Kingfisher Tours




EXPERIENCE THE KIMBERLEY AS AN ADVENTURER, NOT A TOURIST Kingfisher Tours embraces the adventure of the Kimberley region with our luxurious and exciting tour experiences from the sub-Saharan landscapes of the Bungle Bungle Range to the sub-tropical oases found between grand gorges in hues of red and orange, right out to the exquisite turquoise waters of the Northern Kimberley coast. With Kingfisher Tours, you have the opportunity to experience the uncommon beauty of these landscapes by Air, 4WD and on foot. We are an ECO and ROC Certified sustainable tourism company with local and aboriginal guided tours leaving you with enriching memories of the Kimberley.
Kingfisher Tours have been operating for 9 years in the Kimberley and we have created unique products that allow our guests to submerge themselves in the landscape, soaking in the ancient knowledge of the region with our knowledgeable guides who share the rich and diverse history of the Kimberley Region; the stories of the land and the Dreamtime are lessons that are not forgotten.
Our ground tours boast local produce and some bush tucker for lunches, or our fresh Mango jams and chutneys from the local farms. Your guides will also point out local bush tucker and medicinal flora in the area. For those of our guests indulging in our overnight packages, your accommodation will be in APT’s Wilderness Lodges in Purnululu and the Mitchell Falls. Being Kimberley locals, we have great relationships with local accommodation providers across the Kimberley and are always happy to organise bespoke journeys for our guests.
Kingfisher tours are very conscious of our pristine wilderness that we live and tour in. As such we have introduced several initiatives to minimise the single-use plastic in the business and continue to encourage other tour operators, in particular our partners to do the same. We also aim to employ local staff from Custodian for Country tour guides to our reservation team, so our guests will be received by a local Kimberley resident.
Our guests always have a window seat when flying so as not to miss any elements of the immersive landscape and our 4WD’s on the ground are air-conditioned Toyota Prado’s.
We look forwarding to welcoming you on board an enriching Kimberley experience with us!
Meet us at the Echidna Chasm Carpark and be welcomed to country by one of our local Kingfisher Custodian for country Aboriginal guides, before starting your walk in the Northern Massif. While we walk up the Echidna look out hear the dreaming of the cheeky Echidna and the cultural history of the countrymen who walked the land before you.
We stop for fresh coffee or tea and warm damper our guide has cooked.
Continuing on, we walk around to the mini-palms and arrive back into the 4WD where we travel to the Southern end of the Bungles embarking out on a bush tucker and bush medicine tour while on your way to Cathedral Gorge.
Share the gorge’s space with your Kingfisher Guide in their own cultural way, songs, dance, storytelling or sand drawings that are 1000s of years old. Lunch is provided in the gorge, then on to the lookout, learning about the cultural and geological history of the area. Ice cold refreshments are provided at the end of the tour to reflect on the incredible day you have had with your guides.
Please note: This tour is SELF-DRIVE. Guests must have or arrange their own transport into the park to meet at Echidna Chasm Carpark. Pick-ups from Park entrance can be arranged at extra cost — this option changes start and end times.
Meet your local custodian for country Aboriginal guide at Cathedral Gorge Carpark for a billy tea. You’ll be welcomed to country and then head off on the walking trail. Heading through the Domes you’ll learn about bush tucker and bush medicine and hear the stories of the Countrymen who walked the country before you. As you enter the majestic gorge Once entering Cathedral your Gija guide will enlighten you with stories of the sacred pool and the gate keeper of the gorge, your guide will share the space with you in their cultural way, whether that be through drawing or singing or storytelling. We enjoy our packed lunches in the gorge, then head on to view the rock art along the cavern walls and up to the look out, learning about the geological history of the area. Ice cold refreshments are provided on your return to the carpark to wrap up the tour.
This is an insightful day, exploring the heart of Purnululu UNESCO World Heritage Listed National Park.
Please note: This tour is SELF-DRIVE. Guests must have or arrange their own transport into the park to meet at Cathedral Gorge Carpark. Pick-ups from Park entrance can be arranged at extra cost — this option changes start and end times.
Take an exhilarating helicopter ride over the Falls, looping in a figure of 8 to get a view of both Big Mertens and the Mitchell Falls before landing at the top.
