We will be traveling with our own SUV through Australia from late July to early Dec. 2016. My question concerns time in Purnululu and Kimberley Nat'l Parks. I expect to arrive around Nov. 15 mid afternoon in Purnululu Nat'l Park (driving from Fitzroy Crossing). Spend the next two days exploring Purnululu Park. Then leave Purnululu Park for Kimberley Nat'l Park/Ord River. Spend the next day in Kimberley/Ord River. And the next day drive on to Katherine. Is this a realistic time schedule? Any suggestion on inexpensive to moderate places to stay? Do you recommend reservations? And I welcome any other comments/recommendations from those who have explored this area.
1
ianw6705
I can't assist you on the specifics of your schedule or accommodation options, however there are a number of specialist forums that deal with 4WD touring and travel in Australia - www.exploroz.com is a good one.
More importantly, I have to advise that November is one of the very worst months to travel the Kimberley (or anywhere in the Top End) - the buildup to the Wet Season will mean great heat and intense humidity, but very few relieving rains, plus nearly all the water courses and waterfalls will be at their lowest ebb.
July and August are the best time for the Top End ... even September is intensely hot (as it is in Kakadu NP).
2
twaonthego
Thanks for the weather info. I tried to tie weather into the route planning. You have pointed out a problem area. Please see my new post: Route and Temperature Weather. Do you have any suggestions on an alternative route taking into account the weather?
3
justin23
blog
I responded to your other thread. Do Cairns and the top end first then head south from Kimberley to Perth and come back that way. Same amount of overlap as your original itinerary IMO.
4
balgobob
instead of fitzroy crossing you could stay at the caravan park out at OLD halls creek, this is 13 km down the buntine highway, a side road, from new halls creek. itself 300 km east of fitzroy crossing. Its an interesting place to camp, its right on the original halls creek township, which is in ruins, the graveyard is worth a look, the owner is good for a chat, and he might point the way to a lake accessible through a gate at the back of the caravan park, beside the old graveyard..
but for a better swimming hole maybe palm springs, about 20 km further down the main dirt road (its the duncan or buntine hwy, changes name from one to the other) past old halls creek, its a really nice swimming spot on the side of the road just as you approach some hills, and just beyond this is the turn off for 'sawtooth gorge' a camping spot and swimming hole 5 km down an easy track from palm springs.
(dont get confused if you see a sign for palm springs goldmine, its 13 km beyond this, approximately)
btw , hope you are going to divert off the main broome- fitzroy crossing road and have a look at tunnel creek on the way through
5
Thorn Tree
This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner
trusted partner