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Kimberley, Western Australia

KIMBERLEY
GORGES
& ROCK ART

"Discover ancient rock art in remote northern landscapes — Wandjina spirits, Bungle Bungle domes, and the world's last great wilderness."

Experience 65,000 years of continuous culture — the oldest living art tradition on Earth

View 11-Day Itinerary Book Your Place
Location
Kimberley, WA
Duration
11 Days
Group Size
Max 12
Difficulty
Moderate
From
$7,995 pp
Season
May–Oct
Ancient Country

AN EXTRAORDINARY
11-DAY EXPEDITION

Journey into one of the world's last great wilderness areas on this extraordinary expedition through Western Australia's Kimberley region. This immersive tour takes you beyond typical tourist routes to discover ancient Aboriginal rock art sites that have stood for over 65,000 years — among the oldest artistic expressions of human civilisation on Earth.

The Kimberley is a land where time moves differently — where ochre-painted Wandjina spirits watch over hidden gorges, where the Bungle Bungle Range rises in striped majesty from endless red plains, and where the oldest continuous living culture on the planet maintains connections to Country through story, song, and ceremony.

Travel the legendary Gibb River Road, swim in crystal-clear rock pools beneath cascading waterfalls, witness the spectacular Mitchell Falls plunging into turquoise pools, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungles. Meet Aboriginal elders and artists at community centres, purchase authentic artwork directly from source, and gain profound insights into the world's oldest surviving art tradition.

Tour Highlights

12 EXTRAORDINARY
KIMBERLEY EXPERIENCES

Every day reveals a different facet of the Kimberley's extraordinary diversity — ancient rock art, pristine gorges, cultural encounters, and remote wilderness.

Wandjina Rock Art

Encounter the powerful Wandjina spirits — ancestral creator beings with large eyes, no mouths, and elaborate headdresses. Central to Worrora, Ngarinyin, and Wunumbal spiritual life.

Gwion Gwion Paintings

Marvel at graceful Gwion Gwion figures — Ice Age humans adorned with tassels, headdresses, and ceremonial objects. Among the world's oldest continuous figurative art tradition.

Bungle Bungle Range

Explore the beehive domes of Purnululu National Park — walk Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm through geological wonders 360 million years in the making.

Mitchell Falls

Spectacular four-tiered waterfalls cascading into turquoise rock pools. Optional helicopter flights provide breathtaking aerial perspectives of this remote wonder.

Gibb River Road

Australia's most legendary 4WD track — 660km of rugged Kimberley landscape through cattle stations, river crossings, and dramatic mountain ranges.

Aboriginal Art Centres

Visit Mowanjum Art Centre in Derby and Imitji community. Meet artists whose contemporary works continue traditions spanning millennia. Purchase directly from creators.

Pristine Gorges

Swim in crystal-clear rock pools at Manning Gorge, Bell Gorge, Galvans Gorge, and Zebedee Hot Springs — each offering spectacular scenery in remote wilderness.

Geike Gorge Cruise

Cruise the Fitzroy River through spectacular limestone cliffs, spotting freshwater crocodiles and learning about the ancient Devonian Reef system visible in the gorge walls.

Tunnel Creek

Wade through the 750-metre underground river system where resistance fighter Jandamarra conducted guerrilla operations against colonial forces for three years.

El Questro Wilderness

One million acres of wilderness — dramatic gorges, thermal springs (Zebedee), Emma Gorge's 65-metre waterfall, and diverse wildlife in a conservation reserve.

Lake Argyle Cruise

Australia's second-largest freshwater lake — cruise spotting 30,000+ waterbirds, freshwater crocodiles, and wallabies on shores created by the Ord River dam.

Outback Stargazing

Kimberley night skies are among the darkest on Earth — an unpolluted canopy of billions of stars over ancient landscapes while Dreamtime stories echo by the campfire.

Day-by-Day

DETAILED
ITINERARY

Eleven days from Broome to Kununurra — traversing one of Earth's most extraordinary and remote landscapes. Every day is different. Every day is unforgettable.

Day
01

Broome to Fitzroy Crossing

Depart Broome at 7:30 AM, travelling through savannah grasslands dotted with ancient boab trees. Visit Derby's historic Prison Boab Tree, then explore Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Cultural Centre — meet Worrora, Ngarinyin, and Wunumbal artists and view contemporary Wandjina art continuing ancient traditions. Witness Derby's extraordinary 10-metre tidal range.

Afternoon cruise through spectacular Geike Gorge, where sheer limestone cliffs rise from the Fitzroy River — remnants of a Devonian reef system 350 million years old.

