Kimberley - Northern W.A.

DAY 1

ALBURY – MELBOURNE – DARWIN SATURDAY 28TH JUNE, 2025
Welcome aboard Martins Touring Coach departing from Lavington Shopping Centre, Griffith Road Bus Stop at 6.00am, Albury Railway Station at 6.15am, Wodonga Plaza Smythe St at 6.30am and Wangaratta Coles Perry Street Bus Stop at 7.25am for our 12 day tour of Darwin, Tiwi Islands and the stunning Kimberley Region of North West Australia. This morning, head to Melbourne Airport for our direct Qantas flight QF1984 departing 12.10pm to Darwin arriving 4.05pm. On arrival our touring coach will be at the airport to transfer us to the Darwin Esplanade for check in to our hotel before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade (4 Nights) Darwin Ph: (08) 8980 0800

DAY 2

DARWIN SUNDAY 29TH JUNE
Today we take in the sights of Darwin. Many people aren’t aware of the importance of Darwin during World War II, so we’ll look at the city as it is today and also learn about the involvement and history of the bombings of Darwin. The present city centre was established in 1869 and contains many of its remaining historic buildings such as the Old Court House and Government House. Our sightseeing tour concludes at Stokes Hill Wharf with a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Bombing of Darwin tourist facility - two iconic stories in one iconic location! Late afternoon we are off to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market – it’s a major social event and this fabulous local market offers over 200 stalls with nearly 60 food stalls from more than 30 different countries. With the multi-cultural background of Darwin, we are sure to be tempted by some delicious food and smells as we explore the market!  At a pre-arranged time, we transfer back to the hotel.

DAY 3

THE TIWI ISLANDS MONDAY 30TH JUNE
We have an early start today, as we head to the Tiwi Islands for a full days touring. The ferry ride takes around 2 hours, so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as we arrive on Bathurst Island. Here we meet our local guide for a journey through the progressive Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga. Visit the Culture Museum with its fascinating displays of traditional art and depictions of the Tiwi 'dreamtime' stories as well as visiting the Mission Precinct with its unique Catholic Church. Hear the colourful history of the early mission days. Enjoy morning tea with the Tiwi ladies who will also perform a smoking ceremony to bless us. We call into the arts and crafts centres and see where the local artists work, and have the opportunity to purchase Tiwi arts and crafts and screen-printed fabrics. Learn some of the complex rituals associated with the Pukamani (burial ceremony) before departing Bathurst Island for Darwin.

DAY 4

TERRITORY DAY IN DARWIN TUESDAY 1ST JULY
Following breakfast, take a quick look through the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens before arriving at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Set in a tropical garden at Bullocky Point, the MAGNT has a variety of collections that highlight the region's art, culture, and history. One of the more popular and powerful exhibitions tells the story of Cyclone Tracy and how it changed not just the urban landscape, but the lives of Darwin residents. Enjoy lunch at the café, then head to East Point to visit the Darwin Military Museum. Learn about life in the Northern Territory during World War II, the contribution made in northern Australia to the war effort, and experience first-hand accounts of the bombing. Tonight join Darwin Harbour Cruises for a sunset dinner cruise on Darwin Harbour. We will see the Darwin skyline from a totally different perspective while enjoying an interesting commentary and dinner. As today is Territory Day, we can also take in the fireworks from our cruise.

DAY 5

DARWIN – KATHERINE WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY
Leaving Darwin, we make our way to Litchfield National Park. The 65,000ha National Park with its untouched rainforests, hot springs, magnificent waterfalls and stunning scenery has gained the reputation as the jewel of the Northern Territory’s crown. We stop to see the Giant Termite Mounds, Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. No tour to the Top End, or Katherine would be complete without a cruise through Katherine Gorge. Discover the cultural significance of the two gorges to the traditional land owners the Jawoyn people. Along the way cultural guides will share their knowledge about plants, animals, dreamtime stories and culture. Surrounded by the limestone escarpment, the scenery is second to none.
Accommodation: Contour Hotel Katherine Ph: (08) 8972 1744

