The information below is provided to give you as much information as possible about our multi-day tours, how they are run and what we offer.
If you are looking for the FAQs please scroll further down.
Please see separate 1-day tour trip notes for information on our 1-day Litchfield National Park tour and our 1-day Kakadu National Park tour.
If you have a question or query that is unanswered, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
STYLE
Kimberley Off-Road Adventure Tours are an adventure focused tour company catering for all ages who are after a unique and active experience throughout parts of Australia. We employ enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides who know the best places and how to get there. Our guides are experienced in Australia's remote regions and unlike other tour companies, we do not have fixed campsites. This is so we can be flexible and make sure we give you the very best experience on offer at the time of travel. Sometimes we may be required to make alterations to the itinerary to suit the conditions, or if we feel it will provide you with a better experience.
Part of the beauty of Australia is its remote, untouched wilderness, this means that the best locations are not conveniently located next to each other. To get into the places that make this country so unique and incredible, you need to be prepared for long days and travelling for several hours at a time, sometimes on bumpy roads. If there is a long drive, we make sure we break it up with toilet breaks as well as pull over for anything of interest on route.
Our tours are participation tours, everyone helps by contributing to the cooking, cleaning, setting up camp, rolling out swags, collecting firewood, etc. This allows the tour to run more efficiently, helps the group to bond and gives you the opportunity to get involved in the bush camping experience.
BUSH CAMPING
Bush camping is all part of the adventure and the experience of the outback. For many centuries Australia’s ancestors survived in the bush living off nature. Sometimes we will bush camp and there will be no facilities such as a toilet and a shower. We do have ways of dealing with this, which will be explained to you by your guide. One way of dealing with not having a shower is by making the most of the swimming opportunities, which occur on most days. Being in the most remote parts of Australia can bring challenges you might not used to but often these make your trip even more rewarding and memorable. You will be amazed at what you can achieve and the fun you will have if you allow yourself to embrace the experience.
If you are wanting to see the Kimberley and would prefer less bush camping, we suggest you look at our 10-day Kimberley tour from Broome to Darwin. There is minimal bush camping on this tour. For those that want the bush camping experience the 9-day Kimberley tour from Darwin to Broome is the one for you! You see the same places on both tours; however, the 10-day is a slower pace and you spend two nights at almost all the campsites. On the 9-day tour there is a new campsite each night.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Our tours aim to get you off the beaten track and into the remote gorges, waterholes, and rock art sites. In order to do this, you will be required to hike for several kilometres a day and occasionally swim and climb (swimming and climbing is not essential). You will be walking on well-trodden paths as well as rocky, dry creek beds and rough trails.
General health and fitness for all tours
You will need to carry the water you need for each walk or hike (we recommend a 2 litre or two 1 litre water bottles) in your day bag. If you are generally healthy and can walk around 8 kilometres a day, our tours are likely to be suitable for you.
When deciding on what shoes to pack please consider the terrain described above and choose the most suitable and comfortable shoe for you. Everyone is different. Make sure whether you choose hiking boots, trainers or sandals that you are familiar with walking in them on uneven surfaces, and you are comfortable in them for a reasonable amount of time.
Most of the walks involve walking in and then returning via the same route back to the truck. This means that you only ever have to carry a day bag. Also, if you feel tired and wish not to continue, you may be able to relax at a swimming hole or in the shade on the track and the group can pick you up on their way back.
If you have any questions about your fitness and your ability to participate in any of our tours, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
We do not recommend pregnant women travel on our tours; this is due to the risks involved with hiking on uneven ground, and the fact that the roads are corrugated and bumpy which can affect unborn babies.
9-day and 10-day Kimberley tour – level of fitness
What is considered the hardest part of the Kimberley tour is the walk into El Questro Gorge; this involves climbing over large boulders and at one point climbing up a rock surface. This is the most difficult activity of the entire tour. The difficult section starts about halfway along the walk into the gorge, so for those who do not feel confident going the whole way, they can stay at the halfway swimming hole and rest. There are plenty of other swimming holes and shady spots to cool off at if you feel like you do not want to go any further.
11-day Kakadu and Savannah Way tour – level of fitness
All the walks on the Kakadu and Savannah Way tours are not too strenuous and we suggest a moderate level of fitness. Often the walks we take are well sign posted, frequently used, and do not require an advance level of hiking.
