Named by many as a favourite or ‘must do’ destination, the Kimberley in WA’s North West is regarded as one of the world’s true wilderness areas – and at more than 20 million years old, with the oldest living culture on Earth, red rugged ranges, waterfalls, extensive coastline, rivers, rock art and even patches of rainforest, the region leaves a lasting impression for visitors, and holds mystery for those who’ve yet to visit.
While visitors can expect to see a place of incredible natural beauty, it’s the feelings that the Kimberley evokes which captures many – it’s a place of indescribable spirituality.
Covering an expanse of almost 423,000 square kilometres and with an estimated population of just 30,000, the Kimberley has fewer people per square kilometre than almost any other place on earth.
It’s home to recognised hot spots such as the exotic pearling town of Broome, Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, the world’s only Horizontal Waterfalls at Talbot Bay, the Mitchell Falls, Lake Argyle, the iconic Gibb River Road, the Ord River, outback stations such as El Questro Wilderness Park and Home Valley Station and remote luxury lodges such as the Berkeley River Lodge and Faraway Bay.
Exploring the region can be done a few ways – by air; by road; or by ocean – from Broome in the west or Kununurra in the east. And, visitors can experience it in over a long weekend, in a fortnight or in a couple of months. Options are a plenty!
Three to five days
Flying into Broome from Perth, or another Australian capital city (direct flights operate from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane), visitors will find themselves easily slipping into ‘Broome-time’. Accommodation options are plentiful – with everything ranging from caravan parks to hostels to self-contained apartments and five-star resorts.
First stop is a visit to the world-famous Cable Beach, 22 kilometres of white sand with the most applauded sunsets in Australia – the nightly show attracts many – and can be watched from atop a camel (a Broome ‘must do’), from the Sunset Bar & Grill at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, or by simply taking a spot on the sand or from the grassed area above.
Take a walking tour of Broome town with Yawuru man Bart Pigram. Bart represents the epitome of Broome – his local knowledge and family history means that he call tell the story of the ‘old’ Broome, a place that found its time with the onset of the pearling industry.
Lunch can be had at the iconic Matso’s Broome Brewery, with views over Roebuck Bay, you might like to cool down with a refreshing ginger beer; and post lunch, take a leisurely walk around Chinatown and check out some of the pearl showrooms, spend some time in the Broome Historical Museum or if you’re feeling active, hit the water with a kayaking tour or hire a stand up paddle board at Cable Beach. Or, you are allowed to just relax poolside, beachside or bar-side!
If you’re visiting during Staircase to the Moon (a natural phenomenon whereby the rising of the full moon reflects off the exposed mudflats at extremely low tide, creating an illusion of stairs reaching to the moon), grab a vantage point early (Town Beach and The Mangrove Hotel are the two best spots) and soak it up – night markets also operate at Town Beach during Staircase.
If you’ve still got time, take a half or full-day tour out to the Horizontal Waterfalls. The world’s only, and described by naturalist Sir David Attenborough as ‘Australia’s most unusual natural wonder’, the falls are created by the area’s massive tidal movement with water rushing through two small channels.
Other day trip options out of Broome could include a visit to Eco Beach – an eco-resort where you can lunch, stroll on the beach, take a fishing or whale watching tour and more; Derby and Fitzroy Crossing to cruise down Geike Gorge, admire Aboriginal art at Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre, see the Derby Prison Tree; or Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek to hear the story of Jandamarra and see freshwater crocodiles. Additionally, there are air safaris that will take visitors into destinations a little further afield such as the Bungle Bungle Range or the Mitchell Falls.
Two to three weeks
Explore all of the above in Broome, then join a guided land tour or cruise that will see you head deeper in the Kimberley – stay in safari-style ‘glamping’ tents or camp under the stars – there’s many tour operators catering to a range of budgets and abilities. Or, self-drive your way around – a four-wheel drive is recommended to safely reach most destinations.
When to visit
The Kimberley has two distinct seasons, the dry and the wet. During the dry season, which runs from May until October, the temperature is warm and comfortable with blue skies and easier access to beautiful gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes. The wet season, which extends from November until April, is characterised by heavy and short downpours in the evening or late afternoon, providing a refreshing change to the heat of the day. The wet is when the landscape is refreshed and transformed into a lush, green environment with overflowing rivers and spectacular waterfalls.
How to get there
Broome is the western gate-way to the Kimberley region and is easily accessible with year-round direct flights from Perth and Melbourne; as well as direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane during the tourist season. There’s also daily flights between Broome and Kununurra.
For further information on The Kimberley, click here.
Explore Western Australia – Broome and the Kimberley
Explore Western Australia – Broome Highlights
The post The magic of the Kimberley appeared first on GrownUps New Zealand.