KIMBERLEY SIDE TRIPS
Head to the outback town of Kununurra (the flight from Broome takes just over an hour) to see the other side of the Kimberley’s rugged appeal.
Marvel at an outcrop of enormous rock domes
Deep in the Kimberley’s outback landscape, towering rock formations, reaching nearly 1000 feet, sprout from the Earth. Known as the BUNGLE BUNGLES, the sandstone range is estimated to be 360 million years old, carved into round-topped formations over a period of 20 million years. Europeans have known about the striking geology for a relative blink of the eye – they were ‘ discovered’ by non-Indigenous Australians in 1983. Rock art hides within their curves, indicating that people have visited the curious landscape for tens of thousands of years. The best way to drink in this vast patch of mottled ocher rock – some of it striped in black and red, resembling beehives – is from the air. Light aircraft and helicopters depart from KUNUNURRA, soaring over gorges, rivers and hills before coasting over the ancient domes and landing within the nearby UNESCO World Heritage-listed PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK. Once inside, a guide will walk you through the Bungle Bungles, allowing you to see and feel their textured forms, their weathered colors and sense their imposing scale. While listening for some of the 130 different bird species in the park, the hike will explore CATHEDRAL GORGE , a cavern-like formation into which, at certain times, a waterfall spills, creating a small pool in the sand. You may also trek into ECHIDNA CHASM, where the rounded rock walls lean in until you can touch both sides.
Book flights and land tours with helispirit.com.au, aviair.com.au, bunglebungleguidedtours.com.au and kingfishertours.net
Experience the Australian character at El Questro
If you want a genuine Aussie experience, then a stay at EL QUESTRO is a must-do. The staff there are outback people, which means they’re equipped with a cheeky sense of humor, a can-do attitude and an enviable ease of just being themselves. Get in the mood by watching the boab trees out the window on the hosted drive there; your driver will pass the mesa-like COCKBURN RANGES before revving the 4WD through a stream and pulling into the wilderness retreat’s expansive grounds. Stay in the elegant, colonial-feel Homestead (home to just 18 guests) or its modern, cliff-side retreats. Each overlooks CHAMBERLAIN GORGE ,a waterway hemmed by sheer, ocher cliffs that glow at sunset. Guided gorge walks and excursions focusing on the property’s beguiling nature are all part of the experience, as is an exclusive afternoon soak in the ZEBEDEE THERMAL SPRINGS, naturally heated pools rimmed by an ancient species of palm. High-end meals are included in the price of your stay. elquestro.com.au
Float on an enormous, island-studded lake
Imagine Sydney Harbour, then multiply it by 18. That’s how much water fits in LAKE ARGYLE, at full supply. The enormous expanse of fresh water is a result of man-engineered inundation, carried out in the 1970s to secure irrigation supplies for the region’s agricultural crops. Visiting the impressive dam wall is one thing, but perhaps more engaging is the sight of the lake. Rugged, rusty red ranges and mountain peaks have been transformed into 70 islands, while the water is spirit-level flat. Thirty thousand fresh water crocodiles call the aquatic environment home. Found 46 miles south of KUNUNURRA, the best way to experience it is to join a three-hour river cruise as it wends its way there, including refreshments. Then spend a couple of nights in a self-contained lake-view villa at LAKE ARGYLE RESORT AND CARAVAN PARK. The resort’s dreamy infinity pool, which enjoys the same outlook, is the subject of thousands of photographs. lakeargyle.com