Tuesday 26 February 2013

EL Questro Wilderness Park Re-Opens For the 2013 Season

El Questro
One of Australia's most spectacular destinations, El Questro Wilderness Park, will re-open its gates again from 29 March 2013 to welcome visitors to the magnificent Kimberley region in far north Western Australia. 

Re-emerging after the glorious annual wet season El Questro Homestead will re-open on 29 March, followed by The Station on 11 April and Emma Gorge Resort on 29 April.

This year guests will be able to enjoy luxury accommodation in three stylish new suites at The Homestead, be treated to stunning views from a new lookout and enjoy easier road access to El Questro. Guests can also take advantage of special offers on all three properties.

The Homestead is a stylish retreat set high, overlooking the Chamberlain River.  In 2013 guests will be able to stay in the three new Cliff Side Retreats, bringing the total number of suites to just nine at this exclusive property.  The Retreats offer uninterrupted views of the rugged scenery courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls.  From the shower, guests can access either the free standing bath on the verandah or the garden rain shower surrounded by magnificent stone walls that ensure complete privacy. 

In celebration of the start of the 2013 season, guests staying at The Homestead can enjoy a 20% discount on a four-night stay, inclusive of all dining and beverages, selected touring and El Questro Wilderness Park Permit for two. Prices start from $1,559 and this special offer is available throughout the season, from 29 March through to 27 October.

The Station at El Questro is the central hub of the Wilderness Park, offering two types of accommodation.  Air-conditioned Bungalows overlook the Pentecost River and are ideal for couples or a family holiday. 

Alternatively guests can camp at the Black Cockatoo campground or at one of the 25 beautifully located private campsites.  These sit among sprawling green lawns and right near the local swimming hole.

Emma Gorge at El Questro offers safari-style tented cabins complete with en suites located right in the heart of the rugged red Cockburn Ranges at the foot of the spectacular gorge.  Set amongst gardens featuring beautiful pandanus and palm trees and looking up to the towering sandstone escarpments on either side of the Gorge, this accommodation is perfect for couples and families looking to get close to nature.

Self-drive guests can now enjoy a quicker and little less bumpy journey from Kununurra to Emma Gorge with the road having been sealed, with the journey now taking around 45 minutes. The last 2km of road off the Gibb River Road remains unsealed however this is still suitable for 2WD vehicles.

In 2013 guests staying at Emma Gorge Resort can enjoy a special rate of $279 per room, per night for a two-night stay, including free buffet breakfast for two adults, and children 12 years and under stay for free. This deal is available from 29 April through to 29 September.

Guests staying at The Station Riverside Bungalows can stay for three nights and pay for two, for $242.60 per room, per night. Children 12 years and under stay for free. This deal is subject to a minimum three-night stay and is available for travel from 11 April to 26 May and 23 September to 20 October.

Also new for this year is a tour to a new lookout called Buddy's Point in memory of local El Questro legend Buddy Tyson who passed away in 2011. Former rodeo champion, drover and tour guide at El Questro, Buddy Tyson was a larger than life cowboy who was loved for his whip cracking show and his humour.

The views from Buddy's Point take in the heart of the Chamberlain Gorge, and the Homestead, nestled amongst mahogany and frangipani trees, the Station, Saddleback Ridge and the Cockburn Ranges. Looking in the opposite direction guests can see where the Pentecost River converges with the Chamberlain River and creates the crossing that leads to Explosion Gorge. Further back, guests will be able to look towards the Gibb River Road and see parts of the Pentecost River as it continues its path to Wyndham.

Sunset tours to the new Buddy's Point lookout will cost $60pp and the lookout can also be booked for private use for the afternoon and into sunset - a fruit and cheese platter and sparkling wine are the perfect complement to the exquisite view.

El Questro Wilderness Park is a vast landscape of just under one million acres in the Kimberley comprising red rock ranges, river gorges, waterfalls and thermal springs housing a fantastic display of flora and fauna.   Each year after the wet season finishes, visitors are treated to an amazing display of Australian nature as the native flowers burst into life and the breeding season begins for many of the local bird colonies including the elegant black-necked stork or Jabiru.

Located 110km from Kununurra, El Questro is a remote and rugged destination that promises the seclusion to explore this iconic part of Australia and the amazing wildlife that exists within its boundaries.

Numerous tours are available throughout the season which runs until 31 October each year.  These allow guests to experience the area by 4WD, helicopter, horse and on foot - all led by expert guides.  Full day fishing tours for the elusive local barramundi are also available.
For reservations please contact www.elquestro.com.au or call 1300 233 432.

About El Questro:
Torrance MacMiking and Morris Marshall took up the lease on this very special parcel of land, previously called Spurling's Pocket, in 1958. They lodged a pastoral claim and named the property El Questro.  They ran cattle and also grew vegetables which they sold to Kununurra.  Marshall's son, Michael, was buried here and his grave can still be seen by a large boab tree near the station's driveway.

Several owners later, British aristocrat Will Burrell and his wife Celia bought the lease in 1991, opening Emma Gorge, the first of the three accommodation offerings on the property in May 1992.  The exclusive El Questro Homestead was opened in September and the Station Campground and Bungalows followed soon after.

The lease on El Questro Wilderness Park and the accommodation is now owned by Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts.  The company also owns and manages Kings Canyon Resort in the Northern Territory and Heron, Wilson and Lizard islands on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

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