A few words to describe our Kimberley road trip – Ultimate, fun-filled, off-road adventure!!!
We spent 2 weeks with limited phone service while camping under the stars in a roof top tent, travelling around in a Red Dirt 200 series land cruiser. We explored breath taking gorges and heritage listed national parks. Hiked rock formations that are over 300 million years old. Drove across legendary rough roads, crossed rapid river crossings. Watched fresh water crocodiles sun bake, went swimming in one of Australia’s biggest man made lake and learnt all about the Kimberley region.
This is our 2 week Kimberley road trip itinerary which includes travelling on the Gibb River Road before finishing the trip back in Broome. All the incredible places we visited, best things to do, where we stayed, camp site costs, travel distance and tones of photos to inspire you to do a road trip through the Kimberley in Western Australia.
Red Dirt Rentals
Now before we tell you more about our Kimberley road trip its essential that you travel in Four wheel drive when exploring the Kimberley region. We decided to hire a 4WD through Crikey Campers which supplied us with a 200 series land cruiser from Red dirt rentals. The landcruiser came with a pop up tent, fridge, fold out table, 2 chairs, cooking utensils, 2 cookers and bed linen. Having the pop up tent was super convenient especially in the heat. All we had to do was open the latches, pop it up and the automatic gas struts would do the rest. We could not have imagined trying to pitch a tent in 40 degree heat.
Setting everything else up was a breeze. There was plenty of room in the back of the car for the chairs, tables, fridge, wooden sliding shelves to fit all our food, utensils and cooking equipment.
Book your 4WD adventure with Red Dirt Rentals and Crikey Campers here.
Day 1. Broome to Windjana Gorge stopping at Tunnel Creek
Travel time: 460 km- 5 hours
Once you have picked up your vehicle visit the local supermarkets and grab all the essentials that you will need. Lots of water, canned food, toiletries, cold food, bread, fruit, vegetables, muesli bars, sun screen, mosquito spray, fly repellent ect.
Now it’s time to set off from Broome to Windjana Gorge National Park. The drive to Windjana takes about 5 hours and the last 2 hours of that trip will turn into a corrugated road. Remember to drive slow and watch out for wild animals.
Tunnel Creek National Park
On the way stop at Tunnel Creek National Park. Walk through the incredible limestone caves of Tunnel Creek that were once part of an ancient Devonian reef system.
Make sure to take a torch with you so you can walk through the 750 meter tunnel and appreciate cave, bats and shallow creeks. Be sure to look out for the fresh water crocodiles – don’t worry they are more scared of you. When you reach the furtherest end you will come to an opening of the cave where natural light comes in. This is the best part.
Next, make the drive to Windjana Gorge Campsite. If its dark by the time you arrive at the camp site you can do the hike for sunrise which in our opinion is the best time to see it.
Camping: Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) Adult: $17 Park Entry fee: $15.00 total= $49
Depending on the time of the year make yourself a fire and get those marshmallows out. The campsite has only un powered sites but has flushable toilets, drinking water, wooden tables, fire pits and showers.
You can book online here otherwise there is a letter box where you can put an envelope with cash inside.
Day 2. Windjana Gorge to Silent Grove
Travel time: 136 km- 2 hours
Rise early and make your way to Windjana Gorge walk to watch the sunrise. Follow the gorge walk trail and see how many freshwater crocodiles you can see. We counted 5 on the banks. Unfortunately swimming is not recommended here and if you see a crocodile don’t panic. They are harmless and will run into the water before you can get to close.
The Time Walk trail is an easy but spectacular two kilometre return bush walk through Windjana Gorge. Discover a devonian reef gorge system which is unlike any other in the Kimberley and keep an eye out for fresh water crocodiles and flocks of corellas.
Return back to the campsite to have breakfast and freshen up before the 137 kilometre drive to the next destination.
The next destination ‘Bell Gorge’ is regarded as the jewel in the Gibb River Roads crown. The Silent Grove Camp site is located only 10km away from the gorge. The camp ground has showers, flushing toilets and drinking water.
Camping: Silent Grove Campsite Adult: $17 total: $34 Book online here.
Day 3. Bell Gorge to Kunnunura
Travel time: 527 km – 7 hours
We would recommend starting the trail before sunrise for the best photos and to have the gorge to yourself. The trail to the start of the waterfall only takes about 30 minutes. The 3 level waterfall is surrounded by red rock walls. Carefully walk down to the bottom of the waterfall for a swim in the main pool or see if you can spot a rock wallaby.
This was a highlight on our Kimberley road trip and one you shouldn’t miss.
The drive to Kunnunura along the Gibb River Road takes about 5-6 hours so starting early does help.
