Starting from the Emma Gorge Resort at the top of Emma Gorge Road, El Questro Wilderness Park, this walk takes you into Emma Gorge, to a stunning waterfall and back via the Emma Gorge Walk Trail. Head into the hilly Cockburn Ranges via the Emma Gorge Walk Trail, either by yourself or with the help of the local guides. This picturesque gorge walk traverses rocky terrain under trees that give some shade, culminating during a beautiful oasis within the middle of the dry and dusty El Questro Wilderness Park. At the highest point of the walk, you'll be rewarded with two natural pools of crystal clear water. The other is harder to succeed in, but is fed by a spectacular waterfall and features a natural thermal spring in one corner. Relax by the shady edge of the waterhole, enjoy a refreshing swim and inspect to hunt out the recent spring before heading back. This is often quite a challenging walk, with a good little bit of walking along the dry streambed, some rock scrambling, water crossings and a couple of steep inclines. The trail is well marked, but the surface is extremely rocky and uneven, requiring walkers to tread carefully and have a cheap level of fitness. make sure you take enough water, sturdy walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen. A Visitor Permit is required to travel to Emma Gorge and should be purchased at the start of the walk. there's no camping at Emma Gorge, but there is a stunning resort with tented cabins, a restaurant and a swimming pool. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Great Northern Highway then drive for 8.1 km
Turn sharp left onto Gibb River Road and drive for another 23.6 km
Turn right onto Emma Gorge Road and drive for another 1.9 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the Emma Gorge Resort car park, head north along the dirt track as you pass by the bungalow-style rooms of the resort to your left. Keep an eye out for blue markers and stay on the designated track to continue along the Emma Gorge Walk.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Emma Gorge Road & Emma Gorge Walk Trail Start heading along Emma Gorge Walk Trail (a walking track).
After 30 m find the "Emma Gorge Resort" (65 m on your left).
Emma Gorge Resort
Emma Gorge Resort
Emma Gorge Resort is located two kilometres off the sealed Gibb River Road and within the iconically red Cockburn Ranges, with 60 tented cabins to accommodate many. A relatively short walk to Emma Gorge itself, the resort lets you experience El Questro's flora and fauna thoroughly. There is electricity, hot tea/coffee, ceiling fans and many more amenities for you to feel as comfortable as possible whilst enjoying the wilderness around you. The resort also features a big swimming bath with views of the landscaped garden, also as a restaurant & bar with an outside eating/drinking area.
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Emma Gorge Resort is located two kilometres off the sealed Gibb River Road and within the iconically red Cockburn Ranges, with 60 tented cabins to accommodate many. A relatively short walk to Emma Gorge itself, the resort lets you experience El Questro's flora and fauna thoroughly. There is electricity, hot tea/coffee, ceiling fans and many more amenities for you to feel as comfortable as possible whilst enjoying the wilderness around you. The resort also features a big swimming bath with views of the landscaped garden, also as a restaurant & bar with an outside eating/drinking area.
After another 770 m come to the "Emma Gorge".
Emma Gorge
Emma Gorge
One among Kimberley's simplest known and most stunning gorges, Emma Gorge forms a part of the Cockburn Ranges and is known for its cliffs that reach up to 120 metres high. The gorge is especially beautiful around midday, when the daylight reflects off the walls, and features two excellent swimming holes. The primary one may be a nice deep turquoise pool about 150 metres before the top, and therefore the other is surrounded by huge cliffs, with a waterfall trickling into the massive pool below. The water within the last pool is usually very cold, but there's a pleasant little thermal spring in one corner providing relief from the cold water.
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One among Kimberley's simplest known and most stunning gorges, Emma Gorge forms a part of the Cockburn Ranges and is known for its cliffs that reach up to 120 metres high. The gorge is especially beautiful around midday, when the daylight reflects off the walls, and features two excellent swimming holes. The primary one may be a nice deep turquoise pool about 150 metres before the top, and therefore the other is surrounded by huge cliffs, with a waterfall trickling into the massive pool below. The water within the last pool is usually very cold, but there's a pleasant little thermal spring in one corner providing relief from the cold water.
After another 890 m come to "Emma Gorge Waterfall".
Emma Gorge Waterfall
Emma Gorge Waterfall
Surrounded by sheer cliffs adorned with greenery, this spectacular 65-metre droplet waterfall has a large pool at its base with some of the coldest water of all the Gibb River Road gorges. The rocky cliffs are covered in ferns and the water is crystal clear, making this a lovely spot to swim, relax and take in the surroundings. The waterfall is also home to the trickle of a small thermal spring, which provides welcome warmth while swimming in the cold waterhole.
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Surrounded by sheer cliffs adorned with greenery, this spectacular 65-metre droplet waterfall has a large pool at its base with some of the coldest water of all the Gibb River Road gorges. The rocky cliffs are covered in ferns and the water is crystal clear, making this a lovely spot to swim, relax and take in the surroundings. The waterfall is also home to the trickle of a small thermal spring, which provides welcome warmth while swimming in the cold waterhole.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.7 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Emma Gorge
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
3.4 km
Time
1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Bushwalk
1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min
Accommodation: There is one 30 m from the start.
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After another 770 m come to the "Emma Gorge".
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.7 km to get back to the start.