Testimonials & Reviews

Our trip to the Kimberleys was amazing on every level: stunning scenery, beautiful billabongs, fun fellow-travellers, the Gibb River Road and all the stations we visited along that stretch.

We equally enjoyed the two days in Kununurra; time to wander the town, visit the art galleries (buying some) and other sites before heading back to Broome via the Bungle Bungles along the Great Northern Highway.

We loved the vastness and reach of the Kimberley and its changing landscape, coming across a cattle muster, the steep rugged cliff faces and river crossings, the wild life and the boab trees.  All combined with the openness and friendliness of all the people we met along the way.  It was indeed a surprising, stunning and memorable two weeks of changing landscapes, historical sites, beautiful sunrises and sunsets with the sound of birds settling for the night and waking at daylight.

Wayne and Cheryl were fabulous hosts; totally organised (and great at organising us all to be on the road early) the menus Cheryl prepared everyday was unbelievable, their knowledge of the country along with their story-telling by the camp-fires and on the bus each day kept us informed and entertained.

Last but not least, we did enjoy the camping in tents, but like the two night stays more than the one night.  Thank you to all involved for organising such a fabulous travel experience; and thank you to our fellow travellers – we enjoyed their company.

Rating 4.5/5

Chris and Lorin Jenner

What a trip.  If you’ve never camped, never been in the “Outback”, wonder about your walking skills or are dubious about joining a group of people you don’t know, this is the trip for you.

If you’ve done it all before this is still the trip for you.

Our hosts Liz & Phil made it all so easy going, enjoyable, relaxed and informative.

Thank you Adventure Wild for a great trip.

Rating 4.5/5

Liz & Ollie Else

The first question to ask is why would 14 people want to travel under canvas over red dirt, dusty corrugated roads, and to some very remote places, for 12 days with two guides and and all virtually unknown to each other?

The answers could include:

• For the challenge
• To get away from it all
• To enjoy a holiday in a unique and exciting way
• Or simply to see and experience parts of Australia we have never seen before.

The next questions include:

• What will the rest of the group be like?
• What will the guides be like?
• What if I don’t fit in?

What will the next twelve days be like?  The bus picked us up at each individual’s place of accommodation and each exchanged a nervous “Hello”, “ Welcome Aboard” and polite smiles. The trip was about to begin and little were we to know what the next 12 days would bring.

It brought much laughter and exchange of banter, much enjoyment and amazement, and the most wonderful trip possible because of the bonding and togetherness of all those on board.

Our guides and our friends, Phil and Liz, both worked so hard to cater for our needs, serving up delicious meals to keep us all happy and giving us the low down each night by the campfire to ensure each day was as good, or better, than we hoped for. Phil and Liz both drove with much skill and kept us informed about the Kimberley and its history. They were always so kind, helpful and calming.

We could not have ask for better leaders and we are very grateful for all that they did.

We all have grown heaps after bonding together and have enjoyed every moment of seeing our beautiful country, so unique and amazing. We have enjoyed the campfires, the stories, and much laughter. We have enjoyed each other’s company and our different ways of life.

As our journey has ended I thank each and every one of you for being a friend and allowing me the privilege of sharing 12 special days, from Broome to Broome with Adventure Wild.

I could very happily do it all again and hopefully will.

Rating 5/5

Di Ayscough

Big G’DAY to Gools & Thomo

What a fantastic, professional and enjoyed camping trip through the Kimberlies, the ONLY way to see this magnificent part of Australia.

I can guarantee that  you will be in great hands with these hosts/guides/friends who know all about the areas, the stories associated with it & “secret” add-ons that elevate the experience to the highest levels. Add to that the professional and caring care you are given & the gourmet meals…what more can you want? Fabulous and our thanks.

Rating 5/5

Brian and Shazzy

We thoroughly enjoyed our outback adventure through the Kimberley with Adey, Corf and a fantastic group of people. Our days were packed with breathtaking scenery and great walks that were achievable by even the least fit participants. The pleasure of a swim at our destination was something to look forward to.

Adey and Corf were a hospitable and efficient team who fed us delicious food and entertained us with stories and quick banter that made for humorous fire side conversation; we hope Corf treasures his acknowledgement from the Guinness Book of Records!

