The Kimberley region of Australia displays a splendid array of wild, untamed natural beauty that seems far removed from the bustling capitals (see: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane).
Located in the far northwest of Australia, the Kimberley was one of the first areas of the continent to be settled by its indigenous inhabitants.
Native people’s occupation here dates back more than 40,000 years, and numerous Aboriginal groups and languages still exist in the region to this day.
In fact, approximately 70% of the Kimberley region is considered native title land, which was a great success for Australia’s original landowners.
The Kimberley is a land of contrasts, offering visitors beautiful beaches and coastal islands, as well as gorges, waterfalls, rivers, caves and abundant wildlife.
It is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world, as it remains one of the least populated regions on Earth.
Here’s a detailed look at the best tourist attractions Kimberley, Australia has to offer, many of which you can explore by small boat. kimberley cruises.
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1. broom
Broome is a great start to your trip or a perfect end to your visit to the Kimberley. This is the largest town in the Kimberley and is considered the gateway to exploring the region.
Broome is home to the world famous Cable Beach, where you can enjoy camel rides on the sand or simply relax in the warm, gentle waves. The west facing beach offers a perfect sunset view.
You can also visit Willie Creek Pearls to learn about pearl farming or enjoy the many local open-air restaurants offering local cuisine such as barramundi and mango beer.
Wildlife enthusiasts may want to visit Roebuck Bay, where tours can be booked with the Broome Bird Observatory to see its rich shorebird populations.
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2. Mitchell Falls
Mitchell Falls is located within the Mitchell River National Park and gives visitors the opportunity to see one of the most picturesque and impressive waterfalls in Australia.
The National Park also offers a wealth of wildlife, including crocodiles, monitor lizards, and snakes such as the taipan.
The park forms part of the Prince Regent and Mitchell River Important Bird Area, where more than 200 different species have been recorded.
You can also explore the area’s Aboriginal heritage sites and rock art, as well as Aunauyuor the surveyor’s group.
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3. Bungle Bungle range
Inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Purnululu National ParkYou’ll find the unique beehive-shaped sandstone towers that have become a must-see attraction during any Western Australian holiday.
The 925-square-mile park is vast and extremely remote. For this reason, the Bungle Bungle Mountain Range remained unknown to the outside world for a long time.
Only the local Karjaganujaru aborigines knew the magic and beauty of the area.
Although the countryside is accessible via land travel, getting there is not easy. It is much more practical to experience the Bungle Bungle Range through a scenic flight, with a bird’s eye view.
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4. Lacepéde Islands
Made up of four islands off the north-west coast of the Kimberley region, the Lacepedes are rich in endemic wildlife.
As in the Galapagos Islands, visitors can witness several species of boobies along with frigates and other seabirds.
BirdLife International lists the islands as an “Important Bird Area” for their nearly 20,000 breeding pairs of brown boobies.
The islands are also a favorite breeding ground for green sea turtles, and rare species of whale such as the dwarf fin whale have also been sighted in the area’s waters.
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5. King George Falls
The King George River offers not one, but two waterfalls, which are considered the largest in Western Australia.
The falls’ remote location makes them inaccessible to land vehicles, but a scenic flight or relaxing cruise will get you up close and personal with this beautiful natural wonder.
While you’re there, you’ll also have the opportunity to view ancient sandstone cliffs and keep an eye out for wildlife as you cruise down the river.
Few visitors have ever experienced these magnificent falls for themselves. Most have only seen them in the 2008 film. Australiastarring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
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6. Horizontal falls
Located in Talbot Bay (just a short drive from Broome), you’ll find the stunning Horizontal Falls.
Unlike traditional vertical waterfalls, these fall sideways due to intense tidal currents passing through narrow gorges along the coast.
The variation in tides here is almost incredible: it can rise more than 32 feet between low and high tide times, which are only seven hours apart.
Equally amazing is that skilled boat drivers can navigate these turbulent waters, making it a great way to experience your Horizontal Falls adventure.
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7. El Questro Natural Park
The Questro Wilderness Park covers about 700,000 acres and offers a wealth of outdoor recreation options. To minimize the negative impact on this beautiful but fragile environment, visits to its wilderness areas are strictly regulated.
Visitors have the opportunity to explore Australia’s true outback through horseback riding, hiking, 4×4, helicopter or plane rides.
The park is a hiker’s dream, especially the popular Emma Gorge Trail (with its towering cliffs and refreshing waterhole), El Questro Gorge Trail, and Amalia Gorge Trail. If you don’t feel like hiking, just relax at Zebedee Thermal Springs.
If you don’t like all-day walks, you can also choose to explore the rich wildlife of the Pentecost River through a short hike from the station. A ranger at the visitor center can give you a map of all the local walks and discuss other activities available.
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8. Buccaneer Archipelago
This extraordinary archipelago is made up of between 800 and 1,000 rocky islands, many of them teeming with rich and diverse wildlife.
You’ll find a wide variety of reptiles (including snakes, monitor lizards and crocodiles), as well as numerous birds and mammals. The waters surrounding the islands are also ideal for snorkelling and diving: they are home to sharks, sea snakes and a wide variety of other marine species.
The islands are made up of rocks dating back about 2 billion years. They are quite remote and difficult to access, which explains their relatively intact state.
Zodiac-style boat tours have become a popular way to explore these beautiful islands, and the area has also become a highly-rated fishing destination.
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9. Gibb River Highway
Driving the Gibb River Highway allows adventurous visitors to explore the heart of the Kimberley, as the 440-mile route runs through the center of the region.
The road follows the old cattle route and links the town of Derby on the west coast with the towns of Kununurra and Wyndham in the east.
This is one of the most iconic 4×4 routes in Australia and takes in many of the Kimberley’s most iconic locations.
Along the way you will have the opportunity to visit Windjana Gorge National Park, where you will have a good chance of seeing freshwater crocodiles in the wild.
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10. Jug Island
Jar Island was named after the pot shards, which were originally brought to the island by the Macassan people of Indonesia.
Nearby Woku-Woku Island is home to the remains of ancient sea cucumber stoves, which cooked cucumbers (or trepan) that were collected by the Macassan.
Jar Island also offers many excellent examples of Gwion Gwion or Bradshaw-style Aboriginal rock art. This well-preserved and highly detailed work of art is believed to be between 15,000 and 20,000 years old.
The area is also home to several World War II aircraft wrecks that history buffs can visit. –by Meg Jerrard of Megan Mapping; main image via Canva Pro
