Outback Horizons
Outback Horizons is a family owned and operated tour company offering exclusive incomparable tours throughout outback Australia. Our aim is to ensure that you experience the ruggedness, isolation, and grandeur of the Australian outback in safety, splendour, and comfort. We love all the Australian outback has to offer and want to share our experiences in the hope you’ll love it too. With the option to stay in quality accommodation, camp under the stars, or experience a bit of both, we have tour options to cater to your every need. We offer a number of tours running through the Kimberley, Pilbara, Western Deserts, Simpson Desert and Outback South Australia. If you have a specific location or area in mind, we can even organise private charters to take you anywhere in Australia. Our tours are catered to you, how you want to travel and what you want to see. At Outback Horizons, we share our enthusiasm for the Australian Outback with you and strive to provide the highest excellence in knowledge, hospitality and generosity. Our tours are designed and constructed with plenty of time to see the highlights, so you won’t feel you’re rushed off to the next destination. We cater for couples, families or even large groups of friends – you tell us how you wish to travel. Our group Kimberley camping tours are operated with a support vehicle, trailer and second guide to assist in the setup and pack down of camp. This enables you to have more time enjoying what you have come here to see, relax around the camp fire and enjoy the bush for what it is! We seek to provide you with new opportunities, unique experiences, and interesting knowledge while you enjoy your holiday with us.
Our 15 Day Signature Kimberley Camping tour encompasses the best the Kimberley has to offer and is our most popular departure. With a slower, more relaxed pace, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the best of the Kimberley.
This tour operates with a group size of 12 guests, to enhance your experience. For smaller groups or private tours, 4 – 8 guests, please contact us directly to enquire about our private tour options.
Our detailed daily itinerary is:
Day 1 — Broome to Windjana Gorge
Departing Broome we make our way to Derby, visiting the Norval Aboriginal Art Gallery, so you can peruse the exquisite pieces and learn about the traditional art history of this area.
Our next stop is Windjana Gorge, a stunning gorge cut through the Napier Range. This site holds special significance to the local Aboriginal people. The gorge is 3.5 km long and formed by the Lennard River as it winds its way through the Napier Range. There is primeval life forms fossilised within the gorge walls. Isolated pools in the ‘dry’ season, support an abundance of wildlife including freshwater crocodiles, water birds, corellas, and a colony of fruit bats.
We will take a walk up the gorge, before setting up camp at the Gorge, our evening destination.
Overnight: Windjana Gorge National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 — Windjana Gorge to Silent Grove
Tunnel Creek is our next destination, which flows through a water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range. Tunnel Creek is part of the 350 – 375-million-year-old Devonian Reef, formed when most of the Kimberley was covered by the sea and gradually exposed as the sea level fell to its present level. Tunnel Creek was the hideout for Jandamarra (Pigeon) who led the Aboriginal resistance against the police and pastoralists until he was tracked down and killed by a police posse in 1897. We will walk 750 meters through the tunnel, wading through several permanent pools to the other side of Napier Range.
After re-joining the Gibb River Rd, we continue north to Bell Gorge. Eroded into the King Leopold Range, Bell Gorge is one of the most impressive gorges in the Kimberley. Bell Creek cascades down through a series of falls and pools. After setting up camp, the group relaxes around the campfire for the evening.
Overnight: Silent Grove (Bell Gorge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 — Silent Grove to Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
Following breakfast and camp pack up, the group will head out to Bell Gorge for a hike and relaxing swim. After returning to the vehicle, the group will continue their journey along the Gibb River Rd to Galvans Gorge for a short walk and lunch. Our evening stop is Mt Barnett, where the group will enjoy the afternoon swimming and relaxing on the banks of the Barnett River.
Overnight: Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 — Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
A relaxing day with a hike out to Manning Falls for a swim, returning around lunch time. Following lunch, we take a a short drive to Galvans Gorge, where we enjoy a short walk (1km) and a swim. Returning to Mt Barnett, where we soak in the amazing atmosphere before relaxing around the campfire.
Overnight: Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 — Mt Barnett to Munurru (King Edward River)
Following breakfast, we continue along the infamous Gibb River Road before turning up the Kalumburu Road to Drysdale River Station for fuel and refreshments. The last leg of the day takes us onto the start of the Port Warrender Rd where we arrive at camp mid afternoon.
