Unforgettable Horizontal Falls tours to choose from

Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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From the sky or the sea, these Horizontal Falls tours need to be on your bucket list.

There are several ways to explore the mighty Horizontal Falls, but how to pick the best Horizontal Falls tours? The good news is, there’s something for everyone depending on budget, time to spare and preferred way to travel. Here, we discuss all your options.

Kimberley Day Cruise
See Horizontal Falls fall from the air, or from water level.

Horizontal Falls Scenic Flight tours

To really understand the majesty and soak in the colours of The Kimberleys, your best option is by air. While all boat tours will also include a seaplane ride into the area, many Horizontal Falls tours will pick you up from Broome or Derby, soar you over and around the falls and back again. Expect incredible views, and incredible ease (you don’t even need to get out of the plane).

1. Broome Aviation

As the longest-standing aviation company in Broome (operating since 1982), Broom Aviation has its Horizontal Falls tours down pat. They currently offer six different day tours out of Broome, starting from $750 for an adult, all flying you over the top of the falls in a small plane.

The main benefit of choosing one of these tours is that you’ll get to see a lot of other nearby highlights on the same flight: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, Mitchell Falls, Windjana Gorge, the Bungle Bungles and more all make appearances on different itineraries. Some places even included a short time on the ground to explore further.

Broome Aviation horizontal falls tours
Get a bird’s-eye view with Broome Aviation.

2. Fly Broome

This fam­i­ly-owned scenic and char­ter flight com­pa­ny is also based out of Broome and offers a half or full-day Fly The Falls tour , starting at $745 for adults. The half-day tour will fly over the top, but the full-day tour also includes a Cygnet Bay Sea Safari. You’ll also enjoy a Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm tour and view Cape Leveque, Beagle Bay, the Lacepede Islands, James Price Point and more from above.

Horizontal Falls tours
Enjoy the view from the best seat in the house.

3. Air Kimberley

Choose from seven different scenic flights that take you over the majestic falls with Air Kimberley . With prices starting from $730 per adult, different options will also see you flying over Willie Creek Pearl Farm, stopping in at the Ardyaloon Trochus Hatchery and Aquaculture Centre, enjoying a bottle of sparkling as the sun goes down or even driving along one of the most remote Kimberley tracks through ancient Livistona Palm forest in an airconditioned 4WD.

Air Kimberley Horizontal Falls tours
View the falls then stop in scenic surrounds to enjoy a bottle of sparkling and nibbles.

4. Frontier Tours

Flying might be the best way to see the falls, but flying over this natural wonder in a helicopter is the pinnacle. It might be louder, but your view will be far less restricted. Frontier Tours offers six tours from around two to about eight hours, including a flight over Horizontal Falls, as part of the itinerary. The Horizontal Falls Discoverer departs from either Broome ($2,639pp) or Derby ($1,799pp) and Montgomery Reef & Horizontal Falls Discoverer from Broome ($3,089pp) or Derby ($2,249pp) both include landing in Talbot Bay and taking a boat tour through the falls, as well as lunch.

KAS Helicopters, Broome, Horizontal Falls tours
Flying over this natural wonder in a helicopter is unmissable. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Horizontal Falls boat tours

While the view may be more encompassing from above, to truly understand the might of the currents that make Horizontal Falls what it is, getting on the water is the best way to go.

1. Kimberley Day Cruise

While most Horizontal Falls tours will at least involve a flight of some kind, Kimberley Day Cruise offers something slightly different. Its full-day tour, depart­ing Broome (for a 12-hour day) and Cygnet Bay (for an eight-hour day), will take you on an expe­di­tion ves­sel through the Kim­ber­ley region towards Tal­bot Bay, and right up to the falls. You won’t get to zoom through them as you can on jetboat activities offered by some other tour providers, but you can enjoy the natural beauty of these vibrant blue waterways. Starting at $1,075, the tour includes a four-course breakfast and a seven-course degustation lunch.

Kimberley Day Cruise dining
Dine on a four-course breakfast and a seven-course degustation lunch.

2. Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures

Get the best of both worlds when you take a half-day tour (starting from around $895 per person) with the region’s longest-running Horizontal Falls tour operators. Flying out of Broome, Derby or Cygnet Bay, catch a seaplane into Talbot Bay and relax on their main pontoon before jumping in a jetboat and zooming through the rushing tides of the falls themselves. The tour also includes a cruise through the wider area, a gourmet lunch of locally sourced Barramundi, a swim with sharks from the marine viewing platform and coach transfers to and from your original accommodation.

seaplane and jetboat with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures
Get the best of both worlds on a half-day tour with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.

Horizontal Falls overnight tours

The only tour provider offering overnight stays is Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures. They have two options, depending on your budget. The first includes a stay in an air-conditioned cabin on board the houseboat (also in Talbot Bay). On top of the day trip offerings, you’ll get extra speedboat rides through the falls at different times of day, a helicopter ride, sunset appetisers and (BYO) drinks, dinner and breakfast. Prices start from $1215 per person.

The second is a luxury option aboard the newly refurbished Jetwave Pearl in the secluded nearby Cyclone Creek. To get the full guide on what to expect, read our tour review here.

cheese plate on Jetwave Pearl, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures
Stay overnight with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.
For more insider tips and unforgettable experiences, read our guide to the Kimberley.
Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.