The Kimberly or Uluru?
 

Hello! Any advice on whether to see the outback in the Kimberly or Uluru areas? I plan to take a 3 to 5 day group tour of one of these areas. Please also let me know if any must sees in your preferred area. If it's the Kimberly should my base be Broome or Kununurra? I also plan to visit Kakadu, Kangaroo Island, and the Perth area. I will be flying from Houston, TX and am thinking I'd fly into Adelaide then Perth then Broome or Kununurra then Darwin OR Perth then Adelaide then Uluru then Darwin (all air travel). I am interested in seeing the natural beauty and wildlife of Australia rather than cities. I've been diving elsewhere and am not that much of a beach person so can skip the reefs (although an ocean view and stroll on a beach would be welcome say in Broome). I'll be spending some time in Bunbury with a friend and she plans to take me camping south of there. I want to see the most variety of terrain and wildlife that I can, so let me know if you think any of the places I've mentioned are too similar. Thanks on advance for your advice!

Okay, as an Australian I hang my head in shame for not having been to Uluru (it is on the list, a very long list). However, the Kimberley region is spectacular, very outback, remote and a place few get to see.

Broome is quite charming with an interesting history of pearl diving and beautiful Cable Beach where you can ride a camel at sunset as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean.

There are companies that do small group tours in 4WD vehicles from Broome to Kunnanurra along the famous Gibb River Rd.

If you're into reading there's a book called The White Divers of Broome, which gives some insight into Australia in the early stages of settlement, and of course features Broome.

In my five trips to Australia I've never been to Uluru either, but I have been to Broome, and it is a fascinating area. Since you will be based near Perth I suggest you go there and see as much as you can of WA. Most North Americans (and lots of Australians) never get to that part of the continent and miss out on its many wonders. Don't try to fit in all your 'must sees' in one trip. You will probably be back and it will be easy enough to visit Uluru and some of the other sights which are the usual tourist destinations.

Camping south of Bunbury sounds like great fun and travelling with a friend living there will give you a unique perspective.

Thanks so much. I was leaning towards The Kimberly. If I spend one day in Broome and then took a 3 day 4WD tour of the outback, would that be enough? I know I wouldn't make it to the Bungles but would see the gorges and caves. Will I regret not seeing the Bungles?

Everyone is saying not to try to see too much, but so hard when you know you may not be back (sigh). I'll have 2 weeks. If I do 3 days KI, 4 days Broome/Kimberly, 3 days Kakadu and the remaining 4 days with my friend am I cramming too much in? I guess so, because I'm not planning in flight time in between the areas. If you had to give up one of these, which would it be? If I substitute Uluru for the Kimberly I could probably
shave off 2 days and maybe then it could work.

There is also a tour that goes from Perth to Broome along the coast mostly and takes 10 days. I could spend the first 4 days with my friend then take the tour and fly home from Broome. I'm just afraid the scenery will be mostly the same and I won't see much wildlife if I skip KI and Kakadu.

Calculate your flight times & see what is realistically possible with your timeframe.

I've been to Uluru and Kakadu, Litchfield and would love to have some time in the Kimberley. It would be great if you could do the 3 great "outback" areas.

I agree with the others - go for The Kimberleys as you're in the West. I loved Alice Springs/Uluru area, and it is quite different to Kakadu - but you can also do a quick trip out there at another time.

Delicious problem to have and I do empathise with you.

Thanks Bokhara, I didn't realize that Kakadu is considered part of the outback or is that not what you meant by the 3rd great outback area?

If wildlife is my goal, will I be disappointed if I skip Kangaroo Island and just see The Kimberly, Kakadu, and the Perth area? I'm getting the impression you all think that's what should skip. I don't know if I will see much wildlife in Kakadu/ the Kimberly other than birds. I know Kangaroo Island has koala, penguins, and fur seal. Is there anywhere out west to see these things? Sorry, but may be getting off topic. Maybe should do a separate post.

Anyway you've all convinced me to see the Kimberly instead of Uluru ;).

KI is great for wildlife, but so far away from the west, and logistically will eat two days in transit time.

