Welcome to the Kimberley – where Western Australia gets really wild.
Deserts, gorges, rainforests, untouched coastline. Hordes of camels, herds of buffalo, packs of dingoes, flocks of jabirus. The prints of dinosaurs stamped along the Dampier Peninsula, and First Nations rock paintings on the walls of ancient caves. An adventure through the Kimberley is an adventure through one of Australia’s wildest, most remote regions. Discover the impressive boulders and jaw-dropping chasms of the Bungles Bungles, hike through red rock gorges to epic tiered waterfalls, discover hidden freshwater springs in El Questro, and listen to First Nations Dreaming stories to learn about the cultural significance of these remarkable landscapes. This often overlooked part of the outback is waiting for you to explore.
Cyber Sale: Up to 20% off* 2024 trips
Take your pick from over 800 adventures on sale. Get in quick to lock in your travel plans for less. Ends 4th December.
Terms & ConditionsOur Kimberley trips
5 Days
From
1295
Explore the unique landscape of the Bungle Bungles and learn about the creation-time in...
10 Days
From
2100
Travel from Broome to Darwin through the Australian Outback. See Dimalurru (Tunnel...
10 Days
From
2100
From Darwin to Broome, you’ll camp in the Australian Outback, explore Lake Argyle,...
10 Days
From
1855
Travel from Broome to Perth, visiting Cygnet Bay, Eighty Mile Beach, The Pilbara,...
10 Days
From
1855
Travel from Perth to Broome, visiting Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, Shell Beach, Exmouth,...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
5 Days
Explore the best of the Kimberly on a five-day Top End family adventure with Intrepid....
11 Days
From
2600
Get wild on a 11-day tour through the Kimberley region from Broome to Broome, including...
14 Days
From
3340
Discover the wonders of Australia’s Kimberley region on a 14-day adventure through the...
10 Days
From
2475
Join this Kimberley adventure for 12 days of camping, walking and four-wheel driving...
13 Days
From
3340
Get wild on a 13-day tour through the Kimberley region from Broome to Broome, including...
2 Days
From
680
Travel to Broome and discover the coastal wonders of the Kimberley. Tour Cygnet Bay...
Kimberley highlights
Cruise along Geikie Gorge
Flanked by the Geikie and Oscar ranges and carved by the Fitzroy River through an ancient limestone barrier reef, the Geikie Gorge is nothing short of spectacular. Join a local park ranger on a guided cruise through this awe-inspiring place while learning about its intriguing geology and cultural significance for the Traditional Custodians, the Bunuba people. Make sure your eyes (and camera) are ready to spot native wildlife along the banks. If you're lucky, you might see a wallaby, dingo or freshwater crocodile.
Marvel at Mimbi Caves
Mimbi Caves is one of Western Australia’s largest caves systems. Not only is this intricate network of limestone caves breathtakingly beautiful, but it's also one of the oldest identified sites of human occupation and one of the most spiritually sacred places for the Traditional Custodians, the Gooniyandi people. Journey through the caves with a local Gooniyandi guide while learning about fossils, ancient rock art and Gooniyandi Dreaming stories, followed by fresh damper and billy tea.
Explore Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges
The Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park is home to some of the Kimberley's most stunning gorges and rock formations. Weave through the wonderful Windjana Gorge to look for local birdlife, native bush tucker and freshwater crocs (at a safe distance!), relax by Galvans Gorge – a stunning watering hole surrounded by boab trees, or hike to the spectacular Bell Gorge for a swim in an idyllic waterfall-fed pool encircled by granite outcrops.
Discover the wonders of El Questro
Boasting striking gorges, tumbling waterfalls, natural hot springs and otherworldly mesas overlooking the snaking Pentecost River, it's impossible not to fall in love with El Questro Wilderness Park. Sprawling across the grounds of a 700,000-acre cattle station in the heart of the Kimberley, take your pick of adventures. Hike through the striking Emma Gorge, bathe in serene waterholes to the sounds of the Aussie wilderness or maybe sample native bush tucker on a guided hike.
Swim in Lake Argyle
At 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour, Lake Argyle is the biggest manmade lake in Australia. This vast body of water has been forged by the Ord River Dam and is a tranquil oasis in the heart of the outback. Why not take a relaxing dip in the infinity pool and soak in sweeping views of the lake, or perhaps explore the clear waters from a kayak or a fabulous sunset cruise. You may also like to tackle one of the many trails that weave through the surrounding bush or visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum to learn about the region's history.
Uncover the beauty of the Bungles Bungles
Journey into Purnululu National Park to explore a labyrinth of beehive-shaped rock domes, giant boulders and narrow chasms. Created over 20 million years ago, the Bungles Bungles is one of Australia's most remarkable natural wonders and culturally significant sites for the Karjaganujaru and Gija peoples. Walk beneath 200-metre-high gorge walls, test out your singing skills in a natural amphitheatre at Cathedral Gorge or watch the sky erupt in colour above these incredible landscapes at sunset.
