El Questro

by Sarah
(Gympie)

I am writing in response to the negative comments regarding El Questro. The impression given is that the Homestead is the only style of accommodation available & this is not the case. You definitely DO NOT have to be a millionaire to appreciate El Questro & I know this from experience.

My husband, 2 young children & I spent 4 nights there in June & we enjoyed every minute from beginning to end. The staff are extremely friendly (they DO care if you choose to stop by!) & we didn't feel it was overpriced (we are an average income family).

We stayed in the Bungalows, there are also tents available & plenty of camping space for people with their own tents & caravans. Our 2 boys had a great time playing for hours in the rapids at the township (& that didn't cost a cent!). To this day they still talk about it & ask when we are going back there.

The 3 most memorable things for us were the Chamberlain Gorge Cruise, Zebedee Springs & the Saturday night BBQ at the Township which was a fantastic night thanks to the great food & entertainment. Overall a totally memorable, affordable & fabulous destination!!

Comments for
El Questro

Click here to add your own comments

by: Birgit

Thanks a bunch for your review, Sarah. It's great to get a different view point! And you confirm what I mention in the guide book: the key to an enjoyable stay at El Questro is to take enough time.

el questro
by: dianne Ludwig

We recently came back from 2 weeks in the Kimberleys, and El Questro was a real highlight. We did both extrememes - we stayed in our campervan at the riverside camping ground at El Questro, and then had 4 luxurious nights at the homestead. At $25 a night there was no complaints for our camping site! Equally the homestead whilst expensive was worth it. All aspects of our time there totally exceeded our expectations. The staff were amazing and the landscape inspiring, with Emma Gorge and El Questro Gorge being particularly spectacular. We will go back!

El Questro
by: Genelle

I agree with Birgit.

We have just come back from El Questro after hiring a 4wd from Kununurra...We had the day at El Questro and the staff at the township were very hospitable regardless of the length of our stay...
We went to Zebedee springs, hired a 'tinny' and went up the Chamberlain Gorge, and stopped in at Emma Gorge on our way back home...Fantastic day!!!
We have recommended it to our families after returning from a memorable experience.

Phil
by: Anonymous

Totally agree with Sarah. My wife and 2 boys found El Questro to be absolutely awesome.
We camped in the township camp ground and found staff and facilities to be excellent.
We too were also advised to give El Questro a miss but one friend told us it was the best place she had been to.
Glad we listened.

Phil

el questro
by: Dot

Hi, we heard el questro was expensive and thought we would give it a miss. However on our way back from that awesome place Mitchell Plateau and Falls, we decided to stop there for a night. We're glad we did. Staff were friendly and helpful. The camping area was pretty packed out and the only down was there needs to be more amenities at the far end of the camping area as it is a bit far to trapes in the middle of the night.
el questro gorge was great as was Zebedee Springs
and we got some great photos from saddleback lookout.
Cheers Dot

El Questro
by: Ronnie

From http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24565969-5002031,00.html:

"This is the dude ranch in the pack, with credentials that makes it a natural choice for anyone who wants to sample what the Kimberley is all about without straying too far from a well-chilled chardonnay."

"Although El Questro is a working cattle station, the tourism side of the operation is totally separate. It can feel almost like a theme park, a showcase for the region with an activities menu neatly packaged for mass consumption."

el questro is awesome
by: Anonymous

I loved El Queatro. We camped for 2 nights. Wish we could have stayed for longer though. There was heaps to do. We went on a gorge crusie the guides were really good and made it lots of fun. We went to a zebedde hot springs on a really mice walk. Also another nice walk up to a swimming hole. The staff were nice and put on a buffet that everyone looked forward to. Also the staff put on a good show. One of mt favourite spots in the Kimberleys. I would definetly go there again and recommend in to anyone.

were going back
by: susan whitfield

My dad myself and hubby stayed 5 nights in the bungalows in august 09, what a experience, no mobiles. no tv what bliss, we spent 2 morning fishing for barra with a guide, amazing, 2 helicopter flighs(i chickened out 5 minutes into the first flight) we ate well, we drank plenty (good wines) slept well ( all that fishing, exhausting catching a 97cm barra) saturday night barbie we where the last to leave. Our entire trip including air fares accom and meals, drinks and guided tours, transfers, helicopter flight just under $10,000.00 for 3 people what value. The staff are exceptional, some real characters there. We are going back in may 2010, booked a extra couple of days this time, 3 barra fishing trips already booked in, cant wait. It is a un real place and I can see us going back every year from here on. Dosent matter what your budget is, theres something for everyone, camping, caravaning or if the finances permit bungalows or the homestead. this is a must see place. If any of the staff from elquestro read this see you in about 6 weeks and have a crownie ready for dad.