I'd skip it, you will see different wildlife in the Kimberley, crocs, roos and loads of birds. I'm sure there will be options for native fauna South of Perth. I think you would be better off to fly Perth - Broome, 10 days will be largely bus time, and the highway doesn't always hug the Coast.

As far as the outback goes, it's a pretty loose term, but i consider Kakadu, Uluru and the Kimberley all to be outback.

Oh, and meant to say, there are scenic flights from Kunnanurra which go over the Bungle Bungles if that's within your budget. There are day trips from Kunnanurra (very long day) but the range is best seen from the air.

Certainly is, Sartoric - but some people consider "the outback" to be 50kms beyond their suburb, don't they?

Thanks sartoric, it sounds like I should fly into Perth and see that area with my friend, then fly to Broome to see the Kimberly and then fly to Darwin to see Kakadu and then fly home from Darwin. How long should I schedule for the Kimberly? I've read at least 3 days for Kakadu.

Oh and if you know a reputable tour company, please let me know. Thanks!

http://www.kimberleywild.com.au/bungle_bungles.html

Something like this? Seems expensive but maybe the going rate.

Funny Bokhara, 50 kms from my suburb (and yours) is still suburb to me. Who knows where the outback starts, different for everyone I guess depending on where you've been.

Tracey, hard to say how long for the Kimberley, as long as you've got really. Your plan sounds good though.

I don't know which tour companies are better, as we've always gone independant. The weekend Australian newspaper has a travel section, which has advertising for theses kind of tours. AAPT springs to mind, but google Broome to Kunnanurra and look at Tripadvisor for reviews.

I reckon you'll have a ball.

Good luck with planning, and comeback to us for any fine tuning.

Sorry, I didn't look at the link before replying. That tour goes down the Great Northern Highway, Fitzroy Crossing is okay, but Halls Creek is a bit of a dump. This is a sealed road with a few towns with facilities available.

There are two ways (only) to traverse the Kimberley, either Gibb River Road or Great Northern Hwy. I'd take the GRR for a more outback experience. It's a dirt road, few towns, but spectacular scenery.

It should still be open in September, but is pretty much a no go from Dec - Apr.

I've done both routes, and prefer GRR, but then I'm used to roughing it.

I personally would go with Uluru, you can fly or go on the Ghan from Adelaide! I have been twice there and could return a third time. It's amazing! I travel to Australia every year as I write about Australia. The Kimberley area is huge, the same size of Germany so if you have 3-5 days you will have to choose which part. Eastern Kimberley or the Northern or the Western part. If you decide for ULURU add the Kings Canyon, plan 2+2 days/nights as the minimum time. If you are planning to go to Bunbury you must go to Margaret River, it's a magnificient area! I call it the "Australian Tuscany" :) If you need more help you can check out my site/blog.
Cheers,
Miki

Thanks Miki. How do I get to your blog? So you are saying 2 days Uluru and 2 days King's Canyon? I will check that out. I am very intrigued by the Kimberly but must confess that I am having trouble figuring out an appropriate tour. I can't seem to find one that fits your description Sartoric, but I will keep looking. I also am a little concerned (probably unfounded) about being a woman on my own in such a remote area. Is that crazy? I know I will be in a tour! I'm sure Australia has way less crime than America!

Google Kimberley tours, you will see many options. APT is the one I was thinking of. You will be safe on a tour, otherwise just use common sense and take normal precautions. Don't hitchhike, and don't watch the movie Wolf Creek !

Thanks a Sartoric :). APT is very high-end. I have emailed the Broome visitor's center so we will see!

Kiki, what do you think of the following tour?

http://www.adventuretours.com.au/nor...ngs-explorer-1

Hi Tracy, if you are travelling alone you will love Australia! I have been travelling on my own for 10 years and loved it. You can travel in the night and feel safe and Aussies are very friendly people and helpful. My blog is rockytravel.net/blog/ I write about my travel adventures as a solo traveller in Australia. If you need anything els drop me a mail info @ rockytravel dot net. Cheers, Miki

Thanks Miki! I will :).

Tracy -

Many people underestimate the sheer size of Western Australia. It's huge, really, really massive.

<I know Kangaroo Island has koala, penguins, and fur seal. Is there anywhere out west to see these things??

