El Questro
East Kimberly - Western Australia
Opening April 2021
Why we love it
Amid the vast and ancient landscape of Western Australia’s East Kimberley region sits the untamed natural beauty of El Questro.
El Questro is a destination unlike any other and offers the freedom to explore one of Australia’s last true frontiers. From deep gorges and majestic mountains to thermal springs, mud and salt-flats, rainforests and cascading waterfalls everything the Kimberley has to offer is located across the property's 700,000 acres and is why we say that El Questro is the heart of the Kimberley.
It’s the name ‘El Questro’ that most people are curious about. What does it mean? The answer is that we don’t really know.
We do know, however, that it was named in 1958 by Torrance McMicking, who pegged the claim. Rumours abound and while many suggestions have been made, the team at El Questro think that the mystery surrounding the name only adds to the magic of El Questro itself.
Food
Dining at the Homestead
Guests enjoy breakfast on the wide, sweeping veranda with uninterrupted views to the Chamberlain Gorge as they watch the morning sun warm the surrounding ranges with a soft pink glow. Lunch is served at communal dining table under a shady awning as guests swap tales of their morning adventures and enjoy a chilled glass of Western Australian white wine.
Dinner is hosted under the stars, at either the communal table or guests may dine privately at one of the three locations overlooking the Gorge. The modern Australian menu, changes daily and showcases local, seasonal produce.
Stay at El Questro Emma Gorge and Emma’s Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as being the best place for a cup of coffee in El Questro - pop in on your way past!
Dining at The Station
The Station, the heart of adventures, accommodation and dining at El Questro, is excited to launch a new food offering designed to appeal to travellers, couples and families. New menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner feature a swag of popular food favourites with many affordable options.
Destination
To the south of the Kimberley, the Great Sandy Desert. To the north and west, the Timor Sea and Indian Ocean. And to the east, The Northern Territory border. The Kimberley is one of the most ancient and untouched corners of Australia.
The remote proximity and isolation of the Kimberley only adds to the complex beauty of its landscape, which occupies almost 17% of Western Australia and covers an area of 421,000 square kilometres. One of Australia’s last frontiers, The Kimberley is a land of remote and spectacular scenery made up of a huge central plateau of dissected sandstone ranges and an extensive limestone range, formed from an ancient barrier reef.
A rugged coastline of steep-sided tidal gulfs drops into mangrove-fringed estuaries and in between lies large swaths of wilderness, unforgiving deserts and lush grassland. Its idiosyncratic nature and extreme conditions only add to its draw. A truly unique and magical location that must be explored and experienced to be believed.
Experiences
El Questro is a magical and ancient landscape where unique experiences are had and lifelong memories are made. Getting out and about is easy from wherever you choose to stay.
Daily tours collect guests from El Questro Emma Gorge, El Questro Station and El Questro Homestead. If self-guiding adventures are your thing - simply collect a map from reception, or have a chat with a Ranger who can assist you with your personal adventure. With 700,000 acres to explore, we understand that “where to start” may be difficult – as such we have designed the must do experiences and some itineraries for you to enjoy or inspire you further in creating your own.
Our Top 3 MUST DO El Questro Experiences;
Visit the waterfalls - some accessible only by helicopter others via an easy walk
Take a dip in the swimming holes and thermal springs
Spend some time taking in the majestic lookouts where you will fully appreciate the expanse of this region
Getting there
Your El Questro adventure begins with the journey itself. Tucked away in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia the most direct way to get to us is via the town of Kununurra.
From Kununurra, El Questro Emma Gorge is 83 kms west: 58 kms on the Great Northern Highway towards Wyndham and then 25 kms on a sealed section of the Gibb River Road. There is a 2 km gravel driveway and if you are driving a 2WD you may need to park it just before the water crossing and walk the remaining 300m to the resort.
From Kununurra, El Questro Station is 110 kms west: 58 kms on the Great Northern Highway towards Wyndham, 36 kms on a sealed section of the Gibb River Road, with the remaining 16 kms on a gravel road. You will need a 4WD to get into El Questro Station.
Accommodation
Staying at El Questro has something for everyone to complement their Kimberley experience, whether you choose a luxurious stay, a room by the river, a tented cabin nestled in the wilderness or a night under canvas at El Questro Station.
Perched atop the Chamberlain Gorge and River sits El Questro Homestead, a private and exclusive oasis hosting only 18 guests at a time and delivering luxurious comfort, fine dining and delivering a unique perspective of the Kimberley.