Accommodation: Fitzroy CrossingMeals: BLD
Day
02

Tunnel Creek & Windjana Gorge

Travel through the Napier Range to Tunnel Creek — wade through this 750-metre underground cave river system featuring spectacular stalactites and crystal formations. Emerge at the waterhole where Aboriginal freedom fighter Jandamarra (Pigeon) conducted guerrilla resistance against colonial forces for three years in the 1890s.

Continue to mystical Windjana Gorge — an 800-metre walk through this sacred site carved through ancient limestone, home to numerous freshwater crocodiles basking on sandbanks and exotic birdlife including the white-quilled rock pigeon.

Accommodation: Windjana Gorge CampMeals: BLD
Day
03

Gibb River Road to Mt Barnett

Begin the legendary Gibb River Road journey, traversing the Lennard River and crossing the rugged King Leopold Ranges with stops at spectacular lookouts. Visit Imitji Store and Aboriginal community — an opportunity to meet residents and purchase local artwork.

Arrive at Mt Barnett Station, gateway to Manning Gorge. Afternoon hike (approximately 2-hour return), crossing Manning Creek before reaching pristine rock pools beneath cascading waterfalls — perfect swimming in crystal-clear water surrounded by ancient rock formations.

Accommodation: Mt Barnett StationMeals: BLD
Day
04

Galvans Gorge & Mt Elizabeth Station Rock Art

Morning visit to Galvans Gorge — a hidden gem with beautiful swimming holes surrounded by layered sandstone. Continue to historic Mt Elizabeth Station, one of the Kimberley's most remote properties and home to one of the region's most significant Aboriginal rock art sites.

Join a guided tour led by traditional owners, accessing exclusive Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock art sites not available to general visitors. Traditional owners share cultural protocols, creation stories, and the ongoing spiritual significance of these sites to their people.

Accommodation: Mt Elizabeth StationMeals: BLD
Day
05

Mitchell Plateau & Falls

Early departure for Mitchell Plateau via Drysdale River Station — deeper into remote Kimberley wilderness. Visit Munurru rock art site, featuring exceptional Wandjina and Gwion Gwion examples. Uunguu Rangers provide cultural interpretation of these extraordinary paintings.

Hike to Mitchell Falls (4km return, approximately 3 hours) — four-tiered waterfalls cascading into deep turquoise pools framed by palm-filled gorges. One of Australia's most spectacular natural attractions. Optional helicopter flight available for breathtaking aerial perspectives (additional cost).

Accommodation: Mitchell Plateau CampMeals: BLD
Day
06

King Edward River & Remote Rock Art

Morning exploration of additional Mitchell Plateau rock art sites, each revealing different aspects of Aboriginal artistic traditions. Travel to King Edward River, visiting remote rock art sites accessible only via 4WD and short walks — featuring both ancient Gwion Gwion figures and Wandjina paintings demonstrating the evolution of artistic styles over millennia.

These rarely visited sites offer extraordinary preservation and the opportunity to observe rock art in pristine settings untouched by mass tourism. Afternoon swimming at King Edward River's crystal-clear waterholes.

Accommodation: King Edward River CampMeals: BLD
Day
07

Bell Gorge & Silent Grove

Return journey along the Gibb River Road, crossing the Durack and Pentecost Rivers. Afternoon visit to Bell Gorge — a 30-minute walk leads to stunning multi-tiered waterfalls cascading into turquoise rock pools, one of the Kimberley's most photogenic locations.

Camp at Silent Grove in the King Leopold Ranges. The serene setting provides exceptional stargazing under the Kimberley's famously clear night skies. Evening campfire storytelling shares Dreamtime legends of the surrounding country.

Accommodation: Silent Grove CampMeals: BLD
Day
08

El Questro Wilderness Park

Enter the million-acre El Questro Wilderness Park — a former cattle station transformed into conservation tourism. Morning visit to Zebedee Hot Springs, thermal pools nestled among livistona palms (28–32°C) offering therapeutic soaking in a secluded gorge.

Afternoon hike through monsoon rainforest to Emma Gorge — a 65-metre waterfall plunging into a deep rock pool with 200-metre red cliffs creating a dramatic natural amphitheater. Optional helicopter flights, barramundi fishing, or horseback riding available at additional cost.

Accommodation: El Questro StationMeals: BLD
Day
09

Kununurra & Lake Argyle

Travel to Kununurra — the eastern gateway to the Kimberley. Visit Lake Argyle, Australia's second-largest freshwater lake, holding nine times the volume of Sydney Harbour. Cruise spotting freshwater crocodiles, wallabies, and over 30,000 waterbirds including pelicans, sea eagles, and jabiru.

Tour the Argyle Homestead Museum showcasing pioneering pastoral history and the region's famous Argyle pink diamonds. Explore Kununurra's Hidden Valley National Park and the Ord River Irrigation Area — one of Australia's most ambitious agricultural projects.

