EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK in Western Australia

El Questro, sounds Spanish yet it is in North-East of Western Australia, no one knows for sure how it got its name.

A home for giant boabs, salt flats, deep gorges, rainforests and thermal springs, it offers one of the most unique landscapes on Earth.

HOW to get there

The best way to get to El Questro is to fly to Kununurra and then drive. It takes a 3h flight from Perth or a 1h 25min flight from Broome. There is a large choice of cars for rent, however, pre-booking is strongly advised. Driving from KNX airport to El Questro takes about 1h 30min.

WHEN to go

Since it is situated in the Tropic of Capricorn, the park closes for the Monsoon rain season from November to April. It is opened from April to October, however, the best months to visit are considered between May and August.

WHERE to stay

Accommodation varies from family-style campgrounds to luxury all-inclusive rooms.

Emma Gorge Resort is around AUD 350 a night and is a safari-style en-suite cabins situated at the step of Emma Gorge. It has only one restaurant that is opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, it is a bit upscale to the dining options at the Station.

El Questro Station costs about AUD 450 a night and offers an air-conditioned river views rooms and lots of facilities.

The Homestead is a 10-room luxury accommodation which includes gourmet dining and beverage as well as guided tours to famous destinations within parks. Prices start from AUD 3200 a night.

There are El Questro private camp sites and the Black Cockatoo Campgrounds for the lovers of camping. Prices range between AUD 33 to AUD 41.

WHAT to see and to do

-have a swim in the Zebedee Thermal Springs

-hike and swim at the Emma Gorge

-walk the El Questro Gorge Trail and have a swim at the crystal-clear swimming hole

-trek the Amalia Gorge

-hop on the helicopter and see the park from a different angle

-go bird watching (some of the very rare birds call El Questro their home. Goldian Finch is one of them)

-take a Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, spot the crocs and feed the spitting Archer fish. This is a great treat for everyone!

-take a bone-rattling 4WD on adventurous drive to Saddleback Ridge, Explosion Gorge or Pigeon Hole drive

-drive to Wyndham and see the Five Rivers Lookout and an enormous Boab Prison Tree

ATTENTION!!!

There are crocodiles in some of the gorges. The best way to be updated and know what you are doing is to obtain an El Questro site map, which is available at the Reception of either of the El Questro accommodations you are checking in to.

The roads to the sightseeing areas are mostly dirt and in a few occasions’ river crossings are needed. Some of the crossings require a snorkel on your 4WD.

I hope this article was useful. For more videos and photos please follow my Instagram @travelizer

Your Travelizer,

xxx

PS! HERE ARE SOME VIDEOS FROM EL QUESTRO