Rating 5/5

Richard and Rosemary Howard

Amazing experience.  Every day was my favourite day, until the next day!

Corf and Adey were an efficient, hospitable tour guide team.  Adey produced amazing meals and Corf was extremely informative and brought the Kimberley experiences and history to life with his compelling storytelling.

Thanks for the great memories.

Rating 5/5

Jennifer Selby

Hi Gools, Thommo and Simone,

I know you like little stories so here is mine.

Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s my husband Kevern and two daughters used to go camping on a property south of Adelaide. We would take everything with us, including a toilet seat on a can (Kevern would have to dig the hole) and a bowl and sponge for washing. We would be our little family of four for three days enjoying the outdoor life. It was a fantastic time of our lives and the girls and I look back with fond memories. But girls grow up and three days without a toilet and a shower took its toll. That’s when the overseas holidays started, still exciting but nothing like ‘camping’.

Since Kevern passed  away 9 years ago I thought my days of camping were over. Then I discovered ‘Adventure Wild’ and Gools and Thommo. So I guess this story is leading to me saying a big thank you for the wonderful camping experience I had on the 12 day tour of the Kimberley. Gools and Thommo you were both outstanding tour leaders. So hardworking, organised and prepared for everything; you even had  a Happy Birthday sign, balloons and streamers for Ros’ birthday. I enjoyed all the stories that you both provided on the tour. And of course Gools, your  cooking was exceptional. I did notice that Thommo often had a helping hand in the preparation as well. Great team effort!

My youngest daughter Casey loves the outdoor life too and she often takes me on walks in the National Parks around Canberra, where she is now working. Not quite the same as walking up the lovely gorges in the Kimberley and swimming in the pools with our clothes on. That was so much fun sliding on the rocks at Bell Gorge.

Thank you both for all the information and instructions  that you gave us pre our walks, helicopter and small plane rides. You certainly covered all bases and made each activity a wonderful experience. I think I could have quite easily parked myself in some of the gorges and stayed for a time enjoying the quiet life.

I have done quite a bit  of travelling both in Australia and overseas with my family and lately with my travelling friend Ros, whose husband kindly lets her travel with me. I can honestly say that this was one of the best holidays I have ever had, thanks to your professionalism and also to the magnificent Australian outback. Even rain on the last night did not put a damper on the holiday. (You may have other ideas about this?)

I will certainly recommend you  and the company to my friends who want to have a Kimberley experience.

Thanks again for a wonderful tour, it’s one I will always remember. I will be able to re-live my holiday through my 823 photo’s. The first sitting will be this Saturday night in Canberra and my daughters are looking forward to hearing all about my travels… or so they say!

Best wishes to you all, safe travelling and thanks again.

Rating 5/5

Wendy Doolette

We thoroughly enjoyed our 12 day Safari through the Kimberley with Mark (Corf) and Adey and the rest of our group. Prior to the trip Karl and Simone had been very responsive and helpful with our different queries, and our excitement was building. Corf and Adey very quickly helped us all to feel relaxed with each other and gel together as a group. We felt confident with their skilled and careful driving, and they took us to places we hadn’t even dreamed we would visit – as well as the more well-known highlights of the Kimberley. We were amazed at the beautiful gorges and rivers, waterfalls and landscapes. One night we had the beautiful experience of sleeping under the stars in our swags – a first for us.

Corf was very knowledgeable – his stories to tell us the history of the different places we visited really brought it alive for us and made the trip memorable. He also seemed to know a lot about the geology, astronomy, birds, plants – and many other things! Adey seemed to effortlessly produce gourmet meals for all 15 of us, in camp conditions. We were very well fed and impressed by her abilities. Corf went the extra mile for us one day – Lesley wanted to do some bird-watching, so Corf offered to get up extra early one morning and took us to a bird hide where we saw Gouldian Finches in the wild, along with other birds!

Barry and Richard attempted to estimate how many corrugations we drove over along the Gibb River Road. A conservative estimate was over 2 million! We were very glad that we had gone with a tour group as we are not people who have done 4WD trips ourselves and we wouldn’t have seen half of what we saw on this trip had we gone on our own. Besides, we were able to relax and enjoy the scenery while Corf or Adey concentrated on the driving.

