Australia immediately conjures images of the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, big-wave surfing, miles of Outback and a rather strange – and endearing – assortment of animals. While the country’s main cities offer charm, glamour, unique festivals, a well-preserved historical heritage, fabulous beaches and fun events, it’s also a land of immense contrast and captivating nature. The nation offers something for just about everyone – from water lovers, desert wanderers and canyon climbers, to arts and culture buffs, historians, and foodies. The country’s vast size makes it almost impossible to take it all in during a single visit, but you can pick and choose a perfect holiday according to your personal preferences.
Set on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Fitzroy Crossing is a quintessential Australian outback town. The small settlement services local stations and acts as a convenient stopover for travellers exploring the scenic Kimberley area, as well as those en-route to the Bungle Bungles Purnululu National Park, Kununurra and Darwin. From here, it's also easy to visit nearby Geikie Gorge National Park, a scenic waterway with towering cliffs and abundant wildlife; Tunnel Creek, an impressive cave system decorated with aboriginal rock paintings and speleothems; and Windjana Gorge, one of the Kimberley area's most beautiful gorges.
Traversing the Kimberley region from east to west in Western Australia, the Gibb River Road is an old cattle route that stretches over 600 kilometres. It is known as one of Australia's unique adventure routes, which travels through some of Australia’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Visitors can look forward to exploring the Kimberley region's spectacular rivers and gorges, diverse fauna and flora, striking geological formations, outback cattle stations, and ancient Aboriginal and pastoral history. Highlights along the route include Windjana Gorge National Park, Home Valley Station, as well as Aboriginal culture tours and sacred rock art sites. Popular activities include camping, wildlife spotting, bird watching, swimming, and hiking.
As previously described
Resting in the rugged Kimberley region of Western Australia, about 110 kilometres west of Kununurra, El Questro Wilderness Park is a working cattle station offering visitors the chance to explore almost a million acres of untamed Australian outback. This impressive expanse of wilderness is characterised by dramatic cliffs, mighty river systems, swimming holes, thermal springs, and deep gorges, many of which feature lush pockets of tropical rainforest and spectacular waterfalls. Discover this vast, ancient land in a variety of ways, from scenic flights to adventurous walks, exhilarating four-wheel-drive tours or relaxing cruises along its waterways. Visitors can look forward to spotting a variety of flora and fauna including fresh water crocodiles and over 100 species of bird.
Also known as the Bungles National Park, this exceptionally scenic World Heritage park is comprised of the Bungle Bungle mountain range, one of the most striking geological landmarks in Western Australia. This remote stretch of wilderness is famous for its striking sandstone domes striped with orange and grey bands, often likened to giant beehives. Visitors can marvel at this incredible natural wonder on a scenic flight, an exhilarating hike, or an adventurous four-wheel-drive tour. Aboriginal people are thought to have lived in this region for more than 40,000 years, and the park holds rich, enduring traces of their occupation such as ancient rock art and burial sites. The park also features an abundance of rare wildlife, tropical pools, craggy gorges, beautiful waterfalls and the lovely Ord River.
Located close to the confluence of the Ord and the Dunham rivers, in the far north of Western Australia, Kununurra is the largest town north of Broome. The town is set amongst rugged hills, mountain ranges, and abundant lakes. The main attraction in the area is Lake Argyle, Australia's largest artificial lake, which is just 70 kilometres south of Kununurra. Visitors can look forward to a wide variety of activities including: exploring the nearby Purnululu National Park, a World Heritage Site; soaking up a sunset view from Kelly’s Knob viewpoint; or taking an exciting boat trip up the Ord River to spot crocodiles, kingfishers, eagles, bats and more. Other popular activities include: horse riding, fishing, swimming as well as 4x4 outback adventures and scenic flights.
Katherine is a serene town located just outside the borders of the Nitmiluk National Park, which is owned by the indigenous Jawoyn Aboriginal people and jointly managed with the local Parks and Wildlife Commission. Tourists use Katharine as a base from which to explore the Edith Falls, scenic Jatbula Trail and the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park. Alternatively, visit the Top Didj Cultural Experience to take in authentic Aboriginal art and culture, relax in the crystal clear Katherine Hot Springs, or take a walk along the river bed on a path that leads to Katherine Low level Nature Reserve.
Jabiru is a settlement situated within the boundaries of the Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory. Travellers to Kakadu make use of the town’s facilities that include a newsagent, post office, service station, medical centre, chemist and police station. Just five kilometres from the town is the Bowali Visitor Centre, which offers a wealth of information about the area and the local Mirarr people. Jabiru also offers easy access to several of the park’s other highlight attractions, including Lake Jabir, the Gunlom falls, the Mamukala Billabong wetland and the sacred Ubirr rocks.