Overnight: Munurru (King Edward River)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 — Mitchell Plateau
Today’s drive along the Port Warrender Road will be slow and steady to the Mitchell Plateau. The roads are a good example of 4WD terrain. Departing the camp for the day, we arrive at the Mertens carpark mid-morning where we embark on a short scenic helicopter flight over the Mitchell Plateau and the incredible Mitchell Falls. The scenery is remarkable, and it gives us a great perspective before seeing it on the ground. After exploring the top of the falls, and enjoying a swim, we hike 3.5km back to the carpark, stopping in at some Aboriginal Rock Art along the way. Once we arrive back at the vehicle, we make our way back to camp late afternoon.
Overnight: Munurru (King Edward River)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 — Mitchell Plateau to Ellenbrae Station
Today we have a leisurely day and explore two magnificent
Aboriginal Rock art sites before continuing onto Ellenbrae Station to enjoy afternoon tea and our overnight stop.
Overnight: Ellenbrae Station
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 — Ellenbrae Station to El Questro
This morning, we make our way to El Questro, stopping in at the Pentecost River and Cockburn Ranges. Arriving at EL Questro around Lunch, the group has the afternoon to catch up on washing, relax reading a book or head to the bar.
Overnight: El Questro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 — El Questro
Today we experience the more of El Questro Wilderness Park, firstly with a swim in the magnificent Thermal Pools of Zebedee Springs, followed by a 3km (return) hike into Emma Gorge, in the heart of the Cockburn Ranges. Following the hike, we enjoy lunch before making our way to the station townsite.
Overnight: El Questro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 — El Questro to Wuggubun Bush Camp
Following Breakfast, the group will pack up and make their way to Wyndham and visit 5 Rivers lookout, the historical museum and Parry Lagoon Reserve. The evening destination is Wuggubun, a secluded bush camp halfway between Wyndham and Kununurra with excellent facilities nestled in a beautiful gorge.
Overnight: Wuggubun Cultural Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 — Lake Argyle and Kununurra
Following breakfast, we spend the day exploring Lake Argyle, the Ord River and Kununurra. We will visit the Lake Argyle Dam, Historical Museum, Ivanhoe Crossing and Kununurra township. The group will return to camp for the evening.
Overnight: Wuggubun Cultural Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 — Wuggubun to Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
The following leg of our journey takes us to the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles). The Bungle Bungle Range is renowned for its striking orange and grey horizontal banded domes. The distinctive beehive-shaped landforms have been produced by uplift and erosion over the last 20 million years.
Our evening will consist of a spectacular sunset viewing of the Bungle Bungle Ranges while enjoying a glass of Champagne, before returning to our camp.
Overnight: Purnululu (Bungle Bungles)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 — Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
After breakfast, we spend the day walking and exploring the magnificent beehive formations of this World Heritage Listed region through the southern end of the park. This will include hikes Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Creek Lookout. Up until 1982 the region was largely ‘undiscovered’. Prior to 1982 only local Aboriginal people and a handful of stockmen knew of the area and in 1987 it became a National Park. Following lunch, the group will head to the northern part of the park to hike into Echidna Chasm. An unforgettable helicopter flight over the Bungles is highly recommended and available at an extra cost.
Overnight: Purnululu (Bungle Bungles)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 — Purnululu National Park to Larrawa Station
Leaving Purnululu we make our way to Halls Creek for morning tea and refreshments and visit China Wall, Old Halls Creek. We travel along the Great Northern Highway to Larrawa Station, our overnight destination. We enjoy a hosted dinner on the Station for our final night together.
Overnight: Larrawa Station
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 — Larrawa Station to Broome
We return to Broome mid afternoon and will say farewell after taking you to your pre arranged accommodation.
Overnight: Pre-arranged accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Upon booking a tour, the customer agrees to the following terms and conditions:
• All bookings must be paid in full at time of booking.
If the above payment terms are not met, the customer risks their seat on the tour being forfeited. The proprietor reserves the right to cancel the customer booking in accordance with the following cancellation procedure if the above terms and conditions are not met. A place on the tour will be confirmed via email upon receipt.
Standard Cancellation Policy:
If the customer cancels their tour booking the following fees apply:
A cancellation of 100 days or more will incur total loss of deposit.
A cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the tour cost if the customer cancels less than 99 days and more than 61 days from the departure date.