We saw most of the things people had expressed a desire to see – gorges, waterfalls,  Aboriginal Art, crocs, rock wallabies, a python, dingoes, an emu, brolgas, jabirus and many other birds – even the blue-winged kookaburra that seemed to elude me until the very last day! All in all we came home extremely satisfied and VERY glad that we had gone with Adventure Wild. Thank you Corf and Adey for a WONDERFUL safari!!

Rating 5/5

Lesley and Barry Earp

John and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and have no hesitation in recommending it to all our friends. The last night camp site was perfect and so good would have loved another night here to unwind before heading back.  Carmel and Mark were excellent, patient and very professional guides an asset to your company.

I have written this piece which I hope you will share with Carmel and Mark as a tribute to the excellent tour and experience they contributed to.

An adventure wild…..

The intrigue and anticipation of meeting and participating in a unique adventure with fellow Kimberley explorers descended on a group of travelers early on 29 June 2016.

Apprehensive but encompassing visions  of what possibly lay ahead pounded as we all boarded the 4 wheel drive chariot, hosted and guided by Carmel and Mark for 12 days.

A buddy system devised to account our whereabouts was fruitful and entertaining almost as much as were  the yarns, tales, sing-a-longs, storytelling, autobiographies, future plans, family dynamics, jokes, facts and figures discussed; some regurgitated multiple times promoting fun, frivolity and close friendships, a bonding that none expected or prepared for.

The colours of the outback intoxicated, multiple shades of yellow and ochre teamed with the  mesmerising azure of the cloudless sky and inland oceans  hypnotised and enchanted us through our journey.

The scenery was awesomely spectacular. The beauty, pure and overwhelmingly spiritual. Every viewpoint totally overcome and framed by panoramic vistas. rugged ranges, deep ravines, gorges, rock formations, flora and fauna; unique, delicate, savage, narrow, grand and steeped in colour not even artists could create and photography could pay justice. Gob smacking sighs echoed our bewilderment and enticed our expectations. Each accomplished challenges, broke records and ticked off bucket lists.

The campfire gatherings allowed a reflection each day of what elated and what lay ahead whilst we breakfast at the crack of dawn and wined and dined under the stars, forging deeper bonds and reliving the aura of each sunrise and sunset.

The experience was void of any conflict or dissatisfaction and everything went to plan. The sound of zips echoed and repeated ringing out in the silence of the night and dawn  becoming an anthem of our tour.  Least we forget the rolling of the swags, just as much as the stunning scenery.

We swam with the freshies, conquered rocks, sank in mud, used ropes, entered caves, accomplished water crossings, beat the madding crowd for advantage points and mastered the art of open air toilets and hygiene unpretentiously. Bower birds built exclusive pretty abodes to attract mates. At night we were warned by barking owls and as we travelled brumbies, wild donkey and mules flickered their heads up to see who was approaching.

Mingled in the brush on the skirts of enormous stations were bulls, cows and calfs avoiding the spinifex and spear grasses that also caused anguish as we tried to hike past. The pretty but noisy black and sulphur crested cockatoos delighted. The red rose of the rosella bush and colourful native grevillea intoxicated the scenery in color and interest and of course there also lay the lethal red berries that are now synonymous with our tour.

The cat fish, turtles, green frogs, cane toads, olive Python and multitude of spiders bewildered and entertained us.

The flora was plentiful and beautiful. The iconic nut and rare flower of the Boab tree attracted photography, the bird flower, river red gum and ghost gums, bunches of limestone grasses, ribbon and black spinifex all danced in the breeze and coloured hillsides in hues of green and grey.

The mighty Fitzroy River enticed us and wet our curiosity and fascination for crocodiles. It was Tunnel Creek where for the first time we walked through croc infested waters which stirred our appetite whilst marvelling the prehistoric cave system. But more, much more was to come; Windjana Gorge, Bell Gorge, Emma Gorge and Manning Gorge. Spectacular, awesome and the challenge of conquering the ruggedness elated. The cool water, the pristine but rugged paths sided by lush grasses, trees,  smooth and menacing boulders and a via against steep and more gentle ridges climbed to arrive at the most beautiful water falls and swimming holes marvelled at as if we were the first to discover them.