If you have the time check out the Manning Gorge, Mount Elizabeth Station, Adcock Gorge and Galvans Gorge. Unfortunately due to covid Manning Gorge and El Questro. We were unable to visit and couldn’t include them on our Kimberley Road trip guide. We hope that if you are planning to visit these will be open to you. Its just more reason to go back and do a road trip through the Kimberley agin another time!
Make sure to stop in at Mount Barnett Roadhouse for fuel and stock up on any supplies you might need because this is the longest remote drive on your Kimberley Road trip. Fill up your tank as this is the last fuel station on the entire 400 kilometre stretches to Kununurra.
Gibb River Road
Your now driving on the legendary Gibb River Road, congratulations!! One of australia’s most well know outback roads, Gibb River road spans over 660 km of unsealed road, travelling through floodplains and rugged gorge country.
The road isn’t as bad as what we were expecting due to it being graded only a few months ago. Enjoy the view as you drive through a variety of landscapes, flat desert like plains, green fields of trees and rugged rocky escarpments.
Once you arrive in Kununurra you might just want to relax at the caravan park after a long day of driving. If not drive around the town and grab a bite to eat.
Camping: Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort Free (Arranged by Red Dirt Rentas) Check out prices here.
Day 4. Kunnunura to Lake Argyle
Travel time: 91 km – 1 hour
Kununura is set amongst some of the Kimberley’s most stunning landscapes and on the banks of the Kimberley’s major waterways- ‘The Ord River’. Kununurra is a hub for touring options to the regions outstanding natural attractions. Here is a great place to stock up on fuel, water, food and any extras you might need.
If your feeling adventurous head over to Mirima National Park which is like a mini Bungle Bungles. Entry into the national park cost $15 but there is parking sites outside of the park that are free, you just have to walk longer.
If you have bit of time we would recommend a visit to the Sandalwood factory and eat at their well known cafe for delicious vegan breakfast (and non vegan) and coffee. After drive to the famous Ivanhoe Crossing and watch the locals fish and all the cars crossing.
Next make your way to Lake Argyle Caravan Park which is only 90 kms south. Lake Argyle is one of the biggest man made lakes in the Southern Hemisphere. At its peak in the wet season it can hold staggering 10.7 billion cube metres of water. Thats more than 21 times the size of the Sydney Harbour! As soon as you check in jump in the pool and watch the sunset.
Lake Argyle Caravan Park
What a great location the Lake Argyle caravan park is and what makes this place most popular is the lake side infinity pool. With Un interrupted views of Lake Argyle and the infinity pool- this is the most luxuries camp site on your Kimberley road trip so make the most of it!
For sunset walk down to the famous infinity pool or have a picnic on the grass over looking Lake Argyle. Whats great about Lake Argyle Caravan park is that there is a kitchen and bar so if you want to have a night off cooking be sure to head down there.
We spent the next 2 nights at Lake Argyle Caravan Park
Camping: Lake Argyle Caravan Park Powered site fee $11, Adult $18.50 total = $48. Book online here.
Day 5. Lake Argyle
For breakfast make your way down to the grass area that over looks Lake Argyle then jump in the pool to give you a refreshing wake up. The view really is incredible isn’t it?
Are you ready for an exciting day exploring Lake Argyle? Jump in the car and go for a self drive down past the man made rock bridge to the picnic area. Explore a network of trails or head to Bluff Lookout walk.
Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise
A Kimberley Durak Sunset Cruise is a must do when visiting Lake Argyle. Enjoy cold refreshment and snacks while one the humours staff members fill you in on all the history about the Lake. Did you know that Lake Argyle has more than 70 islands and is a marine and wildlife paradise?
Get up close with crocodiles, birds and wallaroos and just before sunset the boat stops so everyone can jump in for a nice warm bath. While in the water you are given a noodle to help you stay afloat while enjoying a cold beer or wine. Once the sunset has gone down enjoy a few more glasses of wine or beer and watch the sky change tones of pink, orange and red.
Book your Kimberley Durak Sunset Cruise for $95 here.
Camping : Staying again at Lake Argyle Caravan Park. Powered site fee $11, Adult $18.50 total = $48.
Day 6. Lake Argyle to Purnululu National Park
Travel time: 361 km – 4.5 hours
Pack up early, jump in the pool once last time and say Goodbye to Lake Argyle before driving about 5 hours south to Purnululu National Park.
Entry into the Purnululu National park from the Great Northern Highways requires a 4WD and the 52 kilometre journey takes about 1-2 hours on the rough unsealed road.
Purnululu National park also known as the Bungle Bungle range is a World Heritage Site that covers and area of 239,723 hectares. The Bungle Bungle Range which includes an extraordinary array of banded sandstone domes covers 45,000 hectare of the park. These dramatically sculptured natural formations are unrivalled in their scale, grandeur and diversity of from any where in the world. Crazy right?
