Start your exciting holiday in the Kimberley at The Station. From your base at The Station, experience boating on the Chamberlain Gorge, or the relaxing thermal pools of Zebedee Springs. A scenic helicopter flight through canyons and gorges, past waterfalls and caves offers unrivalled views of this awesome and ancient country.
Click on the activities below for more details:
Horse trekking is a fabulous way to observe all kinds of Kimberley wildlife. Accompanied by your El Questro Ranger, you will be introduced to a wide variety of animals, birds and maybe even a saltwater crocodile!
Please contact our Reservations Office for bookings and further information.
Guided Activity Highlights
El Questro has activities that suit a broad range of interests. Whether it is photographing butterflies or fishing for the elusive Barra. To fully appreciate the diversity and beauty of the region, we recommend that you explore El Questro and take advantage of the many guided tours on offer. No matter which accommodation you have chosen to stay at, our staff can help you plan your itinerary to help you get the most out of your visit.
Chamberlain Gorge Cruise
1.5 hours / Easy
Cruising the Chamberlain Gorge is one of the best introductions to the history and ecology of El Questro. A 3km fresh waterhole bound by dramatic and towering escarpments, it is home to a range of flora and fauna. There are no crowds here as the Gorge can only be accessed by boat. Enjoy sparkling wine and freshly sliced melons as you take in the breathtaking scenery and informative commentary from your knowledgeable guide. In the 2011 season, the Chamberlain Boat Cruise will cease operating on Sunday 4th September at 4 pm.
Adult $58 / Child $29 (Self Drive to Jetty)
Adult $65 / Child $33 (Pick Up on Request)
Chamberlain Gorge Breakfast Cruise:
Adult $69 / Child $35 (Self Drive to Jetty)
Adult $75 / Child $38 (Pick Up on Request)
Guided Barramundi 4WD Fishing Tour
5 hours / easy
The anticipation of catching a Barramundi is almost as a thrilling as landing one!
All Barramundi begin their lives as males, changing into females at 5 years old when they are about 60cm long. A legal minimum size limit of 55cm helps improve the average size of fish caught. A recommended maximum size limit will help protect large spawning females over 7kg and benefit the angler by promoting the opportunity for the capture and release of ‘trophy’ Barramundi.
$255 Adult – Min 2 persons
Bush Culture & El Questro History Tour
This tour will give you an insight into the pioneering heritage and former characters of El Questro Station, as it was when it began as a working cattle station, right through to its current status as a Wilderness Park. This is an overall awareness experience including traditional medicines, hunting techniques, tracking and use of fires.
$95 Adult / $50 Child – Min 4 persons
Explosion Gorge & Branco’s Lookout Sunset Tour
Approx. 4 hours / Easy
Named after Explosion Gorge, this unique, rough and rugged 4-wheel drive track extends along the Chamberlain River as it narrows and then drops down to a riverbed with sheer cliffs rising above you. This track is a great way to experience true 4-wheel driving – you’ll be glad you are going in our cars and not yours! In silent small boats operated by battery motors, you are able to see extraordinary cliffs in the afternoon light. Watch the sun set from Branco’s Lookout with beverages and a cheese platter, adding yet another beautiful moment to your stay.
$100 Adult / $30 Child - Min 4 persons
Horse Riding
From 2 hours. Need to book by 5pm the day before. Depart 6.30pm.
Horse treks are a great and pleasurable way to get off the beaten track and view otherwise restricted areas. Recommended for medium to advance riders only, all horses used for trail rides are ex-stock horses and race horses they are not suitable for inexperienced riders.
Available for ages 16 years and above. Half hour kids’ rides (5-16 years) may be available upon request.
$85 Adult, 2 hrs / $22 Child, ½ hr - Min 2 persons
Zebedee – Chamberlain Tour
5.5 hours / easy
Departing from the Station Store at around 11.30 am this is a great tour for those who would like an experience that is a little less physical than a lot of the other tours on offer.
Zebedee Springs is a 10 minute drive from the Station and a 5 minute walk from its car park (don’t forget to take a towel). On then to the Steakhouse Restaurant at the Station where you can enjoy lunch as the Pentecost River meanders by. The Chamberlain Gorge Cruise leg of this tour departs the Station Store 2.30pm.
