The Best of the Kimberley Region
There are many special places in Australia, each with its own unique atmosphere and history. From the snowy peaks of the Victorian alps, the red desert heart of central Australia, it doesn’t matter what natural experience you want; Australia has it all.
With mountains, forests, deserts, tropics, sun tropical plains, white sand beaches and coral reefs, Australia is perhaps the most dynamic country on earth when it comes to wilderness variety. One of the most special and iconic landscapes in Australia is the Kimberley Region, featuring hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of unspoiled wilderness.
Located on the northern coast of Western Australia, next to the border with the Northern Territory, the Kimberley Region is full of stunning waterfalls, breathtaking canyons, wide-open plains, Aboriginal culture and unforgettable walking trails and drives. Larger than Austria, Switzerland and Hungry combined yet home to just over 40,000 people; the Kimberley region is unlike anywhere else on earth. Here we will cover some of the best features and activities of the Kimberley Region.
Purnululu National Park
One of the most spectacular national parks in the region is the Purnululu National Park, home to the famous Bungle Bungle Range. The 360-million-year-old geological formations are famous for their striking figure, resembling giant beehives. While Aboriginal tribes had known about the ranges for thousands of years, they were only “rediscovered” in 1983 by a film crew scouting for locations.
The mounds are made of striped orange and black sandstone and can be as high as 300 metres. One of the remarkable features of the mounds is their ability to seemingly change colour depending on the time of day, the position of the sun and how recently it has rained. Much like the orange sandstone of Uluru, you need to see the rock formations at different points of the day to fully experience it.
Take a 4WD tour
One of the best ways to experience the park is by 4WD on a self-driving tour. There are hidden chasms, deep gorges, hundreds of species of animals, including the nailtail wallaby and short-eared rock wallaby. Depending on the time of year, you can either take part in a guided tour (a must during the wet season running from December to March) or on your own during the park's usual seasonal period from April to November. The park is located a few hours’ drive inland from the coast with the nearest main town of Kununurra, a 3.5-half-hour drive north. Flying to Kununurra and driving is the quickest route to the park. Inside Purnululu, you will also find campsites, lodges and other stunning sites. Why not learn about the Aboriginal heritage of the region by booking a tour with a local Aboriginal guide? Various tribes have called the area home for over 40,000 years.
Aboriginal culture
If you are keen on learning about Aboriginal culture, heritage and history, then the Kimberley region is the right place for you. The region is home to some of the most spectacular rock art and carvings in all of Australia. Visit Doubtful Bay, Vansittart Bay and Mitchell Falls for the best locations of these incredible insights into the past. These rock paintings are not only important to Aboriginal history but human history as well, with some of them believed to be the oldest rock art paintings on earth.
The Buccaneer Archipelago
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Finish off your trip by the sea at the Buccaneer Archipelago, located just northeast of Broome on the coast. The archipelago is made up of more than 1,000 tiny islands that pop out of the turquoise blue sea in different colours and shapes. Each island is home to its own little topping of tropical growth, with green sitting atop the grey, orange, brown and white of the islands. While in the region, check out the Horizontal Waterfall of Talbot Bay. The waterfall is formed by water squeezing through a tight gap in a twin mountain range. With 13-metre tides filling the area before it gushes out in a spectacle, Sir David Attenborough called it “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”. Now, if that’s not a rousing endorsement, what is?
Explore the ancient majesty of the Kimberley Region. From the lush coast to the arid interior, there’s beauty to be found in every inch of the region. Flying from city to city or taking one of the great Australian road trips are both great ways to explore the area. The region is filled with stunning views, even better seafood, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear water. Start booking your Kimberley Region travel experience today.