El Questro
by: fiona

We stayed at El Questro with 2 of our well travelled kids back in 2007 and we loved it even though it was a quick visit. We camped in our own tent for about a hundred dollars less than the permanent tents quite near us. The food at the restaurant was fantastic we decided to treat ourselves for one night! Zebedee Springs next morning was lovely too but just had to share it with a crowd of elderly tourists! Sorry seniors,
you really are a wealth of information on the road!
My only complaint re El Questro was listening to their damn generator droning all night. The trip in was well worth it. We are doing the whole Gibb River Road this July and can't wait!

Stay in Kununurra.
by: John O'Grady

My wife and I just had 4 nights at El Questro Emma Gorge Resort. We travel on a budget and thought it would be a treat to ourselves to "go upmarket" for a couple of days.
The staff are great and the chef is extraordinary, beautiful meals.

It is a shame the staff are embarrassed and apologetric about the ineptitude of the Management.

There are no tea or coffee making facilities within the tented cabins, not even a small fridge for a carton of milk for a bit of breakfast. Breakfast at the resort is $30.00. This when we are already paying over $220.00 per night. What a joke.

Large groups are given preference over independant travellers. A Variety Club 4x4 group of over 50 vehicles arrived when we were there, parking their trucks throughout the site where parking was banned. There are two eating areas, a BBQ and restaurant. Twice over 4 nights we were dictated too as to where we have dinner as the groups had taken over. The restaurant seats over 60 in comfort, however with 15 people dining the place is deemed as being full and you won't be allowed in. Stand up and complain and you soon get seated.

In the restaurant you will have to tolerate tour guides lecturing their customers as to the next days activities. This is not acceptable in a restaurant anywhere, certainly not in one as expensive as this.

The place does not live up to expectations, is not interested in independant travellers, is grossly overpriced and an embarrasment to Australia tourism. The staff know this, the Management just couldn't care less.
Save your money, stay in Kununurra for less than half the cost and enjoy yourself.
Not recommended at all.

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: John O'Grady

Title

Comment
My wife and I just had 4 nights at El Questro Emma Gorge Resort. We travel on a budget and thought it would be a treat to ourselves to "go upmarket" for a couple of days. The staff are great and the chef is extraordinary, beautiful meals. It is a shame the staff are embarrassed and apologetric about the ineptitude of the Management. There are no tea or coffee making facilities within the tented cabins, not even a small fridge for a carton of milk for a bit of breakfast. Breakfast at the resort is $30.00. This when we are already paying over $220.00 per night. What a joke. Large groups are given preference over independant travellers. A Variety Club 4x4 group of over 50 vehicles arrived when we were there, parking their trucks throughout the site where parking was banned. There are two eating areas, a BBQ and restaurant. Twice over 4 nights we were dictated too as to where we have dinner as the groups had taken over. The restaurant seats over 60 in comfort, however with 15 people dining the place is deemed as being full and you won't be allowed in. Stand up and complain and you soon get seated. In the restaurant you will have to tolerate tour guides lecturing their customers as to the next days activities. This is not acceptable in a restaurant anywhere, certainly not in one as expensive as this. The place does not live up to expectations, is not interested in independant travellers, is grossly overpriced and an embarrasment to Australia tourism. The staff know this, the Management just couldn't care less. Save your money, stay in Kununurra for less than half the cost and enjoy yourself. Not recommended at all.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

A great stay at El Questro
by: Jay

We have recently returned from a trip to the Kimberley. We (10 of us) stayed 2 nights in the bungalows at El Questro and had a fabulous stay. The accommodation was brilliant and we found the restaurant with its great staff, served wonderful meals at a reasonable price.

My husband and I will definitely be going back on our next trip to the Kimberley.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to The Gibb River Road

Travelling to the Kimberley?

The free Kimberley Pocket Guide
is a great introduction to travel in the region.

The full Kimberley Travel Guide
shows you how to make the most of your adventure at Australia's last frontier.

Travelling to the Northern Territory?

NEW! Destination Top End offers the same comprehensive, detailed insider information for the tropical regions of the Northern Territory.

A must have if you travel to or from Darwin.

Return to top

Return to Kimberley Travel Guide home page

The Kimberley > Share YOUR Stories And YOUR Pictures > Submissions From Readers

El Questro

Comments for El Questro

Comments for
El Questro