4 Beautiful Locations in the Kimberley to Include in Your Itinerary
The Kimberley region sits on the north-western edge of Australia and is known as one of the last wilderness frontiers on the planet. It covers over 420,000 square kilometres of land area, yet it is home to only a little over 50,000 people. Its rugged and unspoiled environment draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, attracted by the promise of isolated coastlines, fascinating landscapes, and rare flora and fauna. In this short guide, we’ll tell you about four awe-inspiring locations to see in this fascinating corner of Australia.
Trips for women in the Kimberley HERE
Cable Beach
Cable Beach in the Shire of Broome is one of the best places to start if you’re visiting The Kimberley for the first time. This 22-kilometre stretch of pristine white sand edged by clear turquoise water is hands-down one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and one of the more easily accessible areas in the region. In fact, plenty of Kimberley tours include a visit to this local attraction.
Luxury beachfront hotels have set up shop parallel to the shoreline to accommodate tourist crowds, and there are a number of diverse and unique experiences worth checking out in the area. Aside from swimming, water sports activities, and lounging, a popular tourist activity around these parts is renting a camel to explore the beach with. These camel rides are typically conducted at either sunrise or sunset. For something a little faster, 4WD vehicles are also permitted on Cable Beach past a designated area. Gantheaume Point is located on the southernmost tip of the beach and provides a great vantage point for photographs, as well as possible sightings of dolphins or whales during the migration season.
Various events are also held on Cable Beach throughout the year, and these include the Cable Beach polo and the Shinju Matsuri Long Table Dinner, make sure to check out the Shire of Broome’s official calendar for more information.
Purnululu National Park
This 2,397-square kilometre national park, commonly referred to as “the Bungle” or “the Bungle Bungles,” was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. Its informal name comes from the Bungle Bungle Range, which are beehive-like conical karst towers made of sandstone that take their iconic shape from unique depositional processes and millions of years of weathering. There are plenty of places to explore in the park, including the Cathedral Gorge, known for its fantastic acoustics, and Echidna Chasm, a narrow gorge that is popular among bushwalkers.
The easiest way to see the park is by taking a light aircraft out of Kununurra or Lake Argyle, or from a helicopter, available at Bellburn Airstrip. Those who wish to remain firmly on land can tour the park on a 4WD vehicle instead. There are two campgrounds on the premises, as well as a tented lodge.
Horizontal Falls
Nicknamed “the Horries,” the Horizontal Falls are less of a static attraction and more like a natural phenomenon that occurs through two narrow coastal gorges off the coast of the Kimberley. The intense tidal currents create a cascading visual effect as water builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other. With each change of the tide, the direction of the water flow reverses, creating tidal whirlpools that are a veritable sight to behold. In fact, it was even called “Australia’s most unusual natural wonder” by Sir David Attenborough, renowned broadcaster and natural historian. Local tour operators are happy to bring guests to the location. Cruise itineraries and seaplane tours are also available.
Rowley Shoals
The Rowley Shoals is a group of three coral atolls located about 260 kilometres west of the Shire of Broome, a hidden treasure of a marine environment that is the very definition of the word “pristine.” Novice and experienced divers alike are welcome, but a minimum of 10-20 logged dives are required to explore the shoals. Beneath the ocean’s surface, the biodiversity of the marine environment is unreal— over 200 coral species and 700 species of fish can be spotted here. The shoals are also under the protection of three marine parks, and liveaboard diving is the only way to explore them. Take note that booking your slot early is recommended, as only 200 divers per year are allowed into the location.
The Kimberley region is home to countless delights and hidden gems. It would take forever to list them all here! Though remote and difficult to access, the awe-inspiring sights more than make up for the effort you expend getting there, rewarding you with breathtaking beauty and meaningful experiences. Make sure to consider this region for your next holiday!
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