El Questro tours and activities form an integral part of every visit to the property. The Homestead offers a wide range of complimentary excursions that provide opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the natural attractions of the Wilderness Park. The majority are exclusive to Homestead guests, facilitating engagement between the small group and their guide. El Questro s enthusiastic rangers are adept at personalising your experience to your individual tastes. Allow us to tailor you a customised itinerary to ensure you sample the best of El Questro and the Kimberley while still leaving time to take in the serenity of the Homestead. Guests are encouraged to pre-book their full itinerary or individual excursions prior to arrival. See suggested itineraries in the travel planner section or contact The Homestead via email for further information. A million acres in size, El Questro is located on the eastern perimeter of the Kimberley Region, and extends for approximately 80 kilometres into the heart of the region, most of which has never been explored. It is one of the last true frontiers. Go barramundi fishing, set out on a horse trek, or explore remote areas by helicopter that only a lucky few have ever seen. Note charges apply for certain specialty tours and tours that are outside the immediate area or involve helicopters or aeroplanes. All tours and activities are subject to availability and may change due to weather or road conditions. All timings are approximate and minimum and maximum numbers may apply. Boating through El Questro s Gorges Private Chamberlain Cruise Boating through the Chamberlain Gorge is a must. An El Questro ranger will take you on this 3 km fresh waterhole in the Homestead s private dinghy. Enjoy the diverse flora and fauna; resident Rock Wallabies, Johnston Crocodiles and the always cheeky Archer Fish are familiar inhabitants of the gorge. Relax on the peaceful return journey at dusk when the colours of the Kimberley shine on the towering cliffs. Explosion Gorge and Branco s Lookout The tour starts with an informative 4-wheel drive journey in an open air safari vehicle, a great way to experience true 4-wheel driving in the outback. At the end of the track lies Explosion Gorge, an amphitheatre style gorge that will reveal it s secrets during a 45 minute cruise. Finish the tour on Branco s Lookout, with views back to the Homestead and the Pentecost River below. Enjoy some bubbly, a taste of cheese and the setting sun: the perfect end to a memorable day. 15:00 17:00 14:30 until Sunset $125 per person Self-Drive Boats See the spectacular Chamberlain Gorge at your leisure from a hire boat. You can also go on a boat trip at either Pigeon or Branco s Waterholes. These picturesque waterholes form part of the Pentecost River system and both involve some excellent four-wheel driving just to get there. Nestled under the red escarpments of the Lookouts of the same name, these freshwater boat hire options offer the chance to spot great bird life in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by a magnificent Kimberley landscape. Time is subject to boat availability
Nature & Wildlife Tours Bush Culture, History and Nature Tour This tour is designed to give you an insight into the many facets of El Questro. Learn from our own real characters about the pioneers and previous characters of the original cattle Station and the remarkable journey to acclaimed Wilderness Park. Take in the views from up high on a look out and visit ancient Boab trees. Learn about the Aboriginal peoples use of the native flora and count the types of wildlife and plants you spot along the way. A light morning tea is served beside a lazy waterhole. Bird Watching Tour Join an El Questro Ranger on an early morning excursion to bird watching sites near the Homestead. The variety of ecosystems in the park attracts 100 different bird species including Pheasant Coucols, dancing Brolgas and even the once near extinct Gouldian Finch. Take part in the friendly competition as you see who can spot the most birds from the list. Binoculars and field guide provided. El Questro s Big Day Out The Season s must do experience; a tour as diverse and unique as the Kimberley landscape you will travel through. Circumnavigate the Cockburn Range while taking in the highlights of El Questro s northern boundaries. Follow in the drover s footsteps as Karunjie track leads you over the mud flats and on to Wyndham. Visit the Boab Prison Tree, see the wild and not so wild cattle of The Station and enjoy an unforgettable lunch prepared by the Homestead Chef. Return home along the banks of the mighty Pentecost River. Buddy s Point Lookout at Sunset Our newest lookout, named after the famed Kimberley Character Buddy Tyson. With 360 degree views of the property, you look down on the station township, up the Chamberlain river and follow the Pentecost out to the Gibb River Road. At the top of the point you can enjoy the amazing Kimberley sunset views whilst toasting the end of the day with a glass of Champagne. 