11-day West Coast tour – level of fitness
What is considered the hardest part of the West Coast tour is the walks in Karijini National Park. These are spectacular places to visit and some of the gorges require a reasonable level of fitness and concentration. We always try to hike in the cooler parts of the day and there are always spots to take a rest in the shade, and enjoy the scenery if you are not confident to continue or need a break. Groups will always be returning from the walks the same way they went in, so you can simply be picked up on their return.
The rest of the walks on the tour are manageable for most levels of fitness, you will be walking on well-trodden paths which are often sign posted.
Central Australia tour – level of fitness
The most challenging walk on the Central Australia tour is the Kings Canyon rim walk. The beginning of the walk involves a steep incline. We do not need to rush and we will start the walk in the early hours of the morning when it is cool. It is no problem to take a break and once you reach the top the rest of the walk in on mostly flat rock.
We also do some walks in the Flinders Ranges; we will start these walks in the morning when it’s cool and these will be on well-trodden paths requiring a moderate fitness level.
COVID SAFETY ON TOUR
Kimberley Off-Road Adventure Tours have completed our COVID-19 plan at the request of the NT government and we have been issued with our Statement of Commitment.
We ask all passengers:
- If you are feeling unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms please do not join the tour or get tested prior to joining the tour to confirm your symptoms are not COVID related
- If you feel you may have been exposed to COVID-19 please get tested prior to joining the tour
When you join the tour, your guide will brief you on the hygiene practices we recommend to follow whilst on tour. We will carry hand sanitiser and cleaning products; there will be signage on the truck as a reminder to follow best hygiene practices. Please feel free to bring your own hand sanitiser if you would prefer.
We recommend all passengers bring a mask with them, it is your choice whether you want to wear it or not.
If you test positive whilst on tour, you will need to leave the tour at the next closest town and you will be responsible for all costs associated with leaving the tour. It will be up to you to make your way to the tour’s end destination at your own cost.
We highly recommend all passengers take out travel insurance and make sure they are covered for such an event.
SAFETY
All our trucks carry remote first aid kits including a snakebite kit, and we have satellite phones for use in an emergency. All our guides are trained in first aid and know where the remote area evacuation points are. They also carry first aid kits, snakebite kits and a satellite phone on each of the walks.
In areas where there is rocky, uneven ground or if you are going on a long-distance walk, your guide will recommend suitable footwear, the amount of water you should be taking, and the amount of shade that will be available on the hike. Your guide will also inform you of all the relevant information to keep you safe during the hike and whilst swimming. If you have any concerns or questions please talk to your guide.
When traveling and hiking in remote areas it is important that you do not separate from the group, and make sure that you are always with, at the very minimum, one other person. If you need to go somewhere, always make sure you inform your guide of exactly where you are going and how long you intend to be, and take someone else with you. The outback is an unforgiving place; the heat, terrain and remoteness have the potential to put you in danger very quickly, and we need to be mindful of this.
Our satellite phones are for use in an emergency only or for the guide to contact the office if they are out-of-service and need assistance. Otherwise, the phone is kept switched off to make sure it remains charged. If you want to provide friends or family with a contact number, please give them +61 (0)447 740 880 – This will connect them to the main office and we can pass any messages onto passengers who are on tour.
We recommend all passengers take out travel insurance to cover you for any medical expenses in the unlikely event that you may need medical assistance. We cannot recommend any travel insurance company as each passenger’s individual needs and circumstances are different; it is important you get the right cover for you.
In instances where a passenger needs non-urgent medical treatment, we will do our best to get them to the nearest hospital.
NT PARKS PASS
For all passengers booked on our multi-day tours it is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid NT Parks Pass. If you are a visitor to the Northern Territory (NT), you need a pass to visit most NT national parks and reserves.
Pass type Adult Child Family
Day pass $10 $5 $25
2 week pass $30 $15 $75
Open pass - valid for 12 months $60 $30 $150
Northern Territory residents do not require a Parks Pass to walk, camp or for day use on Parks and Reserves in the NT. Proof of residency may be requested by Rangers.
To buy your Parks pass use the Northern Territory booking system.
Find out more information here, or contact the Parks and Wildlife team on 08 8999 4555 or parkmanagement.pwcnt@nt.gov.au
KAKADU NATIONAL PARKS PASS
Kakadu National Park is a federally run park and therefore you require a different pass to the NT parks pass. If traveling on a multi-day tour to Kakadu National Park your Kakadu pass is included in the price of the tour and we will organise it for you. You will still need to purchase your own NT Parks pass though if you’re on the Kakadu and Savannah Way tour.
