10 Places to Visit in the Kimberley

The Kimberley is a vast wilderness in the Northern region of Western Australia, and it encompasses everything that makes the Australian outback unique and beautiful. The Kimberley covers 325,000 km2, filling the landscape with breathtaking waterfalls, ancient gorges, red cliffs and impressive ranges.

The best time to visit The Kimberley is in the dry season which is generally from April/May to September. This is peak tourist season, so make sure you plan ahead to avoid missing out.

The area can be broken up into many national parks, each having their own diverse flora, fauna, and sights. Take a look at our list of 10 places to visit in the Kimberley to satisfy any Aussie adventure.

Mitchell River National Park

The Mitchell River National Park lies at the very north of Western Australia, not far from the coastline. The park is named after the Mitchell River that flows through the area, carving out deep gorges in the landscape. The river flows into a waterfall, and scenic flights can be taken to have a unique view of the scenery.

One of the main attractions of the park is known as Surveyors Pool, with many walking tracks leading straight to it. These tracks range from long to short, and have various levels of difficulty, so it’s important that you find the one that’s right for you. Campgrounds in the area also allow to stay longer in the park and experience it all. The park also has areas of dense rainforest, and is one of the very few places in Western Australia where palms are an important feature in the environment.

The Kimberley is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular rock art, believed to be the oldest in the world. One of the best locations for Aboriginal rock art depicting ancient dreamtime stories is Mitchell Falls.

Purnululu National Park

The Purnululu National Park is home to the Bungle Bungle Range, which is made up of quartz sandstone that has been gradually eroded over the last 20 million years. This erosion has created hundreds of beehive or cone-shaped sandstone hills. Cathedral Gorge and its natural amphitheatre of red rock is also located in this world-heritage listed park. To ensure we preserve the environment, care must be taken when visiting this special place.

The park offers many trails for bushwalking, ranging from short walks to days-long hikes, as well as the option to take a helicopter tours and see first-hand the vastness of the range. For those wanting to stay a little longer and experience more of the park, camping sites can be booked.

Windjana Gorge National Park

This national park is known for its Windjana Gorge, a gorge that comes up from Lennard River, reaching heights of 100m. An easy 3.5km walk leads through the gorge, allowing you to see the fossils within the walls of the gorge. The gorge was once an ancient barrier reef, around 350 million years ago, and these fossils are from that time. It’s an incredibly unique experience to see aquatic fossils in the outback.

Some of the most iconic animals in the park are the freshwater crocodiles, corellas, and fruit bats. The area is also highly spiritual with a rich history for the local Aboriginal people, the Bunuba people. The park is often closed from December to March, as this is the wet season and there is a risk of flooding. The park also offers campgrounds available to be booked.

Tunnel Creek National Park

Not far from Windjana Gorge National Park, this park was also once part of an ancient barrier reef. The Napier Range is a part of this park, and visitors can walk through a 750m tunnel that goes straight through the range. The tunnel features magnificent stalactites, and you’ll likely find plenty of bats flying around. If you do decide to go through this tunnel, take a torch, runners, and be ready to get wet and cold!

This area was once used as a hideout by the late Aboriginal leader Jandamarra, who was eventually caught and killed by police near the entrance of the tunnel in 1897. This event has important historical significance for the Bunuba people. The park will leave you in awe, especially because of the history behind it, both geological and cultural.

Dampier Peninsula

A region steeped in traditional Aboriginal heritage, the red cliffs and white sand beach of Cape Leveque is the main attraction of the Dampier Peninsula. You’ll need a 4WD to access the beach, but it is definitely worth it to view the natural wonder.

Another must-see location in this Peninsula is the Pearl Farm region of Cygnet Bay. Visiting this remote location provide you with a unique experience. You can visit for a day trip by car, plane or boat. For the complete experience, you could even opt to stay a night or two in the farm.

Buccaneer Archipelago

A cluster of over a thousand Islands located off the coast of Western Australia near Derby in The Kimberleys. There are so many wonderful sights and amazing experiences to be had in this wonderful part Australia. It is home to the Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay.

This region remains relatively untouched due to its remoteness. It contains many hidden gems with amazing and pristine beaches and landscapes that can be seen from the air or visited by boats. You won’t be disappointed if you add this amazing location to your itinerary when visiting The Kimberley.

El Questro Wilderness Park

Spreading across almost one million acres, this wilderness park has it all! Thermal springs, salt flats, gorges, rainforests and much much more! It truly is a unique and must-see destination on your visit to The Kimberley.

The park boasts amazing sights including (but not limited to); Chamberlain Gorge, Zebedee Springs, Explosion Gorge, Branco’s Lookout, Pentecost River, Station Township, Emma Gorge, Buddy’s Point, Miri Miri Falls and Cockburn Range. It is also a great location for a bit of Crocodile spotting – just don’t get too close!

Due to the size of this amazing place full or natural attractions, a tour is the best way of ensuring a well-planned trip. We have a few tours available that will take you to El Questro Wilderness Park.

Kununurra

A town in far northern Western Australia located in the East Kimberley region, approximately 45 kilometres from the border with the Northern Territory. It is usually a stop-off on a guided tour, or somewhere you can visit on a self-drive trip. It’s about a 10.5-hour drive from Broome or 6.5-hours from Katherine. If you are a keen 4WD traveller, though, you can get to Kununurra on the Gibb River Road.

Once you arrive in Kununurra, you can use the location as a base to visit places like World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and its beehive-shaped Bungle Bungle Range or visit lake Kununurra along with the other many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls in the area, including Molly Springs which is a gorgeous little spring-fed pool and waterfall about 30km from Kununurra. You can also visit King George Falls from Kununurra via a cruise. So many things to see and do in this town.

Broome

Broome is a coastal town with a relaxed vibe, but don’t let that fool you. This tropical haven is filled with adventure. Home to the world-famous Cable Beach with 22 kilometres (14 miles) of soft white sand, and warm and flat turquoise water, with gentle, ankle-height waves makes for relaxed beach experiences. There are camel rides to enjoy and the sunset is a must see. It is also home to the natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon. Broome is the pearling capital of Australia as its amount the largest commercially-harvest cultured pearls in the world. With colour, culture and adventures on offer, Broome is the perfect getaway destination.

Ord River

One of the most stunning river systems in Australia, this 650km Ord River is a scenic wonderland. You can cruise this beauty from Kununurra to Lake Argyle while enjoying the unique flora and fauna along the banks. You could also hire a houseboat for a night or two to get the full experience. Catch your own freshwater Barramundi while taking in the sunset over the river. This is one location you should add to your Kimberley itinerary.

Full of natural wonders and natural attractions there is so much more to do and see in the wonder that is The Kimberleys . You will always find something to keep everyone entertained for a full day, every day. Other places you could add to the list can be found in our blog, An A to Z Guide of The Kimberley Region. An easy way to plan your Kimberley adventure (without the hassle of organising it yourself), is with a guided tour with Kimberley Tours. If you are looking for a full day of adventures to visit some of these destinations from Perth or Darwin, there are also Day Tours available.

Feature image by Tourism Australia.