17 Day Kimberley Naturalists' Tour
Gibb River Road Adventure with Mike Jarvis and Ian Morris
- Seventeen day, seventeen night tour starting from Darwin, travelling down Stuart Highway, across to WA border along the Victoria Highway, then we explore the best of the famous remote Gibb River Road. The Kimberley region is described as a National Biodiversity Hotspot. We explore remote outback icons such as Geike Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Chinaman's Wall and Wolf Creek Crater, returning to Darwin via Kununurra, Timber Creek, Katherine and Pine Creek. Total distance covered - 4500 kilometres.
- Kimberley Biodiversity - 2000 plants, 230 endemic; 126 endangered invertebrates; more than 15 endemic fish species; 42 frog species including 12 endemics; 295 bird species, 2 endemic (Black Grasswren and Kimberley Honeyeater); 76 mammal species including 5 endemics.
- Will this tour suit me? A unique opportunity for enthusiastic nature lovers to encounter birds, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates and plants. Take in the spectacular scenery and learn about the amazing geology of a region that many people who have lived or visited the region regard as their favorite place on earth. The cultural heritage of the Kimberley region features strongly throughout this trip. Almost all accommodation is in comfortable air-conditioned rooms with ensuites, we do have three nights of camping, in comfortable stretcher beds provided. We start before dawn and stop for a bush breakfast at beautiful locations surrounded by birdlife at its busiest and scenery at its best. Lunch is enjoyed out in the field and dinners are ala carte menus at resorts or restaurants. Enjoy after dinner slide presentations by Ian on subjects relative to the days exploration. Group is small, with a maximum of only five keen fellow naturalists, plus Ian and Mike.
- Cost - $12990 per person twin share, single supplement $1695
- 2019 dates - June 13-29, 2019 (five seats available)
"Mike
Bjorg and I want to thank you and tell you what an amazing wonderful trip you provided. Bjorg was skeptical of this trip because she is not a hiker or a birder and at her age now prefers nicer accommodations than those on several previous eco or nature trips. She now raves about all aspects of this tour as do I.
As you now probably have sensed I adore all aspects of nature. I was taken in by the topography, plants and especially the trees, birds, particularly the larger ones, and animal life that we witnessed. You and Ian are founts of knowledge about all of these and dispensed it in a comprehensive yet succinct and easy to digest way. Each day was full without being over tiring. Giving us aspects of Australian history and particularly for me about the Aborigines was important.
Reading about the meals in your brochure made me a bit skeptical of same, but the food and accommodations were all quite good-well beyond adequate.
You and Ian made a good team with thorough knowledge and experience of all that you described. Any time you have professionals with the expertise you both possessed will make for a great experience, and we were certainly not disappointed in this regard. You had everything so well organized that the tour ran seamlessly. We also congratulate you for your consideration and kindness towards all of us in this diverse group.
So, thank you, thank you, thank you. If we can ever be of service as a reference feel free to use us.
Warm regards
Bjorg and Richard
USA August 2015
Here is a short video of highlights from our 2017 Kakadu Naturalists' Tour
About Ian Morris: Ian Morris is a biologist, educator, conservationist and author of ‘Kakadu National Park’ and co-author of ‘A Natural History and Field Guide to Australia’s Top End’. He has worked with Aboriginal Traditional Owners of the Arnhem Land region for decades, and was involved in forming Kakadu National Park. Ian promotes the magic of the bush as an NT based environmental consultant for many national parks in Australia and is passionate about bio-geography, Traditional Aboriginal land management practices and the modern context.
Ian Morris learnt his first Aboriginal language at the age of nine in East Arnhem Land, and eventually went back there as a school teacher. He mentored and continues to mentor many young indigenous children, and has himself been mentored by Aboriginal elders in the Indigenous understanding of relationships with nature. Ian says “I was fortunate enough when young to be taught by traditionally-born Arnhem Landers. Passing on what I learned is a privilege.”
In addition to having guided land based Kimberley eco-tours for more than ten years Ian has worked with Coral Expeditions as a guest lecturer since 1987, showcasing the Kimberley from the seaward side.
Itinerary
Day 1 Thursday June 13 DARWIN to VICTORIA RIVER ROADHOUSE
Pre-dawn pick-up from your Darwin accommodation then breakfast with Gouldian's near Pine Creek. Continue on to Victoria River Roadhouse where we search for resident Purple-crowned Fairywrens.
Distance covered for the day - 540km
Dinner and accommodation at Victoria River Roadhouse
Day 2 Friday June 14 VICTORIA RIVER ROADHOUSE to LAKE ARGYLE
Bush breakfast at 5k ford, Buchanan Highway, waterhole at Gregory NP, or bush breakfast at Menggen, Bill Harney, lunch at Cockatoo Lagoon, rock art at Keep River NP,
Continue on to Lake Argyle.
Distance covered for the day - 320km
Dinner and accommodation at Lake Argyle
Day 3 Saturday June 15 | Lake Argyle Cruise – Parry Creek Farm
5.30 am (WA time) Lake Argyle Cruise (5-6hrs), lunch at Kununurra. We cross the mighty Ord River and continue on to Parry Creek Farm, where we explore the wildlife of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve.
Distance covered for the day - 170km
Dinner and accommodation at Parry Creek Farm
Day 4 | Sunday June 16 | Parry Creek Farm to / Home Valley
Distance covered for the day - 120km
Dinner and accommodation at Home Valley
Day 5 | Monday June 17 | Home Valley
Visit Emma Gorge, Pentacost River crossing accom and dinner at Home Valley. We enjoy views of the nearby Cockburn Range are iconic and memorable parts of a trip along the Gibb River Road and are mid-way between Home Valley Station and El Questro.