AGE LIMITS
Passengers aged between 10 – 80 years old are welcome on any of our tours. We do not have a specified upper age limit however we would encourage you to call us prior to booking if you are concerned about your ability to complete the tour. If you are capable of hiking for several hours each day, and you are generally fit and healthy, then our tours are likely to suit you. There is no requirement to climb or swim on our tours and there are options if you would like to rest.
We don't like to use age limits; it's your ability and fitness that matters.
We operate a couple of kid-friendly tours each year around the July school holidays, you can find the departure dates on our website. Anyone can book onto these tours but unlike our other tours we allow children of all ages to book as well.
On our standard tours that are not advertised as kid-friendly, we allow children (10+) traveling with parents/guardians to book on.
If you do have any questions regarding any of our tours, please do not hesitate to contact us.
WEATHER
Kimberley weather
If you choose to travel during September or October, these are the hottest months; humidity is high and temperatures can reach 40 degrees. During April and May there is some humidity and June, July and August are the coolest months, where you will experience cool nights (potentially as low at 0 degrees) and warm (30-35 degrees) daytime temperatures.
During the hotter months our guides will alter the itineraries to suit the weather conditions, for example long walks will be done early in the morning to beat the heat. We will also aim to camp near watering holes so you can cool off.
Kakadu and Savannah Way weather
We operate our Kakadu and Savannah Way tour in May and July, during these months you can expect the day time temperatures to be between 28-33 degrees, and night-time temperatures are around 7-15 degrees.
West Coast weather (Perth to Broome)
In 2024 our West Coast tour is operating in May. The daytime temperatures range from low 20s in the south to low 30s as we travel further north. Night-time temperatures will vary, we estimate the average night-time temperature to be 13 degrees.
Central Australia weather (Darwin to Adelaide)
In 2024 our Central Australia tour is operating in May; the daytime temperatures range from low 30s in the north to low 20s as we travel further south. Night-time temperatures will vary, we estimate the average night-time temperature to be 13 degrees.
Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour
This tour generally has a comfortable climate for the whole tour. At night-time we expect it to be around 18 degrees and day-time temperatures average 32 degrees.
DRINKS
We provide drinking water, cordial, tea, coffee, and Milo. If you would like alcohol or soft drinks, please bring them with you. We will have an esky to help keep your drinks cool and we recommend where possible you purchase cans rather than glass. If you do want to bring any bottles of wine, you can put them in your bag on the truck rather than in the trailer. When you leave the truck simply leave the bottles on your seat.
It is very hard to purchase any alcohol on tour due to restricted liquor laws so we highly recommend you bring as much as you need for the entire trip.
FOOD
Our food is fresh and passengers are often amazed at the meals we can cook up in the bush (see reviews on Trip Advisor). Our guides are not chefs but they can most definitely cook up a great feed in a camp oven or on a BBQ plate.
Our trailers have an 80-litre fridge and an 80-litre freezer so we can deliver fresh, nutritious food in the outback.
Breakfast* – Continental style and some mornings we do cook ups
*On day 1 of your tour we will pick you up early and we’ll be driving straight away so please have breakfast before you board or pack a snack to eat on the truck
Lunch – Varies from wraps, sandwiches, burgers, salads, cold meats, etc.
Dinner – Roast, stir-frys, curries, stews, damper, etc.
On the truck we carry camp ovens, frying pans, BBQ plates, pots, etc., so we can cook almost anything, anywhere.
We also provide snacks such as fruit, biscuits, cereal bars, etc throughout the day.
We try to create as much variety as possible for the group, however if there is a specific snack or treat that you would like, which would make your trip that little bit better, please bring it along with you.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
We cater for vegetarians and gluten-free passengers. Other allergies are also catered for, although our guides are not specialists in these areas, so we ask that you provide some assistance when meals are being prepared to ensure you are correctly catered for. Please make sure you inform us at the time of booking if you have a dietary requirement or allergy.
BOOKINGS AND CONFIRMATION
We encourage bookings to be made online here, this way we can ensure we have all your correct details and you have accepted the necessary waiver.
At the time of booking, you will receive a booking confirmation sent to your email address as well as a payment request email for the deposit. Please check your spam and junk if you have not received these emails. If you do not have them, please contact us as soon as possible so we can ensure your booking went through and we have the correct email address for you.
Once you have paid your non-refundable 25% deposit, we will aim to send you a receipt, if you do not receive one and would like one, please get in touch.
