The Kimberley and Broome
The Kimberley and Broome
Kimberley attractions, Western Australia
Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park is the location of one of the world's most unusual geological formations. Thousands of huge beehive shaped mounds striped in orange and black make an astounding sight from the air. Ground access is open to four wheel drive only from April until the end of December, depending upon weather conditions. Rangers in the park hold informative slide presentations every second night and are available to offer advice and assistance.
Wolfe Creek Crater Meteorite Reserve features on of the world's largest meteorite craters, a massive 850 metres across which was apparently created when a meteorite weighing thousands of tonnes plunged to Earth over a million years ago. The Aboriginals have their own story about the formation of the crater. Halls Creek is the nearest centre and air and safari tours are available.
Bell Creek Gorge is open to travellers as early as possible each year until October and is one of the most magnificent in the Kimberley. Water cascades some 100 metres through a series of falls and pools and dramatic views are available from the cliff top. This is a perfect location for viewing native wildlife although access is restricted by seasonal conditions and during wet weather, the area is inaccessible. These attractions, however, can stille be enjoyed by plane or helicopter.
Prince Regent Nature Reserve is one of Australia's most isolated. In rugged sandstone and volcanic country, it protects many areas of scenic grandeur, over half the mammal and bird species found in the Kimberley and more than 500 species of plants. Spectacular attractions include King Cascade, Python Cliffs, Pitta Gorge, Mount Trafalga and the Prince Regent River.
Geikie National Park offers boat tours during the dry season which show off the sheer yellow, orange and grey gorge walls. This is one of the Kimberley's most popular and prominent attractions. Crocodiles abound and you may even sport sharks, sawfish and stingrays far from the ocean they inhabited millions of years ago. There is also a fascinating tour run by local Aboriginal people whose connection to the land goes back tot the Dreamtime.
Windjana Gorge is a spectacular area where you can see the full glory of 350 million year old Devonian reef rising above the floodplains. A 3.5km walk trail winds through the gorge displaying primeval life forms fossilised in the gorge walls, and an array of local flora and fauna.
Tunnel Creek National Park is an ancient cave system which was formed by water eroding its way through rock. You can wade the creek through 750 metres of cave to where it starts. This is an adventure in the dark. Carry a torch and wear sneakers!
Mitchell Falls captures the rugged beauty of the Kimberley and is breathtaking as it plunges over four sets of falls on its way to the ocean. Surrounding the falls are outstanding gorge landscapes which make this some of the most inaccessible wilderness in Australia.
Walcott Inlet features spectacular tidal currents, whirlpools, sandstone escarpments, gorges, fern banks, waterbird lagoons, lush pockets of rainforest and pools dotted with waterlillies. The Park is teeming with bird and animals life and there are many waterfalls, even in the dry weather, enhanced by fern banks and fig trees that cling to the sheer rock walls.
The Rowley Shoals atolls are a world famous diving destination with magnificent coral gardens, giant clams and large fish which astound visitors. Charters are available from Broome.
The Horizontal Falls are one of the most unusual sights in the Kimberley, loctated at Talbot Bay near Derby. The massive tides create a waterfall like phenomenon which can be viewed from the air. Air charters from Derby also include scenic tours of the wild coastline, Cockatoo and the Koolan Islands.
Cape Leveque offers pristine beaches and perfect swimming, snorkelling, diving and fishing spots. You can stay in beachside cabins among pandanus palms and go bushwalking or mudcrabbing with the Bardi people. The area is rich in Aboriginal culture. This is truly a paradise and only within a day's drive or a short flight from Broome.
