Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: North West Australia & The Kimberley
Western Australia is a vast territory. We had already spent 70 days exploring this Australian state and were about to disappear into the wilderness and rugged beauty of the immense Kimberley, the northern-most region in Australia. After departing Broome, our travel around Australia in 185 days took us to Derby and then across the stupendous Kimberley.
The Kimberley is world renowned for possessing large swaths of wilderness defined by rugged ranges, dramatic gorges, semi-arid savanna and a largely isolated coastline. It is in fact the true essence of Australia with jaw-dropping scenery and some of the best off-the-beaten track experiences that you will ever have. In a word The Kimberley is astonishing!
DAYS 142 & 143 – DERBY
Distance: From Broome 220kms
Where We Stayed: West Kimberley Lodge & Caravan Park, Derby
Cost: $38 per night powered site (2 night stay)
Caravan Park Facilities:
- Synthetic grass annexe area
- Coin Laundry
- Dog Friendly
- BBQ Area
- Walking distance to Supermarket
- Dump Point
Derby Wharf & Jetty
Local Attractions:
- Boab Prison Tree
- Myalls bore and cattle trough
- The Derby Wharf/Jetty
- Fishing and boating
- The Centenary Pavilion
- Wharfingers House Museum
- Old Derby Gaol
- Derby Pioneer Cemetery
- Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre
- Scenic flights to Horizontal Falls
HOT TIP: Make sure you check out some of the Boab trees around Derby and how the local indigenous Australians etch carvings into the large oval-shaped nuts off the trees. They make a great souvenir of the Kimberley.
DAY 144 – VICTORIA CROSSING
Distance: From Derby 258kms
Where We Stayed: RAAF Boab Quarry, Leopold Downs Road, King Leopold Ranges (54.8 kms north-west of Victoria Crossing)
Cost: FREE
Campground Facilities:
- Remote bush camping area
- Shade available
- Swimming hole
- Beautiful Boabs
- Dog Friendly
- Campfires allowed
Geikie Gorge Eco Cruise
Local Attractions:
- Victoria Crossing attractions
- Geikie Gorge cruise and walking trails
- Victoria River
- Explore Devonian Reef National Parks – Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek
HOT TIP: The eco-cruise down the Geikie Gorge was a big highlight where we saw plenty of freshwater crocs and birdlife.
DAY 145 – MARY POOL
Distance: From Victoria Crossing 180kms
Where We Stayed: Mary Pool Rest Area, Mary River, Mueller Ranges
Cost: FREE
Camping Area Facilities:
- Large camping area on the river
- Lots of shady trees
- Drop toilets
- Dog Friendly
- Campfire Pits
A giant Boab at a rest area along the roadside in The Kimberley
Local Attractions:
- Halls Creek 108 kms
- Bungle Bungles 256 kms
- Mueller Ranges spectacular scenery
- Fishing in the Mary River (not recommended to swim due to crocodiles)
- Bushwalking
HOT TIP: This free camping area was located in a wonderful bush setting along the Mary River where there were plenty of other campers. Places like these break up the trip across the Kimberley between Derby and Wyndham so that you’re not driving long distances.
DAYS 146 & 147 – BUNGLE BUNGLES
Distance: From Mary Pool 217 kms
Where We Stayed: Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, Mabel Downs Station
Cost: Camp site $15 per person per night (unpowered)
Caravan Park Facilities:
- True Kimberley bush experience
- Toilets & showers
- Powered sites available
- Dog Friendly and dog minding available
- Creekside sites available
- Tour booking facilities
- Community camp fire each evening
Entrance to Echidna Chasm walk
Local Attractions:
- Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungles 53 kms
- Scenic helicopter flights over the Bungle Bungles
- Bungle Bungles 4WD bus tours
- Bushwalking in Purnululu National Park
- Halls Creek 109kms
- Wyndham 150 kms
HOT TIP: The Bungle Bungles was an incredible day trip. I would recommend considering staying here a few days and camping in one of the campgrounds within Purnululu National Park, if you are equipped with appropriate camping gear.
