In July 2003 my family left home for another exciting journey. Our destination was the ‘Kimberley’ in Western Australia. We travelled from Victoria to South Australia, then to the Northern Territory and to Western Australia via the Tanami Track, then did a circuit of the Kimberley including the Gibb River Road then across to Katherine and down south home on the Stuart Highway. We travelled about 10,000 kilometres in 6 weeks.
Kimberley Holiday Itinerary in PDF View, Save, Print and Share
Day 1 We left home all excited and prepared as best we could, the first day was driving from country Victoria to Port Augusta which was about 1000 kilometres. We left very early and arrived at Port Augusta about 4pm.
Day 2 We were travelling with friends from Melbourne and today we were meeting up with friends from Sydney at Coober Pedy. We had met this family at Ayers Rock Campground in 2000 and have had a holiday with them every year since we met them. We left Port Augusta early in the morning and arrived at Coober Pedy mid afternoon, we stayed at the Opal Inn in budget rooms.
We had already visited Coober Pedy previously and had done all the tourist things, so this time we walked the main street and had tea at the Pizza shop. Recommended!
Day 3 & 4 We left Coober Pedy and drove to Alice Springs and stayed in a cabin there for 2 nights, after these 2 nights we were tenting until we got back near home. We stocked up on supplies, checked our itinerary together that night. We had planned the itinerary so that it was a bit flexible so we could stay an extra day at some places if we wanted or needed too.
Day 5 We left Alice Springs, drove north up the Stuart Highway for a short distance then headed north west on the Tanami Track which about 1000 kilometres, it started off as bitumen then soon turned to gravel, a rough corrugated gravel road. We soon found out there was not much interesting to see, scrub all the way on the road side, the occassional road train and the and a little wildlife.
Fuel was available at Yuendumu Aboriginal Community so we filled up there. Rabbit Flat Roadhouse is past half way and is only open about 4 days a week. Not open on the day we went past, but we did know that and planned to camp on the roadside soon after. We eventually found a cleared area and camped the night.
Day 6 Up bright and early and we set off and kept driving until we arrived at Wolfe Creek Crater (we were there before ‘Wolfe Creek’ movie was made and have seen the movie since - bit scary!! especially when been there!!)
We kept going and finally reached the Great Northern Road ‘The Kimberley’ at last, we camped at Halls Creek Caravan Park.
Day 7 We packed up and headed east for the Bungle Bungles also know as Purnululu National Park, it was about an hours drive to the turn off to the park and then about 50 kilometres to the Vistors Centre which was very slow driving. This is a rough road for 4WD driving only and caravans are not permitted. We then travelled to the camping area and set up camp.
The Bungle Bungles is a very spectacular special place and our Kimberley trip had only started, we couldn’t wait to see more.
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Australia has a holiday experience for everyone, from a relaxing holiday to the extreme sport experience. Stunning beaches, the awesome Outback
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