$140 Adult / $ 70 Child - incl. lunch at the Steakhouse Restaurant
Bird Watching Tour
2 hours / easy
Join an El Questro Ranger on an early morning excursion to bird watching sites around El Questro. The variety of ecosystems in the park attract a range of birds from the Brolgas to Bee-eaters, Finches to Pheasant Coucals. Armed with a species list and a pair of binoculars, a keen eye will delight in spotting the early morning bird life.
$75 Adult – Min 4 persons
Saddleback Ridge Sunset Tour
2 hours / easy
One of the best lookouts on El Questro is located just behind The Station. For those not brave enough (and we don’t blame you) to tackle the tortuous road to the summit, join the tour safe with the knowledge that you can enjoy a cold one over sunset at the top. The timber deck at the summit provides a stunning 360 degree view.
$80 Adult / $40 Child - Min 4 persons
Full Day Tours
Emma Gorge Full Day Tour
9 hours / medium
This tour offers some of the highlights of the Kimberley and gives an informative overview of El Questro. The tour starts with a guided walk up Emma Gorge, a soak in Zebedee Springs, ‘Beef and Barra’ lunch at the Steakhouse followed by an afternoon Chamberlain Gorge Cruise. Departs the Station Store or Emma Gorge Resort.
$185 Adult / $95 Child
El Questro Full Day Tour
9 hours / medium
Same as above, however this tour takes you on a guided hike to the halfway pool of El Questro Gorge. Departs the Station Store or Emma Gorge Resort.
$185 Adult / $95 Child
Cockburn Range 4WD Circuit
10 hours / easy
Circumnavigate the Cockburn Range by 4WD. Prior to the completion of the Gibb River Road, the Karunjie Track was the original route from Wyndham to the outlying stations. In earlier years, drovers brought thousands of cattle along this track to the meat works at Wyndham. Venture into this spectacular country with ease in our El Questro 4WD vehicles. Morning tea is served prior to tackling the Heritage Trail. Inclusive of transfers and lunch.
$253 per person – Min 4 persons
Kununurra Full Day Tour
12 hours / easy
El Questro operates a guided full day tour of the Wilderness Park that departs from Kununurra. Accompanied by an El Questro ranger, the tour includes Emma Gorge, Zebedee Thermal Springs, lunch at the Steakhouse Restaurant, Chamberlain River Cruise, road transfers and wilderness park permit.
$230 Adult / $110 Child – Min 4 persons
Half Day Tours
Departing from Emma Gorge Resort and the Station.
El Questro Gorge Walk and Zebedee Springs
5 hrs
$120 Adult / $60 Child – Min 4 persons
Emma Gorge Walk and Zebedee Springs
5 hrs
$120 Adult / $60 Child – Min 4 persons
Zebedee Springs and Chamberlain River Cruise
6 hrs
$150 Adult / $75 Child – Tour incl. Beef & Barra Lunch
Helicopter Scenic Flights
Perhaps the best way to get an appreciation of the vastness and the diversity of El Questro – plus the only way to access many of the remote fishing holes, a helicopter ride over the Cockburn Ranges, through Pentecost Gorge, past waterfalls and caves offers sights denied to earthbound mortals. It is truly an indescribable experience. We strongly recommend it to everyone.
Scenic Flights
Minimum 2 people
Enquire for further information – even suggest your own itinerary! Flights depart from the Station.
20 min – 2 persons - $230 per person
20 min – 3 persons - $200 per person
30 min – 2 persons - $300 per person
30 min – 3 persons - $230 per person
Heli Fishing Tours
5 hours - minimum 2 people
Choose from freshwater or saltwater destinations on El Questro. Pristine waters, many of which are rarely fished, ensures the angler plenty of opportunity to catch Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Bream and Threadfin Salmon. This tour requires a minimum of 2 persons. If you find a third, the prices are cheaper! Fishing may be tidal dependant - so enquire upon arrival.
Freshwater fishing – 2 persons - $655 per person
Freshwater fishing – 3 persons - $475 per person
Saltwater fishing – 2 persons - $955 per person
Saltwater fishing – 3 persons - $740 per person
Amaroo Falls
2.5 hours
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 this amazing wonderland is made up of 15 cascading waterfalls which range from knee-high falls to falls of 45m in height, several pristine swimming holes & some of the most breathtaking views El Questro has to offer.
Join an El Questro Ranger on a guided adventure of this magical place, enjoy a picnic & lose yourself overlooking this majestic land where time is forgotten.