The final balance is due at least 30 days prior to your departure and you will be sent a payment reminder about 6 weeks before your departure date. If you would like to pay the final balance sooner, please send us an email.
Once you know where you are staying at the start of your tour please send the address through to Lucy – info@kimberleyoffroadtours.com Pick-ups are between 6-7am; you will receive a call from us a day or two before your tour departs to confirm your exact pick-up time within this hour. If you are booked on our Cairns to Darwin Kakadu and Savannah Way tour, we pick you up at 7.30am from the Cairns Reef Casino.
We will pick up from any accommodation in the CBD and often in the local suburbs too if your pick up is in Darwin or Broome. If you are on the Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tour, in Cairns we pick up and drop off at the Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns. If you are joining our West coast tour from Perth to Broome, we pick up outside the Adina Apartment Hotel, 138 Barrack St.
If you are staying outside to CBD for pick up, please call to confirm we can collect you from your chosen address.
VEHICLES
We use custom-built 4WD trucks fitted with 17 forward-facing seats. Our trucks are air-conditioned. The size of our trucks allows us access to tracks that larger tour vehicles cannot use. We also tow a trailer. You can read more about our fleet here.
For our private charters we have a 200-series Land Cruiser and a Toyota Prado. The 200-series can carry a maximum of 7 passengers, and the Toyota Prado can carry a maximum of 4 adults and 2 children.
PRIVATE CHARTERS
It is possible to hire a guide and driver in one of our trucks or cars to do a private charter. If you are interested, please get in touch. We can either run one of our current itineraries for you or we can design a trip specifically for you and your group.
For all private charter inquiries please get in touch with Adam and Lucy info@kimberleyoffroadtours.com or 0447 740 880
LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Please bring no more than 20kg of luggage as we have limited space in our trailers. We also ask that your luggage has soft casing e.g. a backpack or duffel bag. The weight limit does not include your sleeping bag or drinks. If you have any questions or you are concerned about your luggage, please contact us.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance including COVID travel insurance at the time of booking and that you make sure it suits your individual needs. Our tours travel through remote areas and you could incur high costs in the unfortunate event that something happens to you.
Some suggestions of what you should look at covering yourself for are:
Emergency medical treatment
Emergency evacuation
Injury, accident or sickness, which prevents you from starting the tour or causes you to leave the tour
Cancellation fees
Lost or damaged luggage
Leaving the tour due to illness, injury or accident
An event which prevents you from starting the tour
We are a small operator and cancellations affect us significantly, therefore it is essential for us to abide by our policy in all circumstances. If you choose to travel with no insurance, you do so at your own risk, and we highly recommend that you familiarise yourself with our cancellation policy under our Terms and Conditions.
It is common for people to book in advance for our multi-day trips as they want to secure their spot, and book travel and accommodation for either-side of the tour. It is not uncommon for circumstances to change due to family, work or health, which means that people seek to cancel their booking. Although we are sympathetic to these reasons, when a seat has been held for weeks and months this prevents others from potentially booking on the tour. Therefore, when we receive people’s messages for a full-refund we are put in the uncomfortable position of declining these requests. Depending on how close the cancellation is to the tour’s departure we may be able to transfer the non-refundable deposit to a future tour.
We cannot stress the importance of covering yourself, and ensuring that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking for any unexpected changes which may and do occur. Also, we encourage you to be familiar with our cancellation policy under our T&Cs.
ROAD CONDITIONS
The roads we travel on are sometimes rough and corrugated particularly when traveling along the Gibb River Road (especially the Bungle Bungles), the Savannah Way; and driving in Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Tours running in April, October and November can experience road closures due to wet season rain covering the roads or because of fires. Tours will more than likely run but the itinerary may need to be altered to suit the conditions.
Kimberley Off-Road Adventure Tours takes no responsibility for road closures; during these times your guide’s excellent knowledge of the region should enable them to still deliver a fantastic trip whilst considering the weather conditions.
