No other place on earth will you find the most amazing scenery, intense rugged mountain ranges but in the remote Kimberley region of the far north west corner of Australia. We began our journey in Katherine, taking in Timber Creek, Kununurra, Wyndham, Halls Creek, Derby and finishing up in Broome.
Katherine is the hub of the outback, whether you have come from the East Coast, West Coast or up thru the middle Katherine is the town with it all. Here in Katherine you can stock up everything you need. It is the junction of all the major highways through the Outback.
Heading southwest to Timber Creek along the Victoria Highway we embark on our journey thru the Kimberley region. Its a nice drive, long but nice. They are well kept roads too but just watch those road trains! There are many mines in the area plus our big Airforce base so road trains are a plenty. Once into Timber Creek, be prepared for the real outback. All the food is frozen as deliveries only come thru once every couple of weeks. There is a pub, a small grocers, a petrol station and the caravan park -all in one! The caravan park is nestled on the banks of a croc invested river but don’t worry they are freshies and they tell us, “they don’t bite” It is very safe and the owners confirmed that they have never had a croc come out of the river – a couple of dare devil tourists go in, but never any crocs climbing out. They have a bridge you can stand on and feed the crocs below which is really exciting! Our kids were hanging over the side all day long with savaloy sausages dangling precariously from a long stick. Timber Creek neighbours one of Australias biggest Air Force Bases, even though you wouldn’t know it, as its very well hidden. But at 2am each morning you will hear the cowboys playing in their fighter jets – some people get all the great jobs! There is a great little Lookout you can drive up to which is only 10 minutes out of town and at night you will see the most magnificent sunsets and stunning array of stars. You just don’t appreciate the stars in the Outback until you see them in all their glory. The local aboriginal children are very talented too, with some great souvenirs to be brought.
Next stop is Kununurra, the oasis as I call it. Lush green, huge water spanses and a great caravan park right on Lake Kununurra! It is a big town by outback standards with everything you will need. We hired a pontoon bbq boat, which we took out on the lake each day. They told us there aren’t any crocs in the lake, but hey I wasn’t game enough to try! The birdlife on offer is fantastic. You can get up close and personal in these little boats as they are quiet and only go slow. As always make sure you have plenty of batteries for that camera! Just outside Kununurra is Lake Argyle and the Ord Valley. If you have a 4wd this is for you. Cruising across the Ivanhoe Crossing which was in the famous Australia movie, is nerve racking the first time but heaps of fun the second. It is in this area that the entire film was shot. It is amazing to see so much water in the outback when so often we think of it as a dry spanse of land. There are definitely no water shortages in this area, with full lakes and large river systems dotting the horizon every way you turn.
Then it was a day trip to Wyndham to meet the locals and visit the Wyndham Croc Farm, which is a real eye opener as the crocs are only behind tiny fences, as though you are visiting cows on a diary farm! You can definitely get very upclose and personal with these ‘darlings’ here.
From Kununura we had a couple of days in Halls Creek to visit the Wolfe Creek Crater, which gives you that sense of just how old this land really is and how easy it is for a meteor to crash into earth! One of the most intriguing aspects in this area is the Boab trees, they are really odd to say the least. Big trees, thousands of years old that are perfectly hollow on the inside. They provided shelter for the Aboriginals, even served as jails but just be careful these days as the local snake population love to live in them!
After a relaxing day, we head off due west for Derby, a seaside town with the most remarkable tides ever. 15metre tides! It comes in and out with in the blink of an eye. If you love the ocean then take a trip out to the Buccaneer Archipealego or cruise up King Sound. It really is where the Outback meets the ocean. Some of Australia’s most remote land is just north of Derby where the locals live traditionally. It is awesome to see, so if you get the chance to get out into the area with one of the owning Tribes, make sure you go. You will see Australia in a whole new light, through the eyes of the true owners of this land. It will change your mind set forever.
Bidding farewell to the amazing Kimberley region, we head for Broome. The tourist mecca, or as I say, The Gold Coast of the Outback. Broome is perfectly positioned on the Indian Ocean with some of the most pristine waters you will ever see. The Kimberley is such a remarkable yet remote part of Australia that it is no wonder it is world renowned. It’s a long haul getting there, but it’s a long haul I would do again and again and again.
TRAVEL TIP:
- Make sure you have a Satelite phone and a 2-Way Radio
- Stock up on all essentials in Katherine & Broome
- Let people know your travel plans as the Australian Outback can be very unforgiving.
FAST FACTS:
- The Kimberley is 423,517 square kilometres
- It is home to 2 of Australia’s largest National Parks
- The Kimberley is home to the rare Gouldian finches
