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Tours and Activities at Home Valley Station - The Kimberley’s
1. Boomerang Throwing Competition – Free Activity
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Now here's a fun way to spend an afternoon! Home Valley Station guests can create a family team or join other guests and take part in the fun of a Boomerang Throwing Competition. Utilising the international rules determined by the sport governing boomerang throwing just slightly altered for our guests, two teams of up to 10 guests can try their hand at the ancient tool used by Australia's Indigenous people. A number of events are offered, including accuracy, trick catch, Australian round, fast catch, endurance, doubles, maximum time aloft, juggling, long distance and freestyle. Many of these events are played as team events, usually as four members per team. Our guests will be able to team up to as large as 10 per team.
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2. Chimoolie Calling
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Home Valley Station is operating a full-day tour inspired by the old Barclay stock route to Wyndham. This tour has been researched and put together by our Indigenous trainees - so we are very proud of it! The tour has been named Chimoolie Calling after the local Indigenous people's name for the area which was the last stop before Wyndham on the old stock route.
The area is a large mass of land about 5km out of Wyndham which runs from the base of Bastion Point back towards the Carlton Ranges. It is here - after having driven cattle up via the Karunjie Track - that stockmen would water the cattle before moving on to the abattoir at Wyndham.
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Chimoolie Calling circumnavigates the Cockburn Range via four-wheel-drive, lead by an HV8 Tour Guide and has many highlights, including: Pentecost River, Cockburn Range, The Prison Tree on the King River Road (an enormous hollowed-out boab used by the police in the 1890's as an overnight lock-up), Five Rivers Lookout, Wetland bird sanctuary Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve and The Grotto (a pristine waterhole surrounded by sheer rock walls at the base of 140 steps).
Home Valley Station trainees have given this tour a lovely tag line - "Listen to the grass grow and hear Chimoolie Calling".
Minimum four and maximum eight people per tour. Details available upon request, this tour uses the Karunjie Trail and King River Road; it is therefore subject to road conditions and minimum numbers.
3. Home Valley Fishing Tours
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Fishing - Home Valley is dissected by three of the most untapped natural resources in the Kimberley: the Pentecost, Durack and Salmond Rivers. Home Valley Station along with its two Out Stations known as Durack River Station and Karunjie Station are renowned by locals as the best spots in the East Kimberley to reel in the elusive Barramundi. Though the other species generally receive less attention, our clients smile just as widely when they're reeling in Threadfin Salmon, Mullaway, Saw Fish, Mako Shark, and Mangrove Jack. Enthusiasts can throw a line in at one of our many 'secret spots' with the help of our knowledgeable Fishing Guides. The keen and courageous, or more serious fishermen, can join our experienced boat fishing guides for a tour aboard a HV8 fishing trawler.
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Guided Fishing Tours, from the shore include HV8 Tour Guide, bait, all the gear, morning/afternoon tea and return 4WD transfers to the River (4 hours). Min 2 - Max 10 guests.
Boat Fishing Charters include HV8 Tour Guide, bait, all the gear, morning/afternoon tea and return 4WD transfers to the River (full day - includes lunch).
Min 2- Max 4 guests per vessel. Departure times are determined by the daily tidal patterns, 24 hours notice is required. (Half and Full day options are available)
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Jack's Waterhole - is a large section of the Durack River which retains its water and becomes home to a variety of estuarine fish species, and yes this includes some of the Kimberley's largest Barramundi. With rarely a saltwater crocodile insight during the dry season, these species of fish are abundant. Jack's Waterhole remains to be a safe place for boating as well as a safe bet for a big fish.
Guests of Home Valley Station may select from a variety of fishing tour options which include Jack's Waterhole as a guided or self-guided activity. See fishing tour page for prices and inclusions. Home Valley Station guests wishing to visit Jack's Waterhole as a self-guided tour are welcome to do so upon request at the Homestead where you will be provided local advice, directions and the key to the gate!
