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10 Days "Darwin and The Kimberley" must-do getaway from $4,126 $3,199 after member savings:
Save up to 22% off full retail value.
FULL RETAIL VALUE: $4,126pp. YOU PAY FROM $3,199, SAVE UP TO $927pp.
We start in Darwin, the gateway to the Top End, where the main holiday season is driven by winter down south. After visiting Kakadu and Litchfield, two of the most beautiful wilderness parks in the country, we’re off to visit the Kimberly region based in Kununurra on the famous Ord River. You'll have four nights and five days to absorb more of the Australia rarely seen by people from “down south”. And we've made sure it's affordable to do this year.
* Two packages are available. Gold star package highlights shown. See Inclusions for details.
* Various itinerary options are available. See full itinerary for details. Package price varies according to season and departure city.
In the style of most Global Escapes Independent Traveler itineraries, this is a perfect blend of self-guided adventure and forward-planning to ensure that the main elements are organised in advance allowing for plenty of time to relax and take in each place you visit.
We guarantee to beat any competitor accommodation-only quote or travel package price and/or value by a minimum of 15%. Conditions.
We guarantee to beat any competitor accommodation-only quote or travel package price or value by a minimum of 15% ("price-beat") on the following conditions:
Note: By requesting a price-beat you are under no obligation to place a booking with us or proceed with the final travel package as the case may be. A non-refundable deposit is required in the case of a tour/travel package price-beat (see below).
The following terms and conditions apply to travel plans and accommodation quotes requested from and supplied by Travel Directions Pty. Ltd. trading as Global Escapes Travel, Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club (Australian Escapes) and Kiwi Escapes (the company) and are subject to change without notice. These conditions are to be read in conjunction with our standard booking conditions and conditions applicable to Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club membership as defined in website FAQs.
There are two main scenarios:
(1) You request a price-beat on a specific property. Our objective is to provide at least 15% more total value or a price that is 15% lower than a competitor quote supplied to us for the same accommodation property, on the same conditions and with the same inclusions, provided we have access to be able to book the accommodation through our normal supplier channels.
If we do not have access to member rates that property we will offer an alternative that is of the same or higher standard, as per our hotel rating system and that meets the stated requirements, subject to availability, and subject to the following:
(2) We propose a property with member pricing: If the "you pay" price we submit is already discounted using GCash travel credits and the lowest available price at the time it was submitted, it does not qualify. Otherwise our objective is to provide at least 15% more total value or a price that is 15% lower than a competitor quote supplied to us for the same accommodation property, on the same conditions and with the same inclusions.
A price-beat will be deemed successful and this guarantee is therefore met when the applicable objective is achieved.
Inclusions in travel and tour packages assembled by competitor travel agents, tour companies, wholesalers, online travel promoters will all be different in some way. Packages will typically vary by inclusions, validity, suppliers, component type, standard, terms and conditions, travel date, etc ("package components").
Our objective in this type of price-beat situation is to assemble a package containing similar and/or higher value package components to that which you present to us. We guarantee to offer at least 15% more total value (through added value) or a price that is 15% lower than the competitor quote ("successful price-beat") subject to the following:
A price-beat will be deemed successful and this guarantee is therefore met when the above objective is achieved.
The price-beat must be requested before you place a booking with any other travel agent, online booking agent or property direct in relation to the subject accommodation or package.
A price-beat may be requested by providing clear, written evidence of the competitor quote as well as your requirements to an employee of the company who performs a reservations or travel consultant role ("company contact") as follows:
A competitor quote presented under this guarantee must be genuine (not contrived) and must be a final, fixed price, backed by verifiable evidence. A competitor quote that we determine is not genuine or final is excluded. The requested date range(s) for travel/tour commencement as well as for individual package components must be realistic and flexible.
This condition applies to travel/tour packages only. We require up to $900 deposit per person (amount depending on package complexity) as a guarantee that you will proceed with the travel plan after we are successful with the price/value beat. This requirement exists because of the amount of travel consultant time required to price according to a competitor quote.
Your Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club membership must be Gold level or above and active and paid up at the time of requesting the price beat.
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* All prices are per-person on a twin-share basis and bookings are subject to availability. The final price and deposit amount varies according to travel date. All prices are estimates only. A firm quote (travel plan) with payment terms will be submitted for consideration prior to agreement to proceed. Full booking terms and conditions are available HERE...