Your guide will take you to 2 spectacular vantage points to watch the magnificent Mitchell Falls in flow. We will then head off across the Mitchell River toward Big Mertens Falls with a stop at Dungalilly (a lily lagoon) along the way. At Big Mertens Falls we can get right up close to the edge but be careful, its an 80m drop. Your guide will show you the best vantage point to see the falls with a view into the gorge below.
Continuing on the trail we head for a swimming and snack stop across from the rock art called the Battle Scene. This spectacular gallery depicts a momentous occasion for local people to the area and your Aboriginal guide will share this story with you, and other interpretations of this ancient art.
We continue the trek to Little Mertens Falls. Be inspired and humbled by the mysterious, ancient rock art found beneath the falls, featuring the mythical Gwion Gwion spirit figures, again to be with an Aboriginal guide from the North East Kimberley will give you such a depth of perspective on the art and its purpose. There is also a beautiful swimming hole to enjoy your lunch, relax and swim.
We climb to the top of the Little Merten falls with a view back out along the country we’ve just traversed before following the creek bed and heading into campgrounds. At the end of the trek it’s time to sit back with a cold beer, wine or juice, snacking on some cheese and crackers to reflect on the day before heading back to camp for a well earned rest around your fire.
Depending on the season we’ll spend the day chasing waterfalls, visiting ancient rock-art galleries, lunching on top of lookouts and much more. Your day of adventure includes a swim, a morning nullaja (tea), a tasty picnic lunch and afternoon snacks with a refreshing matsos ginger beer (non-alcoholic options available). We’ll tailor the day to give you the best the Kimberley has to offer, whether that’s following the lower Ord up to Parry’s Creek Reserve, looking out over the Five Rivers, exploring hidden waterfalls and swimming spots, or learning the stories behind ancient rock art sites. This is an intimate and magical experience of the North East Kimberley, with your local Kingfisher tours guides.
This tour can accommodate larger groups, please enquire directly on 08 9168 2718 or fly@kingfishertours.com.au
Please Note: this itinerary is subject to change; dependent on back roads being open and water levels. Some parts of the Kimberley are subject to flooding intermittently. There are a number of year round flowing waterfalls and we will always cater to flow, temperature and guests fitness. Minimum of 3 persons are required for the tour to go ahead.
Operation Dates/Seasonality
Kingfisher Tours operate between April 1st -September 30th annually or subject to National Park opening and closure dates where they fall within this period. National Park opening dates may be affected by the weather. Kununurra and the Kimberley Regional is subject to a monsoonal season from December – March annually (The Wet Season). Please be aware the roads and airstrips may be inaccessible in the early stages of the season due to flooding.
Mitchell River National Park is not accessible until May 1st annually.
Booking and Cancellation policy
Bookings may be made by telephone email online via website or through agent connected rates on Rezdy and will receive a Rezdy Confirmation number from Kingfisher Tours when booked.
Payment Terms
Tour and Accommodation bookings require a 20% deposit within 7 days of the order otherwise the availability will be released. Full payment is to be made 30 days prior to the tour date. Payment can be made via Visa Mastercard or direct credit. Payment not made 30 days prior to booking may be cancelled and the 20% deposit will be forfeited to cover administrative costs.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing and following terms apply:
• Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the departure date the full deposit (being 20%) is forfeited. You may request the deposit be held in a voucher to be used within 12 months of cancellation.
• Cancellations received between 15 and 30 days prior to the departure date 50% of the total cost is forfeited.
• Cancellations received 14 days or less prior to the departure date including “no shows” 100% of the total cost is forfeited
Additional banking costs may apply if transaction fees have been incurred in the elected payment process.
All cancellations made by Kingfisher Tours will be fully refunded.
We strongly recommend that all customers take out travel insurance.
Travel Restriction Cancellation Policy
The customer shall comply with all Government (Federal and State) COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for entry into Western Australia or to access the operator's premises event or service. Where the customer does not meet a vaccination or testing requirement:
(a) prior to departure from the customer’s home location the customer will forfeit any and all monies paid; or
(b) for entry to the event or venue or access to the service the customer will not be granted entry and will forfeit any and all monies paid.
Where the customer cancels due to travel restrictions other than vaccination or testing requirements the customer will be contacted and offered a refund or credit note (to be used within 12 months of cancellation) where such an offer is at the absolute discretion of the operator. The operator reserves the right to withhold up to 20% (the deposit) of the total booking to cover administrative expenses and other losses dependent on when notice of cancellation is given by the customer.