At night we sat around a campfire identifying planets and tracking satellites. In the blue black sky multitudes of stars provided light and in the dark of the night the trip to the latrine became an opportunity to turnoff our head torch and become surrounded by the sounds of silence as we marvelled at the Milky Way in all its glory. So many stars, millions, never experienced. The barking owl bought our attention back to the purpose of our stroll whilst shooting stars ignited across the night sky.

The ancient indigenous nomads that created their stories through their rock inscriptions and drawings provided a spiritual connection to our journey, we reflected ancient passings of people through this land and took a moment to acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future inhabitants of this sacred land.

The Pentecost River another of the big four inscribed its importance over a region blessed with volumes of water to hydrate the dusty plains providing a welcoming oasis that spasmodically frames iconic homesteads such as Home Valley Station and El Questro before we continued our journey over the infamous Gibb River Road running through the land weaving jolting rocking and rolling to once again traverse the Pentecost. River crossings excited us.

We survived the mighty Gibb River Road not an easy feat but our guides provided skill and expertise to allow us this unique experience in the comfort and safety of a well equipped vehicle.

The sunsets over these magnificent plains each day were painted as beautiful as anything that could be created by the masters of art or architecture. Cathedral rays of colour blessed our arrivals from streaks of grey and blue to explosions of orange, yellow and red. Red, red earth and blue, blue sky greeted our journey only outdone by the sunsets and sunrises each day that exploded as we drank champagne and saluted its beauty.

Zebedee Falls teased romance as couples relaxed in warm waters along the pretty waterfall, fringed with ferns and palms. Throughout the journey many remnants of ancient tropical rainforest palms would peak through rugged dusty, rocky slopes and tracks to persist and thrive in a landscape that was once bigger than any ocean.

Kununurra bought us back to the reality of commercialism which was required to replenish our sources before we headed for the beautiful Argyle an inland ocean measured by how many Sydney Harbours it would hold currently sitting at 18. The Ord River weaving amidst vital mangroves teaming with life supporting a delicate ecosystem of flora and fauna we cruised through.

We tracked towards the Pumululu National Park and if we thought beauty and grandeur had already blessed us we were surprised and all expectations were surpassed by this visual cosmic aurora. The Bungle Bungles striated honeycomb domes, words and photography cannot describe or reproduce. A spiritual and visual awakening of grand proportions , the Dome walks, Picinniny Creek, Cathedral Gorge and Echinda Chasm rose above us as we walked often speechless at what we were witnessing. The helicopter flights allowed a birds eye view which enthralled us even more.

China Wall, Halls Creek and the Fitzroy Crossing provided a gorgeous, serene and relaxing finale as we cruised Geike Gorge a prehistoric reef system again supporting spectacular and diverse wildlife along mangroves.  A perfect final night under the stars and a swim. We reminisced, ensured contact details and made plans for reunions, we a group of newly found friendships, a group of people that have together shared and experienced so many personal milestones, and captured so many memories.

The Boab Tree, iconic throughout our travels as it did on our outset, at the Prison Tree now framed our arrival back to Broome, friendships, photos, notes and tales will forever keep our experiences safe and memories alive perhaps connecting us for time to come.

To quote the message at the gate of Home Valley Station that provided a poignant reminder to a motto well served

…we are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose is to observe, to learn, to grown. And then we return home…..

The Kimberley truly once the garden of Eden, remote, pure and rugged  you evoked our spiritual, physical and emotional being even if for a short moment in time and we take from you a truly adventure wild.

Liana

Rating 5/5

Liana & John Benini

We were lucky to be on Tour 17, leaving Broome on 29th June with Carmel, Mark and 15 fellow adventurers!  What a fantastic time we had.  So many beautiful destinations, walking along trails, swimming in gorges, hot springs, boat cruises, watching wildlife, driving through amazing country where the red soil and blue skies added to the experience.  We sat around campfire, having laughs. sharing stories under the millions of stars above.  The swags were comfortable and we became good at rolling them!!!

Carmel and Mark were fantastic, flexible and informative.  They were supportive, aware of everyone’s individual abilities and made sure everyone’s needs and expectations were met.  The food was awesome!  Carmel and Mark worked hard and presented us with a different delicious meal throughout each day.

We would not hesitate to recommend Adventure Wild, it certainly delivered on making the Kimberley an experience of a lifetime.

Rating 5/5

Julie and Harry Vertsonis