Kimberley Australia
The last frontier of the Australian Outback
The best guide to the Kimberley in Australia is my other website. But on this page you can also find out a bit more about this fascinating Western Australian wilderness region.
The Kimberley in Australia is often referred to as "the last frontier", and is portrayed as a wild and inaccessible place.
Yes, it's wild. Wild as in rugged and beautiful, as in pristine and natural...
But at the same time the Kimberley is very accessible for tourists, as long as you have access to the necessary information.
And that's exactly what this website is here for. It will give you all the necessary information, help you plan your trip and make sure you get the most out of your visit to the Western Australia Kimberley.
Please, have a look around...
Discover the most beautiful part of Australia, an area where you can choose a different waterfall for a swim every day, where the bush is teeming with birds and lizards, the tidal rivers are full of fish, and where you don't have to be a photgrapher to take the most stunning photographs.
Find rugged ranges and gorges, lush rainforests and ancient boab trees, the remotest beaches and the most welcoming tourism industry.
Kimberley Australia Information
The Kimberley region is the northernmost part of Western Australia. It is becoming increasingly popular with international and Australian tourists, but tourism has not changed the character of the Kimberley. A 100 000 visitors a year are still barely noticeable in an area that is over three times the size of England...
The rugged nature of this immense landscape made access difficult in the past, and most of the Kimberley in Australia is still pristine and supports a staggering variety and amount of wildlife and plant species.
The best place to start your Kimberley Australia adventure is either Kununurra, also known as "The gateway to the East Kimberley", or Broome on the West coast. Both are small country towns and both have a lively tourism industry, including airports, accommodation, car rental, organised tours and more.
The best time to start your Kimberley holidays... well, that's up to you. Read about the Kimberley weather, and about our infamous wet season, and then decide for yourself.
A few days in Broome or Kununurra will give you a chance to adjust to our relaxed lifestyle. Many nearby attractions can be visited on day trips and don't require a four wheel drive. Choose one of our many waterfalls for a swim, go for a boat cruise or canoeing, or go fishing at the ocean or one of our rivers. Visit one of the national parks or take a scenic flight. Visit the diamond mine. Visit a crocodile farm. Or a pearl farm. Or a tropical fruit farm...
If you have enough time you can drive from Kununurra to Broome. The Great Northern Highway is an excellent all bitumen road and will lead you past several national parks and small Kimberley settlements.
But to see the real Kimberley you will have to leave the bitumen... Why not hire a four wheel drive vehicle and traverse the Kimberley on the famous Gibb River Road?
The 660km Gibb River Road is unsealed. It leads from Kununurra to the West coast through the heart of the Kimberley and to some of the most beautiful and most remote areas of the world.
The main road itself is well maintained and easy to travel, but many attractions along the way require side trips. Make sure you prepare adequately for the trip. Accommodation, camping and fuel is available at some points along the way. Please check with any of the Kimberley visitor centres about the state of the road and, if you're not sure what to expect, the requirements of the drive.
Those without their own transport can use the new 4x4 bus service along the Gibb River Road. It accesses many locations on the way, and with the multi-stop ticket you can get on and off as you please and stay in the wilderness as long as you like. A great way to go for overseas travellers.
The Kimberley in Australia has many more attractions which can only be reached by four wheel drive. If you're not too sure about your off road skills you can join a tagalong tour where you follow a skilled guide in your own vehicle. No need to fear getting lost or stuck.
Another option are self-drive packages. You will be driving on your own, but you are supplied with all the necessary instructions, directions and maps, even the camping equipment, and your schedule is already worked out for you. It takes a lot of hassle out of the planning of such an adventure but leaves you with the highest possible amount of freedom. Self-drive tours would be my choice if I didn't live here anyway...
Of course you can also leave the driving to the driver, by choosing one of the many tours on offer.
Kimberley Australia towns and attractions
Only a few kilometres past the Northern Territory border and within easy reach of Kununurra lies this "natural" wonder.
