Top Secrets of the Kimberley and Northern Territory

Fall for the Kimberley and Northern Territory’s hidden coves, inlets and cascades surrounded by the beautiful scenery these regions are famous for. Discover outback landscapes you’ll want to explore – all in your own backyard.

From Geikie Gorge to Horizontal Falls, Lee Atkinson explores six fascinating sights across the Kimberley and NT.

The Kimberley is one of our country’s most remote regions. To explore the coves and inlets that bite into Western Australia’s isolated northern coastline, take an expedition cruise, gliding past escarpments and waterfalls where nothing has changed for aeons. Or drive the Kimberley’s rugged inland roads to reach ancient gorges that will take your breath away. Here are six magical waterways where you feel the spirit of the land pulse from the rock walls.

Geikie Gorge

The Bunuba call it Darngku, and according to Dreaming stories, a blind elder drowned in Geikie Gorge. Before he sank to the bottom, he sighed and sneezed and, they say, you can still hear his sighs when it’s quiet. It’s just one of the stories you’ll hear as you cruise through the gorge, tracing the mark of aeons of floods on the pocked cliff faces: cream below the high-water mark; rich rusty red above.

Red cliff face with reflection in the water, Australia

Emma and Chamberlain Gorges

Time your visit to Emma Gorge, just one of several must-see spots in El Questro Wilderness Park, and chances are you’ll be on your own, floating in the water as you gaze up at the ramparts of the red-rock cliffs that encircle this deep waterhole; the only sound the splashing of the waterfall that spills over the rim high above. Another unmissable El Questro landmark is Chamberlain Gorge, which is only accessible by boat. Cruise through this three kilometre-long waterhole’s steep red-rock escarpments and try and spot a little local fauna, including barramundi and archerfish.

Ord River

You definitely won’t be the only living thing floating on the water while you cruise the Ord River from Lake Argyle to Kununurra on Travelmarvel's 18 Day Last Frontier tour. There are estimated to be more than 35,000 freshwater crocodiles in this river – the highest density in the country – and you’re guaranteed to lose count of how many you see, along with the huge variety of birdlife and some spectacular scenery.

Nitmiluk

Nitmiluk Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, also known as Katherine Gorge, is one of the Top End’s most impressive sights and can be explored on our 10 Day Top End and Kimberley tour. The Katherine River carves a deep gorge through towering red sandstone cliffs to form 13 smaller gorges – best seen in the late afternoon when the walls of the gorge glow in the setting sun.

Horizontal Falls

Horizontal Falls, the one sight no one wants to miss, is the logic-defying horizontal waterfall in Talbot Bay north of Broome. Huge tidal variations create one of nature’s most awesome daily shows, when the water rushes between a narrow island gap. Get up close to the torrent on a Zodiac. However you see it, it will defy all your expectations. The Kimberley’s like that: it lingers in your imagination much longer than you’d think.

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View of Katherine Gorge in Nitmuluk National Park, Northern Territory

from $3,995 USD pp

Top End and Kimberley

Darwin to Broome

10 Days

16 Meals

from $6,995 USD pp

Last Frontier

Darwin to Perth

18 Days

31 Meals

from $6,995 USD pp