EXPERIENCES / KIMBERLEY
Durack Explorer
Overview
- The Durack walk contains some of the most difficult and also some of the easiest terrain you will encounter on any of our trips.
- Plenty of opportunities for catching fish, including Barramundi
- An explorer trip. We will visit the highlights we have been to previously as well as exploring new areas
Ou
KIMBERLEY
June 14-27 2020
We meet in Kununurra then together take a bus to Wyndham followed by a boat to where we start our walk. We start in the tidal area however it is not long before we reach a great view point overlooking fresh water below.
Down by the river there is a mix of large, round river stones that are slow and strenuous to traverse and huge flat rock ledges that go on for kilometres at a time. We do not swim in the main river due to the saltwater crocodile risk however there are plenty of side creeks and gorges that offer safe swimming opportunities.
The Durack contains the largest single Aboriginal artsite we have seen to date. A 250m rock walks covered in paintings, some very faded, some as clear as if they'd been done yesterday. A valuable reminder of the human history of this landscape and that this has been a special place for indigenous people for thousands of years.
The scenery here is magnificent with cliffs, gorges and large flat rock ledges. We will revisit the best places that we found on our earlier trips and explore some spots we didn’t have time to visit on the first five trips. Explorer trips are the least structured and most adventurous of those
we offer during the dry season
Details
DATES
June 14-27
PRICES
Full price: A$2995
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
We expect most to be on sand and rock ledges. We cannot be sure until we get there. You are very unlikely to see anyone else at most of the campsites. You may not see anyone else at any of them.
ART
A wide variety but spaced well apart.
SWIMMING
Many good pools. Many opportunities for swimming each day. Crocodiles could be a danger in many pools. Ask your guide before getting in the water.
WILDLIFE
You see a variety of birds along the river and have a good chance of spotting freshwater crocodiles. You may see large crocs in the lower part of the Durack. If you take your time, there are lots of small creatures to observe.
CLIMATE
Average daytime max 30ºC, average nighttime min 12-14ºC. It has, however, been known to drop to near freezing. Generally low humidity. Rain very unlikely.
FIRE
We will light a small cooking fire in the morning for boiling water and in the evening to boil water and prepare the evening meal.
WALK RATING - HARD
Terrain
On our first trip we had everything from huge rock slabs where the
walking couldn’t have been easier to short, steep climbs and long stretches of
rounded river stones where you needed to concentrate on every step for long distances.
Vegetation
Can vary from year to year depending on when last burnt. It is likely that you will spend some time pushing through some fairly thick scrub or grass. At this time of year, the spear grass has finished seeding and dried out. It may be necessary to push through thick spinifex in some places. Good variety of wildflowers.
Distance
4-6 hours per day
Pack Weight
You need to carry two weeks worth of food.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
