Broome Australia July 27-August 9 2018 with Kimberly Wild Tour
Broome was basically used as a base for AlteCocker in Broome.
The experience started with a 2 day trip with Kimberly Wild to Cape Leveque. We had these incredible 4 wheel drive vehicles that AlteCocker was told were imported from New Zealand. We took the Cape Leveque Road. No one without a lot of 4 wheel drive experience should attempt this road himself--even in a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It is basically driving on sand and a lot of cars get stuck. In fact the whole tour business to this area out of Broome is based on the fact that people do not want to drive the road. There is some discussion of paving the road. If the road gets paved, you will be able to safely do it yourself. AlteCocker constantly heard stories of vehicles getting stuck. Our vehicle was basically a a truck cab with an adapted trailer. You can see it in the photos.
Kimberly Wild is a major tour operator out of Broome and into The Kimberly. This is an adventure tour where you overnight in a tent (with cots).
Before starting the Cape Leveque tour, AlteCocker did a basic tour of Broome that ended in a camel ride on the beach (the one you see in the current "I've been everywhere" ad for Qantas at the cinema). You rid two per camel. AlteCocker was a bit terrified mounting the camel (there is a stand and they pull up the camel). At age 72 she is not so adept anymore. When you see the photos, she is the first one on the humped one. She did not have pain problems despite chronic back problems. Having done the camel ride, no need to do it again if she ever gets to India or Dubai. Check it off the list.
Kimberly Wild has its own Lodge. Alte Cocker stayed there when she needed housing in Broome because they were doing her itinerary. It is basically a backpackers (4 to a room with shared toilets and showers). AlteCocker did not think much of the accomodations but they were clean. She had her own room everytime she stayed, which was a surprise. Whether you do or not will depend on how many people they have. You supply your own toiletries, so be sure to pack them (or take them from the last hotel you've been in. It was very noisy until lights out at 11:00pm. All and all, it was a bit too much for AlteCocker. She would never stay at a backpackers' again. She should have known what she was doing. She did not read the small print.
Before leaving for Cape Leveque, AlteCocker had a full day in Broome. She took a tour of Broome with a visit to a pearl jeweler, and an old theater. The tour was completed with the inevitable riding of a camel on the beach; those who did not want to ride a camel had drinks at a bar overlooking the beach. AlteCocker was a bit worried about the camel ride, but it turned out to be tamer than expected. It did not bother her back as an elephant ride once did in Thailand
On the way to Cape Leveque, we stopped at an aboriginal church and took a boat cruise to a reef. When the tide goes out, you see this special effect at a reef which is near the surface and turns into a waterfall. The whole trip is described by Kimberly Wild on the link highlighted on the top of the page.
Overnight is in tents with a shared bathroom and showers. This is an adventure tour and you should be aware of that before booking.
On the second day we were taken to a pearl farm, which turned out to be more interesting than expected. There is, of course, a shop. To the best of my knowledge, no one bought any pearls.
Then it was back to Broome and Kimberly Wild Lodge to prepare for the huge tour of the Kimberly beginning the following day. AlteCocker's one regret of her time in Broome was that she did not have time to go to Horizontal Falls. She did not know about it until after she arrived in Broome and there was no time. You must arrange a trip to Horizontal Falls in Broome. You can stay overnight there but most go for the day.
The experience started with a 2 day trip with Kimberly Wild to Cape Leveque. We had these incredible 4 wheel drive vehicles that AlteCocker was told were imported from New Zealand. We took the Cape Leveque Road. No one without a lot of 4 wheel drive experience should attempt this road himself--even in a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It is basically driving on sand and a lot of cars get stuck. In fact the whole tour business to this area out of Broome is based on the fact that people do not want to drive the road. There is some discussion of paving the road. If the road gets paved, you will be able to safely do it yourself. AlteCocker constantly heard stories of vehicles getting stuck. Our vehicle was basically a a truck cab with an adapted trailer. You can see it in the photos.
Kimberly Wild is a major tour operator out of Broome and into The Kimberly. This is an adventure tour where you overnight in a tent (with cots).
Before starting the Cape Leveque tour, AlteCocker did a basic tour of Broome that ended in a camel ride on the beach (the one you see in the current "I've been everywhere" ad for Qantas at the cinema). You rid two per camel. AlteCocker was a bit terrified mounting the camel (there is a stand and they pull up the camel). At age 72 she is not so adept anymore. When you see the photos, she is the first one on the humped one. She did not have pain problems despite chronic back problems. Having done the camel ride, no need to do it again if she ever gets to India or Dubai. Check it off the list.
Kimberly Wild has its own Lodge. Alte Cocker stayed there when she needed housing in Broome because they were doing her itinerary. It is basically a backpackers (4 to a room with shared toilets and showers). AlteCocker did not think much of the accomodations but they were clean. She had her own room everytime she stayed, which was a surprise. Whether you do or not will depend on how many people they have. You supply your own toiletries, so be sure to pack them (or take them from the last hotel you've been in. It was very noisy until lights out at 11:00pm. All and all, it was a bit too much for AlteCocker. She would never stay at a backpackers' again. She should have known what she was doing. She did not read the small print.
Before leaving for Cape Leveque, AlteCocker had a full day in Broome. She took a tour of Broome with a visit to a pearl jeweler, and an old theater. The tour was completed with the inevitable riding of a camel on the beach; those who did not want to ride a camel had drinks at a bar overlooking the beach. AlteCocker was a bit worried about the camel ride, but it turned out to be tamer than expected. It did not bother her back as an elephant ride once did in Thailand
On the way to Cape Leveque, we stopped at an aboriginal church and took a boat cruise to a reef. When the tide goes out, you see this special effect at a reef which is near the surface and turns into a waterfall. The whole trip is described by Kimberly Wild on the link highlighted on the top of the page.
Overnight is in tents with a shared bathroom and showers. This is an adventure tour and you should be aware of that before booking.
On the second day we were taken to a pearl farm, which turned out to be more interesting than expected. There is, of course, a shop. To the best of my knowledge, no one bought any pearls.
Then it was back to Broome and Kimberly Wild Lodge to prepare for the huge tour of the Kimberly beginning the following day. AlteCocker's one regret of her time in Broome was that she did not have time to go to Horizontal Falls. She did not know about it until after she arrived in Broome and there was no time. You must arrange a trip to Horizontal Falls in Broome. You can stay overnight there but most go for the day.