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Here's a great opportunity for you to see the Top End in all it's glory with a combination of scenic touring and free time to discover places on your own, all at an affordable price. Your included Lonely Planet guide provides you with lots of information to help plan your free time.
This is a first-class travel itinerary that's fully flexible. Want more or fewer days or you want to include a special destination or activity? No problem, we’ll customise a travel plan for you.
All packages include:
* Read about our new accommodation ratings standards here: Hotel ratings
Read about our accommodation rating standards and the methods used to assess quality.
This itinerary is fully customisable to suit your requirements. Your personal travel consultant is available to discuss changes and additions that will enhance your travel experience.
Lonely Planet is renowned for its first-hand approach, up-to-date maps and commitment to providing the best information for travelers. Lonely Planet authors are experienced, insightful travel experts. They personally research the places they write about - both in the first and in subsequent editions - and provide essential travel details along with a wealth of insider information and first-hand tips.
You will receive these guides to help you gain the most out of your holiday. Recommendation: Take the time to read suggestions for things to see and do before you leave home. Take your Lonely Planet guides with you in your luggage.
* All prices are per-person on a twin-share basis and bookings are subject to availability. Price and deposit amount varies according to travel date. If flights are shown as included then a flight cost provision (allowance) applies and is based on travel from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Travel can be arranged from any other major centre and for any number of people. All prices shown are estimates only. A firm quote (travel plan) with payment terms will be submitted for consideration prior to agreement to proceed. Total price after member discount (using Getaway Cash travel credits and Australian Escapes Free Flights Vouchers if applicable) is generally payable as follows: Deposit on booking, balance 120 days prior to departure. Packages can be priced for families and groups on request. Standard price and full retail value comparisons are with similar packages offered elsewhere or what we estimate would be payable by a non-member for the same or similar package and may include a value we define for specialty travel agency services. Travel insurance if included is a provision only and may be declined on request. No recommendations or advice are given in regard to travel insurance suitability. Travel Directions Pty Ltd (t/as Australian Escapes Holiday & Travel Club) standard booking terms and conditions apply to all booking enquiries and bookings and are available here to view (or visit our website and go to either the "Booking Enquiry" or "About Us" menu item.)
Nature is well and truly part of Darwin’s backyard: the famous national parks of Kakadu and Litchfield are only a few hours' drive away. You’ll visit both to get a sense of the Northern Territory’s past and present with spectacular natural attractions at its centre. Next, the Kimberleys contrasts of red earth, blue and olive water and green vegetation colours will be etched into your memory to remain for years to come. You’ll have plenty of time to do what the locals do with tips and suggestions from an expert who've lived in these places.
"The life you have led doesn't need to be the only life you have." - Anna Quindlen
After checking into your centrally-located accommodation, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to look around the town.
Your Lonely Planet guide will help you find a restaurant to return to for dinner. Try Il Piatto at the Casino for Italian dining overlooking the Arafura sea and a great sunset. Hanuman on Mitchell Street for 5-star Asian dining (Indian and Thai) or Wharf One at the waterfront for modern Australian with great views.
You will be collected from your hotel to travel into Kakadu National Park for your explorer day tour ensuring you get to see all the highlights of the national park while learning about the history of the area from your knowledgeable tour guides.
Tour highlights:
Lose yourself in the beauty of Australia's Kakadu National Park. Marvel at Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie, immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture and cruise the Yellow Water Billabong, home to myriads of plants and wildlife (including the world-infamous saltwater crocodile). Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre and learn about the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu.
Next, cruise along the famous Yellow Water Billabong, where you can search for saltwater crocodiles and view the colourful range of bird life for which this region is renowned. After lunch, stop at the Nourlangie Rock for a guided walk and view the ancient Aboriginal rock art before returning to Darwin.
Today is a free day to rest after your brilliant Kakadu tour. You might even meet up with some of the people from the tour for a coffee or cold drink. There’s plenty to do in Darwin if you’re feeling active and your Lonely Planet guide will let you know where to start.
Today you will be picked up from your hotel and this time you will be headed for Litchfield National park with its spectacular waterfalls and scenery for which the Top End is famous. This is an experience not to be missed!
Tour highlights:
Enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the Northern Territory's Litchfield National Park. Discover this unique landscape with its abundant waterfalls, monsoon rainforest, bush-walking tracks and many swimming holes. Along the way to Litchfield we'll stop at the Magnetic and Cathedral termite mounds. These amazing architectural feats contain arches, tunnels and chimneys, and can stand as high as 20 feet (6 m).
