There’s an indescribable energy to the Kimberley, an intoxicating feeling that permeates your body the minute you set foot on its iconic fiery-red earth.
Fringed by contrasting azureous waters to the west and north, corrugated the way through by deep gorges and cave systems, and harbouring the world’s oldest surviving culture, the Kimberley is one of the most unique places on Earth.
It’s also one of the most sparsely populated, with some hundreds of kilometres separating towns. Charter flights connect many of them, but the only way to fully immerse yourself in the region’s wonders is to hit the road along the Kimberley Wilderness Loop .
The Loop takes you by the region’s most spectacular sites, including Fitzroy Crossing’s Danggu Geikie Gorge. (Image: Tourism WA)
Kicking off in the coastal town of Broome, two and a half hours from Perth by plane, The Loop takes you by the region’s most spectacular sites, including Fitzroy Crossing’s Danggu Geikie Gorge. There, you can spy sun-soaking freshwater crocodiles, brolgas and white-bellied sea eagles. Further to the east, there’s the other-worldly Wolfe Creek crater and the dramatic striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range. The trip wraps up on the state’s eastern border in Kununurra, where the lakes are the size of seas and the barramundi is plentiful.
The route is the first leg of the Savannah Way that links Broome to Cairns via the Northern Territory. There are intersects with the famed Gibb River Road, too. Its unsealed surface and remote nature are best left to experienced four-wheel drivers.
The route kicks off in the coastal town of Broome. (Image: Tourism WA)
Don’t Miss
At 880 metres across, Wolfe Creek Crater (known as Kandimalal to the Gija people) is the world’s second-largest meteor crater. The 300,000-year-old site is approximately four hours out of Halls Head along an unsealed road, so it’s best to allow a whole day for the detour. You can also trade the drive for a scenic flight departing from the town centre for a bird’s-eye view of the landmark and surrounding outback. The aerial tour begins with a fly-over of the crater before tracking north over Purnululu National Park .
Wolfe Creek Crater is the world’s second-largest meteor crater. (Image: Tourism WA, @aeroture_au)
First Nations
Tour the Mimbi Cave system with the Aboriginal owned and operated Mimbi Cave Tours . Carved out of the ancient fossilised reef over 350 million years, the gaping caves and crystal clear freshwater pools are all that remain of the Devonian Great Barrier Reef. The tour starts between the towering karst cliffs before entering the caves to see marine fossils, ochre-stained walls and ancient rock paintings. Along the way, your Gooniyandi guide will share their local Dreaming story and a bush tucker morning tea.
Tour the Mimbi Cave system. (Image: Tourism WA)
Did You Know?
The Bungle Bungle domes were known only to their traditional custodians until 1983, when a film crew ‘stumbled’ on them and brought them into the spotlight. In 1987, Purnululu National Park where the domes are located was declared a national park.
The Bungle Bungle domes were known only to their traditional custodians until 1983. (Image: Tourism WA)
Kimberley Wilderness Loop Route Details
Distance:
6943 kilometres
Duration:
Seven days one way, 13-16 return
When to visit:
The best time to visit the tropical North West is May to October. This coincides with the Warnka-mageny or Barndenyirriny seasons in Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng Country (Kununurra). On the Yawuru (Broome) calendar, it’s Wirralbulu, Barrgana and Wirlburu seasons. The days are clear, dry and a pleasant 30-35°C.
Getting there:
Qantas and Virgin fly Perth to Broome daily; Qantas flies seasonally from Melbourne and Sydney. 4WD hire from $210/day.
Monique Ceccato is a freelance travel writer and photographer hailing from Perth. Though she now spends most of her time overseas, WA's sandy beaches, jarrah forests and world-class food and wine scene will always feel like home.
From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.
Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.
From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.
Why Silversea?
Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.
Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.
Take a dip in the pool deck.
1. Koolama Bay
Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.
Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.
Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.
2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt
Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.
Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.
Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)
3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)
Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.
The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.
Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)
4. Horizontal Falls
Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.
With each tidal shift,the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.
Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)
5. Montgomery Reef
As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.
The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.
Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.
Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.
6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter
Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.
One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions, guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.
Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.
See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)
7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art
The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant
Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.
Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.
Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)