Kimberley tour reviews
Kimberley FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
The Kimberley is the northernmost region of Western Australia with the Pilbara region to the south and the Northern Territory to the east. It's one of the most remote and sparsely populated places in Australia, with 38,000 residents living in an area covering 423,500 km2.
Nature rules in the Kimberley, and although the human population is low, the region is brimming with furry, scaled and feathery residents. The rivers, gorges, creeks and rocky terrain are a haven for wildlife and some of the native animals you might see on your trip include salt and freshwater crocodiles, goannas, lizards, snakes, dingoes, rock wallabies, bilbies and echidnas.
Most of our Kimberley trips begin in Broome – the largest town in the region. The quickest and most convenient way to get to Broome is to fly. There are direct flights to Broome International Airport from Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in the dry season from May to September with Virgin Australia and Qantas, as well flights to/from Perth and Darwin all year round. You can also fly into Kununurra Airport (also known as East Kimberley Regional Airport) if you plan on travelling east to west.
A slower, but perhaps more immersive, way to travel to the Kimberley is to drive. The Gibb River Road – a 660 km road that runs through the heart of the Kimberley outback – is the gateway to most of the region’s national parks and sites. You can access Gibb River Road from Kununurra/Wyndham in the east, or Derby in the west. If you’re road tripping, it’s super important to plan and prepare as this is a remote region where amenities are few and far between. You will also need to ensure your vehicle is cut out for the trip, which means having a 4WD as many of the roads are unsealed and may be bogged depending on the weather.
Yes, if you're self-driving you will need a 4WD. A 2WD just won’t cut it for a Kimberley road trip – not if you want to do it safely and properly – as the weather and road conditions are unpredictable and many sections of the roads running through the region are unsealed.
Unlike other parts of Australia, the Kimberley experiences just two seasons: a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. The Kimberley is a popular winter escape for Australians who live in cooler parts of the country, and the busiest period is May to August when daytime highs average a balmy 28°C, there’s plenty of sunshine and the chance of rain is slim. These conditions are prime for exploring and hiking in the national parks.
Travelling to the Kimberley in the wet season isn’t off the cards – in fact, it can be an amazing time to see the gorges, waterfalls and rivers in their full glory. It's also a great time to spot wildlife along the luscious river banks. January and February are the wettest months, but the rain often falls heavily in short bursts with intermittent dry spells. That said, the wet season in the Kimberley is unpredictable and land tours may not run as sections of the road can get cut off when the rivers and creeks swell.
The tail end of the wet season can be a great time to visit as the heavy rains taper off, there’s still plenty of water feeding the waterfalls and it’s not too busy.
You can use your phone and access mobile data in towns throughout the Kimberley, but there is limited or no access to phone reception and internet once you hit the road. Not that you'll notice anyway – you'll be far too engrossed in your spectacular surroundings to think twice about your devices and social media.
A trip to the Kimberley is jam-packed with adventurous activities like hiking in gorges and swimming in waterfall-fed swimming holes, so you’ll need to bring your swimming gear and comfy active wear. Think shorts, vests and t-shirts, as well as long, loose-fitting layers (ideally made of cotton or linen) to stay cool and protect your skin from the sun. You’ll also need a warm jumper for cooler evenings, a pair of walking shoes or runners, a pair of thongs and sun protective gear (wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen).
The Traditional Custodians of the Kimberley are made up of more than 100 First Nations communities who speak over 40 Indigenous dialects. These communities have been living on these ancient lands for thousands of years and are deeply connected to Country. Culture is rich, and they continue to pass down Creation stories, knowledge of the land, and traditional ceremonies, music and dance through the generations.
There is a lot to learn from the Traditional Custodians of the Kimberley – and all other First Nations peoples – whether it's learning about traditional bush foods, medicine and Indigenous ecology, or listening to stories over fresh damper and billy tea.
Learn more about the Traditional Owners of the Kimberley region
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. The abundance of sand on Fraser Island can make walking difficult for travellers who are less mobile on foot. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
Kimberley tour routes
Read more about Western Australia
Nov 06, 2021
A foodie’s guide to Margaret River
There are few places where you can go from surf to cellar door.
Nov 23, 2021
4 epic things to see in the Bungle...
We could wander through the Bungle Bungles range all day. And here's how.
Feb 22, 2018
Mud crab feasts, camels and more:...
A laidback beach resort and pearling town in Australia’s Kimberley region, Broome...
Jun 23, 2015
Into the wild: our 5 favourite spots...
The Kimberley really is one of the last true wildernesses on earth. Welcome to our...
Nov 21, 2021
Ningaloo Reef vs Great Barrier Reef:...
Struggling to decide where to go for your next coastal adventure? Check out this...
Feb 28, 2022
Northern Territory vs Western...
Coming to a decision was harder than you could ever imagine...