Lake Argyle is a huge man made inland sea, and the wetlands today support myriads of bird. A variety of marsupials inhabit the previous mountain peaks which are now islands in the lake.
The wildlife and scenery are best appreciated on one of the operating cruises. Lake Argyle Tourist Village offers a caravan park and motel style accommodation as well as a restaurant and pub.
Lake Argyle Tourist Village
P.O. Box 616, Kununurra
Lake Argyle Village WA 6743
Telephone: (08) 9168 7360
Facsimile: (08) 9168 7355
Known as "The gateway to the East Kimberley", Kununurra is a great base from which to explore the region. Many attractions lie nearby and a big range of tours and scenic flights operate from here. You can fly or drive to Kununurra, and there is a wide range of accommodation to choose from.
Kununurra Visitor Centre
Lot 75 Coolibah Dve
P.O. Box 446
Kununurra WA 6743
Telephone: 61 8 9168 1177
Facsimile: 61 8 9168 2598
Western Australia's northernmost town. The historical port and town of Wyndham lies one hour from Kununurra. If you haven't seen any saltwater crocodiles yet don't miss the crocodile farm! Other attractions are Five Rivers Lookout, The Grotto, Marlgu Billabong and Parry's Creek Nature Reserve and the "largest boab in captivity". For a truly unique Kimberley Australia Outback experience you can join a horse trek from Digger's Rest Station.
Wyndham Tourist Information Centre
Lot 626 Great Northern HWY
P.O. Box 38
Wyndham WA 6740
Telephone: 61 8 9161 1281
Facsimile: 61 8 9161 1435
There are two Halls Creeks! 1948 the town was moved from Old Halls Creek to it's present site on the Great Northern Highway, 365km from Kununurra.
You can visit the ruins of the abandoned town 15km from Halls Creek on the Duncan Road. Other attractions, on the same road, are the China Wall and Caroline Pool. A number of tours to the Bungle Bungles and Wolfe Creek Crater - the most famous Kimberley national parks - operate from Halls Creek, and there is a hotel, motel, caravan park and two roadhouses.
Halls Creek Tourist Information Centre:
Great Northern Hwy
P.O. Box 242
Halls Creek WA 6770
Telephone: 61 8 9168 6262
Facsimile: 61 8 9168 6467
Fitzroy Crossing is small settlement on the banks of the Fitzroy River. Here you can stock up on fuel, groceries and ice before visiting the nearby national parks Geikie Gorge, Tunnel Creek, and Windjana Gorge.
Fitzroy Crossing Tourist Bureau
Flynn Dve
Fitzroy Crossing WA 6765
Telephone: 61 8 9191 5355
Facsimile: 61 8 9191 5085
This friendly little Kimberley Australia Outback town marks the end (or the beginning, depending on your direction) of the famous Gibb River Road. Visit the Prison Boab Tree, a huge hollow tree that was used as a lockup, and the historical Myall Bore.
Derby has some of the biggest tides in the world with variations of up to and above 11 metres. Have a look at the jetty and a meal at Wharf's Restaurant At The Jetty.
Derby Tourist Bureau, Derby Cultural Centre
1 Clarendon St
Derby WA 6728
Telephone: 61 8 9191 1428
Facsimile: 61 8 9191 1609
Where the red desert meets the sea.
After crossing the rugged Kimberley you will love Broome. The world renowned white beaches are fringed by the turquoise waters of the Indian ocean and the town exudes an exotic flair.
Broome has left behind the wild pearl diving days and the rough "last frontier" image that characterises much of the Kimberley Australia.
Broome is still an important port for the cultured pearl industry, but it also has developed into a modern, cosmopolitan and prosperous town, with all the features of a prime tropical holiday destination. The perfect finish to a perfect Kimberley Australia vacation.
Broome Visitor Centre
Bagot Rd & Broome Hwy
Broome WA 6752
Telephone: 61 8 9192 2222
Facsimile: 61 8 9192 2063
Planning your trip to the Western Australia Kimberleys
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