You can see koalas at Caversham Wildlife Park near the Swan Valley (Perth). You can also see them at Yanchep Nat'l Park, about an hour north of the city. Koalas aren't native to WA.

You can see penguins at Penguin Island near Rockingham, about 45 minutes south of the city.

Fur seals can be found on the outlying islands around Perth and Albany, but I'm not personally aware of where exactly that might be.

You can see seals off Rottnest Island around Xmas.I don't know if they are there all year, or what species they are.

Kununurra will allow you to do,some amazing flights over the Kimberley region including the Bungle Bungles, take a trip out to Home Valley Station, visit the crocodile farm at Wyndham and visit Lake Argyle.

Broome has the amazing Cable Beach and the opportunity to fly out to the the Horozontial Falls, make sure you book the overnight option. Look for a fly/drive trip along the Gibb River road. The outback is amazing. enjoy your trip down under.

I found a couple of lower end tours to the Mitchell Plateau. By that I mean $2500 instead of $5000 or more ;). One also goes to Cape Leveque and the gorges and caves along the GRR and the other is fly in and includes 2 nights at the Mitchell Plateau and 2 nights at Cable Beach in Broome. I'd also get to fly over the horizontal falls.

Does anyone know if there will be any water left at the Mitchell Falls in September or will my money be better spent elsewhere at that time?

Thank you!

Tracy - have you considered tours that go one way Broome-Darwin (via the Gibb River Rd) or Alice-Broome (via the Tanami Track)? We did something like that in 1997 starting in Darwin. We took a Greyhound to Katherine for 2 nights, visiting Katherine Gorge, then continued on the bus to Kununnura in WA. From Kununnura, we took a 5-6 day 4WD tour across the Kimberley on the GRR to Broome, with side trips to the Bungles. It was one of our best trips ever! We loved the ruggedly beautiful isolation, the spectacular gorges and the swimming holes. The Bungle Bungles were stunning - not to be missed!. We visited in August - there was still plenty of water flowing over the waterfalls.

We visited the Red Center in 1999 and Kakadu/Litchfield in 2000. Both were fantastic trips. We love the Australian outback! Only advice is to not to try to squeeze too much into the time you have.

Hi Ralph,

I have found a 10 day trip down the GRR from Broome to Darwin that goes to the Bungle Bungles. It does NOT go to the Mitchell Plateau. Do you remember if your tour went to the Mitchell Plateau? Others on this blog have indicated that is essential and wondered what you thought about that. You say your trip was spectacular, so if you didn't see the Mitchell Plateau, that will reassure me :). Since you have been to the 3 outback areas, which one would you recommend to someone who has never been to Australia and may never be back. I'm interested in seeing wildlife (including birds) as well as unique scenery.

I'm sill considering doing one of the shorter tours (5 days) from Broome that don't go down the GRR and just take you as far as Geike Gorge. That way I can spend some time in Broome and maybe Cape Leveque to go whale watching and also have time to take a birdwatching tour at Kakadu. I know it won't be nearly as adventurous as going down the GRR, but does anyone think it would be a complete waste of time?

Tracy

Hi Tracy,
The 10 day trip Broome-Darwin sounds great - I assume it includes Kakadu on the Darwin end? No, we did not visit the Mitchell Plateau but would have liked to. Nonetheless we loved the places we did stop like Manning Gorge, Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge, and of course the Bungles. We mostly had these places to ourselves, just the 12 of us.

Really tough to choose between the 3 outback areas - each is special. But the thing I liked the most about the GRR was the sense of extreme isolation, getting away from the crowd and the big tour buses, not seeing another vehicle on the road for an hour or more. I'd like to think it's still like that, 17 years later. One's experience also depends on other factors such as the weather, the tour guide and the friendliness of others on the tour. On our Kimberley trip, we had a really fun bunch, a crazy guide and fantastic weather. We slept out under millions of stars, swam in pristine rock pools, camped under giant boab trees, and saw lots of wildlife - birds, lizards, roos, and crocs. It was SO MUCH FUN! I'll be so jealous if you go!

Ralph

I'm with Ralph on the GRR experience, sleeping under the stars is amazing and the scenery is all spectacular.
Does the tour include Nitmulik NP (Katharine Gorge) ? It's on the way to Darwin and should not be missed.
Will whales still be around in September at Cape Levaque ?

