El Questro

El Questro covers around four hundred thousand hectares of the east Kimberley, a working pastoral lease run as a tourism operation with three tiers of accommodation: a campground at the station, bungalows, and a lodge of a handful of suites perched above the Chamberlain Gorge that ranks among the more expensive places to stay in Australia. Access to the country requires a wilderness park permit. Zebedee Springs, a set of warm thermal pools among livistona palms, opens for mornings only; Emma Gorge has a walk to a high fall and pool; El Questro Gorge is a longer scramble; and Chamberlain Gorge is toured by boat. Tracks in are rough and river crossings frequent.

What you actually see

• Zebedee Springs - warm thermal pools among palms, open mornings only.
• Emma Gorge - a walk to a plunge pool below a high fall.
• Chamberlain Gorge - a boat trip between high red walls.
• The station country - ranges, rivers and cattle across four hundred thousand hectares.

When to go

May to September; the property closes through the wet season, usually from November to April. Zebedee Springs opens only in the morning and closes at midday for lodge guests. Book accommodation well ahead in the peak dry.

Honest expectations

A wilderness park permit is charged on top of accommodation, and prices across the property are high. Most attractions need four-wheel drive with river crossings. Zebedee Springs is crowded during its short public window.

Nearby

Kununurra lies east; the Gibb River Road runs west from the station.