A cancellation fee equivalent to 100% of the tour cost if the customer cancels less than 60 days from the departure date.
All cancellations must be received in writing by Outback Horizons and are not effective until this notification has been received. The above cancellation fees are charged at the proprietor’s absolute discretion and can be waived in special circumstances subject to proprietor’s discretion.
No refund will be given if you fail to join the tour or if you choose to leave the tour (for whatever reason) before the tour scheduled completion except with proprietor’s written agreement.
COVID 19 Vaccination/COVID 19 Restrictions
The customer shall comply with all Government (Federal and State) COVID-19 vaccination, testing or isolation requirements (if applicable). Where the customer does not meet a vaccination or testing requirement (if applicable):
(a) prior to departure from the customer’s home location, the customer will forfeit any and all monies paid; or
(b) for access to the tour 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 (being enforced). The operator reserves the right to withhold some monies to cover administrative expenses and other losses, dependent on when notice of cancellation is given by the customer.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking the tour. The insurance should cover against illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings or baggage, inability to travel on the confirmed departure date, medical expenses and tour cancellation.
General Exclusion of Liability
Whilst Outback Horizons will take all reasonable steps to provide an enjoyable tour, it accepts no liability for any loss of enjoyment.
Exclusion of Liability Adventure Activity
The tour includes activities such as hiking and swimming, participants should accept that there are degrees of risk involved.
The Insurance Provider does not cover Liability in respect of Personal Injury to any Person where such Personal Injury occurs directly or indirectly out of, or caused by, or in connection with any ‘Adventure Activity’. Adventure Activities include but are not limited to the following examples: rock climbing and/or abseiling, archery, horse riding, shooting, water-based activities (boating, canoeing, sailing etcetera, any other similar activity. Adventure Activities exclusion does not include bush or trail walking.
These tours include optional tour activities, e.g. helicopter flights and boat cruises which are not under the control of Outback Horizons. Whilst all reasonable care is taken in selecting those operators, Outback Horizons cannot accept responsibility for that operator’s conduct or the conduct of their respective employees or any consequence of that conduct.
Outback Horizons takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to personal belongings or baggage.
Itinerary Conditions
Tours will run with a minimum of 2-8 passengers (vehicle and tour type dependant). Outback Horizons reserves the right to cancel a tour if group numbers are insufficient, all monies received under these circumstances will be refunded in full.
As unexpected mechanical breakdowns or the uncertainties of weather and road conditions or other circumstances may be encountered, Outback Horizons reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary of any of its tours.
However, if 1- or 2-days’ delay is experienced through difficult road conditions or mechanical breakdown, consultation may occur with participants to determine if the tour should continue as planned or alternatively be shortened or the tour route altered. No refunds will be given in these circumstances.
In the case of a serious breakdown which prevents the tour from continuing, Outback Horizons may attempt to decide with another tour operator to complete the tour. Should that not be possible we will arrange for transport to the nearest major town and after deducting the cost of such transport, refund the tour cost on a pro-rata basis.
Any costs incurred by a participant as a result of a delay on any tour, including failure to make connections with any other service, are the responsibility of the participant.
If in the event of extreme conditions (eg major floods, road closures, fires) being encountered and in the interests of the safety of our participants, the tour is abandoned, an alternative date and/or destination may be offered. A refund under these circumstances and the amount will be at the discretion of Outback Horizons.
Outback Horizons reserves the right to disembark at the nearest available transport, (after one warning) if any tour participant who acts in a manner that endangers others or themselves, is disruptive, abusive, or in any other way a nuisance to other participants or ignores our rules. No refunds will be given in these circumstances.
Disclaimer
The operator and/or its employees and agents accepts no responsibilities, nor is the operator liable for any act of omission whatsoever (whether inside or outside their control or by neglect or otherwise) for any booking, contract, travel, accommodation or tours which may result in any loss, damage, accident, detention, diversion or theft in regard to luggage or personal belongings, and will be exempt from liability in respect of direct or indirect or consequential loss or damage, death, injury, sickness, irregularity, delay liability and additional expenses, or inconvenience or any other event beyond its control including accident or failure to machinery or equipment, accommodation, transportation or other services, or any acts of God, dangers incident to the outback, fire, acts of government, acts of war or other authorities, delays, strikes or cancellation of itinerary or schedule changes whatsoever, howsoever by whosoever caused.