9 Day Kimberley Magic Tour - departing Saturday 16th June 2012

DAY 1 | Saturday 16 June 2012 . . . the magic of Broome!
You will be met at Sydney Airport by your Tour Director, who will accompany you on your Qantas flight, direct to Broome. Upon arrival we explore aspects of the vibrant history of this special place visiting the Japanese Cemetery, Gantheaume Point and the old Jap Town. After we book into our luxury hotel, which overlooks the turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay, we visit Cable Beach (22 kms of white sand and clear tropical water) - the perfect spot to relax, swim and to enjoy champagne and Australia’s best sunset. Overnight at the 5 star Mangrove Hotel Resort right on the waterfront – luxury plus! (B,L,D)

DAY 2 | Sunday 17 June 2012 . . . pearls, diamonds and history!
Today we do the tourist bit with free time to wander through Chinatown, the original commercial centre of Broome - once a bustling hub of pearl sheds, billiard saloons, entertainment houses and Chinese eateries. It is now the home to some of the world’s finest Pearl Showrooms. Explore the Courthouse, Tourist Centre, and the Shell House of Guy Street which will captivate you with its myriad of different shells and fine jewellery on display. We meet again after lunch to travel on to Derby and our two night stay at the King Sound Resort. (B,D)

DAY 3 | Monday 18 June 2012 . . . down the Gibb River Road!
Today we transfer to our special bus on an optional tour in which we explore the Devonian National Park in the King Leopold Ranges. On past limestone ridges, remnants of ancient coral reefs of unmatched grandeur, to spectacular Windjana Gorge with its limestone cliffs rising to 100 metres. These massive ancient coral reef structures were formed 600 million years ago and rise majestically from the flat plains. Then we travel to Tunnel Creek, where we have the chance to explore and, for the adventurous, either walk or swim through Tunnel Creek, a tunnel carved by erosion through the Napier Range. We return along the Gibb River Road to Derby for our stay at the King Sound Resort. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 | Tuesday 19 June 2012 . . . a Geike Gorge Cruise!
This morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, we set off from Fitzroy Crossing for our cruise back into history on Geikie Gorge. The walls of the Gorge are embedded with fossils (part of a 350 million year old Devonian Reef) and the fresh water life includes sharks, stingrays, crocodiles and swordfish that have adapted to the fresh water. Cruise the Gorge that inspires photographers and artists from all over the world. After lunch we reach our overnight stay at the fantastic Halls Creek Best Western Motel. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 | Wednesday 20 June 2012 . . . . diamonds - a girl’s best friend!
Today, we travel through Turkey Creek to begin our exclusive tour of the giant Argyle Diamond Mine. You’ll be amazed at the scale of the operation, and will have an opportunity to buy some ‘stones’ if you so desire before enjoying a fabulous lunch. Then we travel north to Wyndham and then on to Kununurra for our three night stay at the beautiful Lakeside Resort. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 | Thursday 21 June 2012 . . . the mighty Ord River!
Kununurra is a modern town and the centre for the mighty Ord River Irrigation Scheme. We explore the town and environs including the view from Kelly’s Knob. We have optional flights over the Argyle Dam, the Ord River on to the Bungle Bungles and returning via the Argyle Diamond Mines. The flights take approximately two and a half hours and will afford you one of the best views of the magnificent Kimberley you’ll ever have. We tour the Ord River Scheme past agricultural farms producing such a variety of products such as sugar, melons and special flower crops. Visits to the Hoochery Rum Distillery and the Sandalwood Perfume Factory make the experience complete. We lunch at the Zebra Rock Gallery before embarking on a fabulous Sunset Cruise of Lake Argyle to see the diverse wildlife that inhabits the shores at dusk. Hand feed fish and freshwater crocodiles (if you’re game) and meet a family of Euros who have lived on a small island since Lake Argyle was filled in 1974. We enjoy champagne, drinks and nibblies as a beautiful sunset unfolds. What a day! You’ll sleep well tonight. (B,D)

DAY 7 | Friday 22 June 2012 .. . . Bullo River Station!
Today will be a highlight of your Kimberley tour as we depart Kununurra to fly north east into remote areas to Bullo River Station. You’ll meet Marlee Henderson (Sara’s daughter) who will show you around parts of the massive station and the rambling homestead that was built by Sara. We’ll have a lavish lunch with Marlee and the opportunity to relive the history of the station. You’ll be enchantered by Marlee and Franz; this experience is an exclusive to Centre One Tours and not to be missed. Then it’s back to Kununurra for our final night. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 | Saturday 23 June 2012 . . . the strength in us all!
This morning we travel east along the Victoria Highway into the Northern Territory to Timber Creek. We pass the turnoff to Bullo River Station and travel to the Nackeroo memorial in Timber Creek. We then follow the mighty Victoria River for a number of kilometres to Gregory’s Tree, in Gregory National Park. The park was named after Augustus Charles Gregory, a West Australian Surveyor who explored the Victoria River and environs during 1855-56. Through Victoria River Crossing to Katherine for our stay at the Knotts Crossing Resort. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 | Sunday 24 June 2012 . . . fly away home; back to the cold!
We travel north along the Stuart Highway to Adelaide River for morning tea and time to reflect at the War Cemetery for victims of the Japanese bombing of Darwin. Then on to Darwin for our afternoon Qantas flight home to Sydney and back to winter, longing for some more Kimberley Magic. (B,L,D)

BULLO RIVER STATION
Within the Australian context the words ‘cattle station’ conjure a very special image. It involves hot thirsty plains, teeming wildlife, strong bronzed rivers, a vast sky and dusty stock camps, where horses and stock skills are very much alive - and Bullo River Station fits like a glove. This is a Top End cattle station (ranch) from the classic mould. Half a million acres of grassy plains with 8,000 Brahman-cross cattle and many more wallabies, brown rivers where crocodiles lurk on the muddy banks, rugged hills inscribed with Aboriginal rock art, gushing streams and crystal clear swimming holes, termite mounds, boab trees, stock horses, wild buffalo, and a few great yarns to tell. Situated in the East Kimberley, there is no place better to experience a quintessential Australian Outback Station.

The Family
The Station is home to your hosts Marlee & Franz Ranacher. You will relish the opportunity to share their home and their daily lives with fascinating stories and great outback hospitality and will feel like family friends rather than tourists. Whilst Marlee and Franz’s responsibilities may take them away from time to time, the entire Bullo team is on hand to ensure our guests can explore the magic of this part of Australia. Bullo River Station was made famous by top-selling Australian author Sara Henderson (Marlee’s mother), whose American husband Charles Henderson developed Bullo River in the 1950’s, with the story of station life vividly chronicled in Sara’s books. Since 2001, Bullo River Station has belonged to Sara’s eldest daughter Marlee and her Austrian-born husband Franz. Marlee and Franz are charming and entertaining hosts and meeting with them in the informal surroundings of the family home and hearing Marlee’s own stories of growing up on the property adds a fascinating dimension to any visit.

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