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!