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4. Home Valley Station Horse Riding
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Home Valley has a wide range of horses to suit the wide range of visitors we have to our stables. Daily trail rides leave the homestead for the Pentecost River, under the safe and experienced guidance of our Station Stockmen and women. This is a great morning or afternoon activity offering guests an authentic Kimberley cattle station experience while providing an opportunity to quietly sneak up on the herd and surrounding wildlife. The terrain includes Savannah plains, rocky ridgelines and pristine river banks while almost always looking across to the spectacular Cockburn Range.
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Children under 12 years of age, or those with special needs including the aged or disabled are offered pony rides (by lead rope) within the Stable's Round Yard and the landscaped grounds of the Homestead. This fun activity offers an educational introduction to the Cattle Station's own stable operations.
Home Valley Station Horse Riding includes HV8 Trail Guide and all riding tack. Morning or afternoon rides available for 2½ hours (includes pre-ride tuition). Min 2 - Max 8 riders. Eight hours available if requested - two hour lunch break included, dining at the Dusty Bar and Grill Restaurant - allowing horses a two hour rest - six hours of horse riding.
5. Canoeing at Home Valley Station - Free Activity
Available to all guests visiting Home Valley Station, either on a day trip or when staying overnight, canoeing the Bindoola Creek gorge system is one soft adventure accessible to all. Stable and sturdy modern canoe vessels are equipped with all the safety equipment necessary to explore these pristine tranquil waters.
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Silently cruising along the water's shore shaded by large paperbarks and pandanus allows guests a close-up view of the enormous flocks of birdlife, such as the noisy white corella and the majestic black cockatoo which like to rest along these sections of the billabong. Look carefully to spot the rare Gouldian Finch hunting as it catches insects as part of its day's work.
Lazy freshwater crocodiles are often seen sunbathing along the billabong's sandy banks and guests will notice the abundance of fish life when crossing the shallow waters. Upstream at the furthest most point of the billabong awaits a safe landing area allowing a chance to disembark the canoe and explore the surrounding gorge landscapes, find a shaded area to rest and relax with a food hamper and cool refreshments.
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Canoes are available from the Station's Homestead grounds, located by the billabong's boat ramp at a location known as Diesel's Landing. Food and beverage hampers are available upon request as breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea service. Guests are reminded to supply their own sun protection, camera and sense of adventure for this self-guided tour. Self-guided canoeing is a free activity.
6. Cockburn Range Sunset Tours
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As the sun sets and the dust settles, we wind our way up to the HV8 lookout to experience a view made unforgettable by the fading, sunburnt colours of sundown in the Kimberley. The evening colours bring the Cockburn Range alive, radiating brilliant burning reds, pinks and purples as the sun fades to the west.
Guests can also enjoy a second indulgence, as your guide serves chilled French Champagne or local beer, and a gourmet cheese and fruit platter.
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The Home Valley Station Cockburn Range Sunset Tour is not to be missed. Enjoy as a group or request a private location for those romantics at heart. We are delighted to be home to a growing list of couples who have announced their eternal love for each other through engagement proposals and the exchange of wedding vows during sunset. Please visit our Outback Weddings page for more information on how easily we can make your dream wedding or renewing your wedding vows a reality.
Cockburn Range Sunset Tour includes HV8 Tour Guide, four private locations, French champagne, local beer, WA's finest wines, gourmet cheese and fruit platter. Two hours. Min 2 - Max 40 guests
7. Twitchers' Tour
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A birding safari for all levels, the Twitchers' Tour is especially tailored to the devoted birdwatcher or for those wishing to learn, as well as those who just want to discover the joy and excitement of spotting a rare breed like the stunning Purple Crowned Fairy Wren or the Gouldian Finch, both of whom are residents along the Billabong at Home Valley Station.
All Birding Tours are led by HV8 Guides. Our most popular tour, the Twitchers Tour sets off from the Homestead heading towards the Bindoola Gorge. Guests will enjoy a gentle meander along the Bindoola Creek Gorge System as they take in the beautiful and remarkable birdlife surroundings.
