This saying, attributed to the first inhabitants of Australia, is timely given the quick and relentless pace of ordinary life in the country. Rarely do we take the time to stop, slow down, remember how transient our lives are, and seek the beautiful resources that life has to offer—especially within Australia itself. It may be high time to cast off work troubles for a while, plan a quick vacation, and assume the mantle of an adventurer in the country’s nature and culture-rich regions.Six fun things that you can do in Kimberley Australia if you are planning an adventurous vacation.Look at this list of Kimberley Australia.
“We are all visitors to this time, this place,” the famous Aboriginal proverb goes. “We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.”
And where should the journey begin? One of the best destinations for a travel weekend that’s relaxing, invigorating, and awe-inspiring all at once is Australia’s famous Kimberley region.
The Kimberley region, which is spread out across Australia’s northwest, boasts an area that’s three times larger than the country of England but a population of less than 40,000 people. It has fewer people per square kilometer than any other place on the planet. In the Kimberley, weekend warriors will have the chance to enjoy lush greenery and wildlife, majestic land formations, watering holes and waterfalls brimming with clear and fresh water, unspoiled trails, and a bustling local community. It is also easy to book Kimberley tours that will take you to prime spots in the beach and in the outback.
When you set foot in the Kimberley, which attractions and activities should you seek out immediately? Here’s a list of 8 things every weekend adventurer should have on their Kimberley Australia bucket list.
- Spend a little time in the Kimberley’s landmark towns. The romantic beach town of Broome is an obvious starting point for tourists at the Kimberley as it is a direct flight destination from Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. A Kimberley tour in Broome would likely involve the attractions of Matso’s brewery, dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point, and the famous Cable Beach where one can embark on the famous camel safari. But other major sites worth visiting are the eastern town of Kununurra and the western town of Derby. In addition, if you want to engage the communities that thrive in the ruggedness of the outback, arrange for a visit to Wyndham, Fitzroy Crossing, or Halls Creek.
- Take the road less traveled (by vehicles other than 4WDs). One of the best ways to experience the Kimberley’s untouched nature trails is by roughing it out on a four-wheel drive (4WD). One such site that lends itself to an exhilarating 4WD drive is the Gibb River Road, or “the Gibb” for short. The Gibb is a conduit to attractions like swimming holes, camping grounds, conservation sanctuaries, and gorges showcasing edge-to-edge natural wonder. Interested travelers can hire 4WD vehicles to take them around in the towns of Broome and Kununurra.
- Encounter the Kimberley’s lush flora and fauna while on a cruise. Wildlife watching for animals like birds, dolphins, and saltwater crocodiles will be a sumptuous treat if one is on a cruise. Other natural wonders that can be best enjoyed from the deck of a boat are the Kimberley’s splendid shorelines and rocks adorned with Aboriginal art. Some cruise lines offer features like picnics in selected sites—or even day expeditions via helicopters. Perhaps your cruise journey can take off in Lake Argyle, which is Western Australia’s largest man-made freshwater reservoir.
- Survey one of the Kimberley’s breathtaking waterfalls. Want to encounter the sheer natural splendor of a waterfall? Some popular waterfall sites that tourists flock to in their Kimberley Australia tours are Mitchell Falls, Merten Falls, and King George Falls. A simple photographed image of Mitchell Falls, for example, does little justice to the wow factor of the four-tiered waterfall in person. If you are the type who enjoys hiking to a site and earning the view of a waterfall, then you can make waterfall-hopping part of your travel itinerary.
- Count the stripes on the Bungle Bungle domes. Another iconic image that comes to mind when one speaks of the Kimberley is that of the Bungle Bungle rock domes. These domes, which curiously resemble beehives, can be found in the Purnululu National Park in the eastern part of the region. The rock formations of this type number in the hundreds, and they will be quite a sight to behold up close. Tourists can choose to count these black and orange stripes from above while riding a helicopter or from the ground while on a land tour.
- Kick back and relax in luxury accommodations. For weekend travelers who want nothing more than to be pampered amidst the Kimberley’s beautiful surroundings, the region has no dearth of luxury lodging. For one, true decadence can be found in the clifftop Berkeley River Lodge, which is listed among the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. For another, the Kimberley’s Faraway Bay is a hilltop resort that offers dreams cape views of the Timor Sea. It’s the perfect hideaway for rest, relaxation, and an opulent wine-and-dine experience. Weekend adventurers who seek an undisturbed retreat in the wilderness after long hours of adventure can duck into any of these accommodations.
In the Kimberley, anyone can temporarily set aside their troubles and live the fantasy of being an adventurer. No other region in Australia proves as exceptional in fueling these fantasies and reminding visitors of the marvelous yet temporal beauty in front of them.
