The Kimberley
 

G'day all, planning a trip from YBAF to Broome in July. Aside from El Questro / Bungle Bungles / Horizontal Waterfalls, what are the "must see" up that way?
(also thinking of Truscott to Broome coastal)
TIA. DK.

With regard to Truscott, make sure about access to both the airfield and the surrounding area, accomodation/food, any local transport and avgas availability before you make any concrete plans.

Read up on the history of where you eventually go, it makes the travels far more interesting.

You will enjoy that corner of Oz.

Tipsy

Sacred Heart Church at Beagle Bay is well worth the time.

Catholic Diocese of Broome

If you are travelling through much of WA have a look at Mt Augustus (biggest rock in the world) which is in the middle of what used to be my cattle station.

Head back from there to Giles or Warburton then Alice, Lake Eyre, Wilpena and wherever.

Kaz

Wolf Creek Crater is worth an orbit or two.

Also highly recommend a cruise on Lake Argyle.

Truscott
 

Make sure you do your homework on Truscott before just "Dropping in". The landing fees are a bit exxy, presumably to stop this. It is an active oil rig chopper transfer base.
I believe avgas is available but only by the drum and you need to have arranged it before hand.
I qualify this with, it may be out of date info. Still best to check.

When did you own mount Augustus station kaz3g?

I've spent many a day chilling out at the station on day wastes. Topping up with fuel, or borrowing a 'buggy' to go for a look around.

Bungles a must. It gets busy overhead during the season. Give the guys at Slingair or Shoal a ring to see what times everyone is heading in to meet the ground tour buses (it's the same for all companies) and avoid that. Otherwise just use your radio and don't be afraid to ask :ok:

Try Kalumbaru instead of Truscott. Not sure about the arrangements their but tourists who drive in stay at the mission and they operate the airport so speak to them. Geike Gorge and Windjana Gorge are nice little diversions off the Broome-Halls Creek/Bungles Track.

Cape Leveque is well worth a stop in and either Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm (there is an airport, not sure if private flights can land there) or Willie Creek Pearl Farm (no airport, drive ~30 mins from Broome).

When inbound to Broome from the North (ring the tower before departure if possible) request "coastal to gantheume point then the port, then either join base for 28 or right downwind 10" gives a nice little scenic flight around Broome. The tower can give you more info on how to conduct it.

PPRuNe at its best! I hope to do a trip like this one day - I'm jealous!

don't forget Derby, see if you can get down to the port and just watch the tide. even better if your there when it turns on the incoming, great experience truly Gods own country.

plus don't forget port hedland. its an amazing place as well.

I did a similar trip from YTYA year before last. Its fantastic.

I just over flew Truscott due to landing fees but the Mitchell Plateau is near by and well worth a 2 night stay to allow a walk into the falls. Good accommodation is available at the APT lodge.

I'd second Cape Leveque. I much prefer it's undeveloped charm over Broome.

I'd also recommend Windjara Gorge not far from Derby. However, to really enjoy this you will need camping gear as there is only a camp ground.

And Kings Canyon Station is good place stop over once you over fly the rock.

You will have a ball!

Far Away
 

Far Away bay whilst not cheap is an awesome little spot!

Prior to the lap around the Bungles, a phone call to the guys at Slingair was very useful for local traffic tips.

As for places to drop in, it's also worth considering Drysdale River Station (for a Kimberley Beef burger!)

El Questro is excellent (+/- Emma Gorge).

Done the trip around that area a couple of times and had a fantastic time.

Thx all.
 

The suggestions have been very helpful. Thanks.
Truscott - gone. Cape Leveque / B.Bay / Derby / Wolf Ck / Argyle - added.
We did look previously at Far Away Bay (& it looks fantastic) as a stop before Truscott, Global, but the almost $5K per 3days per person.... well, it was a little beyond us.
Great info. DK.

My place was the adjoining Cobra Station and my homestead was originally the Bangamall Pub.

Two-thirds of Mt Augustus was in the Cobra lease and I was the person who first lobbied WA Govt to declare it a National Park back in the late 1970's. Now the whole station and a couple of others have been resumed and are currently reserved CL.

Don Hammerquist and his two brothers had just purchased Mt Augustus Station and Don helped me with my first muster. Sadly, the government guys have apparently closed all the artificial waters which would have killed a great number of wildlife - birds, mammals and reptiles.

It was pretty wild there back then, but I loved it and miss it still.

Kaz

No worries Kaz.

I enjoyed my time out there. Beautiful part of the world.

In Broome.. The Roey on a Thursday night!

Port Hedland, haha yeah awesome spot. The Pier. That'll open your eyes a little!

In all honesty, find some stations, give them a call and see if you can drop in for a night for a visit. Ask if they'd like anything brought in at the same time. Get a real local experience!

Yup, definitely call the local stations. Very friendly and their ALAs are usually pretty good. As for the rest of the suggestions? They have me diving for my logbook. Good times.
Cape Leveque is a beautiful spot. :ok:

If you're going to the Bungle Bungles, please read up on the fly friendly procedures in ERSA. Please note, before you land at the Bungle Bungles ( a private strip - permission in writing is required), you must speak to the chief pilot at one of the Kununurra mobs to get a briefing.


Choose to land without permission? There goes your insurance in case of incident or accident. Choose to blunder around the scenic flight route without reading up properly before hand? Risk the ire of the local boys n girls who are trying to provide a professional service to the paying punter.


Other excellent spots to visit in the Kimberley - Berkeley River Lodge, Faraway Bay, Kimberley Coastal Camp, Cape Leveque, Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary, El Questro, Katherine Gorge. Not sure if Mt Hart Station is still operating as accommodation. Some are on the upper end of the market, yes, but do it once, and do it right.

During July/August, the Kimberly is one of the best spots in the country to go flying.

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If you can get a group of mates or family together to help pay the way, it's well worth the effort. Everyone should at least do one Kimberly trip during their flying career.