The Tailor Travel Stories

Ultimate Guide to the Kimberley

post date: 28-01-2025

written by: Rebecca Coombs

Western Australia’s northern frontier is home to a diverse landscape of rugged red cliffs, ancient gorges, cascading waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes set against the vastness of the outback. In our Ultimate Guide to the Kimberley, uncover a collection of immersive journeys, extraordinary accommodation, and curated adventures that showcase the essence of this remarkable region.

This remote destination is a treasure trove of unique experiences. Marvel at the beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, explore the rushing waters of Horizontal Falls, or cruise through secluded bays on a True North expedition. From the million-acre wilderness of El Questro to guided encounters with Aboriginal heritage and hidden coastal gems accessed via Broome, the Kimberley offers a profound connection to both nature and culture.

El Questro
A Kimberley Icon

a river with houses on it

El Questro spans over a million acres in the heart of the Kimberley, showcasing a striking combination of rugged wilderness and refined comfort. From dramatic gorges and cascading waterfalls to open plains and winding rivers, this expansive property invites travellers to connect with one of Australia’s most extraordinary landscapes. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a peaceful retreat, El Questro Homested offers something for everyone.

The El Questro Homestead provides an elegant base for exploring the Kimberley, with nine exclusive suites perched above the Chamberlain River. Guests enjoy gourmet meals featuring fresh, regional ingredients served in stunning locations, from open-air verandas to dramatic cliffside settings. With its intimate atmosphere and world-class hospitality, the Homestead ensures exceptional comfort while seamlessly immersing guests in the surrounding wilderness.

A defining feature of El Questro is its collection of remarkable waterholes. From the thermal springs of Zebedee to the cool pools of Emma Gorge, these natural sanctuaries offer a refreshing way to experience the landscape. Guided by local experts, guests can explore these hidden oases, learning about the unique flora, fauna, and geology of the region. Whether soaking in a secluded spring or swimming beneath cascading waterfalls, El Questro’s waterholes provide unforgettable moments that capture the essence of the Kimberley.

Eclipse Expeditions
Intimate Coastal Exploration by Catamaran

a sailboat in the water

Eclipse Expeditions offers a distinctive way to explore the Kimberley, providing guests with access to its secluded coastal landscapes aboard a sustainably designed sailing catamaran. Their approach blends the calm of sailing with the excitement of exploration, allowing travellers to reach remote waterways that larger vessels cannot access. The focus is on experiencing the Kimberley’s coastline while fostering a connection to its diverse marine and coastal ecosystems.

Life aboard Eclipse unfolds at a relaxed pace, immersing you in the Kimberley’s ever-changing seascapes. Glide through the Buccaneer Archipelago, where tidal movements shape vibrant marine environments. Visit the extraordinary Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, where nature’s raw power is on full display. Step ashore on isolated beaches, venture into mangrove-lined estuaries, or cast a line in search of prized fish. The catamaran’s small size and flexibility ensure that every itinerary is tailored, allowing guests to pause and savour quiet moments or thrilling encounters with wildlife.

Eclipse Expeditions combines adventure with a strong commitment to sustainability. Their skilled crew and knowledgeable guides offer meaningful insights into the Kimberley’s ecology, geology, and cultural heritage. Guests travel in comfort while leaving a light environmental footprint, making Eclipse an excellent choice for those seeking a deeper understanding of Western Australia’s remote and remarkable coastline.

True North
Exploring the Kimberley’s Hidden Faces

a boat in a body of water next to a waterfall

True North redefines Kimberley exploration, offering the rare opportunity to cruise right up to the towering cliffs and dramatic gorges that define this remarkable region. Designed for navigating shallow coastal waters and narrow river systems, this small expedition ship brings you face-to-face with the Kimberley’s rugged beauty, accessing places other vessels simply cannot reach.

Each day aboard True North is filled with opportunities for discovery, from cruising beneath sheer rock faces that soar above you to exploring ancient Aboriginal rock art sites hidden in secluded locations. The ship’s shallow draft allows guests to venture deep into river systems and approach cascading waterfalls or mangrove-lined shores, creating an intimate connection with the landscape. Whether casting a line in remote estuaries, spotting wildlife along the shoreline, or exploring the Kimberley’s hidden wonders by tender, True North ensures an experience that is as immersive as it is unique.

