Kimberley Driver-Guide Scott Harvey shares his experience touring the Kimberley. From favourite destinations to top tips for those wanting to explore the Outback, Scott's knowledge of Western Australia has made him a favourite among APT guests.

What’s not to love? With APT I get to spend my days outdoors showing guests our amazing landscape, flora and fauna. Hopefully giving them some extra knowledge so that they can truly appreciate the area we are visiting. Taking guests on beautiful walks and swimming under waterfalls is all part of my job. To top it off we finish our days with lovely meals, great conversations and stay in some fantastic accommodation.

Trying to anticipate their needs, little things like being in the right spot to give them a hand over a larger rock while out on one of the walks or maybe helping them in and out of the water for a swim. I also love including stories where I can. I am a bit of a facts and figures guy, but I have learnt that a lot of guests enjoy a story, be it a funny one or one of the more dramatic things that have occurred.

Knowledge is a massive reason, APT’s driver guides can give you extra information and we can show you things that most self-driving tourists miss. The other benefit is guests get to relax, you don’t need to worry about flat tyre, fuel, finding accommodation, getting dinner or anything else, we take care of it all. I have heard many times from our guests, that this tour is the first time in a long time that they have seen their partners really relax.

Heading out for sunset at the Bungles. We have had an incredible day, walking amongst the domes, helicopter flights over the massive, and then a relaxing afternoon with some nibbles and drinks as the sun changes the colour over the range. It’s a great way to cement new friendships and have some laughs. Everyone is happy as we head back to the Bungles Wilderness Lodge where a magical 3 course dinner awaits.

Imagine driving for hours through mountain ranges, down gullies and across rivers, only to arrive at one of the APT’s luxurious Wilderness Lodges. We are greeted by friendly faces and then shown to our glamping tents. Hot showers, large comfy beds and quality furniture, a quick refresh and then heading down to the deck to grab a drink and then enjoy a delicious meal made by our chefs. The dining really is as good as what you would get in a top restaurant in the city. They are the definition of luxury in the middle of nowhere.

Every tour is full of many laughs. I remember one where we were at the Gibb River, where I suggested the guest walk to the other side and take photos of the coach coming through the water with a little speed, as it would throw some water up and make a great photo. Everyone went up onto a sandbank and got ready. Except Steve. He stayed on the edge of the crossing. I thought about stopping for a moment, but he was a good sport, so pressed on. Of course, as soon as I hit the river the wheels threw water out the sides and Steve enjoyed an unplanned shower. The best part was everyone else was taking photos and you can see the exact moment Steve realised what was about to happen. Fortunately, he found it very funny!

Do it now. By their very nature our remote tours involve driving some long distances, walking over uneven terrain, experience both hot and cold weather. One comment I hear quite regularly is `we should have done this years ago’. The fitter our guests are the easier they will find the walks and swims, and all the other extraordinary things that we do on a Kimberley tour.

I have always been fascinated with animals, and formally being a zookeeper it is amazing when I can incorporate a close-up wildlife interaction into one of the tours. I once rescued a live baby shark that washed up on the beach as we were driving past, I quickly showed it to the guests on board and then got it back to the water.

I love that it is the premier tour company, we have the newest, specially designed 4WD tour coaches, which are beautiful to drive. We also have some stunning wilderness lodges to stay at. APT also make an exceptional effort to continue the tour as normal when we are faced with challenges, things like unexpected rain closing roads.