PACKING LIST
Sleeping Bag suitable for the conditions (please see p4+5 of these Trips notes for weather and temperatures in the region you are traveling in)
Comfortable, appropriate hiking shoes or boots / strapped sandals with ankle support (whichever you feel most confident hiking in)
Thongs / your comfy breathable shoes for on the truck and around the campsites
Shoes you are happy to get wet, thongs are fine (You’ll be walking through Tunnel creek)
Torch / head torch
Large water bottle (2 litre bottle or two 1 litre bottles)
Swimming gear
· Goggles / snorkel
Towel
Hat
Sunglasses
Suitable light clothing to keep you cool and protect you from the sun
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Toiletries
Camera / phone
Jumper / long pants (to keep you warm in the evening)
Cash for souvenirs
Small or inflatable pillow
Rain jacket (from tours running in May, September, October & November)
NOTES FOR DAY 1 OF YOUR TOUR
9-day Kimberley tour (departing Darwin) – Make sure you’ve purchased your NT Parks pass (read the information on p4 of these Trip Notes). Please ensure you’ve told us where you need picking up from. Pack your swimmers in your day bag, have breakfast before you board the truck or a snack ready for whilst you’re on the truck as we’ll be driving straight away. Make sure you’ve purchased your alcohol and/or soft drinks for the tour.
10-day Kimberley tour (departing Broome) – Make sure you’ve purchased your NT Parks pass (read the information on p4 of these Trip Notes). Please ensure you’ve told us where you need picking up from. Pack shoes that can get wet and a torch in your day bag, have breakfast before you board the truck or a snack ready for whilst you’re on the truck as we’ll be driving straight away. Make sure you’ve purchased your alcohol and/or soft drinks for the tour.
11-day Kakadu and Savannah Way tour (departing Cairns) – Make sure you’ve purchased your NT Parks pass (read the information on p4 of these Trip Notes). Your guide will meet you with the truck at 7.30am outside the Cairns Reef Casino on Abbott Street. The truck will pull into the bus/coach bay on the right of the casino entrance near the park. Please be there no later than 7.30am. Pack your swimmers in your day bag, have breakfast before boarding or a snack ready to eat whilst on the truck. Make sure you’ve purchased your alcohol and/or soft drinks for the tour.
11-day Kakadu and Savannah Way tour (departing Darwin) - Make sure you’ve purchased your NT Parks pass (read the information on p4 of these Trip Notes). Make sure you’ve told us where you need picking up from. Please have breakfast before you board the truck or a snack ready for whilst you’re on the truck as we’ll be driving straight away. Make sure you’ve purchased your alcohol and/or soft drinks for the tour.
7-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour - Make sure you’ve purchased your NT Parks pass (read the information on p4 of these Trip Notes). Make sure you’ve told us where you need picking up from. Pack your swimmers in your day bag, have breakfast before you board the truck or a snack ready for whilst you’re on the truck as we’ll be driving straight away. Make sure you’ve purchased your alcohol and/or soft drinks for the tour.
11-day West Coast tour (departing Perth) – We have a central pick-up point in Perth which is outside the Adina Apartment Hotel Perth Barrack Plaza, 138 Barrack St. Please have breakfast before you board the truck or a snack ready for whilst you’re on the truck as we’ll be driving straight away. Make sure you’ve purchased your alcohol and/or soft drinks for the tour.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is the difference between the 9-day and 10-day Kimberley tours?
A. If you are wanting to see the Kimberley and would prefer less bush camping, we suggest you look at our 10-day Kimberley tour from Broome to Darwin. There is minimal bush camping on this tour. For those that want the bush camping experience the 9-day Kimberley tour from Darwin to Broome is the one for you! You see the same places on both tours; however, the 10-day is a slower pace and you spend two nights at almost all the campsites. On the 9-day tour there is a new campsite each night.
Q. What time will you pick me up and where from?
A. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Darwin or Broome between 6am - 7am. If you are being picked up in Cairns or Perth, we have a specific meeting point (see below).
We can pick-up from your accommodation in the city, Darwin or Broome airport or surrounding suburbs but feel free to check with us before you book. If you are outside of these pick-up areas, please get in touch so we can arrange an appropriate meeting point.
In Cairns we have a meeting point which is the Cairns Reef Casino. Your guide will meet you with the truck at the coach/bus bay on the right of the casino entrance near the park. Please be there no later than 7.30am.
in Perth the meeting point is Adina Apartment Hotel Perth Barrack Plaza, 138 Barrack St. Your guide will meet you with the truck at 6am outside. The truck will pull into the bus/coach bay at the front of the hotel. Please be there no later than 6am.
For Darwin and Broome pick-ups please send through your pick-up address as soon as you have booked it via email to info@Kimberleyoffroadtours.com This helps us when we are working out the pick-up times prior to the tour.
We will be in touch a couple of days prior to your departure to provide you with your exact pick-up time. Please be aware that this time is an estimate and our guide can get held up so please be patient.
