El Questro in the Kimberley's in Western Australia

About the Kimberley
• The Kimberley in Australia is one of the last true wilderness areas on Earth, with rustic unique outback landscapes and landmarks billions of years in the making. Covering app 423,000 square kilometres in north Western Australia and with a population of less than 40,000 people, it’s here you’ll encounter some of the most extraordinary outback adventuresand folks in Australia. Discover ancient gorge country with hikes and trekking a must in planning your Kimberley vacation to enormous cattle stations, pristine coastline and sandy beaches, to one of the oldest cultures on the planet and the world’s only horizontal waterfalls.

Getting to El Questro:
Your El Questro adventure begins with the journey itself. Tucked away in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia the most direct way to get to us is via the town of Kununurra. From here we are just 110 kilometres west on mostly sealed roads: 58 kilometres on the Great Northern Highway towards Wyndham, 36 kilometres on the Gibb River Road with the remaining 16 kilometres on a gravel. Regarded as one of the great Australian 4WD tracks, the Gibb River Road is now sealed from Kununurra to the entrances of both El Questro Emma Gorge and El Questro Station.

About El Questro
Over 1 million acres in size, El Questro is located in Western Australia’s untamed Kimberley region and extends for approximately 80 kilometres into its heart, most of which has never been explored. It is one of Australia’s last true frontiers.

Whilst holidaying at El Questro, you will enjoy activities including barramundi fishing, horse trekking, or exploring remote areas by helicopter that only a select few have ever seen. A day spent with a local Ranger will introduce you to a huge variety of animals and birds – you may even spot a saltwater crocodile!

El Questro Wilderness Park offers three types of accommodation
El Questro Wilderness Park offers three types of accommodation, each different in style and catering to a range of budgets: exclusive and five-star luxury at the Homestead, Tented Cabins nestled into the natural bushland at Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro, and Bungalows or Riverside Camping at the El Questro Station.

El Questro Accommodation Options
There is a variety of stylish accommodation at the heart of El Questro Wilderness Park. Each option is unique in its offerings:

El Questro Homestead
A member of the Luxury Lodges of Australia network, The Homestead offers just nine luxurious suites overlooking the river and catering for a maximum of 18 discerning guests at one time.

Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro
Tented cabins nestled in the wilderness and offering the closest accommodation option to the iconic Emma Gorge.

The Station at El Questro
Family Bungalows and opportunities to camp with others, or on a remote stretch of river in the heart of El Questro Wilderness Park.

What Can I Do At El Questro?
El Questro offers a diverse range of activities to suit any traveler or holiday maker, from the eco-friendly tourist to the nature-lover and the sports enthusiast alike. Whether you have a penchant for photographing butterflies, fishing for barramundi or rugged 4-wheel driving, El Questro is your destination for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Getting to El Questro
The closest major town to El Questro Wilderness Park in Australia’s Kimberley Region is Kununurra. You can access El Questro in the Kimberley region of Western Australia with our convenient road transfer service from Kununurra, or you can choose to hire your own 4WD vehicle and make your own way to El Questro Wilderness park – we strongly recommend this option as it affords you the freedom to explore the property at your own pace.

Dining at El Questro
Our dining options cover everything from gourmet cuisine under a starry sky at El Questro Homestead to the best of Australian beef and our famous Barramundi served at The Steakhouse restaurant, all complimented by finest West Australian wines. The food at El Questro is as spectacular as the scenery!

Camping at El Questro
Experience an authentic outback adventure while camping in the heart of the El Questro Wilderness Park. There are two distinctly different ways to enjoy your El Questro camping experience. Each are within close proximity to El Questro activities, giving campers prime access to the area’s largely unexplored wilderness. Pitch your tent at "Black Cockatoo", an area centrally located to the guest showers, bathrooms and the Station Store. Meet and mix with other outback adventurers in the area regarded for one of the greatest 4WD tours in Australia – Gibb River Road. Alternatively, you can choose from a selection of private Riverside campsites along the Pentecost River. Secluded from other campers, you can experience the vast region in true remote fashion. These sites are approximately a 10-minute drive from the central facilities of the Station, which is available for use at no extra charge. Please note that private sites are limited and subject to availability. There are no camping options at Emma Gorge or The Homestead. You can book your camping trip at El Questro by calling +61 8 9161 4318.

Dogs
Dogs are allowed at El Questro but must be on a lead at all times. Dogs are strictly prohibited at all attractions.

Services
There is no camp kitchen at El Questro.
There is fresh complimentary water to fill caravans and campervans.
There are detailed trail fact sheets at reception available for guests.

Fireplaces
There are designated fire places throughout the private camp sites at El Questro.

Shower and toilet facilities
Shower and toilet facilities are located behind The Station store. Please note that there are four toilet units in the bushcamping area, but no showers.

El Questro Walking trails and 4wd road conditions
http://www.elquestro.com.au/

Self-guided hiking through the El Questro Wilderness Park
Self-guided hiking through the El Questro Wilderness Park is a unique and personal experience perfect for any skill level. Explore over 200km of tracks and trails offering incredible views of palm-fringed waterholes, towering cliff faces and close encounters with the wildlife. See reception for trail fact sheets.

Emma Gorge Trail
As one of the best-known, most spectacular gorges of the Kimberley, Emma Gorge is a sight to behold. The brisk 1-hour walk ends at a large cool waterhole, graced by a droplet waterfall, perfect for a relaxing swim. Nestled beneath towering 65m cliffs, a small thermal water outlet trickles from the rocks.

El Questro Gorge Trail
Walk along a narrow spring-fed creek, 1.3km through fern-dressed escarpments to a small swimming hole and unwind in the rainforest environment. More adventurous hikers continue on from this halfway point, allowing another 1.5 hours to reach the top as the path increases in difficulty.

Amalia Gorge Trail
A fairly easy walk in the dry season, this requires some level of fitness and balance as the trail does involve some rock scrambling and ledge hopping. However, the best time to see Amalia Gorge is after the wet season when a mass of waterfalls cascade from one pool to the next. The 1.7km walk should take about one hour.

Zebedee Springs
Hike a short 750m distance to Zebedee Springs, through dense Livistonia Palms that open to a series of rocky thermal pools. This trail is open to general public from 7.00am – 12 noon daily. We ask that you respect that this trail is closed in the afternoon to facilitate private tour groups to this area, helping to ease the pressure on this delicate ecosystem.

Saddleback Ridge
Begin the hike to Saddleback Ridge at the Township, where the round trip should take about two hours. The viewing platform atop the ridge is one of the most spectacular lookout points on El Questro. This is a shared walking and 4WD trail; visitors can walk or drive the track, although experienced riders only are recommended as the drive up is steep and narrow.

Moonshine Gorge Circuit Walk
The Moonshine Gorge Circuit trail follows Moonshine creek, with tall Livistonia Palms and cliff faces on both sides providing shade and plenty of areas to rest and swim. A 5km trek, this is a 2.5-hour hike.

Champagne Springs
Hiking to Champagne Springs is much different than the other El Questro walk. The 4.8km riverside trail is long with broken terrain, and promises added difficulty toward the end. The rigor is worth the reward though, as you reach the top to find pools, lush scenery and soothing thermal springs. The Station Walks Take a leisurely stroll from The Station along the Pentecost River, or for a more rigorous experience, veer up to Telecom Hill. Find shallow swimming holes and go for a dip while taking in the magnificent El Questro surroundings.
© source | courtesy of www.elquestro.com.au/