The Bungle Bungle range is renown for its striking banded domes, they are made from sandstone deposited about 360 million years ago. Erosion by creeks, rivers and weathering in the past 20 million years has carved out these domes along with spectacular chasms and gorges.
It can take over 1 hour to drive from one side to the other. There are 2 camp grounds located inside the National Park. One is Karajong located on the north west side near Echidna Chasm. The other camp ground is Walardi camp ground in south west side near Picaninny. You could spend a night at both sides to minimise driving and to get the most out of the time there.
Kurrajong Campground
Depending on what time you arrive into the National Park the option of where to explore is up to you. Make sure if you haven’t booked and paid online to stop at the visiter center to pay and have a look at all the information regarding the park. Due to covid only Kurrajong Campground was open so we spent our 2 nights there.
Camping: Karajong Camp Adult $13.00 + Park Entry fee: $15.00 total= $41
Kurrajong Campground is located approximately 7 kilometres north of the Visitor Centre, in the direction of the Echidna Chasm. The camp ground has toilets, tap water and a few wooded tables. No showers and generators are not permitted. Kurrajong also has a sunset lookout signposted from the campground.
Day 7. Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
Have a full day exploring the hidden gorges, palm tree oasis and chasms that stretch out for kilometres. You can understand why Purnululu National park is known as one of the most fascinating geological landmarks in the world.
Wake up before sunrise and drive to the southern end to Cathedral Gorge. As you drive down and watch the sun rise the golden light shines over the famous orange and black striped domes that stand 300 meters above the spinifex covered plains. These domes are only found in this area of the Bungle Bungles. This is the best side for sunrise.
Cathedral Gorge
Start your morning with the short 2km round trip walk to Cathedral Gorge. The trail takes you through the bee hive shaped domes and a small dried out gorge, heading down between to walls of rock before opening up as a natural amphitheater. Water funelling through here in wet season has created a huge amphiteatre of red rock with a pool of water in the middle. Make sure to bring a wide angle lens to capture the whole of Cathedral Gorge.
There are a number of trails ranging in length and class in the same area. They are Piccaninny gorge trek, Piccaninny creek lookout, the Window, Whip snake gorge and the short dome walk.
Echidna Chasm
Once you have explored all of this southern area make the 65 minute drive up northwards along the Western Wall of the Bungle Bungle Range where you will find Echidna Plasm.
Echidna Chasm is best experienced around 11am when the sun is perfectly positioned and the light shines down iluminating the golden yellow walls. The walk is breathtaking as you cross dried out river beds and into an oasis of palm trees! Gazing skywards to the bright blue sky, the orange towering walls look as if they are lit from within. Livistona palm trees cling to the vertical sides and you instantly feel like your on set of a Tomb raider movie. Echidna Chasm is definitely the highlight of the park!
There are a number of things to see in this area like the Osmand lookout, Blackwoods lockout, Mini Palms gorge, homestead valley and Stone Henge.
Camping: Karajong Camp Adult $13.00 Total $26
Day 8. Purnululu to RAFF Boab Quarry.
Travel time: 492 km – 5.5 hours
Early morning departure today as you have a big drive ahead to make your way back closer to the last destination-Cape Leveque.
On the way drive through Halls Creek and Fitzroy crossing. If you have time visit Geiki Gorge National Park where there are a number of trails or take a boat cruise down into the gorge.
The drive to the last destination Cape Leveque is going to take about 12 hours which is far to long to drive. We were told about a free bush camp in an old quarry hidden in the King Leopold Ranges.
RAAF Boab Quarry
RAAF Boab Quarry is a large old quarry that has been turned into a free gravel campground. There is some shade there and plenty of room for large rigs. When we arrived we were the only ones so we were free to drive around and find the best spot.
Up on one of the hills with a view of the quarry, tucked within some rocks we found our ideal campsite and our favourite camp site this whole trip! There was already a fire pit made from rocks from previous campers. We loved being surrounded by nothing but ruggard rock, boab trees and a few wild cows.
Camping: RAFF Boab Quarry FREE
Day 9. Boab Quarry to Cape Leveque.
Travel time: 552 km – 6 hours
Watch the sunrise over the quarry and snaps some photos with the beautiful boab trees as you make your way back out and onto the Great Northern Highway.
The drive to Cape Leveque will take about 6 hours and is mostly bitumen road. The last few kilometres that make up the 200 km Dampier Peninsular is red dirt that has ben graded.
On the way stop at Willare Roadhouse for a coffee, fuel and some hot chips.