08:00 11:30 3.5 hours 06:00 08:00 07:30 17:00 (Seasonal availability) $290 per person 16:00 18:00 (Subject to availability) Escape to a Romantic Waterfall Zebedee Thermal Springs Exclusive use of Zebedee Springs is offered to Homestead guests every afternoon. Let an El Questro Ranger drive you in style to the most romantic of hideaways. While he stands watch, you take a short walk through dense, tropical vegetation to a series of thermal pools and small waterfalls. Set amongst a back drop of sheer cliffs and Livistonia palms, Zebedee Springs is a magical place to relax and rejuvenate after a busy day. Miri Miri Waterfall Fly by Helicopter to a remote corner of the Wilderness Park where you will find Miri Miri, a spring-fed waterfall cascading over a 50m drop. A somewhat steep walk will reward you with your own private swimming hole set in lush bush land. Unreachable by road or by walking, Miri Miri offers an unparalleled romantic excursion that is only enjoyed by a select few. Choose to go either in the morning or afternoon, or have Chef pack you a gourmet picnic lunch. 14:30 17:00 2.5 hours $750 per person
El Questro from Above Helicopter Scenic Flights Perhaps the only way to get an appreciation of the vastness and diversity of El Questro is from a scenic flight. An open door helicopter ride over the Cockburn Ranges, through the Pentecost and Chamberlain Gorges, past waterfalls and even the Homestead offers unparalleled sights. It is an exhilarating way to enjoy the Wilderness Park. Requires 2 / 3 people 30 minute scenic tours of the southern half of the property: $370 p/p (2 persons) $300 p/p (3 persons) 60 minute flights including the Cockburn Range to the north: $685 p/p (2 persons) $550 p/p (3 persons) For The Adventurous For all activities that involve walking we suggest that you will need a reasonable level of fitness and wear appropriate, comfortable footwear to undertake these activities. If in doubt, please check with our Rangers at the property. Spectacular Guided Gorge Walks El Questro Wilderness Park is proud to be home to some of the best known gorges in the Kimberley. Each walk offers a different style of gorge, from shady and tropical to more open and valley like. All walks are at a minimum an arduous task, with most requiring good balance and a higher level of fitness. What all of the walks and gorges have in common is the reward at the end of the journey; crystal clear water holes for a refreshing swim before the return walk back to the vehicle. Each day a ranger will lead Homestead guests on a different guided walk. Enquire the day before as to which walk is on for the next morning. Horse Riding (12 years and older) Horse treks are a great way to sneak up on all types of Kimberley wildlife and see the country side from a new vantage point. Small groups are guided on trails that follow the base of Saddleback Ridge and the flow of Moonshine Creek. Whether you re a first timer on the horse or an advanced rider, our horse guides will take care of you and adjust the ride to your capabilities. Amaroo Falls by Helicopter Discovered in the South East of the property in April 2010, Amaroo Falls is the newest jewel in El Questro s crown. Only accessible by helicopter, the majestic setting at the top of one of our highest waterfalls offers an enthralling guided walk. Venturing through a series of smaller falls and pristine water holes, partially shaded by the cliff s rugged outcrops, you can enjoy swimming, a picnic or photography while taking in the isolated beauty. The edge of Amaroo waterfall provides a window to breathtaking views across an endless El Questro landscape. The Lost City Cave Tour by Helicopter At the top of El Questro Gorge lies a newly discovered ancient land. Let a ranger guide you through the intricate rock formations and cave systems carved out through time. A reasonable level of fitness is required as the tour involves scaling around crevices, crawling through openings and navigating through the darkness of the caves. A truly unique experience. 08:00 11:00 3 hours Depart Homestead at 6:30am for a 2 hour ride $100 per person Depart Homestead 2:30pm for a 2 hour sunset ride $125 per person Seasonal availability during April, September and October. 2.5 hours $795 per person 06:45 09:00 2.25 hours $575 per person Incorporate an hour landing at Miri Miri waterfall $925 per person
For The Adventurous For all activities that involve walking we suggest that you will need a reasonable level of fitness and wear appropriate, comfortable footwear to undertake these activities. If in doubt, please check with our Rangers at the property. Champagne Springs Walk Returning by Helicopter Champagne Springs is named for the thermal springs that bubble from deep inside the earths interior and surface near the end of this walk within a lush, tropical, hidden valley. To the halfway point, the trail is sandy and rocky but mainly in the shade. The track then opens up into rugged terrain until you reach the top and the waterhole. A helicopter then waits to carry you on a half hour scenic flight along the Pentecost and Chamberlain Gorges, landing you back at the Homestead. 07:00 11:00 4 hours $625 per person Catch an Elusive Barramundi Heli-fishing Tours Choose from either freshwater or saltwater destinations within El Questro s one million acres. Not accessible by road, these pristine waters rarely get fished ensuring the angler a plentiful bounty of Barramundi. Flying over the vast countryside provides a thrill that is overshadowed only by catching your own Barramundi. 