Accommodation: Kununurra HotelMeals: BLD
Day
10

Purnululu — Bungle Bungle Range

Early departure for Purnululu National Park, 53km via rugged 4WD track, to reach the extraordinary Bungle Bungle Range — one of Australia's most iconic natural wonders, unknown to non-Indigenous Australians until the 1980s.

Explore Echidna Chasm — 200-metre walls towering overhead in a cathedral-like space. Visit Cathedral Gorge — an enormous natural amphitheater with exceptional acoustics, sacred to the traditional Kija owners. Witness the colour transformation of striped domes as afternoon light shifts from ochre to deep red. Optional helicopter flight reveals the formation's extraordinary scale (additional cost).

Accommodation: Purnululu CampgroundMeals: BLD
Day
11

Return to Kununurra — Departure

Final morning exploring Purnululu's southern reaches — additional lookouts and walking trails through the extraordinary landscape. Photograph the Bungle Bungles in morning light when the striped patterns are most vivid.

Return journey to Kununurra with stops at scenic viewpoints overlooking the Carr Boyd Range and Osmand Valley. Tour concludes approximately 5:00 PM at Kununurra Airport or accommodation. We recommend booking flights departing after 6:30 PM or staying an additional night.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Cultural Knowledge

UNDERSTANDING
KIMBERLEY ROCK ART

The Kimberley contains the world's oldest and most complex continuous rock art tradition — spanning 65,000 years of human history and spiritual practice.

Wandjina Art

The Wandjina are powerful ancestral creator beings central to the spiritual beliefs of the Worrora, Ngarinyin, and Wunumbal peoples of the northwestern Kimberley. These large, haunting figures appear on thousands of rock walls, typically measuring 1–6 metres tall.

  • No mouths: Wandjina's power is so great that if they spoke, the world would be destroyed by floods
  • Large eyes: All-seeing eyes observe and protect the land and people
  • Elaborate headdresses: Radiating lines represent lightning, clouds, and rain
  • White pigment: Created from crushed mineral deposits mixed with water and tree sap
  • Maintained today: Traditional owners regularly repaint Wandjina images to ensure continued rainfall — an unbroken practice spanning 4,000+ years

Gwion Gwion Paintings

Gwion Gwion art (formerly called Bradshaw paintings) represents the world's oldest known continuous art tradition. These graceful paintings depict elegant human figures in elaborate ceremonial dress in dynamic poses.

  • Age: Dating suggests some may be 65,000+ years old — potentially predating European Paleolithic cave art
  • Style: Delicate, dynamic figures — dancing, hunting, performing ceremonies
  • Adornment: Figures wear tassels, headdresses, arm and leg decorations; carry boomerangs, spears, and bags
  • Preservation: Finely detailed paintings show remarkable preservation due to rock surface mineral coatings
  • Named for a bird: The Ngarinyin name for a small bird whose call heralds the wet season — said to have pecked the paintings onto rock surfaces in Aboriginal tradition
What's Included

EVERYTHING
YOU NEED

Your $7,995 per person tour price includes all of the following — no hidden fees or surprise costs.

✓ Included

Accommodation

10 nights — permanent tented camps, station accommodation, and hotels. All bedding and camping equipment provided.

✓ Included

All Meals

Breakfast Day 1 through lunch Day 11. Fresh, hearty camp-style cooking with dietary requirements accommodated on request.

✓ Included

Expert Guides

Experienced guides with deep Kimberley knowledge and established Aboriginal community relationships. Max 12 guests.

✓ Included

4WD Transportation

Purpose-built expedition vehicles throughout. All fuel, permits, and park entry fees included.

✓ Included

Rock Art Tours

Exclusive access to multiple rock art sites with Indigenous cultural guides at Mt Elizabeth Station, Mitchell Plateau, and remote locations.

✓ Included

National Park Fees

All entry fees for Purnululu, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Geike Gorge, and all other protected areas.

✓ Included

Geike Gorge Cruise

Boat cruise through Geike Gorge with Aboriginal cultural interpretation and freshwater crocodile viewing.

✓ Included

Lake Argyle Cruise

Scenic cruise on Australia's largest artificial lake spotting freshwater crocodiles and 30,000+ waterbirds.

Not Included

  • Flights to Broome and from Kununurra (we can assist with booking)
  • Pre and post-tour accommodation in Broome/Kununurra
  • Optional helicopter flights at Mitchell Falls and Purnululu (~$350–500 pp, highly recommended)
  • Alcoholic beverages beyond what's provided with meals
  • Personal expenses and souvenir/artwork purchases
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended — must include medical evacuation)
  • Optional activities at El Questro (horseback riding, additional guided walks)
Before You Go

ESSENTIAL
INFORMATION

Fitness & Difficulty

This tour is rated moderate difficulty. Participants should be able to walk 2–4 hours on uneven terrain, wade through water (Tunnel Creek), manage hot conditions (30–40°C), and enter/exit 4WD vehicles multiple times daily.