Q. Where will you drop us at the end of the tour?
A. Your guide will drop you off at your accommodation if it is in Darwin or Broome CBD or the surrounding suburbs, we can also drop off at the airport in Darwin or Broome. If you are staying beyond these areas, please call us to discuss your options.
If you are traveling on our 11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tour from Darwin to Cairns, all passengers will be dropped off at The Reef Hotel Casino. This is a central location in Cairns enabling you to make your own way to your accommodation.
Q. What time will I be dropped off at the end of the tour?
A. On all our tours we aim to have you at your accommodation at the estimated time of 6pm.
If you’re traveling on our 11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tour from Darwin to Cairns, we will drop you off at The Reef Hotel Casino at approximately 3pm.
If you’re making travel arrangements for after the tour, please be mindful that whilst on tour you’ll be traveling in remote areas which can cause delays to our estimated arrival times. Although we have never had to extend a tour, we do recommend booking any return flights for at least the following day.
Q. I’m travelling for a while and I have a big backpack, will this be okay?
A.Our limit is 20kg but we can make exceptions. Please get in touch with us to discuss.
Q. How can I book a tour?
A. We encourage bookings to be made online here, this way we can ensure we have all your correct details and you have accepted the necessary waiver.
Q. I enjoy a beer at the end of the day; will there be room to bring a carton of beer?
A. Yes but please try to purchase cans or plastic bottles as we travel on bumpy roads which can cause glass bottles to break. We will not replace any drinks lost or damaged.
We recommend purchasing any alcohol or preferred soft drinks for your tour prior to departure. Due to alcohol restriction laws and the remote nature of where we are traveling, it can be difficult to make these purchases once on the road.
Q. What is a swag?
A. We provide single swags for all our passengers. A swag is a traditional outback bed, you will be provided with one on your tour. It’s a soft mattress with a canvas cover. You still use your sleeping bag and pillow inside the swag, but the swag provides you with extra protection from the elements. It also means you don’t have to use a tent, although there is always one available to you. If you don’t want to use a swag, some people simply take the mattress from inside the swag to put in their tent.
Q. What type of tents do you provide?
A.We provide a simple two-person dome tent, which uses two poles. They are simple to construct and your guide will give you a demonstration of how to put the tent up properly.
Q. Will I be required to share a tent?
A. We carry a tent for all our passengers so there is no need for anyone to have to share a tent. If you do want to share a tent, each tent fits two people comfortably including their single swags.
Q. I am traveling solo, will I be out-of-place and is there a single supplement I need to pay?
Singles, couples, friends and family members all join our tours. It is perfectly common for solo travellers to join our group tours and you are very welcome. You will not be out of place but among good company. There is no single supplement fee.
Q. Should I be worried about mozzies, sandflies or March flies?
A.Although these bugs are not much of a concern on our trips, there can be some areas where you might require some protection, therefore if you are bothered by bugs, please bring your preferred repellent or clothing.
Q. I’m not the best swimmer, should I be doing this tour?
A.We carry a couple of pool noodles to help you float but please inform your guide at the beginning of the tour if you can’t swim or if you’re not a confident swimmer, so they can keep a close eye on you. You can also include this information under ‘Special requirements’ on our booking form. If you are not comfortable being in the water, please do not go in. You can simply relax in the shade; it is not compulsory to swim.
Q. How can I charge my camera or phone?
A. We carry a 240-volt power inverter and USB charger for you to charge your phone and/or camera. Please bring your own cords.
Q. Is there Wi-fi available whilst on the tour?
A. We like to embrace being in nature and try to forget about staying connected. The places we travel are beautiful and remote areas in Australia and it is a great excuse to escape our busy lives back home.
However, we do understand sometimes there is a need to contact home to speak to family, check work emails or make a phone call. There are spots throughout all our trips where you will get service. We cannot wait around at these places purely to make the most of the phone reception but you can get your phone or device out whilst we are there.
At El Questro on our Kimberley tours there is phone reception for Telstra and Optus customers, and there is phone service at Mount Barnett Roadhouse. We visit El Questro on Day 5 if you are traveling from Darwin to Broome and Day 4 if you are traveling from Broome to Darwin.
Nearly everyday or every second day on our Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tours you will get service. When at Lorella Springs it is possible to purchase Wi-fi.
If traveling on our 7-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour you will have service at times in Kakadu National Park and whilst up at the Cobourg Peninsula there is a free payphone.
