El Questro Homestead: Ultimate Luxury in the Kimberley, Outback Australia

Privacy and exclusivity are nestled within a truly unique landscape here. Beyond the setting, guests can appreciate the untamed beauty of the Kimberley in absolute luxury. Meanwhile, vibrant dining in dramatic locations adds a culinary edge to every stay, and personalised, intimate touring experiences round things out. Because the Homestead hosts a maximum of just 18 guests, the whole experience feels genuinely boutique.

Getting to El Questro Homestead

Regular flights operate to Kununurra from all major Australian capital cities via Darwin, Broome, or Perth with Qantas, Air North, or Skywest. For guests travelling from the Eastern States, flying via Darwin rather than Perth is recommended, since it allows arrival in time for lunch at the Homestead.

Alternatively, aeroplane charters fly directly to the El Questro airstrip from Kununurra, Darwin, Broome, Uluru, and Alice Springs. For an even more seamless journey, private VIP jet service is also available from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth direct to Kununurra, while helicopter charters and scenic flights connect Kununurra to the Homestead itself.

Top Activities at El Questro Homestead

Miri Miri Waterfall Helicopter Tour

A scenic helicopter flight lands guests at Miri Miri Waterfall for a gourmet picnic lunch and a swim in the waterhole. As a result, it’s become one of the most popular — and romantic — excursions on offer.

Zebedee Thermal Springs

Every afternoon, Zebedee Springs closes for exclusive use by Homestead guests. Surrounded by sheer cliffs and Livistona palms, this oasis of thermal pools and small waterfalls is therefore the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.

Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout

An informative 4WD journey to Explosion Gorge is followed by a 45-minute cruise along the gorge. Afterwards, the tour continues to Branco’s Lookout, where guests can enjoy a magnificent sunset with cheese and champagne.

Beyond the Homestead

Additional excursions include helicopter tours, boating and fishing, horse riding, and gorge walks. Further afield, guests can also explore the Bungle Bungle Range, Argyle Diamond Mine, and Mitchell Falls. Since most activities are exclusive to Homestead guests, El Questro’s rangers are able to tailor each experience to individual tastes.

Recommended stay: A minimum of 4 nights is recommended in order to fully experience everything El Questro Homestead has to offer.

Dining at El Questro Homestead

Breakfast on the Verandah

Breakfast is served on the wide Homestead verandah overlooking the Chamberlain River, featuring fresh, seasonal Kimberley produce. Guests can enjoy giant red paw paw, hand-squeezed pink grapefruit juice, and daily house-made sourdough. As a result, mornings at the Homestead feel as relaxed as they are indulgent.

A Social Lunch

Lunch doubles as a social gathering point where guests swap stories from the morning’s excursions. In addition, the menu features Mangrove Jack or free-range chicken Niçoise, sophisticated Ploughman’s lunches, and refreshing sorbets, all paired with Western Australian wines. For those heading out on tour, gourmet picnics are also on offer — think country pâté with rosella flower chutney or Exmouth prawns with green mango dressing.

Dinner with a View

In the evening, guests gather at the bar for Champagne and signature cocktails before moving to one of several dramatic dining settings, including cliffside tables overlooking the gorge below. Meanwhile, the three-course menu changes nightly, featuring Western Australian lamb and beef alongside wild Cambridge Gulf Barramundi, glazed quail, and local freshwater scampi. Overall, dining at El Questro is as much about the setting as it is about the food.

Sample Itineraries

3 Nights – Taste of El Questro

• Day 1: Arrive at noon, lunch, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

• Day 2: Guided Gorge Walk, helicopter picnic lunch at Miri Miri Waterfall, Zebedee Thermal Springs

• Day 3: History, Nature and Bush Culture Tour, Bungle Bungles scenic flight

• Day 4: Bird watching, departure

3 Nights – For the Adventurous

• Day 1: Arrive via scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles, Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout

• Day 2: Guided Gorge Walk, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

• Day 3: Lost City Cave Tour, Miri Miri Waterfall by helicopter, self-drive fishing, Zebedee Thermal Springs

• Day 4: Horse riding, departure

4 Nights – El Questro Highlights

• Day 1: Arrive at noon, Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout

• Day 2: History, Nature and Bush Culture Tour, Zebedee Springs

• Day 3: Guided Gorge Walk, helicopter picnic at Miri Miri Waterfall, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

• Day 4: El Questro’s Big Day Out

• Day 5: Bird watching, depart via helicopter charter

4 Nights – Waterfalls, Gorges and Lookouts

• Day 1: Arrive at noon, Zebedee Thermal Springs

• Day 2: Guided Gorge Walk, Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout

• Day 3: Mitchell Falls and Kimberley Coast Tour

• Day 4: Champagne Springs Walk (return by helicopter), Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

• Day 5: Sunrise breakfast at Pigeon Lookout, departure

4 Nights – For the Very Active

• Day 1: Arrive at noon, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

• Day 2: Guided Gorge Walk, Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout

• Day 3: 4WD fishing tour to the Pentecost, helicopter picnic at Amaroo Falls, Zebedee Thermal Springs

• Day 4: Bungle Bungles full-day tour (fly/drive/walk)

• Day 5: Horse riding, departure

5 Nights – The Relaxing Experience

• Day 1: Arrive via scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles, Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

• Day 2: Guided Gorge Walk, relaxation or Homestead boat use, Zebedee Springs

• Day 3: Heli-fishing, free afternoon, sunset views

• Day 4: El Questro’s Big Day Out

• Day 5: Amaroo Falls by helicopter, easy morning, Explosion Gorge and Branco’s Lookout

• Day 6: Bird watching, departure

Weddings, Conferences & Exclusive Use

El Questro Homestead is available on an exclusive-use basis, offering a private cliff-top setting for wedding ceremonies followed by Champagne on the verandah overlooking the Chamberlain River. Beyond weddings, the property is equally suited to conferences, incentive trips, and family gatherings. In each case, up to 18 guests can enjoy the run of the Homestead, with meals, tours, and activities fully tailored to the occasion.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit El Questro Homestead is between May and August.

Wildlife in the Kimberley

Guests can expect to see mighty Barramundi, Rock Wallabies, Johnston Crocodiles, and cheeky Archer Fish during their stay. In addition, over 100 bird species call the park home, including Rainbow Bee-eaters, dancing Brolgas, and the rare Gouldian Finch.

About El Questro Homestead

When Will Burrell and Celia Shelmerdine first discovered the property in 1991, the original homestead was derelict. After extensive restoration — including 20,000 cubic metres of sand and 12 tonnes of seeded soil to landscape the grounds — the Homestead opened in October 1992, furnished with antiques from Indonesia and Australia. Since then, it has gone on to win Western Australia’s top tourism awards in 1995, 1997, and 1998. Eventually, the property was sold to General Property Trust in 2005, before being acquired by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts in March 2010.

Plan Your Kimberley Escape

El Questro Homestead offers one of the most exclusive and remote luxury experiences in Australia. As a result, it’s become a true bucket-list destination for travellers seeking privacy, adventure, and world-class hospitality.

Ready to build your own Kimberley itinerary? Start your Bespoke Travel Investment Assessment or explore more Australia sample itineraries and Australia accommodation options. Alternatively, get in touch with our team to start planning your bespoke Outback Australia adventure.