Touring the Kimberley Region with a 4WD Vehicle

Savannah Way May Photo Credit: SavannahWay.com.au

The Kimberley Region is a remote and enchanting region in the northern section of Western Australia. The best way to see this beautiful and natural land is on a 4WD road trip. Two of the country’s top road trips take you right through the Kimberley region: The Gibb River Road and The Savannah Way.  Plan your road trip ahead of time. You will most likely want to make this drive during the dry season (May to October) since so much flooding (and rain) occurs during the wet season from November to April. Following these road trips will take you past some of the best scenic views and undiscovered country. You will need a four wheel drive or all-terrain vehicle to traverse the rugged landscape. Hire a 4WD vehicle from Budget Trucks Australia.

Kimberley Map Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The Kimberley Region covers the entire northern section of Western Australia to the Timor Sea on the north side, the Indian Ocean on the west side and the border to the Northern Territory on the east side. Within the Kimberley are the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts. Much of the land is protected by the various national parks in the Kimberley: Purunululu National Park, Mitchell Falls River National Park, Geikie Gorge National Park, Windjana National Park, Tunnel Creek National Park, Wolfe Creek Crater National Park, King Leopold Range National Park, and Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park. Other landmarks include the King Leopold Mountain Ranges, Fitzroy River, and the Ord River.

Points of Interest in the Kimberley

Cockburn Ranges and the Pentecost River Photo Credit: AustralianTraveller.com

The Gibb River Road, near Imintji Wilderness Camp Photo Credit: Tourism Western Australia

The Gibb River Road is one of Australia’s most iconic bush road trips. It takes you through the Kimberley from Kununurra on the Northern Territory border to Derby on the Indian Ocean coast.  The road was originally established in the 1960’s to transport cattle across the region. Today, it is used for scenic drive holidays and for access to the 6 national parks in the region. You will need to apply for a permit online to travel through parts of the region that are aboriginal territory including Balgo, Beagle Bay, Cape Leveque Road, Kalumburu, Mowanjum, and One Arm Point. It is easy to obtain and should not deter you from seeking out to learn about the different cultures and rich traditions and history of the original land owners of the Kimberley.

Purnululu National Park also known as the Bungles Bungles Photo Credit: WesternAustralia.com

The Bungle Bungle ranges of Purnululu National Park illustrate how remote and undiscovered this region is. This giant landmark covering 240,000 hectares was just discovered in 1983.  The unique dome shaped rock formations have been shaped by Earth’s elements over the last 350 million years. When you stop here, hiking and bush walking to the special locations in the park like Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm are a must.

Geikie Gorge Photo Credit: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au

The Fitzroy River has been carving out, shaping, and colouring Geikie Gorge for more than 350,000 years. Witnessing the impressive and dramatic steep walls of the gorge is quite an amazing sight. The colouration of the walls is thanks to the drastic rise and fall that happens between the wet and dry season.  When in Geikie Gorge National Park, visitors can take Fitzroy River cruises or go on an Aboriginal history tour. The Bunaba people have been living here for 30,000 years and they pass down their stories and history about the plants and animals that are unique to this area.

Mitchell Falls Photo Credit: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au

One of the most popular natural attractions in the Kimberly is Mitchell Falls in Mitchell River National Park.  Mitchell Falls is made up of a series of four waterfalls that descend down 80 km. The national park status protects this very important area of 115,300 hectares that is both biologically and culturally significant.

Boab Tree in Derby Photo Credit: DerbyTourism.com.au

The unique and easily recognisable Boab Tree is a symbol of the Kimberley region. When you travel through the Kimberley region and see the different desert and rugged terrain it is easy to forget that you are so close to the ocean. The town of Derby is right on the coast with beaches. It is also the oldest town in the Kimberley, established in 1883.

Cable Beach, Broome Camel Ride Tour Photo Credit: SavannahWay.com.au

Broome is located on the Coral Coast of Western Australia on the southwest corner of the Kimberley. It is one of Australia’s most famous beaches. Not for the surf and sun that might come to mind with many other locations across the country, but instead for camel rides on the beach, dinosaur footprints, and the staircase to the moon phenomenon. Broome is a unique locale and should not be mixed to add a whole lot of variety into your Kimberley drive holiday.