On our West Coast tour you will have service regularly.
The best phone service when traveling in remote areas is Telstra.
Q. Will we have toilets and showers on the tour?
A. Yes and no. When we are on the road there are roadhouses and rest stops with toilets, which you can use. Also, when we stay at stations you will have access to hot showers and flushing toilets, however be prepared for some campsites to have little or no facilities.
When we bush camp there are no facilities. On our tours we are swimming most days (without soap or shampoo), so a refreshing swim should sort you out.
If you are wanting to see the Kimberley and would prefer less bush camping, we suggest you look at our 10-day Kimberley tour from Broome to Darwin. There is minimal bush camping on this tour. For those that want the bush camping experience the 9-day Kimberley tour from Darwin to Broome is the one for you! You see the same places on each tour, the 10-day is a slower pace and you spend two nights at almost all the campsites. On the 9-day tour you have a different campsite each night.
Q. Are all the camping fees included?
A. All the camping fees are included in the price of the trip.
Q. Will I need to pay for any activities whilst on tour?
A. You will not need to pay for any activities on our 7-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour.
On our 11-day Kakadu and Savannah Way tour there is an optional activity to do a helicopter flight at Lorella Springs starting at approx. $200pp for 10 minutes.
Please see below extra activities on our Kimberley and West Coast tours.
9-DAY AND 10-DAY KIMBERLEY TOUR
There is the option to do the helicopter ride over the Bungle Bungles. This is an extra activity and if you choose to do it, prices start from around $299. You do not need to book before the tour departs, your guide will sort it out for you once you’re on the tour.
There is one night at El Questro station where we eat dinner at the bar / restaurant, this is at your own expense.
The Lake Argyle cruise and island camping experience is included in the price of your Kimberley tour.
11-DAY WEST COAST TOUR
On day 5 from you have the option to participate in an optional activity, such as swimming with whale sharks, swimming with Mantra rays, going on a glass bottomed boat, quad biking, etc.
Whale Shark Safari Approx. $470pp*
Swim with Mantra Rays Approx. $250pp
1-hour Coral viewing on Glass Bottom Boat Approx. $60pp
Quad bike tour $220
*We need to know at the time of booking whether you’d like to swim with Whale Sharks. Please select the ‘extra activity’ option at check out so we can arrange it for you.
It’s possible to do any of the tours offered by Coral Bay Eco Tours, simply let your guide know on the first day when you are picked up in Perth.
Q. When do I need to book the optional activities?
A. The only activity you need to let us know about is if you plan to swim with Whale Sharks on the West Coast tour. You can select this option at the time of booking.
For the other tours you do not need to book any other activity prior to departure. Once you are on the tour your guide will organise these for you. In both cases payment can be made by credit card or by cash.
Q. Will there be any opportunities to wash my clothes whilst on tour?
Please be mindful that although there are opportunities to wash clothes on our tours (see below) we cannot guarantee machines will be working or accessible at certain times of the day.
11-DAY KAKADU AND GULF SAVANNAH TOUR
Yes, if you’re traveling on our 11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tour you will be able to wash your clothes at Lorella Springs. If travelling from Darwin to Cairns you will be there on day 4 and 5, of you are travelling from Cairns to Darwin you will be there on day 6 and 7. It is worth bringing some gold coins and some washing powder if you plan to do some washing. It is $10 per load.
9-DAY / 10-DAY KIMBERLEY TOUR
Yes, if you’re on our Kimberley tour you can do washing at El Questro station. It’s worth bringing some washing powder or liquid if you intend to do some washing, otherwise you can buy some whilst you are there. We stay at El Questro station on Day 4 and 5 if you are traveling from Broome to Darwin, and Day 5 if traveling from Darwin to Broome. You can also wash clothes at Mount Barnett, where you may also need coins and washing liquid or powder.
7-DAY KAKADU AND ARNHEM LAND TOUR
On our 7-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour there is the opportunity to wash clothes at our campsite in Kakadu. It is worth bringing gold coins and washing liquid or powder.
11-DAY WEST COAST TOUR (PERTH TO BROOME)
There will be opportunities to wash clothes when we are staying in the towns along the west coast. It is worth bringing gold coins and washing liquid or powder if you intend to do some washing.
14-DAY CENTRAL AUSTRALIA TOUR (DARWIN TO ADELAIDE)
There will be opportunities to wash clothes on Day 6 at the campsite in Yulara. It is worth bringing gold coins and washing liquid or powder if you intend to do some washing.
