The Kimberley is big and the distances are long, so the best itinerary is one that doesn't try to see everything. Decide first whether you'll drive the unsealed Gibb River Road or the sealed Great Northern Highway. That choice depends on your vehicle, and on whether you're willing to deal with corrugations and river crossings. Our Kimberley region guide gives the background on towns, seasons and safety.
Route options
| Route | Surface | Vehicle | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gibb River Road (Derby to the Great Northern Highway near Kununurra and Wyndham) | Mostly unsealed, about 660 km | High-clearance 4WD | Windjana, Bell, Manning and Galvans gorges, station stays, El Questro |
| Great Northern Highway (Broome to Kununurra via Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek) | Sealed | 2WD or 4WD | Danggu Geikie Gorge, Wolfe Creek turn-off, Purnululu turn-off, Warmun |
7-day Kimberley itineraries
East Kimberley from Kununurra (7 days)
- Day 1: arrive in Kununurra. Walk in Mirima National Park and visit Waringarri Aboriginal Arts.
- Day 2: take a boat cruise on Lake Argyle or the Ord River.
- Day 3: drive to El Questro (pass required) and spend time at the gorges and hot springs.
- Day 4: visit Wyndham and the Five Rivers Lookout, then return to Kununurra.
- Days 5–6: go to Purnululu. Either drive the 4WD access track and camp for two nights, or take a scenic flight from Kununurra.
- Day 7: fly out or continue east into the Northern Territory.
West Kimberley from Broome (7 days)
- Days 1–2: spend time in Broome, with Cable Beach, the pearling history and Chinatown.
- Days 3–4: visit the Dampier Peninsula for Aboriginal-run camps and tours. Check access and bookings.
- Day 5: drive to Derby to see the Boab Prison Tree and the long jetty.
- Day 6: take a day trip to Windjana Gorge on the western Gibb River Road. Check access first.
- Day 7: return to Broome.
10-day Kimberley itinerary (sealed roads)
- Broome
- Broome to Derby
- Derby to Fitzroy Crossing and Danggu Geikie Gorge
- Fitzroy Crossing to Halls Creek
- Day trip to Wolfe Creek Crater (unsealed access)
- Halls Creek to the Purnululu turn-off; scenic flight or 4WD tour into the park
- Warmun to Kununurra
- Lake Argyle
- El Questro or Wyndham
- Kununurra; fly out or continue
14-day Kimberley itinerary (Gibb River Road)
- Broome
- Broome to Derby
- Derby to Windjana Gorge
- Windjana to Bell Gorge area
- Bell Gorge and surrounds
- Mount Barnett area and Manning Gorge
- Galvans Gorge, then on towards Drysdale River Station (Kalumburu Road junction)
- Optional side trip towards Mitchell Falls (adds several days; Uunguu Visitor Pass required)
- Ellenbrae area to Home Valley, Pentecost River crossing
- El Questro (park pass)
- El Questro to Wyndham or Kununurra
- Kununurra and Lake Argyle
- Purnululu (fly or drive)
- Kununurra; fly out
This is only an outline. Stations and fuel stops on the Gibb change their opening dates and services from year to year. Fuel has been available at places such as Imintji, Mount Barnett and El Questro, but check current availability with Australia's North West and the operators before you plan.
When to go
The dry season, roughly May to October, is the touring season. Early in the dry, waterfalls are fuller and the country is green, but some roads open late. By September and October it's hotter, the falls are lower and the build-up humidity starts. See outback weather by month.
Vehicle and preparation
- Use a high-clearance 4WD for the Gibb River Road and Purnululu, with all-terrain tyres, two spares and recovery gear. See 4WD driving.
- Many hire agreements exclude unsealed roads or particular routes, so read yours carefully.
- Towing a camper trailer on the Gibb is possible but tough on equipment. See caravanning in the outback.
- Carry a satellite communicator or PLB. Mobile coverage is limited outside towns.
- Never swim where saltwater crocodiles may live. See crocodile safety.
Best month for a Kimberley road trip
The Kimberley is tropical, so the calendar works the opposite way to the southern outback. The dry season, from about May to October, is the touring season. BOM records Kununurra's January rainfall averaging 216.0 mm, and the wet-season storms that bring it close many unsealed roads, including the Gibb River Road, and leave river crossings impassable. Early in the dry season (May and June), waterfalls are at their strongest, but some roads may not have reopened yet and crossings can still be deep. July and August bring the most settled weather and the most visitors. September and October are hotter and quieter, and waterfalls shrink. Main Roads WA and the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley publish Gibb River Road status updates. Check them before you commit to dates, because opening varies with each wet season.
Days you'll actually need
Distances in the Kimberley are long, and an itinerary that looks relaxed on a map often isn't. On unsealed sections, plan on far lower average speeds than on the highway, and add a spare day for a puncture, a closed crossing or a gorge you want to linger at. Many travellers who rush the Gibb in under a week wish they'd allowed more time. If you only have seven days, choosing one end of the region usually works better than trying to cover all of it: the West Kimberley from Broome, or the East Kimberley from Kununurra. The Kimberley region guide and Purnululu cover the highlights in detail.
Fuel, food and bookings
Roadhouses and stations along the Gibb carry fuel, but opening hours and stock vary. Fill up whenever you can, and carry enough to reach the next confirmed supply. Book station stays and campgrounds early for July and August. Camping inside the national parks may need a booking through Parks and Wildlife WA's Park Stay system, and a park pass is required.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need for a Kimberley road trip?
Two weeks is a good length for a one-way drive between Broome and Kununurra with time for gorges and Purnululu. Seven days suits one end of the region, or a fast sealed-road drive. Our Gibb River Road guide suggests allowing at least a week for the Gibb alone.
Can you do the Kimberley in 7 days?
Yes, if you focus on one area. For example, base yourself in Kununurra for Lake Argyle, El Questro and a Purnululu flight, or in Broome for the Dampier Peninsula and Windjana Gorge. Driving all the way between Broome and Kununurra in a week leaves little time to stop.
Do you need a 4WD for the Kimberley?
Not for the Great Northern Highway and the main towns, which are sealed. You do need a high-clearance 4WD for the Gibb River Road, the Purnululu access track, the Kalumburu Road to Mitchell Falls and most gorge access roads. Check whether your hire agreement allows unsealed roads.
When is the Gibb River Road open?
The Gibb River Road is generally driven in the dry season, roughly May to October. Opening dates depend on the wet season and repairs, and sections can close at short notice. Check Main Roads WA and the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley and Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley road reports.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Park Stay WA — Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Broome to Kununurra via the Gibb River Road — Tourism Western Australia
- Kimberley & Pilbara seasons — Australia's North West
- Fuel stops — Australia's North West
- Road conditions — Halls Creek Tourism