DAYS 148 to 150 – WYNDHAM
Distance: From Bungle Bungles turnoff 150kms
Where We Stayed: Parry Creek Farm, Wyndham (20kms)
Cost: $37 per night powered site
Caravan Park Facilities:
- Hot showers & flushing toilets
- Restaurant and shop
- Creekside with lots of birdlife and a resident crocodile
- Coin laundry
- Camp Kitchen
- Campfire meals and live musical entertainment on set nights
- Grassy sites – some with shade
- Dog friendly
Five Rivers Lookout at Wyndham
Local Attractions:
- Wyndham attractions
- Barramundi fishing on King & Pentecost Rivers
- Access to Gibb River Road on day trips (30kms away)
- El Questro Station & Emma Gorge
- Ord River
- Fishing in Parry Creek
- Nature walks at Parry Creek
- Wetlands of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve
- Birdwatching
- Five Rivers Lookout on the Bastion Mountain
- Moochalabra Dam
- Aboriginal cave paintings
- Grotto Waterfall
HOT TIP: There is plenty to do and see in the area surrounding Wyndham. Make sure you take a day trip to Emma Gorge and El Questro Station – it is definitely worth the effort.
DAY 151 – KUNUNURRA
Distance: From Wyndham 101 kms
Where We Stayed: Lake Kununurra Big4 Caravan Park
Cost: $38 per night powered site
Caravan Park Facilities:
- Lakeside location
- Camp kitchen
- Large grassy sites
- Coin laundry
- Convenience store/kiosk
- BBQ
- In park boat ramp
- Dump point
- Dog friendly
- Lending library
- Swimming pool
Local Attractions:
- Fishing & boating
- Ord River cruise
- Mirima National Park
- Sandalwood Factory
- Hoochery Rum Distillery
- Day trip to Lake Argyle
- Check out the diamond shops in town
- Scenic flights over the Bungle Bungles
HOT TIP: Kununurra is a wonderful town with great shopping and services. Plus there is plenty to do in the surrounding area.
DAY 152 to 158 – LAKE ARGYLE
Distance: From Kununurra 70km
Where We Stayed: Lake Argyle Resort & Caravan Park
Cost: $44 per night powered site
Caravan Park Facilities:
- Shady & grassy sites
- Breathtaking views over the lake
- Large infinity pool
- Restaurant & Bar
- Shop
- Fuel
- BBQ areas
- Coin Laundry
- Camp Kitchens
- Dog Friendly
The Lake Argyle cruise boat
Local Attractions:
- Boating & fishing on Lake Argyle
- Ord River
- Drive across the spillway
- Lake Argyle cruise
- Bushwalking
- Scenic helicopter flights over the lake
- Swimming and sunbaking by the pool
- Canoeing on the Ord River
- Water skiing
- Visit Durack Homestead Museum
- Aboriginal cave paintings
- 4WD tours
- Seaplane flights
HOT TIP: Lake Argyle is an absolute must do on your travels through the Kimberley region. The Caravan Park is fabulous and has absolutely everything you need without having to drive into town.
Unfortunately our interlude with Western Australia was about to come to an end. Not far from Lake Argyle is the border crossing into the Northern Territory and that is where we were headed next. So stay tuned for the next instalment of our trip into the Territory.
Oh wow, what some memories you’ve brought back for me. Geikie Gorge, The Bungle Bungles, Wyndham, Kununurra and so much more. We did a 12 day glamping trip with Adventure Wild back in around 2012 and absolutely loved it. I’d love to go back and your wonderful post today has me champing at the bit. Loved your photos.
Thanks Jo. We were blown away by the rugged beauty of the Kimberley. Driving across it was an incredible experience and that is why we would like to go back and drive the Gibb River Road. Someday!!
Wonderful information! Thanks for the great information.
Yes I wish I’d had this information prior to embarking on our around Australia trip. It would have been invaluable. We learnt as we went!