Q. How many hours do we spend in the truck each day?
A. On our tours our drive times vary from day-to-day. As a general rule we travel around 3 hours a day on average in the truck.
9-day/10-day Kimberley tours: It is on the first and last day that we do most of our driving.
11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tour: It is the days between Hells Gate and Lorella Springs, and between Croydon and Adels Grove that are the biggest driving days.
7-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour: The last day is the longest driving day.
11-day West Coast tour (Perth to Broome): The longest driving day is Day 7 when we drive 700km from Exmouth to Karijini National Park.
14-day Darwin to Adelaide tour (Darwin to Adelaide): There are no really long travel days on this tour.
Our drives are always broken up with stops of interest about every hour or so. We might stop to see an aboriginal art site or a billabong; we try to minimise the length of time you spend sitting on the truck.
When traveling on the bitumen the tour trucks travel comfortably at 100km and generally around 80km on gravel roads (unless road conditions are poor).
Q. How many kilometres do we walk each day?
A. On our trips, roughly speaking, we average around 5km a day. Some days there will be more or less but this is a general guide. Walks can be up a dry creek bed and over rocky terrain. The walks are well marked and there is often the option to stop at a half-way pool or there is a swimming hole at the start, this provides an opportunity to skip the walk and rest instead.
El Questro gorge in the Kimberley provides a good example. It is a 5.8 km walk with many rock-hopping sections on the second part of the walk. A lot of the time our guests will walk as far as they are comfortable and then relax by one of the plunge pools along the trail and shelter in the shade of the large cabbage palms. Those who are more willing and seek a more strenuous adventure continue all the way up the gorge.
Another good example is Bell Gorge, this gorge has two sections a top and a bottom. The walk to the top is easy and there is a big swimming hole that looks over the lower pool. The lower pool requires an extra 2km of walking to get there. Some guests will relax at the top, while others will venture down to the bottom.
Our trips suit the everyday traveller that’s happy sleeping in swag and tent and has an average level of fitness. You don’t need to be a trail runner or a fitness fanatic to do our tours.
9-day/10-day Kimberley tours: We walk on average somewhere between 5-8km a day
11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah tour: We walk 5km on average per day
7-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour: We walk 5km on average per day
11-day West Coast tour (Perth to Broome): Kalbarri National Park and Karijini National Park will be the biggest walking hiking days, about 7km
14-day Darwin to Adelaide tour (Darwin to Adelaide): We walk 5km on average per day.
Q. How cold does it get at night-time whilst on tour?
A. If you’re traveling on our Kimberley tour it has been known to get down to 0 degrees in the Bungle Bungles. If you are traveling between April and May or September and October, we recommend a sleeping bag which will keep you warm when the outside temperature is a minimum of 5 degrees. If you are traveling in the months of June, July and August we suggest the sleeping bag temperature rating is suitable for 0 degrees. As noted in the packing list we also suggest bringing a set of warm clothes for the evenings.
If you are traveling on our 7-day Kakadu & Arnhem Land tour or our 11-day Kakadu Gulf Savannah tour, the time of year that these tours are running means that the nights and evenings will be comfortable, however we still recommend bringing light long-sleeved clothing and long pants.
Please read p4+5 of these Trip Notes for information on the weather and temperatures for each of our multi-day tours. This will help you decide what level of sleeping bag you would like to bring.
Q. Can I hire a sleeping bag?
A. We do not hire out sleeping bags so you will need to bring your own.
Q. What type of shoes should I bring to walk in?
A. When deciding on what shoes to pack please consider the terrain described on p2 of these Trip Notes under ‘Health and Fitness’ and choose the most suitable and comfortable shoe for you. Everyone is different. Make sure whether you choose hiking boots, trainers or sandals that you are familiar with walking in them on uneven surfaces, and you comfortable in them for a reasonable amount of time.
Q. Is there a phone number I can give my family and friends in case they need to contact me whilst on tour?
A. There will be times you will get service whilst on tour so please let family and friends know you will be able to receive messages but it is unlikely you will be in service to receive them straight away.
Our satellite phones are for use in an emergency only or for the guide to contact the office if they are out-of-service and need assistance. Otherwise, the phone is kept switched off to make sure it remains charged.
If you want to provide friends or family with a contact number, please give them +61 (0)447 740 880 – This will connect them to the main office and we can pass any messages onto passengers who are on tour.