Twitchers' Tour includes HV8 Tour Guide, use of binoculars, each guest receives a comprehensive bird species guide, fresh muffins and a cool drink at the gorge. 4 hours. Min 2 - Max 12 guests. More extensive birding tours can be tailored to each guest's wishes, based on a specific species or habitat.
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8. Cattle Muster
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Home Valley Station's livestock consists of an unbranded herd of Kimberley Shorthorn cattle, estimated at 2,000 head, and 237 head of Brahman cattle that have been introduced to upgrade the herd's genetics. Unique to Home Valley Station is our ability to "turn-on" a cattle muster experience at any time for guest purposes. We are calling this a Mini-Muster and it is suitable for all ages. Children will travel with a Station ringer in a 4WD vehicle, while parents and adults will be offered the opportunity to ride horseback - albeit subject to an honest assessment of their horse riding abilities.
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The tour starts with a Cockburn Range trail ride before entering the Brahman cattle paddock, where Home Valley Station ringers will explain and demonstrate the purpose and techniques of a real cattle muster. This experience is educational, safe and very exciting - whether travelling in a saddle or in the bucket-seat of a 4WD! The Mini-Muster is inclusive of three specialised Station Ringers as your guides, horse riding and cattle mustering equipment, morning tea hamper and non-alcoholic refreshments.
Mini-Muster includes three specialised Station Ringers as your guides, horse riding tack, cattle mustering equipment - UHF Radio and camel back, morning tea hamper and non-alcoholic refreshments. Min 6 - Max 12 guests
On arrival back at the Station Homestead the children will be provided a tour of the stables and a pony ride within the Station Grounds, guided with a lead rope. This is also a good time to invite our resident baby Brahman bull "Moo" to join us at the Bar to continue on with the banter of our guests' epic day moving and working the herd.
9. Bindoola Falls
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Travelling approximately 20 minutes or 15km from the Homestead, Bindoola Falls is at a private location just off the Gibb River Road, heading West. Sandstone cliffs rise to over 300ft providing refreshing waterfalls and safe swimming holes during the popular Dry season. Guests to Home Valley Station can select from a guided tour or simply explore as a self-guided tour. Picnic hampers are available from the Station Store.
10. Bindoola Bogey Run
Departs HV8 Homestead at 2pm everyday for the Bindoola Pools. Come for a swim or spend an hour exploring the vast and ancient Bindoola Gorge surrounding the Bindoola Pools. This is not for the faint of heart as much rock-hopping is required, but the reward is great as our guests get to relax in cool, clear waters of the great Bindoola Creek. Minimum four people, maximum 10
11. Bondi Beach
Travelling approximately 15mins or 7kms from the Homestead awaits a 2km white sandy stretch of beach located along the ever-flowing Pentecost River. Bondi Beach is an idyllic location for shore fishing and to simply relax and enjoy the wilderness surrounding the Pentecost River. No swimming is allowed due to the dangerous saltwater crocodile, except in the creek nearby the beach. Clear shallow water holes allow for a safe place to swim and cool down. Bondi Beach is at a private location accessible only to Home Valley Station guests.
Guests to Home Valley Station can select from a guided fishing tour or simply explore as a self-guided tour. Picnic hampers are available from the Station Store.
12. Salmond Gorge
Much of the Durack River area is a gently undulating plateau through which the Upper Durack, Wood and Salmond Rivers flow. These streams have cut gorges through the Proterozoic sandstones. In the Bluff Face Ranges water action over millenia has created dramatic sandstone cliff faces. Low woodland is the dominant vegetation type with a number of eucalypt species being represented. An under-storey of hummock grasses is common.
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Guests wishing to visit Salmond Gorge may take part in a full day tour, departing after breakfast, with a BBQ picnic lunch provided guests are encouraged to explore and swim beneath the various waterfall locations. Guests wishing to visit Salmond Gorge as a self-guided tour are welcome to do so upon request at the Homestead where you will be provided local advice, directions and detailed mud map. Picnic hampers are available from the Station Store. Tour and hamper prices on application.
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