The Kimberley is one of the world’s wildest landscapes. From hidden gorges to cascading waterfalls, rugged outback stations to epic lakes, a Kimberley holiday promises adventures you won’t find anywhere else.
The Kimberley region sits within Australia’s North West and is one of the last wilderness regions. The ancient landscape is approximately 423 square kilometres and is one of the most remote regions in the world.
A staggering 2,677 kms from Perth, driving to the Kimberley will take you close to 30 hours! Embarking on a trip to the North West of Western Australia is no easy feat, so always make sure you’re prepared. Here you’ll find true adventure, the rugged outback and beautiful mystical scenery that will make you a trip to remember.
The Kimberley is a vast region with many small towns within it, in fact only three towns in the Kimberley have more than 2,000 people living in it!
When travelling through, you will likely stop in on 6 major towns in the Kimberley region:
Broome: Well-known for being a tropical wonderland, the famous camel ride on Cable Beach and for being the pearling capital of WA
Derby: An epic remote adventure holiday destination, Derby is the western gateway to the famous Gibb River Road
Kununurra: The eastern gateway to the Kimberley, Kununurra is the perfect base to exploring iconic Kimberley attractions like the Bungle Bungle range, the Ord River and Lake Argyle.
Wyndham: Head to Wyndham to spot the famous crocodiles of the Kimberley, and look upon the majestic giant Boab Trees.
Fitzroy Crossing: Fitzroy Crossing is home to a strong Aboriginal culture with many galleries of Aboriginal art on display.
Halls Creek: The closest town to Purnululu Natinoal Park, home to the Bungle Bungle Range.
Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley is a natural wonder. Image: Tourism Australia
Explore the Kimberley with expert local guides who can take you on guided tours from hidden gorges and waterfalls to experiencing the vastness of WA’s outback. With so much to do over such a huge expanse, getting out to see the real Kimberley is no mean feat.
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to explore the Kimberley. Pick from fantastic day cruises, multi- fishing tours or charters to fully experience life on the water in the region. Your guides can take you to the best swimming holes, visit Australia’s second largest lake, and create unforgettable experiences like hopping on a sunset cruise to witness WA’s epic sunsets in Broome or Kununurra.
Experience the Kimberley in luxury with a scenic flight over vast wilderness, rugged gorges and unique natural wonders. The local flight operators of the Kimberley region can take you to experience the different attractions of the Kimberley in one flight, which can seem like an appealing option! Imagine soaring over the mountains and travelling across the red dirt before settling in for a picnic on the beach, we can’t think of a better way to experience the region.
Camel rides on Cable Beach is an iconic Broome experience.
Ah Broome, the tropical paradise in WA is famous for a reason! From camel rides on the iconic Cable Beach, jumping on a Pearl Tour, to visiting Horizontal Falls, one of the mysteries of the natural world, Broome is one of the best gateways to the Kimberley and it’s not hard to see why.
Where to stay: Relax under the lovely shade of Broome Caravan Park, cool off in one of their 2 refreshing pools or explore the lovely town of Broome that is just a few kilometres away. It’s even pet-friendly on all our caravan and camping sites so you can bring your pets while travelling through!
If there is one must-do in the Kimberley, it’s visiting Purnululu National Park to see for yourself one of the world’s most intriguing geological wonders. The Bungle Bungle range are orange and black sandstone domes that rise over 300 metres over the plains in the Kimberley region of WA.
It is also one of 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Western Australia due to the unique formations of these sandstone domes. While there, take the chance to explore the hidden gorges that are dotted through the park.
Also remember to check out Mirima National Park, often referred to as the scaled down version of the Bungle Bungle range. Located in Kununurra, the national park is also a great place to discover local flora and fauna on bush walks.
Experience the cascading falls of Mitchell Falls. Image: Tourism Western Australia
Do go chasing waterfalls, Kununurra is home to a myriad of cascading waterfalls and swimming spots that are beautiful to discover. There are easily accessible waterfalls that you can take a short drive out to visit waterfalls like Valentine Springs, The Grotto, Molly Springs or Black Rock Falls. If you’re looking for the iconic waterfalls in Kununurra like Mitchell Falls, the best way to see them would be to jump on a day flight.
Most falls are seasonal as you’ll need a lot of rain for them to start falling, but there are also some that can be seen year-round, so make sure to do your research before chasing waterfalls in Kununurra!
Where to stay: Hidden Valley Kununurra Caravan Park is the perfect place to base yourself when visiting the falls in Kununurra. Did we mention the 200 odd mango trees on the property where you can pick and eat from to your heart’s content?
Head out on a boat to see the Ord River, one of WA’s most significant waterways. Explore this scenic river that also feeds in to Lake Argyle and keep an eye out for the wildlife that live in and near the Ord River. If you want to travel in style, jump on a cruise with local guides who can give you the experience of a lifetime before enjoying a riverside lunch along the Ord. If fishing is your game, then you’ll be happy to know that the Ord River is a great place to hook Barramundi!
Taking on the Ivanhoe Crossing can be challenging, but what an adventure it is! Image: Australia's North West
If you are into 4WD-ing, then you would have heard of the Ivanhoe Crossing. The iconic concrete causeway built over the Ord River is such an exciting river crossing, but if you’re careful and equipped with the right car, this is something experienced 4WD enthusiasts will remember forever.
Once across, get yourself ready for an epic day of fishing and see if you can reel in a Barra! Be warned that crocodiles are present in the Ord River, so don’t take a dip no matter how much you might want to.
Instead of flying to Broome, why not hop in your car and take the epic Perth to Broome road trip? While the distance from Perth to Broome is about 24 hours, we suggest you take about 5 to 7 days to travel up to the North West of WA, this way you can take your time to fully experience the coastal landscapes of WA.
There are such great places to stay along the way as well, so get planning your Broome road trip today!
