Here's why people are drawn to the Kimberley: you'll lose yourself amongst massive gorges, swim in crystal-clear rock pools and thundering waterfalls carved over 2.5 billion years ago, and find yourself where the rock walls glow a magical red-orange in the afternoon sun. You’ll journey by 4WD to secluded thermal springs, where the stillness is so profound it takes city dwellers a moment to adjust - a rare kind of silence that invites you to slow down and fully immerse yourself in the enchantment of Western Australia.
Whilst weekend trips have their charm, the North West truly rewards travellers who commit to stay longer. We recommend staying at least 12 to 15 nights. This will allow you to fully immerse in the region’s sweeping landscapes, hidden gorges and tranquil rock pools.
And timing matters: the dry season, from April to October, unveils the North West at its most accessible and magical, with open roads, running tours and warm, golden days perfect for exploring. Outside these months, some roads close off for the season, tours pause and the heat deepens. It’s a reminder that this is a land best savoured slowly, on its own unhurried, magical rhythm.
Curious to find out more? Here's what you actually need to know. We have also created a free downloadable Travel Map and Planning Guide to help you on your travels!
1. Horizontal Falls: The Kimberley's Tidal Phenomenon
Let’s set the record straight: Horizontal Falls / Garaan-ngaddim isn’t actually a waterfall. It’s something far stranger, more spectacular and completely otherworldly.
Twice a day, the ocean attempts to push 10 metres of tidal change through two narrow gaps in the McLarty Range. The largest gap is just 20 metres wide. Nature, it seems, refuses to play by the usual rules - the water simply cannot flow through fast enough. Instead, it stacks up, leaving one side literally higher than the other, creating rapids and whirlpools that run… horizontally. Yes, horizontally.
In the 2002 BBC documentary, David Attenborough called it "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world". And you’ll wholeheartedly agree as you soar over in a seaplane and witness the full scope of the falls from above. The rust-red ranges, the impossible blue water and those two gaps where the water rushes through..png)
The experience typically unfolds like this. A seaplane from Broome / Rubibi carries you over the breathtaking Buccaneer Archipelago, a 60-minute flight worth the price alone, before landing on the water near the falls. You touch down on the water near the falls, where a jet boat waits to carry you closer. As the skipper eases toward the rushing tides, there’s a moment of anticipation, then a magical surge through the rapids, spray catching the light, before the water smooths and stillness returns. You turn, repeat the dance from the other side, and drift away with the feeling that you’ve just taken part in something quietly wild, wondrous, and impossible to forget.
Some operators offer overnight stays at Talbot Bay. The phenomenon changes dramatically depending on whether the tide's coming in or going out. By staying overnight, it means you get to witness both. Plus, you get the bay to yourself after the day-trippers depart and experience the magic of the night sky's canopy of stars.
Pro Tip: Horizontal Falls is accessible only by air or by sea. There are no roads into this corner of the Kimberley, with most tours departing from Broome, around 250 kilometres away. The operating season runs from April to October, when conditions are at their best and the region opens itself to exploration.
Experiences here sit firmly in premium territory, reflecting the logistics of scenic flights, specialised vessels and otherworldly landscapes. Allow at least a full day, or overnight if your budget allows, to fully absorb the scale and wonder of the place. Tours are intentionally small, typically capped at 10 to 15 guests, so booking ahead is essential.
Check out our 13 Day Escorted Jewels of the Kimberley Package!
2. El Questro: Where Luxury Meets Outback
El Questro achieves something truly rare: it's both deeply secluded and surprisingly comfortable, depending on how much you want to spend. This million-acre cattle station turned wilderness park offers three distinct accommodation styles within the same vast landscape. From budget friendly camping and character filled safari cabins to the exclusive Homestead, where just 18 guests enjoy refined, 5 star comfort surrounded by untamed wilderness, El Questro invites every traveller to find their own way to immerse themselves in the magic of the Kimberley.
Emma Gorge is the showpiece. The walk takes 45 minutes, winding through lush vegetation that shouldn't exist in this red-earth landscape, following a creek that quietly hints at what lies ahead. You round the final corner to reveal a 65-metre waterfall cascading into a thermal pool, framed by towering red cliffs. Swim toward the falling water, feel the mist on your face, look up at those ancient walls rising around you, and realise you are standing inside a moment that feels utterly surreal and beautifully otherworldly.
Zebedee Springs offers a completely different kind of enchantment. Natural hot springs warmed to around 32°C, are nestled among Livistona palms and paperbarks, creating an unexpected tropical oasis in the heart of the outback. There is an unspoken rhythm to the place. Zebedee Springs is open to general visitors from 7 am to noon, and exclusively to Homestead guests in the afternoons.
