Here’s how to road trip the Kimberley

By Leah McLennan
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There’s something cathartic about hitting the open road and letting it roll beneath you for hours and hours. Welcome to the Kimberley, the ultimate road trip destination.

Bordered by the Great Sand Desert in the south and the Northern Territory in the east, the Kimberley offers over 420,000 square kilometres of wilderness to explore. Famous for its rugged ranges, dramatic gorges, semi-arid savanna and largely isolated coastline, this wonderfully wild region is crisscrossed with unsealed, rugged roads (and also some bitumen), each leading you to new discoveries.

Step away from everyday life and head off the beaten track to World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park or put your vehicle into 4WD to bump along the Gibb River Road, or cruise north from tropical Broome to explore the remote beaches of the Dampier Peninsula.

the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley

Dampier Peninsula is renowned for its rugged coastal wilderness. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Rite of passage: The Gibb

If there’s one way to earn your stripes as a true-blue outback adventurer, it’s by taking on the 660-kilometre Gibb River Road, a 4WD-only track that cuts through the heart of the Kimberley.

The former cattle droving route is legendary, not just for the station characters you’ll meet on the way or the bottle-shaped boab trees, but for the stretches of corrugations that’ll rattle your teeth.

an aerial view of the Cape Leveque Road, Kimberley

Take the scenic paprika-hued road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@from.miles.away/@mattfrommilesaway)

The deep paprika hue of the land gives way to water-filled gorges and immense rock formations, the kind of natural havens you won’t find anywhere else in Australia.

the scenic Windjana Gorge in the Kimberley

Find Windjana Gorge, one of the spectacular natural rock formations in the Kimberley. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

How long?

The route between Derby and Kununurra can be done in five days, but it’s best to take over a week to do it properly, blending in memorable stays at working cattle stations, wilderness parks and conservation sanctuaries.

What’s required?

If you’re self-driving, a 4WD, water, food, safety supplies and camping equipment are essential. Otherwise, join an all-inclusive tour and enjoy the ride.

Must-see hotspots

Just out of Derby, stop at Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre to meet Aboriginal artists and watch the intricate craft of carving boab seeds or painting bark.

paintings displayed on the wall at Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre

Stop by the Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre to see Aboriginal artworks. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Windjana Gorge is rimmed by 300-metre walls that are part of a 350-million-year-old Devonian reef system. There are various walking trails through the three-kilometre gorge, where you’ll see fossils and (harmless) freshwater crocodiles.

a group of people touring along Windjana Gorge

Sign up for an epic walking tour along the three-kilometre Windjana Gorge. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Bell Gorge, tucked inside King Leopold Conservation Park, is regarded as the jewel in the Gibb River Road’s crown, thanks to its cascading waterfalls and glassy swimming holes.

the waterfalls and swimming hole at Bell Gorge, King Leopold Conservation Park

Be amused at the spectacular waterfall in Bell Gorge. (Image: Amanda Tassone)

If the travel budget permits, take a scenic flight over the Kimberley’s rugged landscape. From Drysdale River Station, 60 kilometres north of the Gibb River Road, a scenic flight covers the mighty Mitchell Falls and the Prince Regent coast, which features giant clefts, gorges and waterfalls.

the Mitchell Falls in Kimberley

Mitchell Falls is a four-tiered natural wonder to behold. (Image: Tourism Australia)

If you can, stay at El Questro – where you’ll spend your days waterhole dipping, horse riding, fishing and sunset gazing. If you’ve got the coin, El Questro’s The Homestead offers a spot of luxury in the outback.

the El Questro Homestead in Kimberley

Go off-grid but keep it luxe at the El Questro Homestead. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Into red dirt country: Dampier Peninsula

In 2023, the 205-kilometre route between Broome and Cape Leveque was sealed, unlocking the remote Dampier Peninsula, where you can find pearl farms, pastoral stations and 71 Aboriginal communities.

The area was previously only accessible to 4WD vehicles able to tackle the 90 kilometres of sandy, corrugated track that would coat everything in red dirt. We reckon it’s time to plan a trip.

a 4WD vehicle driving along the red dirt in Cape Leveque

Drive the red dirt country from Broome to the remote Dampier Peninsula. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

How long?

The drive from Broome to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of the most popular attractions on the famous Cape Leveque Road, takes nearly three hours. Allow several days to explore the Dampier Peninsula.

the red dirt track along Cape Leveque Road

The iconic red dirt track along Cape Leveque Road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

What’s required?

A regular car will go the distance but to reach all the spots on the Dampier Peninsula it’s best to travel in a 4WD.

Must-see hotspots

Beagle Bay church and its Aboriginal community mark your first stop. Over 100 years old, the Germanic church interior is inset with thousands of pearl shells and the walls are painted in pastels.

two people visiting the Sacred Heart Church, Beagle Bay

The Beagle Bay Sacred Heart Church is famous for its mother-of-pearl shell altar. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is still in the same family that started it, several generations ago. The farm tour and sea safaris are definitely worth doing. Allow time for an excellent coffee and a dip in the pool beside the cafe.

an aerial view of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is located at the tip of the beautiful Dampier Peninsula. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Off the beaten track: Purnululu National Park

While driving from Kununurra to the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park isn’t easy or quick, it’s well worth the effort. Known for its incredible beehive-like formations, the Bungle Bungle Range has become a Kimberley icon. With heaps of gorges to explore, it’s easy to spend several days wandering around some of Mother Nature’s most dramatic creations.

stunning gorges and landscapes at Purnululu National Park

Purnululu National Park is home to stunning gorges and landscapes. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

How long?

Travelling between Kununurra and the Bungle Bungles takes around five hours if you follow the Great Northern Highway and turn off when you reach Purnululu National Park. The track into Purnululu is only 53 kilometres but it’s challenging, so it is recommended to drive at a slower pace.

an aerial view of The Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park

The Bungle Bungle Range is formed into a series of beehive-shaped cones. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

What’s required?

Due to its remote location, take plenty of water, a full tank of fuel and food. A high clearance 4WD is required to travel inside Purnululu National Park.

The Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park

Embark on a road trip to the astounding striped rock formations at The Bungle Bungle Range. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Must-see hot spots

Echidna Chasm is one of the best things to see in Purnululu National Park. Head off on a 2-kilometre return walk from Echidna towards the narrow gorge, where the width is only one metre wide in some places. Time your visit to the middle of the day to witness the ‘golden glow’ where sunlight directly hits the rock and creates an unforgettable light show.

Cathedral Gorge is not to be missed when visiting the park. This natural amphitheatre was created from water erosion over time and is staggering in size and beauty.

the stunning Cathedral Gorge in within the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park

Cathedral Gorge resembles a natural amphitheatre of red rock. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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6 reasons the best way to experience the Kimberley is by cruise

    By Kate Bettes
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    This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

    Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

    The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs.

    Adventure starts where the road ends.

    1. Discover Broome, and beyond

    Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

    At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

    If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures, screening since 1916.

    Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea.

    Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

    2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

    Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

    At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

    Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

    Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

    A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters.

    Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

    3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

    You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

    Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

    4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

    These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

    If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

    Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

    A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs.

    Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

    5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

    Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

    A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance.

    See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

    6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

    You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

    Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

    If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

    aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia

    Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

    Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com.