During the dry season, Kimberley waterfalls become accessible and spectacular.
- Mitchell Falls
- Bell Gorge
- Manning Gorge
- Emma Gorge
The Kimberley is one of the world's most spectacular and remote wilderness regions, covering approximately 423,000 square kilometres of northwestern Australia—an area three times the size of England. This ancient landscape stretches from Broome on the Indian Ocean coast to Kununurra near the Northern Territory border, encompassing some of the most dramatic scenery, oldest rock formations, and most significant cultural heritage sites on Earth.
Known for its rugged red gorges carved over billions of years, cascading waterfalls, pristine swimming holes, and the iconic Bungle Bungle Range, the Kimberley delivers adventures that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else. With Aboriginal rock art dating back over 40,000 years, this culturally significant region offers visitors the chance to connect with one of the world's oldest continuous living cultures while exploring landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.
Whether you're traversing the legendary Gibb River Road by 4WD, flying over the four-tiered Mitchell Falls, hiking through the striped beehive domes of Purnululu National Park, or cruising through the tidal phenomenon of the Horizontal Falls, the Kimberley promises extraordinary experiences for adventurous travellers. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about exploring this magnificent region in 2026.
The legendary Gibb River Road is a 660-kilometre unsealed 4WD track that cuts through the heart of the Kimberley, connecting Derby in the west to Kununurra in the east. Originally constructed in the 1960s to transport cattle from remote stations to coastal ports, the "Gibb" has become Australia's most famous outback driving route and the best way to experience the Kimberley's natural treasures.
The Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park is undoubtedly the Kimberley's most recognizable natural icon. These striking orange and black striped sandstone domes rise dramatically from the savannah plains, creating one of Australia's most surreal and photographed landscapes. The formations, which remained unknown to the outside world until 1983, have been sacred to the Kitja people for over 20,000 years.
Twenty million years of weathering have created these extraordinary beehive-shaped towers. The distinctive banding is caused by alternating layers of sandstone and cyanobacterial crust—the orange bands are sandstone rich in iron and silica, while the dark grey-black bands are layers of cyanobacteria (ancient photosynthetic organisms) growing on the sandstone surface.
Located 250km south of Kununurra and 108km east of Halls Creek, Purnululu requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. The 53km access road from the Great Northern Highway is rough and challenging. Many visitors choose scenic flights from Kununurra or guided tours that include 4WD transfers from the airstrip.
Mitchell Falls is one of the Kimberley's most spectacular and photographed attractions. This stunning four-tiered waterfall cascades over ancient sandstone layers in Mitchell River National Park, located on the remote Mitchell Plateau in far northern Kimberley. Known as Punamii-Uunpuu to the traditional Wunambal owners, the falls are surrounded by pristine wilderness, emerald rock pools, and significant Aboriginal rock art sites.
Waterfall Season (October-May): Falls are at their most spectacular during and just after the wet season, but road access is limited or impossible. Scenic flights operate during this period.
Dry Season (April-September): Road accessible by 4WD from the Gibb River Road via Kalumburu Road—a challenging 270km round trip from the Gibb. Many tour operators include Mitchell Falls as a scenic flight add-on.
Spanning over 700,000 acres (one million acres/405,000 hectares) in the eastern Kimberley, El Questro Wilderness Park is one of Australia's most unique holiday destinations. This former working cattle station has been transformed into an adventure playground featuring dramatic gorges, thermal springs, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife—all within a single spectacular property.
Described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world," the Horizontal Falls are a unique tidal phenomenon located in Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago. Massive tidal movements—among the largest in the world with ranges up to 10 metres—force enormous volumes of seawater through two narrow coastal gorges, creating waterfall-like effects that flow horizontally rather than vertically.
Lake Argyle is Australia's largest freshwater lake by volume, holding nine times more water than Sydney Harbour. Created by the damming of the Ord River in 1972, this artificial lake has developed into a thriving ecosystem supporting freshwater crocodiles, over 270 bird species, and an abundance of barramundi. The lake's dramatic landscape features red sandstone cliffs, hidden coves, and islands that were once hilltops.
Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) is a stunning 375-million-year-old Devonian reef system carved by the Lennard River. The gorge stretches over 3.5 kilometres with walls rising up to 100 metres, creating a dramatic landscape that's home to hundreds of freshwater crocodiles, fruit bats, and diverse birdlife.
During the dry season, Kimberley waterfalls become accessible and spectacular.
The Kimberley is one of the world’s most important cultural landscapes, with Aboriginal rock art dating back over 40,000 years.
The remote Kimberley coastline can only be accessed by boat or air.
Learn more from Tourism Australia .
The best time to visit the Kimberley is during the dry season (May–September), when roads are open, waterfalls are flowing and temperatures are comfortable.