Onboard, the adventure continues with exceptional hospitality. Guests enjoy gourmet dining crafted with fresh local ingredients, spacious cabins designed for comfort, and the expertise of a passionate crew. Helicopter excursions add an extra layer of exploration, offering awe-inspiring views of the Kimberley from above. True North’s ability to bring you closer to the cliffs, waterways, and wonders of this remote wilderness sets it apart as the ultimate Kimberley cruising experience.

Venture Atlas
Tailored Kimberley Adventures

a group of people sitting in a vehicle

Venture Atlas is known for its ability to craft bespoke tours tailored to each traveller’s passions, offering a deeply personal and immersive experience in the Kimberley. Whether you are drawn to hiking, photography, wildlife, or cultural exploration, Venture Atlas collaborates with The Tailor’s expert travel designers to create a journey that reflects your unique interests. For those who love hiking, for example, a carefully curated day might lead you along ancient trails through dramatic landscapes, showcasing the Kimberley’s geology, flora, and fauna in a way that feels both enriching and personal.

With their base at Mount Hart, located at the heart of the Kimberley, Venture Atlas combines deep local knowledge with unparalleled access to the region’s diverse highlights. Their central location allows for seamless exploration of hidden gorges, ancient rock formations, and remote cultural sites. Guided by local experts, guests gain meaningful insights into the Kimberley’s natural and cultural heritage, while The Tailor ensures that every detail of the adventure is meticulously planned. This collaboration delivers a completely unique and memorable journey, where every step is informed by your interests and the unmatched expertise of those who know the Kimberley best.

Bungle Bungle Guided Tours
Connect with Kimberley’s Ancient Wonders

two people walking on a dirt road with a large rock formation in the background

Bungle Bungle Guided Tours provides a unique window into the Bungle Bungle Range, a remarkable formation within Purnululu National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed area is celebrated for its distinct domes, shaped over 350 million years by natural forces. The towering, banded sandstone structures, with their vibrant hues of orange and black, tell a story of an ever-changing environment, forged by ancient river systems and sculpted by wind and water. Walking among these formations feels like stepping into a prehistoric world, where every feature reveals a chapter of geological evolution.

The significance of the Bungle Bungle Range to the Kija and Jaru peoples is immense. For these Aboriginal custodians, the land is sacred, steeped in traditions and stories that have been passed down through generations. From ceremonial sites to rock art and Dreamtime stories, the area is a living connection to their heritage. Bungle Bungle Guided Tours brings these stories to life, with local guides sharing their deep understanding of the land’s spiritual significance and cultural richness.

Exploration with Bungle Bungle Guided Tours goes beyond sightseeing. Guests are immersed in a landscape where towering chasms, hidden gorges, and wide-open plains reflect the diversity of this ancient terrain. Every moment provides an opportunity to uncover the intricate relationships between the land’s geology, its vibrant ecosystems, and its cultural importance. The experience is crafted to leave a lasting impression, deepening your understanding of the Kimberley and its enduring connections to history and place.

With knowledge, respect, and attention to detail, Bungle Bungle Guided Tours offers an exploration of this extraordinary region that combines discovery and reflection, creating a journey that resonates long after the adventure is over.

Broome Coastal Hub
Gateway to the Kimberley

Broome offers a unique blend of vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning coastal landscapes, making it a standout destination within the Kimberley. Once a thriving pearling hub, its multicultural heritage shines through in Chinatown’s boutiques and cafés, the Japanese Cemetery, and modern pearl farms. Local markets brim with handcrafted jewellery and art, reflecting the town’s creative spirit.

Iconic Cable Beach offers 22 kilometres of white sand for relaxation or adventure, with camel rides at sunset and opportunities for beach fishing and water sports. Nearby, Gantheaume Point is home to ancient dinosaur footprints alongside striking red cliffs, while Roebuck Bay’s Staircase to the Moon is a natural spectacle not to miss.

Broome’s connection to the Kimberley’s unique landscapes and stories extends into its dining scene, where fresh seafood such as barramundi and pearl meat, from the world’s largest oyster, takes center stage. Restaurants often feature dishes inspired by the region’s multicultural influences, creating a culinary experience that pairs perfectly with the town’s relaxed ambience. Whether dining by the water or under the stars, Broome’s food and atmosphere capture the essence of the Kimberley.

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