We strongly recommend that all customers take out travel insurance.
Where sudden COVID19 restrictions impact on a booking within 7 days of the tour then terms may be adjusted to refund the guests money where third-party payments are able to be recuperated. We request a 3-month window to apply refunds for these tours.
Force Majeure
Where tour schedules are cancelled or accommodation is inaccessible due to a ‘Force Majeure’ (translated as "superior force”) the Terms and Conditions of cancellation will be reviewed for the existence of force majeure provisions. This event may include an act of God war strikes civil commotions epidemics or pandemics as declared by the Australian and Western Australian governments. If such a declaration is made then all bookings will be put into credit until such a time that the Federal government of Australia declares it is safe to resume business.
Minimum/Maximum Numbers
Dinner bed and breakfast rates are twin share; single supplement prices are available.
Minimum numbers apply to some tours please check specific terms and conditions of the tour being booked.
Day and overnight tours require minimum passenger numbers which will determine the availability of the tour. A minimum of 4 passengers or the equivalent cost is required on most tours. Maximum numbers will vary depending on availability of aircraft or capacity of ground tour vehicles and accommodation. No tour will exceed a maximum of 12 guests.
For tour packages (an itinerary package created that incorporates multiple tours) a minimum of 4 passengers or the equivalent cost is required to confirm a tour booking unless the tour is already confirmed to run.
Please call our reservations team to check availability for one passenger.
Third Party Details
Ground tours in the majority of locations are provided by Kingfisher Tours expert guides. Our accommodation at the Mitchell Falls and Purnululu National Park is with APT Wilderness Lodges.
We have 3rd party operators at Argyle Diamond Mine – these are Luridgii Tours and Lake Argyle Cruises; for Ord River and Lake Argyle Tours – these are Lake Argyle Cruises and Triple J Tours and Mirima walking tours and Waringarri Arts centre tours – this is Waringarri Arts Tour guides. They are selected for the quality and professionalism of their services.
We believe that tourism is better provided as a quality of product rather than quantity of options available and where we believe the service is being adequately provided we would prefer to partner with our local community and tourism fellows. This allows Kingfisher to deliver the highest quality of products to our guests.
Bungle Bungle and Mitchell Falls APT Wilderness Lodge is committed to an environmentally sustainable operation within Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle) World Heritage Listed area and Mitchell River National Park. They use best practice facilities renewable energy and state of the art waste management systems.
Departure requirements
Tour package passengers must be at the aircraft departure point / tour departure point 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Kingfisher Tours offer passenger pickups and drop offs at all local accommodation houses. This does not include Lake Argyle which is a 75KM drive from the Kununurra Airport.
Guides and Pilots will advise passengers of the latest time of departure from remote airfields. Delays in departure may result in aborted flights and additional costs for accommodation.
Validity of Rates
Prices quoted are subject to change and are in Australian dollars (AU$).
Infant 0-2 years old
Child 3-12 years old
Adult 13-62 years old
Senior 63 + years old
Passengers with Disability
Kingfisher Tours will provide every possible assistance to mobility challenged passengers. Please advise the type of assistance that would be required when making a booking. Wheelchair access room and ensuite is available on request. Staff are not permitted to lift any passengers.
Luggage Allowance & Personal Items
All care is taken but no liability is accepted for damage to personal items brought on tour.
For all accommodated stays a soft-pack bag consisting of limited clothing to include a warm jacket and pants for cooler months hat with brim joggers or sturdy walking shoes (not leather soles) toiletries and personal items insect repellent sunscreen photographic equipment torch and a small water bottle. Maximum 10kg per person on flights.
Medical
Kingfisher Tours staff are all Senior First Aid trained and carry emergency first aid kits on tour.
We are in a remote area and passengers on medication should take their medication with them.
Itineraries
Whilst it is our intention to deliver the itinerary of your choice unforeseen circumstances such as the nature of the terrain fire unseasonable weather national park area closures and so on may impact on travelling conditions and therefore make it necessary to alter touring with little or no notice.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is not included in your holiday package. You are required to purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking that includes (without limitation) coverage for the cost of your holiday package medical expenses loss of luggage cruise and land content and airfare charges that may occur due to cancellation impossibility of performance or other frustration disruption loss of deposit or strikes.
Smoking
Government regulations forbid smoking in tourist vehicles and inside accommodation.
© Kingfisher Tours 2021