Distance covered for the day – 100km
Dinner and accommodation at Home Valley
Day 6 | Tuesday June 18 | Home Valley – Mt Elizabeth Station
Explore the section of Gibb River Road between Home Valley and Mt Elizabeth Station
Distance covered for the day - 300km
Dinner and accommodation at Mt Elizabeth Station
Day 7 | Wednesday June 19 | Mt Elizabeth Station | Manning Gorge – Black Grasswren expedition, in broken sandstone, spinifex tussock country. Continue on to Manning Creek, explore Manning Gorge, see the southern most known examples of ‘Bradshaw’ art, camp and dinner at Manning Gorge
Distance covered for the day – 100km
Camp and dinner at Manning Gorge
Day 8 | Thursday June 20 | Manning Gorge to Bell Gorge | Explore Bell Gorge, swim, walk… Bell Creek is a major watercourse from east to west to King Sound. Dinner and accommodation at Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Distance covered for the day - 100km
Dinner and camp at Iminji Campground and Art Centre
Day 9 | Friday June 21 | Bell Gorge to Windjana | lunch and explore Windjana Gorge, outlaw story of Djandamara, the aboriginal ‘Ned Kelly’ folk hero. Easy gorge walk. Leonard river pushes its way through the old Devonian Reef and on to the coastal plains, emptying into King Sound. Camp and dinner at Windjana,
Distance covered for the day - 150km
Dinner and camp at Windjana
Day 10 | Saturday June 22 | Windjana to Fitzroy Crossing | we follow the Napier Range, down the ‘coral reef’ (Devonian Reef) to the Great Northern Highway and stay at Fitzroy Crossing
Distance covered for the day - 200km
Dinner and accommodation at Fitzroy Lodge
Day 11 | Sunday June 23| Fitzroy Crossing | explore Geike Gorge, Bundburra Lookout, meet the Bunaba people.
Dinner and accommodation at Fitzroy Lodge
Distance covered for the day - 70km
Dinner and accommodation at Fitzroy Lodge
Day 12 | Monday June 24| Fitzroy Crossing to Halls Creek | Continue on the sealed Great Northern Highway to Halls Creek, explore Mimbi Caves with the Gunuyandi people .
Distance covered for the day - 400km
Dinner and accommodation at Hall’s Creek
Day 13 | Tuesday June 25| Halls Creek | see China Wall, explore Wolf Creek Crater – observe the vegetation patterns in the crater that reveal unique micro-climate influences
Distance covered for the day - 350km
Dinner and accommodation at Hall's Creek
Day 14 | Wednesday June 26| Hall’s Creek - Doon Doon – Visit art centre at Turkey Creek (Warmun) Dinner and accommodation at Doon Doon
Distance covered for the day - 280km
Dinner and accommodation at Doon Doon
Day 15 | Thursday June 27| Doon – Timber Creek | Bush breakfast at lookout near the Carr Boyd Ranges. Continue through Kununurra back across the NT border to Timber Creek – Dinner and accommodation at Timber Creek Distance covered for the day - 350km
Dinner and accommodation at Pine Creek
Distance covered for the day - 450km
Day 16 | Friday June 28| Timber Creek – Pine Creek | Bush breakfast at the Five Finch Ford, Buchanan Highway. Continue through to Katherine and on to Pine Creek – Dinner and accommodation at Pine Creek Distance covered for the day - 390km
Dinner and accommodation at Pine Creek
Distance covered for the day - 450km
Day 17 | Saturday June 29| Pine Creek to Darwin | Breakfast at Pine Creek then continue the last leg of our journey together to Darwin. We have lunch, our last group meal, at a restaurant in Darwin.
Drop off at Darwin accommodation around 2pm.
Distance covered for the day - 250km. Overall trip distance - approximately 4500km
Please Note: The above itinerary is based on the outcomes of many previous tours to the areas described. Ian Morris’s experience in the area is vast, and his expertise could lead to some unexpected and memorable wildlife experiences. Each season is different and as various wildlife observing opportunities arise, adjustments will be made.
Inclusions - Thirteen nights comfortable air-conditioned accommodation with ensuite, Lake Argyle Birdwatching Cruise, Geike Gorge Cruise, Mimbi Cave tour, Tunnel Creek tour. Three nights camping with comfortable individual stretcher beds. All meals. Cold water, tea, coffee and refreshments available at all times.
A comprehensive checklist/journal is provided which will help each participant to make the most of this tour. Each evening after dinner we review the days experience as a group, tick off all the species we have seen, and then view a slide-show presentation featuring a theme to be explored on the following day.
Also included is a free copy of ‘A Natural History and Field Guide to Australia’s Top End’ by Ian Morris et al. This is a 202 page full photos (nearly all Ian's) and information on climate, habitats, geology flora and fauna of the Top End.
Exclusions - Alcoholic drinks, purchases of a personal nature such as souvenirs, internet use, etc.
Group - $10990 per person twin share, single supplement $1695.
All prices are in Australian dollars. Please click here for conversion to your currency.
Booking Procedure - You can book directly using our secure online booking site by clicking here. Payment options are Visa, Mastercard, Paypal or Bank Transfer. A 20% deposit secures the booking, the balance is due 30 days prior to start of tour. Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries regarding the tour.
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Further Information - Please click here for our Terms and Conditions document. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about how our tours run. Visit our 'Darwin Accommodation' links page to find some helpful suggestions for pre and post tour arrangements. Email enquiries@experiencethewild.com.au or ring Jenny or Mike on 0400 404 058
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