Reaching El Questro Gorge is an adventure in itself. The journey begins with a crossing of the Pentecost River, an experience that feels daring the first time as you drive straight through flowing water! The gorge itself rewards those who hike to the upper pools with swimming holes that see far fewer visitors than Emma Gorge's Instagram-famous waterfall.
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The Chamberlain Gorge Cruise is the gentler introduction to El Questro, gliding along in a flat-bottom boat between towering red cliffs as guides share stories of the geological forces that shaped this dramatic landscape. It is particularly enchanting at sunset, when the rock walls glow deep orange-gold, reflecting against the still water.
Pro Tip: El Questro sits 110km from Kununurra / Goonoonoorrang. The final 60km is rough - you need a 4WD, not an SUV with 4WD function. We mean an actual high-clearance 4WD. The park opens from May to October as the wet season renders it inaccessible.
We recommend booking accommodation 6 to 12 months ahead if you want the Homestead, 3 to 6 months for the Station. Camping has more availability, but you'll need to bring everything as the Station store covers basics only.
Note that there is zero mobile reception throughout the park. To fully experience its wonders, stay for at least 3 to 5 nights. Otherwise, you risk only scratching the surface.
Explore our Kimberley Packages including 3 Nights at El Questro Emma Gorge or 5 Nights at El Questro Homestead
3. Lake Argyle & Kununurra: Gateway to the East Kimberley
So, you might be thinking, “Lake Argyle doesn’t sound particularly exciting on paper. It’s a reservoir. Man-made.” Fair enough. But when the Ord River was dammed in 1972 to support irrigation, this engineering feat gave rise to something truly extraordinary.
Holding 18 times the volume of Sydney Harbour, Lake Argyle is best experienced from the water. A sunset cruise reveals the scale of the lake, with former valleys now rising as islands. The landscape is more reminiscent of a Mediterranean archipelago than an outback reservoir! You’ll be mesmerised by the colours as the water reflects the changing sky, from burnt orange shifting to pink, then to deep purple. With a variety of native fauna, fish and rock wallabies to more than 240 species of birds, it is unexpectedly peaceful.
Kununurra functions as the practical hub. This is where you stock up on supplies, collect your 4WD rental and probably eat the first fresh salad you've had in days if you're coming from deeper in the Kimberley. The town sits on the Ord River and opens the doors to the regions delights. Local markets offer mangoes so sweet they redefine fruit forever, and attractions such as the Celebrity Tree Park add quirky charm. The surrounding green irrigation area is a vivid contrast to the rugged Kimberley landscapes nearby.
Pro Tip: Kununurra is accessible year-round via sealed roads: 1,050km from Broome or 500km from Darwin. Lake Argyle sits 70km south of town. Most visitors base themselves here for 1 to 2 nights, using it as a jumping-off point for El Questro or the Bungle Bungle Range. Accommodation ranges from caravan parks to proper resort hotels and sunset cruises on the lake are popular, so booking ahead is recommended. The town has reliable mobile reception (enjoy it while it lasts), full services and an airport connecting to Perth and Darwin.
See our 5 Night Kununurra and Lake Argyle Self-Drive Package!
4. The Bungle Bungle Range / Purnululu NP: Beehive-Striped Domes
The Bungle Bungle Range presents this paradox: they're one of Australia's most iconic landscapes, instantly recognisable, yet remarkably few travellers ever step foot here.
Part of Purnululu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonder, the range is famous for its beehive-shaped domes striped in orange and grey. The striping comes from sandstone layers with different algae content, formed over 350 million years. The formations are genuinely unique - nowhere else on Earth looks like this.
Most visitors take to the skies to experience the Bungle Bungle Range via a scenic flight from Kununurra. The 2 to 3 hours in the air offers the iconic aerial perspective, revealing the full scope of the domes, their patterns, textures and the surrounding outback landscapes.
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For those who do drive in, Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm are the must-see highlights. Cathedral Gorge has a natural amphitheatre with incredible acoustics. People whisper just to hear the echo bounce back. Echidna Chasm is where towering walls close in overhead, filtering sunlight into dazzling slot canyon effects. Both walks are relatively short (1 to 2km return) but on sandy tracks that require reasonable fitness.
The Kija and Jaru people knew this country as Purnululu and it carries deep significance in Aboriginal culture. Ranger-guided walks provide cultural context, transforming the domes from geological curiosities into sacred, living landscapes.
Pro Tip: The Bungle Bungle Range is 250km from Kununurra, with the final 53km requiring proper 4WD on rough tracks. Allow about 2 to 3 hours of careful driving for that section alone. The national park is open April to December only. Accommodation inside the park is camping only, and visitors bring all their own supplies. Most visitors either fly in (scenic flights from Kununurra or Halls Creek) or plan a road trip with multi-day camping stops along the way. If you're driving, a high-clearance 4WD is non-negotiable, and a comprehensive insurance policy is worth every cent of the premium.
