KIMBERLEY ITINERARY
September 2018
2018 Dates:Arrive Wyndham 1stSept
Count Training 2ndSept
Count 4thto 7thSept
Optional Tour8thSept to 14thSept[you can book in for part or whole]
Fly back home 5thSept
The Gouldians census is done during the Wyndham period [first week]. There is a strict limit on numbers, so it is important people book quickly.Book with David Myers – Email:
The official itinerary + accommodation cost will be confirmed in the next 4 weeks, but as it is always filled up quickly, I was trying to give our members a head start!!
In addition to last years accommodation list, there will be room for a further 8 people at the STGF Research Station at a cost of $35 per person per night in a shared room. [A lady from Texas USA would like to share a room with another lady]. The Research Centre is fully equipped and most rooms are independently air conditioned.
Camping is $20 per night.
This was the itinerary for the 2017 trip.
Travel to Kunnunarra in a direct line will take you about 5,000Klm, then about 160Klm to Parry Creek Resort.Fuel was reasonable for that part of the world, about 1.40/litre (diesel)
June 2017
18th - arrive at Parry Creek Resort, Wyndham
- Parry’s has powered or un-powered sites, cabins available also. Good facilities and location for the activities.
- Lots of ‘Boabs’
- Parry’s cost me $16.00 per night – unpowered.
Nights usually see a gathering of all folk to arrange locations the next day and of course what was news worthy from that day.
You don’t have to eat at the restaurant, but arrive for the group discussion.
Usually after an early morning shoot, 0800, most would arrive in Wyndham for Breaky, but again you can do your own thing, or just add coffee.
The distances are not far between locations here, but usually all pool, and go out in groups to sites.
19th - Wyndham
20th - Wyndham - all activities
21st - Wyndham
22nd - Wyndham
23rd - Travel the old dirt road to Kununurra - all activities
24th - Kununurra - all activities
25th - Kununurra - all activities
Mike Martin stayed at Hidden Valley C’park, again was only $16.00 per night. Other parks are around $40/night. There are several in Kununurra, quite a nice and well stocked town.
September may see prices come down in many of the parks???
26th - First opportunity of a trip on the Lower Ord River with Hairy Dog then travel to Lake Argyle - approx 1hr
Hairy Dog boat trip choose fishing or photography, crocodiles and birds
Hairy Dog has unpowered sites, it is really a fishing camp, quite unique with its characters fishing guides, the owners were fantastic, great home cooked meals – remind me to tell you a story about it!
Cost approx $200/person. You don’t have to do this one or any for that matter.
27th - All Day ‘Unknown Kimberley’ trip with Kim
This was the highlight of the trip for Mike Martin, not to be missed - $200 per person, but you’re out there for about 12 hours – Awesome.
28th - Early morning bird watching boat trip - finish approx 11.00am, then sight see + visit local museum for local history.
This is a half day trip on Lake Argyle, from Resort/C/park. Very good but cost $200/person also, but very professionally operated.
The Caravan park/resort was $25/night, unpowered. Beautiful place and facilities.
29th - Leisurely travel to Kununurra - 1hr travel time - bird watch down ‘Golden Gate’ or second opportunity the Hairy Dog trip.
30th - Travel to the Bungle Bungles - 5hrs travel time
This a beautiful place, ‘Walardi ‘campgrounds run by National parks, so quite good.
Could be getting very warm though at this time!!!!
Camping fees per night were about $6.00 per person.
July 2017
1st - Bungles - all activities
2nd - Bungles - all activities
3rd - Travel back to Kununurra - 5 hours travel time and END of TOUR
ACTIVITIES
Bird Watching - Wyndham is a bird watching mecca + Kununurra great for the finches you miss in Wyndham + raptors. In the Bungles we should get desert edge birds including the painted finch. Golden Gate on the way to & or from Lake Argyle is a hot spot for ‘bush’ birds. The Lake Argyle boat trip usually clocks a list of plus 30 species including some hard and rare to get ones. The all day ‘Unknown Kimberley’ trip is spectacular.
Photography - we have at least two crack photographers with us and most are pretty accomplished, so an opportunity to swop ideas and learn. Evening and morning up to 9.30am is best. After 9.30am the light gets very harsh. You can still photograph birds after this but you will need to use fill flash. Landscape of course is superb [and does not fly away]
Sight seeing - On top of the spectacular places we shall be going to, Kununurra has a number of good and interesting tourist things to do as does Lake Argyle. There is also a super little museum in Wyndham if we can get them to open for us. I will also show you aboriginal rock art.
Hairy Dog – On the Ord River, was in full flood this year, this maybe completely different now as water levels are very much at normal. Water at Lake Argyle was running 5 metres over the wall this year, which is a massive amount down the river.
Is a ‘must do’ in my estimation. A boat trip on the Lower Ord. Huge crocs which he feeds! Birds and a unique wildlife photography opportunity. If anyone fancies fishing, this is the place to go.
We don’t wander around in one big group following a red flag!!
We have a diverse group with varying interests, so what I intend doing is showing, or if not appropriate, telling people where to go to follow their interest and what to look out for.
There are a number of people who have been many times before [including me!] who will be happy to act as guides from time to time.
Each night we have a little planning session to ensure no more than 2 people are at each water hole and an opportunity for the people who have just had a good day to recommend a place or activity.
The Kimberley has fewer people per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world. It is the size of California or about three times bigger than the UK.
USEFUL WEB SITES
is a list of birding sites but we will do better than this. He misses out some really good hot spots.
FLIGHTS
Those of you flying in from ANY WHERE in the world, fly to DARWIN AIRPORT. From there you catch a connecting AIR NORTH flight toKUNUNURRA - NB depending on your flight times you may have to stay overnight at the airport hotel. Air North are a pain and it is easier if your onward Air North flight is booked through whatever company you are flying with.
CAR HIRE
Contact Sue Stubbs, Budget Car Hire -
0417 966 429 - You can pick your car up at the airport.
VISITOR CENTRE
Can also do all your bookings for you [ so they say!]
ACCOMMODATION
- for Lake Argyle
- for the Bungles
- the Walardi camp ground in the Bungles [Purnululu]
- for Wyndham
E: I
W: -for Kununurra
- another option for Kununurra
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
* Kimberleyland is directly opposite the Lakeview Apartments. It is a campground and has a choice of cabins too - it is next too Celebrity Park, on the lakeside and convenient to town.
* ARGYLE RESORT - has a campground and a number of different types of cabins. Whether camp or cabin we will all be on the same site.
BUNGLES - Paul@ekt - have 2 types of cabin
NB. BOOK EARLY, THIS IS THE ONLY ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS AREA
The Walardi camp site is the nearest to East Kimberley Tours cabins where some of us will be staying in the Bungles
PARRY CREEK ACCOMMODATION
3 only - Cabins $230.00 per night twin share ensuite and private deck etc.
4 only - Rooms with shared bathroom, $125.00 per night twin share
1 only - Bungalow which has two rooms with shared bathroom, $125.00 per room twin share.
All rooms and cabins come with complimentary continental breakfast.
[There also can be available staff room or rooms if they are not occupied. Cost $125.00 per room twin share]
Also a campsite and have powered sites.Whether you are in the cabins or camping, we will all be together here.