$650 per person - 2 persons only
Group tours can be arranged after prior enquiry
Miri Miri Scenic Tour
2 hours
Hidden in a truly remote corner of the Wilderness Park is Miri Miri Falls. Spring-fed water cascades over a 50 metre fall from the plateau into a deep pool, then into a dense valley of Livistonia Palms and Paperbarks. Swim in the pool overlooking the falls and enjoy El Questro’s most secluded (and private!) attraction. Spend a couple of hours frolicking around this stunning piece of country.
$590 per person - Min 2 persons
The Lost City Tour
1.5 hrs
Visit an ancient wonderland of cave formations and unique terrain in this fully guided tour. This tour is recommended for only the very fit and adventurous and includes a fantastic scenic flight and morning tea.
$440 per person - Min 2 persons
The Lost City and Miri Miri Tour
3 ½ hrs
Lost City & Miri Miri - Combine these two adventurous Heli Tours for a day you'll never forget. After exploring the Lost City with an El Questro Ranger cool your heels in the pristine Miri Miri Falls and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch.
$860 per person - Min 2 persons
Experience the Wonders of El Questro's Neighbours
Bungle Bungle and Lake Argyle Scenic Flight
6am, 9am and 2.30pm
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 life time experience is found only in the Kimberley.
Minimum 2 persons
$565 per person, plane only, El Questro return,
or $900 per person with an added low level ½ hour helicopter flight (9am only).
$440 / $775 per person for flights concluding at Kununurra Airport.
Complimentary luggage transfers are provided by El Questro.
Bungle Bungles full day tour departs El Questro
9am and returns 4.30pm
Take in a day with a difference. Experience views of Lake Kununurra, Lake Argyle and the Carr Boyd & Osmand Ranges enroute 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 history before you reach the magnificence of the ancient amphitheatre which doubles as your lunch location. After lunch 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.
$890 per person - Min 2 persons
$1,200 per person with an added ½ hour low level helicopter flight – Min 2 people
Argyle Diamond Mine Ground Tour with Bungle Bungles Flight
10.30am-4pm
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.
$860 per person - Min 2 persons
$1,170 per person with an added ½ hour low level helicopter flight – Min 2 people
Mitchell Falls and Kimberley Coast Tour
7am-3pm
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 drop 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 plenty of 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.
$1,720 per person - Min 2 persons
Kimberley Panorama and Drysdale Station
9am-4pm Tuesday and Thursday
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 land at the Mitchell Plateau ond orbit the Mitchell Falls 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 Range.
$960 per person - Min 2 persons
All of the aeroplane scenic tours offer departures from Kununurra and will land at El Questro at the end of the tour. Complimentary luggage transfers are provided by El Questro.
Scenic Flights & Regional Touring
If you would like to explore more of this amazing Region, our reception staff can help you book tours with local operators.
Self Guided Activities – El Questro Hiking
Hiking through the El Questro Wilderness Park offers the opportunity to experience some truly magnificent country. Incredible views, stunning palm fringed waterholes, dramatic cliff faces and close encounters with the wildlife. With over 200km of tracks and trails, there is something for everyone. Trail fact sheets are available from our reception.
Emma Gorge Trail
1.6 km one way, 1 hour
Emma Gorge is one of the best known and spectacular gorges of the Kimberley. Enjoy an invigorating but shaded, one hour walk and be rewarded by reaching a large cool waterhole, perfect for a well deserved swim. Set at the base of towering 65m cliffs, the waterhole is graced by a droplet waterfall and a small thermal water outlet that trickles from the rocks on the right hand side.
El Questro Gorge Trail
1.3 km, 1 hour one way (to half way pool) or 3.4 km, 2.5 hours one way (to top pool)
El Questro Gorge never fails to delight those who trek along its narrow spring-fed creek. A walk through palm and fern clad escarpments brings you to a small swimming hole, a suitable place to relax and drink in the beauty of the rain-forest environment. From this half way point, the more adventurous continue on as the path increases in difficulty. Allow another 1.5 hours one way to reach the top.
Amalia Gorge Trail
1.7 km one way, 1 hour
Amalia Gorge is best seen after the wet season when a mass of waterfalls flow from one pool to the next. In the dry season it is a fairly easy walk, however, there is rock scrambling and ledge hopping involved requiring a reasonable level of fitness and good balance. Amalia Gorge is more of a steep sided valley than a gorge. The trail leads to a waterfall and a beautiful pool half way and yet another pool at the top. During the dry season the water stops flowing.
