11 Days Spirit Of The Outback By 4wd

Today, pick up your Hertz Group R 4WD car hire. Depart Broome and head east to Fitzroy Crossing located on the banks of one of the largest river systems in Australia with a catchment of 90,000 square kilometres (55,800 square miles). This is a true outback town with a strong indigenous culture.

Suggested activity: On arrival, head northeast for 25km to the Devonian Reef National Parks. Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Danggu Geike Gorge cover an area that was part of an ancient reef system over 350 million years ago. This remnant reef is seen today in the limestone ranges and gorges of the West Kimberley, and also in the Ningbing Range north of Kununurra.

Depart Fitzroy Crossing and head via the Gibbs River Road to Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge. Situated in a beautiful and unique setting close to the Gibb River Road and the Imintji Aboriginal community, the lodge takes full advantage of its prime Indigenous-owned site and affords magnificent views of the King Leopold escarpment.

Depart Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge and continue further northeast on the Gibb River Road to the picturesque Mt Elizabeth Station, a working cattle station. Take time to explore the spectacular gorges along the way – there are plenty to choose from including Bells Creek, Galvans, Manning and Adcock. Your hosts have a deep appreciation for the surrounding country and are happy to share with you their knowledge and experiences gained from a lifetime spent living and working in this remote area of Australia.

Today you will continue northeast on the Gibb River Road to El Question Station. El Questro Wilderness Park is considered to be one of the world’s most unique holiday destinations. Being over one million acres in size it provides a true outback-Australian experience.

Departing El Questro Station, continue onto the Purnululu National Park. The Bungle Bungles are one of the most fascinating geological landmarks in Australia. From an aircraft, the orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds are clearly visible. Constant erosion and river movements have formed huge black and orange striped domes over 20 million years. Further over the range, a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed.

Today, take to the skies to witness the incredible Bungle Bungle range from the air. The sandstone massif of the Bungle Bungle Range is almost 99 times the area of Uluru – there are more stunning features and spectacular landforms to see in this half hour scenic flight than you would imagine possible. View the hidden red rock gorges of the north west tip, Piccaninny Gorge from end to end and the unique beehive formations that have contributed to the listing of Purnululu National Park as one of Australia’s World Heritage areas.

Depart Purnululu National Park and continue onto Kununurra, the gateway to the Kimberley from the East. The town has become the major administrative centre for the East Kimberley, servicing farmers, pastoralists and the rapidly developing tourism and mining industries. It is one of the biggest towns in the Kimberley.

Today is yours to explore Kununurra at leisure.

Suggested activity: The Kununurra Markets are held each Saturday morning, from April to September, in Whitegum Park, 8am until 12noon. The markets provide an opportunity to purchase locally made arts and crafts and fresh fruit/veg supplied by famers from around the district. Grab yourself some funky jewellery, gorgeous zebra rock or ribbon stone, rough diamonds, boab pendants and earrings, wooden toys, soaps, clothing, scented candles, local photography, pens, dream catchers, pot plants, second hand books, second hand clothes and locally sourced honey. Sit at tables under a shady tree whilst eating delectable delights from one of the many food stalls. The atmosphere will be set with live music wafting in the background.

You may wish to stop at Gregory National Park. An impressive 10,500 square kilometres of ranges, gorges and sandstone escarpments, curvaceous silhouettes of Boab trees enliven the Park’s landscape. Katherine is the Top End’s second largest town. Its river - the first perennial running water along the route from Alice Springs - was originally dubbed the ‘Catherine’ by John McDouall Stuart in 1862, after his patron’s daughter. The spelling was changed and the town of Katherine was eventually settled to service the Overland Telegraph Line.

You may wish to visit Katherine Gorge before heading to Kakadu National Park. Just 29km from Katherine itself, the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park consists of 13 natural gorges and is a massive 292,008 hectares in size. Due to the abundance of water, the Park has vibrant wildlife. Continue onto Kakadu National Park. Kakadu is one of four Australian sites included on the World Heritage List for both cultural and natural outstanding universal values. The park features great natural beauty and sweeping landscapes, as well as internationally important wetlands.

There’s a lot to see on the road between Kakadu National Park and Darwin – from The Windows on the Wetlands to jumping crocodiles. On your journey you may wish to enjoy a cruise on the Adelaide River flood plains before arriving in Darwin. Return your Hertz Group R 4WD car hire.