As you notice a change of landscape you become more excited to discover the unique coastal and cultural area of Dampier Penisular. Where the outback meets the ocean, striking contrast of Pindan cliffs, white sandy beaches, and turquiose water. Home to the local Bardi and Nyul Nyul people.
Kooljamin at Cape Leveque is a unique wilderness camp which is surrounded by a range of natural wonders. The amazing wildlife, the vast array of marine life and the stunning coastline makes this a truly unique experience.
Take a stroll down to the secluded beaches and jump in the clear turquiose water. There are great snorkelling beaches just around the corner. Make you way back to the sunset side, take down a picnic, snacks and some wine and enjoy the sunset.
Camping: Kooljamin powered site $55 per night twin share. Book online here.
Kooljamin offers a range of different accommodation types including safari tents, ensuite cabins, log cabins, beach camping shelters, powered and unpowered sites.
There are showers, toilets and a shared kitchen in the camping area. A restaurant onsite that serves breakfast and lunch.
Day 10. Cape Leveque
Time to go exploring the area, visit Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm at Cygnet Bay, call into Beagles Bay secret heart church built by local Aboriginal people and the Pallotine monks in 1917, book a scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago and the Horizontal Falls. Learn about the history and contempt lifestyle with local Aboriginal guides, take a guided sea kayaking and snorkel tour or just relax on the beach.
For sunset head back down to the beach in front of Kooljamin for one last glance at the incredible coastline. It is the perfect time to reflect on the epic adventure through the Kimberley that you have just completed!
Camping: Kooljamin $55 per night twin share. Book online here.
Day 11. Cape Leveque to Broome
Travel time: 210 km – 2.5 hours
I bet these last 2 nights of listening to the ocean and the breeze was just what you needed to finish off the road trip through the Kimberley.
On the way back down to Broome pull into James Price Point and follow the 4WD track that hugs the rugged Pindan red cliffs the view is amazing. James Price Point is full of amazing FREE camping spots and we said if we were to come back we would definitely spend a night or 2 there. After you have dropped off the Red Dirt Rental and finished the checkout process its time to explore Broome!
Day 11-13. Broome- the end of the Kimberley road trip!
The fun hasn’t stopped just yet, Broome once was a sleepy town it still retains its unique character, charm and laid back vibe. Broome can be as relaxing or adventurous as you like. A tropical oasis of striking contrast of colours, beautiful white beaches, turquoise water, vibrant red cliffs, rich Aboriginal heritage and intense aromas of Asian cooking.
We spent our last 2 nights in Broome, one night Chinatown at Roebuck Bay Hotel in the heart of town and the last night at Beaches of Broome, Cable beach side.
To get around Broome there is regular bus services and taxi services. If you have a few days in Broome and want to get out and about we would recommend hiring a small car. We hired a small car from Avis at the airport for under 100 a day.
Below are our favourite things to do while in Broome!
Chinatown
The historic and charming Chinatown area is centred around Carnarvon and Dampier Street. Walk around the variety of restaurants, healthy cafes, pearl showrooms and Sun Pictures- the oldest operating outdoor picture garden in the world.
Cable Beach
Explore the pristine 22km stretches of white sandy beach and turquoise water known as Cable Beach. Take a stroll along the beach, watch the camel rides while the sun is setting, drive along the beach, indulge in an amazing feed at Zanders restaurant.
Town Beach
Check out the local Town Beach and if your lucky enjoy the incredible view of the natural phenomenon ‘Staircase to the moon’.
Matsos Brewery
Sample award winning beers at Matsos Brewery and soak up the atmosphere of a micro brewery housed in a building more than a century old.
Roebuck Bay
Visit the Roebuck Bay Lookout at the end of Dampier Terrace in Chinatown for views across the turquoise water and red sand. Go on a Roebuck cruise to see the marine life and the incredibly rare Snubfin Dolphin.
Gantheaume Point
At the Southern end of Cable Beach discover the coastal vistas and spectacular red cliffs of Gantheaume Point. See if you can find the dinosaur footprints at low tide or take a dip in a rock pool. Go on a scenic flight with Horizontal Falls Sea plane adventures or Go Horizontal Falls tours
That concludes our Kimberley road trip guide. We hope this blog has given you the itch to head up north on a road trip adventure. The Kimberley’s perfect weather, remarkable landscapes, unique and ancient natural attractions, spectacular gorges, waterfalls and laid back lifestyle make it one of Australia’s favourite road trip holiday destinations.
Want to read more about road trips in Australia? Check out our Best places to visit in South Australia guide, Western Australia South West road trip guide or Why you need to visit Tasmania- A 2 week itinerary
Thank you for reading our guide to travelling through the Kimberley region in Western Australia. We hope you find this blog helpful and that it has inspired you to visit the Kimberley. You won’t regret it.
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