Renowned as Western Australia’s final frontier, The Kimberley has long invited the intrepid and curious to explore extraordinary landscapes and map out off-road outback adventures. Out here in the vast untamed, there are places and transformative journeys that create a legacy in one’s travel tales. Negotiating the Gibb River Road or Horizontal Falls often leaves travellers completely subsumed in the theatre of nature.
Two of the Luxury Lodges of Australia take up residence in this complex landscape that encompasses spectacular gorges, waterfalls and cave systems, pockets of lush rainforest and an astonishing variety of wildlife. At just over 700,000 acres in size, El Questro Homestead is at the heart of your unforgettable, quintessential Kimberley holiday while True North provides an ever-changing panorama of spectacular gorges, majestic waterfalls, islands and rugged coastline on the myriad of Kimberley adventure cruises.
Postcards of the Kimberley region’s Bungle Bungles and iconic Gibb River boab trees are inspiring to say the least. Vivid colours of red and orange and blue and beyond the obvious beauty, there are genuine Australian experiences to be had. Remote but accessible, exploring the Kimberley needn’t be an arduous task (if you don’t want it to be). Discover remarkable places on wheels, on foot, by air or by sea. Opportunities for extraordinary encounters with nature and profound connections to the heart and soul of the Kimberley. The pindan cliffs of Cape Leveque are a wild sequestered spot at the northern-most point of the Dampier Peninsula on the Aboriginal lands of the Bardi, Nyunyul and Jabirr Jabirr People.
In Broome WA, the famous Cable Beach shows off it’s unique tropical coastal lifestyle with camel rides, jet boats, and Chango (chilli mango) beer. The annual Shinju Matsuri (Japanese for “Festival of the Pearl”) celebrates Broome’s early pearl farm days of being a world-renowned producer of South Sea Pearls when the Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepangers, Filipino and Europeans flocked to Broome from the late 1800’s to be a part of this prosperity. Photographers come to Broome to witness the staircase to the Moon. This natural feature and phenomenon takes place between March and October when the full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, creating the impression of a staircase leading to the moon.
Self-drivers have long taken to the east Kimberley region of Western Australia. The vast expanse of Australia’s outback laid out before them, fuel stops and accommodation options few and far between. A stop at Halls Creek between the towns of Fitzroy Crossing and Turkey Creek on the Great Northern Highway is probably worthwhile, being the only sizeable town for 600 km. Manning gorge off the Gibb River Road is four-wheel driving track to put your 4WD vehicle to the test. The Napier Ranges includes the spectacular Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Geikie Gorge. Take a boat tour along the Fitzroy River, the Bunaba Traditional Owners operate one such tour and will give you a unique insight into the Aboriginal history of the area.
The local Aboriginal meaning for the word Kununurra is “big waters” or the “meeting of the waters” and the mighty Ord River is one of Western Australia’s most scenic and significant waterways. At various points along its length you can take a boat tour or go cruising and canoeing between stunning gorges. If timing permits, the Ord Valley Muster offers events and experiences (rodeo, dining under the stars, music, yoga boats, comedy and more) that highlight the unique local characters and flavour of Kununurra and the East Kimberley. Bell Gorge is part of the Wunaamin (King Leopold Range) Conservation Park, a mountain chain of northern Western Australia, forming the southwestern edge of the Kimberley Plateau. If you’re looking to connect to this region’s First Nations culture, check out Discover Aboriginal Experiences, who offer authentic Aboriginal guided experiences and the kind of life changing, immersive activities which make a great itinerary even more memorable.
Another natural landscape worth seeing is Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, the second largest crater in the world, spanning 880m across and almost circular. The gorges of ancient rock and cool swimming holes and showering waterfalls make Karijini National Park are a natural attraction and one of Australia’s most dramatic and spectacular destinations.
Despite, or maybe because of, its remoteness, The Kimberley is growing in popularity as a destination. The unfettered space and wild beauty of this region is unparalleled and unforgettable”.North of Broome, El Questro Wilderness Park is awash with more than 700,000 acres of rugged ranges, towering gorges, crystal clear waters, iconic sunsets and, of course, the ancient Boab tree and it’s all there on the Homestead’s doorstep. El Questro Homestead sits in stark contrast to Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley landscape. Perched on a cliff top, with vistas of one of the prettiest locations in The Kimberley, The Homestead is a relaxed retreat for a maximum of 20 guests. It feels truly set apart from the everyday world. Access to the park is only available in the dry season, so the time to visit is between May and September. The Homestead runs complimentary, and exclusive experiences for all guests. Facilitated by El Questro’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic rangers, Homestead experiences are tailored, and customised to individual preferences, all that’s required is choosing how to best explore El Questro — by helicopter, 4WD Tour, boat or on foot.