Explore our WA Escorted Touring Packages!
5. Broome: Your Kimberley Gateway
Broome is the Kimberley's unofficial capital, where sealed roads, regular flights and reliable mobile reception converge. It's where most Kimberley adventures start or finish, offering a gentle introduction before heading out on your journey, or the perfect place to decompress afterwards.
Cable Beach delivers exactly what it promises; 22km of white sand meeting absurdly blue water, backed by red cliffs that glow at sunset. Sunset camel rides may feel clichéd, but are irresistibly romantic and for good reason.
Between March and November, Broome offers the Staircase to the Moon - a natural optical illusion where a full moon rising over Roebuck Bay's / Yawuru Nagulagun's exposed mudflats creating the appearance of a golden staircase. The monthly night markets coincide with viewing nights, creating a festival atmosphere with food stalls, local art and live music.
Broome's pearling history is woven into the town, from showrooms and historic luggers in the harbour to the Japanese Cemetery, which tells the story of the multicultural industry that shaped this historical port.
Pro Tip: Broome sits 2,200km from Perth and is a 2.5-hour flight. Most visitors spend 3 nights here. The town has full services, accommodation ranging from cabins to luxury resorts, and an airport with daily Perth connections. Broome is the main departure point for Horizontal Falls tours and Kimberley cruise expeditions.
Read about everything you need to know about Staircase to the Moon, Broome, including dates when it appears next!
Discover our Kimberley Cruising or our Broome Packages
Frequently Asked Questions about Australia’s North West
Australia’s North West isn't a casual addition to a Perth city break. Access, logistics and seasonal constraints require proper planning. Here's what you need to know before you go.
How long do you need to explore Australia’s North West?
Longer than you might think. While it's technically possible to "see" the major destinations in 8 nights, you'll spend more time in vehicles than experiencing places. Most travellers find 12 to 15 nights provides the rhythm this landscape deserves - time to swim in multiple gorges, watch a few sunsets without checking your watch and not feel like you're racing to tick boxes.
When is the best time to visit Australia’s North West?
April to October is the dry season, offering accessible roads, operational tours and temperatures ranging from 30-35°C. November through March brings the wet season: roads close, tours cease, temperatures push into mid-40s, and exploring becomes difficult and potentially unsafe.
The sweet spots are April-May (shoulder season, fewer crowds, still excellent weather) and September-October (wildflowers appearing, slightly cooler, not yet peak season). June-August is peak season with perfect weather but higher prices and more people at popular gorges.
Self-drive or fly between destinations?
Your transport choice dramatically affects the experience and budget. Self-driving provides flexibility and lets you stop at places between major destinations. But it requires:
- A high-clearance 4WD for anything beyond the sealed Broome-Kununurra route
- Comfort with outback driving (200km between fuel stops, limited to zero mobile reception, corrugated roads causing bumpy journeys)
- Time (Broome to Kununurra is 1,050km - that's a full day of driving)
- Comprehensive insurance (undercarriage damage is common and excess costs add up)
Flying between hubs (Broome to Kununurra to Karijini's nearest airport - Paraburdoo Regional Airport) saves time but costs more and limits your ability to explore between destinations. Many travellers do a combination: fly to Broome, hire a 4WD for El Questro and surrounds, fly to Karijini, then either return to Perth by air or drive southbound along the Coral Coast Highway.
What about Kimberley cruises?
Small ship expedition cruising offers completely different access to the Kimberley - coastal gorges, horizontal waterfalls and ancient rock art sites that overlanders never reach. Most cruises depart from Broome and run for 7-10 nights. While you won't see Karijini (it's inland), you'll experience the Kimberley coastline that's otherwise inaccessible.
Plan your North West or Kimberley adventure with BKB Holidays
Australia’s North West, including the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, isn’t for the faint-hearted but for true adventurers. Sure, there are rugged gorges to scramble and stretches of red earth to explore but it’s also a place to unwind. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a slower, more relaxed pace, there’s something for everyone: scenic cruises along pristine waterways, “flop and drop” stays in Broome, or simply soaking in the vast, awe-inspiring landscapes. Phone reception might disappear, but so does the stress, and that’s when the magic truly begins.
You'll swim in pools that redefine what water can look like. You'll see waterfalls that seem to defy physics. You'll watch sunsets over landscapes that resemble Mars on a good day. You'll experience silence so complete, you notice your own heartbeat. You’ll connect with nature in ways you didn’t know you could and you'll go home with stories that make your friends start researching flights.
Let BKB Holidays handle the logistics so you can focus on the wonder:
✓ Curated itineraries combining the best destinations
✓ Accommodation secured in limited-availability locations
✓ 4WD rentals and logistics sorted
Browse our Exclusive Western Australia Packages!
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