Zebedee Springs
750m one way, 15 minutes
Zebedee Springs is a short walk along a trail that leads you through dense Livistonia Palms to a series of rocky thermal pools. A natural oasis and set at the base of sheer cliffs, Zebedee is a must see destination and a fabulous place to soak and relax. Open to general public from 7.00am – 12 noon daily. Please respect that it is closed in the afternoon to allow private tour groups access to this area, thus easing the pressure on this delicate ecosystem.
Saddle Back Ridge
Starting from the Township, the 3.5km ascend will take 1-1.5 hours and the return trip about one hour.
The viewing platform at Saddleback Ridge is one of the most spectacular lookout points on El Questro. This is a shared walking and 4WD trail. Visitors preferring to walk may depart from the Township or drive to point 3 and walk up the rest of the track to the view points. Confident and experienced four wheel drivers only are recommended to drive up the track. The track is steep and has little space for two way traffic.
Moonshine Gorge
Circuit walk 5km, 2.5 hours
This circular trail follows Moonshine creek. Tall Livistonia Palms and cliff faces on both sides ensure adequate shade and plenty of areas for a rest and swim. The second part of the trail is exposed and leads over a saddle back to the car park.
Champagne Springs
4.8 km, 2.25 hours one way
Commencing as a shaded riverside walk, this trail is quite different to other El Questro walks. It is longer and the broken terrain makes it more difficult, especially in the second half. The top rewards you with pools, beautiful scenery and small thermal springs.
The Station Walks
Several short walks such as Riverside Ramble and Telecom Hill Hike leave from The Station.
Four Wheel Drive Tracks
Tier Gorge Circuit
16km circuit from the Gibb River Road turnoff.
This easy circuit takes you to a scenic gorge and unusual sandstone outcrops. The gorge is known by several names and it is a beautiful swimming hole. Along the track there is an historic grave site, magnificent boabs and signs of the existence of ancient life if you look closely.
Explosion Gorge 4WD
12.7km from the turnoff to Upper Split Hole.
Explosion Gorge is part of the Chamberlain Gorge system. Along the way are several access tracks to waterholes and places to fish. Also available on a guided tour. Boat hire available in the morning.
Cockburn Circuit 4WD
133km round trip from the Gibb Road / Station driveway turnoff.
The most scenic of our tracks. It encircles the Cockburn Ranges on a variety of different terrains.
Pigeon Hole 4WD
11.2 km from the Station to Pigeon Hole one way.
This 4WD track leads into an unexplored area. The waterhole at the end of this steep track is a good spot for fishing and the lookout halfway features an excellent view to the surrounding ranges. Boat hire available.
Saddleback Ridge
7km round trip from the Station. This track is recommended for experienced 4 x 4 drivers only.
This very steep, narrow and challenging 4WD track really highlights that getting there is an adventure in itself. From the well watered Pentecost Valley with its abundance of riverside vegetation, the landscape quickly changes to rocky scree slopes sparsely covered with spinifex, grevilleas and a few stands of snappy gums. The end reward is a spectacular 360 view from a platform overlooking sandstone escarpments, The Station and the Homestead in the distance.
Boat Hire
See the spectacular Chamberlain and Explosion Gorges at your leisure from a hire boat.
You can also go on a boat trip at Branco’s Hole. This picturesque waterhole on the Pentecost River involves some excellent four-wheel driving just to get there. Nestled under the red escarpments of Branco’s Lookout, this freshwater boating hire option offers the chance for a spot of barra fishing, great bird life and a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by a magnificent Kimberley landscape.
Half day and full day hire is available from the Station. No boat license is required and fishing gear is available for hire.
Max 4 persons per boat.
Boat Hire – Half Day - $110/ Full Day - $175
Fishing Gear Hire – Half Day - $33/ Full Day - $33
Please download the Tours & Activities Fact Sheet here:
El Questro Wilderness Park Tours & Activities (PDF)
All tours and activities are subject to availability, may change due to weather conditions and timings are approximate. Minimum and maximum numbers may apply and guests are encouraged to pre-request tours and activities before arrival.
To undertake activities that involve walking, we suggest that you will need a reasonable level of fitness and appropriate, comfortable footwear. If in doubt, please check with our Rangers at the property.