A cruise on the calm waters of Chamberlain Gorge is one of the best introductions to the Wilderness Park, gliding by the 200-foot escarpment and looking out for rock wallabies, freshwater crocodiles and the incredibly cunning archer fish. Set off on the Emma Gorge walk, located on the edge of the park and be rewarded by the stunning turquoise pool at the end. Separate from the complimentary experiences, one can see El Questro from a different perspective by heading into the Kimberley sky and taking a Homestead helicopter tour to untouched and unexplored areas of the property. There’s a number of different helicopter experiences – over vast lush rainforests and between sunlit cliffs before landing next to remote water holes and cascading waterfalls before enjoying a swim and gourmet picnic before heading home. Alternatively, further afield, guests can experience scenic flights over Lake Argyle or the geological marvels of Purnululu National Park to see the World Heritage Bungle Bungles from an incredible vantage point.
Even if you’ve conquered the infamous Gibb River 4WD tracks, a Kimberley adventure is but a drop in the proverbial ocean without visiting the Kimberley Coast. Great Fishing Adventures of Australia is a collective that offer multi-day and day trip fishing experiences in the Kimberley waterways for those looking to land a barramundi. One of the world’s last remaining wildernesses, this largely uninhabited coastline is fringed with 2500 islands and several navigable rivers that feature towering gorges and equally impressive waterfalls. It’s little wonder that the destination is trending around the world as a bucket-list event for experience seekers.
True North pioneered adventure cruises on the Kimberley Coast way back in 1987, designed to access wilderness and to go where no other ship can go. The luxury here is in the spacious cabins, expert crew and the exclusivity of access. Multiple expedition vessels take guests in small groups to experience wilderness ‘up close’. The comfort of having numerous tenders also means that everyone on-board has greater opportunity to do “what they want, when they want”. Most cruise options feature the ship’s helicopter opening-up a range of options from scenic flights and heli-picnics to overnight camping adventures an invitation to discover virtually unseen and untouched parts of Australia.
An experience for the most discerning snorkellers and divers is the Rowley Shoals, boasting three shelf atolls and featuring more than 300 square kilometres of undisturbed coral habitat. The diversity and densities of both coral and fish life is breathtaking. The turquoise water sits at a consistent and inviting temperature of 26ºC and divers often encounter 40m visibility. The atolls have shallow lagoons, each covering around 80km-90km, rising with near-vertical sides from very deep water. At low tide the water becomes ponded within the reef walls, and gushes over the edge like waterfalls. The best part is, True North visitors to ‘the Rowleys’ generally do not see another boat. Even today, the Marine Park’s remoteness means that less than 500 people a year are fortunate enough to give testimony to their brilliance.
Sir David Attenborough once described Horizontal Falls of Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. True North even have a dedicated Kimberley Waterfalls itinerary where guests can experience the sheer magnitude of the horizontal waterfalls and remarkable falls like King Cascade, Mitchell Falls, Eagle Falls and King George Falls.
On top of stunning scenery, the daily activities onboard True North can include scenic walks, helicopter flights, fishing, snorkelling, cultural visits to see First Nations Wandjina rock art galleries, picnics, wildflowers, bird and wildlife watching, diving, exploring and much more. Fish for Barramundi with the chef and catch mud crab for dinner. There’s more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture-perfect billabong, or perhaps venture further upriver to visit the spectacular ‘Amphitheatre’ waterfall.
The Kimberley dry season is characterised by clear blue skies, easterly winds and balmy days with some chilly nights. The weather is very stable, meaning adventurous travellers can plan well in advance. Be it to cruise the coastline and see sandstone cliffs that glow red at sunset, see with your own eyes galleries of ancient rock art or dramatic tidal waterfalls and pristine waters teeming with fish. Or the adventure and discovery navigating the overland tracks to find refreshing waterholes and spectacular waterfalls. From the north-west of Broome to Kununurra in the east, The Kimberley Australia offers a wild destination to explore.
Venture out of the ordinary – it’s time to visit the Kimberley and live those stories you’ll share over and over again.
Plan Your Trip to Kimberley, WA
Getting there: El Questro Homestead
For further information, visit.