Arrive at the park and follow your guide on a hike along bush-walking tracks. On the easy-grade Shady Creek Walk, a distance of 1.2 km, pay a visit to the stunning Florence Falls. While at the falls, you can take a refreshing dip or just soak in the beautiful nature surrounding you.
Today you’ll fly to Kununurra in Western Australia, near the Northern Territory border, arriving in the morning or early evening.
Kununurra is an Indigenous word meaning “big water”, which suits the town perfectly as it’s located on the banks of the Ord River with views to the scenic hills in the far eastern corner of the Kimberley region.
Not that long ago, the Kimberley was inaccessible to all but a few seasoned explorers and locals with knowledge of the area, particularly the waterways. The area’s wilderness and wildlife has been preserved with spectacular results and eco-tourism is now one of the Kimberley’s biggest attractions.
Kununurra is a picturesque place and great to explore, with galleries, cafes, pubs and even a local distillery giving you a taste of the region’s produce, artistic creativity and crafts.
Pick up your 4WD rental car this morning and we’ll drive just an hour to El Questro Wilderness Park along the famous Gibb River Road. You’ll drive through a spectacular landscape of intensely coloured ranges, dramatic gorges, lush rock pools and waterfalls, everything for which the Kimberley is famous.
When you arrive at Zebedee Hot Springs in El Questro Wilderness Park, the ideal morning’s activity is to go for a swim (before 12 pm) and have lunch at Emma Gorge Resort. You then have the option to do the two-hour return walk to Emma Gorge, returning to Kununurra in the afternoon.
Today we recommend you leave early and drive just out of town to visit Warrangari Arts, the Sandalwood factory and Hoochery Distillery (for some famous Rum cake). Start at the Sandalwood factory, have breakfast at their café for breakfast, browse the sandalwood products and attend a demonstration.
Later visit the distillery for a sample or two to take back home with you. Even you you don’t drink rum you’ll still enjoy the visit. You’ll return your car at end of the day. Tonight, the Pump-house Restaurant will be ideal for dinner overlooking the Ord River.
Today you’ll cruise the Kimberley’s waterways to experience the grandeur of its gorges and waterfalls and have lunch on the banks of the Ord.
You will be collected from your accommodation late morning and taken by coach through Durack country to Lake Argyle. As we near the lake we’ll take a short break at the historic Durack Homestead Museum.
You’ll then enjoy a scenic 55km cruise back to Kununurra. Marvel at the spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna found along the way, including the elusive freshwater crocodile!
Enjoy afternoon tea at our riverside camp before heading back to Kununurra. Take in a colourful East Kimberley sunset before docking back at the marina and re-boarding your coach for your accommodation drop-off at around 6.00pm.
Optional 2-hour scenic flight.
From an aircraft, Purnululu National Park is an imposing sight. This two-hour scenic flight takes you on an unforgettable adventure over the Bungle Bungle Range, Lake Argyle, the Argyle Diamond Mine and Ord River Irrigation Area. You will also fly over the stunning Carr Boyd Ranges, Osmand Ranges, the Ord River and the Bow River. This award-winning scenic flight is an exhilarating adventure taking in the Kimberley's best scenic views.
Morning cruise on Lake Argyle. (Sunset cruise optional.)
A morning cruise is a great way to begin your day at Lake Argyle. We explore the rugged northern end of Lake Argyle while navigating through some of the lake’s 90 islands and inlets. During your cruise you’ll enjoy informative commentary on the natural history and development of Lake Argyle, The Ord River Irrigation System and The Aquaculture Industry. You’ll encounter Rock Wallabies, Crocodiles, Wallaroos (Euros) and the diverse array of birdlife that call Lake Argyle home.
You’ll be delighted and awed by the Archer Fish that shoot water up at your hand with amazing precision and you’ll watch a Catfish feeding frenzy (also known by the fancier term of ‘Silver Cobbler’) There’s no better way to experience the breathtaking landscape of the Carr Boyd Ranges and the inaccessible North Western shoreline than on our morning cruise!
This afternoon we return to Darwin to check-in to our hotel and have one last wander down the street.
Even the best holidays must come to an end and so this morning we say goodbye to the incredible Top End of Australia with a flight back home with definite plans to return one day. They say you should “See Australia first”. This trip is a good reason to do exactly that.
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