Gibb River Road - Mitchell Plateau

Tour Details

Operator

The Adventure Collective

Destinations

Darwin, Broome, Cable Beach, Gibb River Road and King Leopold Ranges

Departs From

Darwin

Tour Description

A new itinerary for 2008! Explore more of Australia’s North West, one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. The Mitchell River and its tributaries have carved spectacular gorges and waterfalls into the limestone that borders the Mitchell Plateau. The area is also a significant Aboriginal heritage site and home to the Livistonia palm. And of course, with great cycling, four-wheel-driving, bushwalking and swimming, you’ll have an adventure you’ll never forget.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
>> Swimming in lakes, gorges and swimming holes
>> Spectacular Mitchell Falls
>> Gorges and waterfalls
>> Aboriginal rock art
>> One of Australia’s most famous outback tracks, the Gibb River Road
>> Perfect white sands of Cable Beach, Broome

11 days / 10 nights

2008 Dates: 31 May-10 June, 29 June - 9 July

Day 1
We leave Darwin early to spend the day making our way across the Northern Territory/Western Australian border to Lake Argyle. En route we pass through the town of Katherine and the scenic Victoria River region. We stay the night in Kununurra. (L)

Day 2
Today we ride from camp through beautiful hills toward the township of Kununurra with its vast irrigation scheme, then unload the bikes for a ride to El Questro, a 1,000,000-hectare station! There’s a walk here this afternoon, and we camp the night at the station. (B, L, D)

Days 3 & 4
After a quick swim before breakfast, we head off along the famous outback track, the Gibb River Road. Today’s scenery ranges from lush, tropical vegetation to open country with jump-ups. Crossing the Pentecost River, we have lunch at Dawn Creek and there’s a few opportunities to swim. The afternoon’s riding takes us to Drysdale Station, where you can grab a chocolate or cold drink before reaching our camp for the evening. A ride the next morning before turning off towards Mitchell Falls, we find our campsite and enjoy a walk to a nearby waterfall. (B, L, D)

Days 5 & 6
The vegetation becomes more dense today. This morning we explore an Aboriginal burial and art site before continuing on towards Mitchell Falls. We reach the falls this afternoon and set up camp before heading out for a short walk to some more waterfalls, with a chance for a natural shower on the way back! The next morning, we set out for a longer walk (around 3.5 hours return) for the best view of the falls. After leaving our camp, there’s time for a dip at our lunch stop, and there’s another Aboriginal art site to discover on our way to camp. (B, L, D)

Days 7, 8 & 9
Today it’s pretty open, flat country, with some more creek crossings to negotiate during the ride! We set up our bush camp for the night. Day 8 begins with a few more creeks to cross, before morning tea at Barnett Roadhouse and another bush camp for the night. The scenery never ceases to amaze with flowing creeks and rivers, ranges and the constantly changing vegetation. On Day 9 we make our way to Windjana Gorge, where we set up camp. Tonight we may grab our torches for a night walk to spot crocs! (B, L, D)

Days 10 & 11
This morning we stop at Tunnel Creek, which is amazing and a chance for a swim amongst the waterfalls. We stop for lunch at Oscar Range Quarry, with another dip before lunch. We camp in Geike National Park. Our last day together is a spectacular way to finish the trip, with the gleaming white sands of Cable Beach beckoning. We ride together along the beach while the sparkling turquoise waters lap at the shore. A perfect ending to an amazing trip! (Day 10: B, L, D; Day 11: B) Need to get back to Perth? Join this trip with RT8 Western Central & Coastal Explorer for a 5 day/4 night trip of four-wheel driving through WA. Highlights include Marble Bar, Karijini NP, swimming, walking and snorkeling at Coral Bay and more. Departs Broome 11 July and 29 August 2008