  • Most walks range 1–4km return with some inclines
  • Mitchell Falls walk (4km return) is the longest
  • Rocky surfaces, boulders, and creek crossings
  • Achievable for most active adults with reasonable fitness
  • Minimum age: 12 years (younger on private tours)

Best Time to Travel

Tours operate during the Kimberley dry season: May to October only. The wet season (November–April) brings monsoonal rains, extreme heat and humidity, flooding, and road closures.

  • May–June: Waterfalls at peak flow, lush vegetation, warm days (28–32°C)
  • July–August: Peak season — perfect temperatures (25–30°C), lower humidity
  • September–October: Hotter (30–40°C), spectacular wildflowers, build-up season drama

What to Bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes/boots with good grip
  • Wide-brimmed hat, quality sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen
  • Lightweight long sleeves and pants (sun & mosquito protection)
  • Swimmers and quick-dry towel
  • Reusable water bottle (3+ litre capacity)
  • Personal first aid items and medications
  • Insect repellent (tropical strength with DEET)
  • Headlamp/torch with spare batteries
  • Camera with spare batteries and memory cards
  • Small daypack for walks
  • Sleeping bag liner (bedding provided, liner adds comfort)

Health & Safety

  • Medical Services: Limited in remote Kimberley — nearest hospitals in Broome, Derby, Kununurra
  • Fitness Declaration: Required at booking to ensure tour suitability
  • Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended including medical evacuation coverage
  • Sun Protection: UV levels extreme — sun protection essential all day
  • Hydration: Drink 4–5 litres daily in hot conditions
  • Crocodiles: Saltwater crocs present in some areas — strictly follow all guide instructions. Freshwater crocs (Geike Gorge, Windjana) generally not dangerous to humans
  • Communications: Satellite comms carried by all guides
2026 Dry Season Departures

TOUR PRICING

$7,995
Per Person — Twin Share
Single supplement: $950 · Minimum 6 participants · Maximum 12 per departure

2026 Departure Dates

May
15–25 May
June
5–15 Jun
June
26 Jun–6 Jul
July
17–27 Jul
August
7–17 Aug
August
28 Aug–7 Sep
September
18–28 Sep
October
9–19 Oct
Book Now — Secure Your Place Request Information

Places are strictly limited. Peak season departures (July–August) typically sell out 3–4 months in advance.

How to Book

BOOKING
INFORMATION

How to Book

  1. Choose Your Departure — Select preferred dates from available departures above
  2. Complete Booking Form — Provide passenger details, dietary requirements, and fitness declaration
  3. Pay Deposit — $2,000 per person secures your booking
  4. Receive Confirmation — Comprehensive pre-tour information pack sent via email within 48 hours
  5. Final Payment — Due 60 days prior to departure

Group bookings and private tour departures available for 6+ guests with customised itineraries. Contact us to discuss.

Cancellation Policy

  • More than 60 days before departure: $500 per person cancellation fee
  • 30–60 days before departure: 50% of tour cost forfeited
  • Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of tour cost — no refund
  • Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment
  • Weather/emergency cancellations by Cooee Tours: full refund or rescheduling within 12 months

Solo travellers are very welcome. Our small-group format creates natural camaraderie among like-minded travellers.

Our Difference

WHY CHOOSE
COOEE TOURS?

Kimberley Expertise

Our guides have collectively spent decades exploring the Kimberley, establishing deep relationships with Aboriginal communities and gaining intimate knowledge of this vast region.

Cultural Authenticity

We work directly with Aboriginal traditional owners, art centres, and communities — ensuring cultural experiences are authentic, respectful, and benefit local people.

Small Group Advantage

Maximum 12 participants ensures intimate cultural experiences, flexibility, minimal environmental impact, and truly personalized attention from our expert guides.

Complete Experience

Our itinerary balances spectacular natural attractions, profound cultural experiences, adventure activities, and adequate rest — a truly complete Kimberley journey.

Safety & Reliability

Purpose-built 4WD vehicles, wilderness first aid-trained guides, satellite communications, and comprehensive safety protocols. Over 50 years of Australian touring experience.

Sustainable Tourism

Leave No Trace principles, direct support for Aboriginal art centres and communities, and active promotion of cultural and environmental conservation through responsible travel.

Questions Answered

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Start Your
Kimberley Adventure

"Walking where Aboriginal people walked for millennia, viewing art sites that have inspired generations, swimming in waterholes that served as gathering places for countless centuries — these experiences create profound connections to ancient human history and the Australian landscape."

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