DAY 6

KATHERINE – KUNUNURRA THURSDAY 3RD JULY
From Katherine travel to Victoria River Crossing and Timber Creek at the northern edge of the Gregory National Park. This park covers 12,500 square kilometres and is in a transitional zone between tropical and semi arid regions.  We cross the border into Western Australia - the largest state in the country covering approximately one third of the whole of Australia. Just over the border turn south to Lake Argyle for lunch. One of the many highlights of our tour to the Kimberley Ranges will be our cruise this afternoon from below the massive wall of Lake Argyle into Lake Kununurra, 55 kilometres downstream. The Ord River Scheme was a progressive and far-sighted move to develop the tropical north of Western Australia. During “the wet’ the rivers of the East Kimberley become raging torrents. At times the Ord River can empty 50 million litres a second into the Cambridge Gulf!
Accommodation: Lily Lagoon Resort (2 nights) Kununurra Ph: (08) 9169 1092

DAY 7

KUNUNURRA FRIDAY 4TH JULY
There is an early morning optional flight available over the Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles) $520.00 pp (Guide only—subject to change)
For those of us not wanting to fly, this is the perfect opportunity for a sleep-in!  After a slightly later breakfast, we take a tour in and around Kununurra which means “big water”, and was established as the residential and administrative centre of the Ord River Scheme - a huge irrigation scheme developed in the 1970s. On our touring today visit the Mirima National Park, also referred to as Hidden Valley.  We stop at the Ivanhoe Cafe for lunch and this afternoon visit Kimberley Ornamental Stonecraft and the Tourist Information Centre for the chance to see many of the local products from the region.

DAY 8

KUNUNURRA – HALLS CREEK SATURDAY 5TH JULY
Leaving Kununurra this morning head south to Warmun for a visit to the Warmun Aboriginal Art Centre. After an interesting morning we travel to Halls Creek, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. The town is full of stories and relics as it was the site of Western Australia’s first gold rush. One of the more famous stories is of Russian Jack, a man who carried his injured mate in a wheelbarrow for over 300 kilometres to get medical attention. A statue is dedicated to his amazing feat here in town. Just outside Halls Creek is the China Wall. The amazing natural white stone formations rise high out of the ground and then disappear back into the earth again, making it look like a miniature Great Wall of China.
Accommodation: Kimberley Hotel Halls Creek Ph: (08) 9168 6101

DAY 9

HALLS CREEK – FITZROY CROSSING SUNDAY 6TH JULY
This morning we continue west through the magnificent red mountain scenery of the Kimberley to Fitzroy Crossing. Enjoy lunch at the Lodge, and later this afternoon travel out to nearby Geikie Gorge for a cruise through this spectacular landscape. The Fitzroy River has carved its path through the fossil "Barrier Reef" formed 300 million years ago, resulting in mountainous cliffs and breathtaking scenery.
Accommodation: Fitzroy River Lodge Fitzroy Crossing Ph: (08) 9191 5141

DAY 10

FITZROY CROSSING – BROOME MONDAY 7TH JULY
Our destination today is Broome, and we have an early start this morning so we can arrive in time for lunch at The Willie Creek Pearl Farm. The fascinating tour will give us an insight into the process of pearl farming, from shell to showroom. Set amongst the crystal-clear waters and mangrove-lining banks of Willie Creek, we’ll learn how pearl technicians seed and harvest oysters and discover exactly what makes the perfect pearl. Our visit will also include lunch, a boat cruise and time for some retail therapy. From here we head to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Oaks Broome Hotel (2 nights) Broome Ph: 1300 822 010

DAY 11

BROOME TUESDAY 8TH JULY
Situated on the coast of the Southern Kimberley Region, Broome’s rich and colourful history began with the mass migration of Japanese, Filipino and Malay pearl divers seeking their fortune and creating a melting pot of cultures that makes the multicultural town it is today. We take a sightseeing tour around Broome township and have some free time to look around town and purchase some lunch. This afternoon we head to the Port of Broome and board the Spirit of Broome for our very special Sunset Dinner Cruise. Enjoy a 4-course dinner and watch the sun set, as well as taking in all the stunning coastal scenery.

DAY 12

BROOME – MELBOURNE – ALBURY WEDNESDAY 9TH JULY
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast, before we complete our check out formalities and head to the Broome Airport to board our direct Qantas flight QF1051 departing at 12.45pm (refreshments in flight) for Melbourne arriving 6.35pm. Our Martins Albury Touring coach will meet us for the transfer to your home destination arriving approximately 11.00pm. It’s been a fantastic trip, with many wonderful memories of our time in the Top End.

TOUR COST

$9780.00 Per Person Twin / Double Share
$11,370.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

Economy Flights
Forward Journey Qantas Melbourne - Darwin
Return Journey Qantas Broome - Melbourne
Coach travel for duration of tour
Accommodation on basis as booked
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Entrances to attractions and cruises as per itinerary
Goods & Services Tax

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner