Western Australia’s far north is synonymous with outback adventures. Starring red rock gulleys alongside bright white beaches, WA’s Kimberley region captures so much of what makes the Australian landscape unique.
Celebrated as one of Oz’s best tropical holiday and camping locations, the Kimberley wilderness is famous for its red soil cliffs, white sand beaches, coastal camel rides, and Broome’s iconic Mardi Gras & Shinju Matsuri festivals.
But even with all these exciting attractions, it’s important to keep in mind that the Kimberley region is truly wild at heart. As such, you will want to make sure you arrive well-prepared for the weather, the terrain, and for all the outdoor activities you and your family are expecting to enjoy during your time in the region. This means packing accordingly, preparing your vehicle if you’re planning on road tripping, and securing travel insurance to ensure you’re covered in the event of injuries, accidents, or lost belongings.
On top of these practical travel preparations, families looking to travel to the Kimberley region should also make sure their itinerary is packed with activities and attractions for all ages to enjoy. The below Kimberley family travel guide will outline all the key considerations you’ll need to make when planning the ultimate all ages getaway to this magical corner of WA.
The Kimberley’s Premier Destinations for Families
The Buccaneer Archipelago
Archipelago is a word that sounds exotic. From the Greek “arkhi” and “pelagos”, the Italians made it the ‘chief of the sea’. The Buccaneer Archipelago is a gorgeous example of this. 1,000 islands pattern the Indian Ocean in warm greens, yellows, and oranges. Perfect for both scenic flights or luxury cruises, the more adventurous members of your clan may like to rent a speedboat to explore the hidden beaches and best fishing spots.
Horizontal Falls
David Attenborough once touted the Horizontal Falls as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, and a glowing recommendation like that has kept the local town of Kimbolton in tours and tourists ever since. The rare waterfall effect of the cliffs and whitewater currents can be experienced overhead by plane, or in person by jet boat from March to November.
The Bungle Bungles
Looking something like a beehive mountain range, the Bungle Bungles are unique in all the world. Hike through the gorges for a tiger-striped trek among cliffs, or fly overhead to see the “Purnululu” in all its glory.
The Chamberlain Gorge
Snug in El Questro Wilderness Park is a gorge perfect for scenic cruises. Expect to get wet when you feed the cheeky archerfish, who flies down with streams of water. The kids are guaranteed to love all the action, and the parents will definitely admire the gorge’s stunning views.
The Kimberley’s Rock Art Galleries
Broome’s Black Stump Gallery or the Mimbi Caves are perfect spots to see some of the world’s oldest art – with some reaching over 17,000 years old. There are endless galleries to visit in the Kimberley with plenty of kid-friendly exhibitions to explore as well, so be sure to visit at least one no matter where your trek takes you.
Dampier Peninsula
A vivid blend of red cliffs, turquoise water, and cultural richness, the Dampier Peninsula is a slower, soulful destination. Visit Aboriginal communities and take a cultural tour at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, where you can stay overnight and learn about pearl farming from the Bardi Jawi people.
Kimberley Safety Considerations for Visiting Families
Crocodiles
Unless you’re really going to ground with your outback adventure, you won’t find a crocodile unless you’re looking for one (Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park is a Broome favourite). Still, it’s worth knowing that saltwater crocodiles are found throughout the Kimberley – freshwater included. Warning signs pepper all the places you’re likely to visit, with designated swimming spots to keep people safe. The night and breeding season, which lasts from September to April, are also more dangerous, but the region has few crocodile incidents – aside from a feisty one getting punched in the nose.
Jellyfish
October to May brings out the venomous box jellyfish, which should be avoided at all costs. Stinger suits are one way to prevent this, but so is asking locals, researching and being aware of any signs. They’ve been sighted on beaches all over the Kimberley, so a Google or quick question to a local is always a good idea before a swim during jellyfish season.
Biting Insects
More of an annoyance than a menace, mozzies and sand flies are at home in swamps and mangroves. Repellant should be on hand wherever you are in the Kimberley, but netted hats and long sleeve clothing comes in handy too. Leeches can be found in swamps and rainforests too, but they’re no worse than a mosquito bite, and adding repellent to your socks tends to ward them off.
Dehydration
With medical treatments being among the most common claimed events for travel insurance policies in Australia, combating dehydration during your time in the Kimberley is an absolute must.
Dehydration is the biggest outback issue in all the northwest. More often than not, people underestimate how easily it happens, so be sure to pack plenty of water and wear sunsafe clothing whenever you head out for the day. Parents are also advised to monitor their children for signs of dehydration, including dizziness or light headedness, dry mouth, confusion, and fatigue.
Theft and Camp Raids
Both people and animals have been known to poach from people’s cars and camps. Crows and Dingos are attracted to open food or litter, while thieves prefer sites with visible valuables. Keeping your items packed and secure is the best protection from both, alongside of course, making sure your travel insurance policy also includes cover for theft on top of airport baggage mishandling.
What To Bring on your Family Trip to the Kimberley
Kimberley tours tend to limit luggage between 5kg to 18kg, plus it’ll save sore muscles if you lighten your load before you arrive. As we said, sunscreen is key to enjoying the Kimberley, insect repellant too. Here are some other important items to pack in anticipation for your family trip to the Kimberley region.
Camping Clothing and Footwear
Swinging from sweltering to icy in hours, you’ll need to pack for both. White, long sleeve shirts tend to do double duty keeping you warmer and preventing sunburn. A sun hat, jumper, hiking shoes, and wetsuit booties tend to be must-haves.
Swimming and Water Gear
Towels don’t need to be full size, the sun will do half the work while you save space with a gym towel or the like. Still, if it’s a sunny seaside holiday you have in mind, bathers, big towels, beach umbrellas and more will be bonuses. Don’t forget to pack water bottles too, as swimming and suntanning can be dehydrating activities.
Night and Camp Essentials
Headlamps and sleeping bags are essential on any camping trip and they’re essential in the Kimberley too. Packed food, toiletries, and medications too. Scroggin is a camping classic you’ll like to have on hand if trekking, and if you’re into night sky photography, a tripod or somewhere to set up your camera comes in handy too.
Extras for Comfort and Fun
Journals, books, speakers, binoculars, and battery banks will all find times to be used. Your extras all depend on the type of Kimberley trip you’re planning. Beach, boating, or outback? The options continue on from there.
Make Unforgettable Memories on your Family Trip to the Kimberley Region
With so many unique attractions and sights to take in, a family trip to the Kimberley is inevitably cause for excitement and much anticipation. As the Kimberley region is also pretty inaccessible due to its isolated position along WA’s wild northern coast, you likely will only travel to this corner of our glorious state once or twice in your life – so you’ll want this trip to be well worth the hassle.
Thankfully, with these safe and practical travel tips, you can make sure the entire family can explore the Kimberley thoroughly and with relative comfort, ensuring you and your loved ones can forge precious memories all across this breathtaking landscape.
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