Thanks Randy!Nice to hear from you again, Sartoric :)

Yes, the 10 day Darwin to Broome tour includes Nitmulik NP and also the other gorges Ralph mentioned and the Bungles. There are options to either spend the day in Kunnunura (included)or take a trip to the lake there (name is eluding me at the moment) or fly to the Mitchell Plateau. I haven't determined if the Mitchell Plateau flight actually lands. Anyway it's about an extra $2000.00 to do that, so I will probably have to skip it :(.

I'd have to add another 3 to 4 days for the Kakadu bird watching tour at the end. I'm starting to consider NOT touring Kakadu and focussing on the Kimberley (crazy?). That way I can spend some time in Broome and possibly Cape Leveque or somewhere else where you can see whales. Yes! They will be there in September :). I also have recently discovered you can take boat trips lasting a week or more out to the western islands and atolls, including where the humpback whales calve. I'd have to choose between that and the land tour, so just a distraction really, but so intriguing!

Hi Tracey

It's Lake Argyle, and probably a better option than spending a day in Kunnanurra. We took a boat cruise on the lake, fun and very informative.

Good that Nitmulik NP is included, again a boat trip to two or three gorges, just spectacular, and fun.

I wouldn't stress about giving up Kakadu for the Kimberley, you will get a better sense of the outback in the Kimberley, and there's always next time !

If you send me a link for the tour you're considering, I'll critique it for you.

Cheers

http://www.kimberleywild.com.au/Broo..._Day_Tour.html

Thanks Sartoric, I'd appreciate that. The Mitchell Plateau flight does not land, I've learned, so I will probably book the Lake Argyle option. Unlike the other tour companies I've tried to contact, Kimberly Wild has been responsive to my emails so strong likelihood I'll go with them.

Tracy

Addendum to above.

There's also this fly-in tour to the Mitchell Plateau--2 nights there and 2 nights in Broome. It would sure save me time, but I'd miss out on the whole GRR experience.

http://www.outbackspirittours.com.au...eau-expedition

Sartoric, I can't resist sharing this gorgeous brochure with you. Even if I can't do it, maybe someone else can:

http://kimberleywhales.com.au/wp-con...Reefs-2014.pdf

Hi Tracey

The Kimberley wild tour is exactly what I was thinking of. I reckon you'll have a blast, and really get a taste of the outback. Be prepared for stunning scenery.
The second tour looks a bit too cushy, you'll get more "bush experience" out of the first one.

When in Broome, a very touristy but worthwhile experience is riding a camel on Cable Beach at sunset. The red camels are best. It's a chance to learn all about dromedaries, very fun guides who'll take photos of you with your camera, and with luck a beautiful sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Please feel free to ask any questions, and we do expect a trip report !

Thanks for all the great advice! I will definitely post a trip report!

Tracy: Yes, please post a trip report when you return. When is your trip again? Time of year is a big factor when considering the Kimberly - not the place to go in the wet season (Nov-Mar). A lot of places, like the Bungles, become inaccessible.

We did the Lake Argyle tour/cruise also. It was a good day. BTW Lake Argyle is Australia's largest man-made lake, created by damming the Ord River.

Would agree with sartoric that after having been across the Kimberly, I wouldn't be too fussed about missing Kakadu.

Ralph

I am sorry to say, you will be waiting a while, Ralph. I'm going in September 2015. I'm so excited that I'm planning way ahead. That way I'll make sure to gets spots on the best tours and know how much money I'll need to save. I'm realizing I will have to budget quite a bit for food, even though many other things are quite reasonably priced. I'm really glad to have all of your advice. I feel really confident now in focussing on the Kimberley. I'm sad I won't get to see Koalas or little penguins in the wild, but you never know, I may be back!

Hi Tracy - September should be okay, though it you may be in for some hotter weather, especially later in the month. I think the Kimberley is a great choice, especially for the more adventurous. I'm certain you will want to return to Australia. I'll be going back again this year and even tough I've lost count of the number I've times I've been, I always look forward to it and always find new things to do and see.

Thanks again Ralph, I'll try to schedule for the first part of September so I can beat some of the heat!