It’s not just the captivating landscape that will keep you in Australia’s north-west. It’s the fact that, for all the adventure, scenery and friendliness you’ll find here, there’s hardly anyone else around.

Lose yourself in an area with fewer people per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world.

We’re in wet/dry season territory here, sandwiched between Exmouth and Karijini in the south and Kununurra in the north. For bearable temperatures and passable roads, visit the area during the dry season (April-September). That’s when temperatures tend to bounce between 20°C and 30°C and most roads and attractions are open.

During the October–March wet season temperatures soar to uncomfortable levels (40°C isn’t uncommon). Roads become flooded and many attractions are forced to close. This is, however, the best season to see Mother Nature at her most raw and powerful. If you plan to travel to the area during the wet season be aware that getting caught out here can be potentially life-threatening. Seek advice from local information centres before you set out.

Things to do in Australia’s north-west

Broome
2.5 hours flying time from Perth, Broome is home to the glorious Cable Beach. The area is known as ‘the pearl of the north’ as the world’s most sought after commercially harvested pearls come from this coast. For this, and plenty of other reasons, it’s one of the state’s most popular destinations.

• Cable Beach: Australia isn’t exactly short of incredible beaches but this one’s unmissable. The famous whiteness of the sand makes an arresting site. It stretches for a wonderful 22km, fringed by the bright blue warmth of the Indian Ocean. Strolling here and watching the sunset is the sort of image you’ll have in your head for the rest of your life. The camel trips along the beach and the pearl cruises offshore should both be on your to-do list. Book them when you arrive in the area.
• Staircase to the Moon:  At low tide, between March and October, head to Roebuck Bay when there’s a full (or almost-full) moon overhead. The reflection in the mudflats creates an enchanting effect known as the ‘Staircase to the Moon’. It’s the reason your camera was invented.
  Also, look out for the skeletal hulls of the WWII boats that break the surface of the water when the tide’s low.
• Dinosaur footprints: Does anywhere in the world have quite so many spectacular finds only visible at low tide? For another, visit Gantheaume Point and discover fossilised dinosaur footprints that were created 130 million years ago.
• Sun Pictures: The oldest outdoor cinema in the world and, despite its name, hugely popular under a night sky.
• Matso’s Broome Brewery: A local gem almost as renowned for its food as its beers.
• Malcom Douglas Crocodile Park:  Just outside Broome, and the ideal way to encounter some of the area’s toothier residents.

Kimberley and surrounds
Things get pretty spread out here, but Kununurra makes as good a base as you’ll find for exploring the area.

• Bungle Bungles: Australia is the world centre for natural phenomena that can’t possibly be natural, and few sights can compare to the Bungle Bungles. Almost as improbable as they are majestic, the 300m high rock formations are 350 million years old and a World Heritage Site. On any given day you’ll find more people walking around open-mouthed in awe than anywhere else on earth. Find them in Purnululu National Park, accessible by 4WD or flight from Kununurra.
• City of Ruins: It would take something really special to beat the Bungle Bungles for photogenic razzamatazz. The City of Ruins, a natural collection of sandstone formations, doesn’t quite manage it, but it does make for a fascinating walk.
• Gibb River Road: Drive the roads of Kimberley and pass gushing waterfalls and deep gorges that practically beg you to pull over and take a closer look.
  Drive yourself or book a tour, but be wary of trying it in the wet season when the route is often closed due to flooding.
• Lake Argyle: So big it’s considered an inland sea, Lake Argyle is the ideal place for a relaxing cruise and some rewarding bird watching.
• Kelly’s Knob Lookout: Set cameras to ‘panorama’ and enjoy a glorious sunset over Kununurra and Kimberley.
• Celebrity Tree Park: With charming ‘does what it says on the tin’-ness, this park is where celebrities come and plant trees. Frankly, there’s nothing special about the trees other than the person who was holding the spade, but it does make for a diverting scramble to find the most famous planter. We think it’s a dead heat between Baz Luhrmann and HRH Princess Anne.
  While here, look towards Carlton Ridge (the large rock formation nearby), tilt your head, and try and spot the ‘Sleeping Buddha’.

Pilbara and Karratha
The towns of the area are united in history and prettiness. Karratha is one of the fastest growing towns in the area and is a good base for exploring Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks.

Take the Jaburara Heritage Trail to explore some of the area’s aboriginal history.

Dampier
20km from Karratha, this lovely port town is the gateway to the Dampier Archipelago. The 42 coastal islands look as if someone has scattered the pieces of a jigsaw of paradise.  For walking, fishing, diving, history, camping or simply relaxing, the area is a gold mine (and they have those too).

Don’t miss the delights of Dampier itself. With a castle, mine tours and plenty of good walking there’s as much onshore as off it.

The Burrup Peninsula
Nowhere captures Australia’s indigenous people quite like Burrup.  The most significant aboriginal area in the world is the place to explore the history and artefacts of a people who’ve been here for over 40,000 years.

National Parks
The rivers, parks and gorges in Australia’s north-west are about as numerous as filling stations, but our favourite park is Karijini. For over 2 billion years, deep gorges, cooling pools and remarkable landscape have been carved and sculpted by nature. Get out alone on the hiking trails and it can feel as if it’s all been for your benefit. We’d recommend the tours too.

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