is from the air, giving a perspective of theirmassive scale. Further into the range there is ahidden world of gorges and pools where fanpalms cling precariously to the dome walls. Thebest sites are reached on foot at CathedralGorge in the south and Echidna Chasm in thenorth. Aboriginal heritage runs deep and thearea is rich in rock art and sacred burialgrounds, while the plentiful birds, includingrainbow bee-eaters and flocks of noisybudgerigars, are your constant companions.Emma Gorge ResortMustering at El QuestroKimberleyCompleteThis itinerary, a small group guided tour, sets out tothoroughly explore this marvellous region. Discoverthe gorges of the Gibb River Road, the vibrantAboriginal culture of the Mitchell Plateau and thespectacular Bungle Bungle range at PurnululuNational Park. Guided in places by Aboriginal land-owners you will stay in comfortable permanentcamps in and around the main national parks aswell as the lovely Emma Gorge Resort.Day 1:Leave Broome and head for Derby andWindjana Gorge and Tunnel Creeknational parks. Day 2:Travel along the Gibb River Road and visitBell Gorge. Day 3:Turn off the Gibb River Road towards theMitchell Plateau and King Edward River. Day 4:Explore Mitchell Plateau and the rock artsites of Wangjina and Gwion.Day 5:Take a flight over the waterfalls and atour of the area with an Aboriginal guide. Day 6:Leave the plateau and head back towardsthe Gibb River Road.Day 7:Cross the Durack and Pentecost riversinto El Questro Wilderness Park. Day 8:Explore El Questro Wilderness Park orsoak in Zebedee Springs. Day 9:Take a cruise on the Ord River and LakeKununurra. Day 10:Head south and enter Purnululu NationalPark to see the spectacular Bungle Bunglerange and trek to Echidna Chasm.Day 11:Trek to Cathedral Gorge and walkamongst the domes. Learn aboutbushtucker, bush medicine and the area'ssignificance to the local Aboriginal people. Day 12:Visit historic Halls Creek. Day 13:Cruise through Geikie Gorge escorted bya traditional Bunuba Aboriginal landowner. Later, return to Broome.EXTENSIONThere are a number of different touring optionsavailable within the Kimberley, some of which startand finish in Kununurra or Darwin, makingdiscovering this area - often presumed remote andinaccessible - a breeze. Combine your tour with astay in Kakadu National Park, cruise back toBroome from Darwin exploring the Kimberley coastor arrange your tour to finish in Kununurra to visitthe Outback cattle station of Bullo River Station.Bungle Bungle National Park