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Tips to survive the Kimberley

Jen Adams | November 6, 2015 | 4:29 am | 2 Comments

The Kimberley is one of Australia’s last frontiers. A vast wilderness region in the far north west, known for it’s rugged landscapes, harsh conditions and exceptional beauty, it remains largely undiscovered due to its reputation for being a place that only true adventurers dare to tackle.

tips to survive the kimberley
The notorious Gibb River Road

We have been there on three occasions. We try to find an excuse to return for every series of Places We Go, as there are just so many stories to be told, treasures to discover and amazing people to meet that we are called back every time.

And it is not just the domain of the bravest of travellers. There are in fact many ways every average Joe can experience the holiday of a lifetime in this remote paradise. Here are a few of our best tips to survive the Kimberley.

Organise a group tour.

Small group adventures are operated by a number of companies in the Kimberley.

group tour tips to survive kimberley
Security in a group tour

With custom built 4WD vehicles, knowledgeable and passionate guides and pre-arranged accommodation… you don’t need to worry about a thing and you’ll be happily bumping your way along the Gibb River Road, or laying your head on a soft pillow in a stylish wilderness tent before you know it.

Not keen on driving yourself?

Avoid the worry off four-wheel driving some of Australia’s most notorious bush tracks and fly everywhere.

tips to survive the kimberley
Travel by air in the Kimberley

Reputable local aviation companies in the Kimberley offer air transfers that enable you to fly or helicopter to some of the most incredible icons in the region such as the Bungle Bungles and Mitchell Falls, and the bonus is you get to see everything in between from the air. This option is also a great one if you are short on time.

tips to survive the kimberley
See the Bungle Bungles from the air

If you are a self-driver, there are so many ways to make your adventure more comfortable. Book a tent at one of the established wilderness camps along the way.

tips to survive the kimberley
Glamping is totally possible in the Kimberley

Strategically located near some of the best attractions such as Bell Gorge, Mitchell Falls, El Questro and the Bungles, these camps have stylish eco-tents with queen beds and soft linen, and incredible home cooking you can enjoy with a vino or two at night.

Some of the best parts of the Kimberley are easily accessed in a normal vehicle.

El Questro Wilderness Park is only an hour from the gateway town of Kununurra.

tips to survive the kimberley
Access El Questro Wilderness Park easily from Kununurra

With a range of different accommodation options, and activities galore, this million-acre property is the perfect introduction to the Kimberley, without much of the effort.

Chamberlain Gorge - El Questro Wilderness Park
Chamberlain Gorge – El Questro Wilderness Park

Explore early in the morning and later in the afternoon.

Time your day to avoid the heat of the midday sun, and rise early with the birds. But if you do get caught in the heat, there is usually a natural swimming hole around where you can cool off – just check for freshwater crocs first!

tips to survive the kimberley
Beautiful natural swimming holes are everywhere, such as Bell Gorge

Drink water. And then drink more water.

We can’t stress this enough!

Do your research on the history and heritage of the region.

There are some incredibly rich indigenous stories here, and every place you stop will be made that much better with some basic knowledge. One of our favourite stories is the tale of Aboriginal bushranger Jandamarra, who used the incredible Tunnel Creek as his hideout.

tips to survive the kimberley
Tunnel Creek – there are stories to be found everywhere

Finally, start or finish your adventure with a few days in Broome.

tips to survive the kimberley
Start or finish in Broome, with incredible sunsets along Cable Beach

This is not necessarily a survival technique. We just really think that Cable Beach is a must-do!

About Jen Adams

Places We Go is Jen's dream come true. As the founder, she simply wanted to 'share the world with the world'. With the tag line “It’s not just the places we go, but the people we meet that capture our heart” Jen knows that it's always the locals that bring our travels alive.

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Comments

  1. Jerome van der Linden says

    November 14, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    I’d really like to see a commentary for those of us who go caravaning but insist our dogs are coming with us.

    More and more caravan parks in the south are becoming dog friendly, and we’d like to think that well trained dogs would be welcome in the north also. We know they’re not permitted in national parks, but there must be kennels where we can board them for a couple of days.

    So which camping places up north and west will allow dogs and where can we board them while we explore areas that we can’t take them?

    Thanks

    Jerome

    Reply
    • Emma De Fry says

      November 15, 2015 at 6:16 am

      Interesting point Jerome! It does seem to be something that is starting to grow in Australia and I know that BIG4 Holiday Parks have lots of parks that are dog friendly, including up north such as Darwin, Kununurra and North QLD, check them all out here http://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/pet-friendly 🙂

      Reply
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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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