4WD Fishing Tour to the Pentecost River An early start ensures you are on the magnificent Pentecost River as the fish are warming up. The Cockburn Range provides the back drop for this historic fishing spot known as The Killing Tree. Fishing from small dinghies gives you the opportunity to cover various sections of the river. In addition to the great fishing, it is a natural paradise. 05:45 11:00 5 ¼ hours $675 per person freshwater $1,000 per person saltwater 04:45 10:00 5 ¼ hours (subject to tides) $285 per person Experience the Wonders of El Questro s Neighbours All flights depart from the El Questro Airstrip Bungle Bungle and Lake Argyle Scenic Flight One of Australia s natural wonders, the World Heritage Listed Bungle Bungle Range is a unique sandstone formation dating back 350 million years. This two hour aeroplane flight from El Questro s airstrip takes you over Lake Argyle, the Argyle Diamond Mine and the Carboyd Range before orbiting Purnululu Park, home to the Bungle Bungles. This once in a lifetime experience is found only in the Kimberley. Travel Tip: Use the 6:00am or 9:00am tour as your transfer to Kununurra airport. Complimentary luggage transfers are provided by El Questro. 06:00, 09:00 and 14:30 $595 per person Plane only, El Questro return $930 per person with an added low level ½ hour helicopter flight (9:00 only) $465 / $800 per person for flights concluding at Kununurra Airport
Experience the Wonders of El Questro s Neighbours All flights depart from the El Questro Airstrip Bungle Bungles Full Day Tour Take in a day with a difference. Experience views of Lake Kununurra, Lake Argyle and the Carr Boyd & Osmand Ranges en route to the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungle Range. On landing, you will be transferred into an air conditioned 4WD vehicle. A short drive will take you past the amazing beehive domes. Your unforgettable walk along Piccaninny Creek to Cathedral Gorge will indulge you in incredible history before you reach the magnificence of the ancient amphitheatre which doubles as your lunch location. After eating join a guided walk along the ancient dry bed of Piccaninny Creek and inspect the 350-million-year old orange and black striped beehive domes up close. Your guide will bring the natural history of the Bungle Bungle domes to life. On return to the Bellburn base camp, light refreshments will be served. The flight home to El Questro will encompass an orbit of the Argyle Diamond Mine. Argyle Diamond Mine Ground Tour with Bungle Bungles Flight Combine the treasure of nature with the treasure of the earth in this fly/drive day tour. From El Questro, you are flown by aeroplane to the Argyle Diamond Mine. Enjoy a 3.5-4 hour guided ground tour including views of the Mine s open cut operations from a well positioned viewing platform and a drive through the processing plant. Your tour also includes a buffet lunch at the Staff Village and a visit to the Village Store where Argyle Diamonds may be purchased. Continue on in the aeroplane to the ancient Bungle Bungles in Purnululu Park. A 20 minute orbit over the Range offers the best views of the formation s deep gorges and the well known beehive domes. Fly back to El Questro along the Carr Boyd Range. Mitchell Falls and Kimberley Coast Tour Explore the remote Mitchell Plateau on a full day aeroplane trip from El Questro. See Kimberley cattle country and Drysdale River National Park before landing at the Mitchell Plateau airstrip. Connect with a helicopter that flies you over the spectacular Mitchell Falls before landing there to let you off. At the Falls, you will spend almost two hours on the ground unaccompanied where you can take a self-guided walk, swim and enjoy a pre-packed morning tea. You will have ample time to photograph the spectacular surroundings, before being picked up by the helicopter and returned to the Mitchell Plateau airstrip. Re-board the aeroplane for the return flight home taking in views of Port Warrender, Kalumburu, King George Falls, Berkeley River Gorge, Cambridge Gulf, Adolphus Island and Emma Gorge before landing at El Questro. Kimberley Panorama and Drysdale Station The only way to see the remote northern coastline of Western Australia is by air. From El Questro s airstrip, the route to the Mitchell Plateau takes you over tidal mud flats, mangrove systems, waterfalls and deep gorges. Spot crocodiles, manta rays, dugong and other sea creatures. The flight path takes in Wyndham, the Cambridge Gulf and Adolphus Island before reaching the coast and continuing over the Berkeley River Gorge and the King George Falls. You will orbit the Mitchell Falls and land at the Mitchell Plateau before stopping for lunch at Drysdale River Station. Return to El Questro with stunning views of the setting sun on the western walls of the Cockburn. 09:00 16:30 7 ½ hours $958 per person $1,290 per person with an added ½ hour low level helicopter flight 10.30 16:00 5 ½ hours $930 per person $1,258 per person with an added ½ hour low level helicopter flight 07:00 15:00 8 hours $1,770 per person 09:00 16:00 7 Hours Tuesday and Thursdays Plane only, El Questro return $1,095 per person Valid as at October 2013. Pricing and activities are subject to change without notice.