Campervan Touring Information
The Kimberley in 6 days
Distance
Darwin to Broome: 1,870 km | 21 hrs
The stunning and surreal landscapes of the Kimberley region are like nowhere else on earth. Access to the Bungle Bungles and Purnululu National Park is by 4WD due to creek crossings. It's definitely not suited to campervans. But don't let this deter you. You could take a tour ($315 per person) or rent a 4WD from $70 per day out of Kununurra. Kununurra is 4 hr and 45 min from Purnululu, so this option will add a day to this Kimberley tour. All stops are mapped at the bottom of the article.
This is part of the Darwin to Perth Road Trip and you can find the Broome to Perth itinerary here.
Darwin to Broome Itinerary
We're adding in some optional days in the Northern Territory at the beginning in case you have not already experienced these places.
Optional Darwin to Katherine – 4 days
Day 1: Darwin to Litchfield National Park - 116 km | 1 hr 20 m
Day 2: Nitmiluk National Park - Edith Falls - 230 km | 2 hr 35 m
Day 3: Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge - 90 km | 1 hr 20 m
Day 4: Katherine and Cutta Cutta Caves - 28 km | 30 m
Katherine to Broome – 6 days (Itinerary below)
Day 1: Katherine to Kununurra and Lake Argyle – 515 km | 6 hr 45 m
Day 2: Wyndham and Parry's Lagoon – 112 km | 1 hr 45 min
Optional day: Purnululu and the Bungle Bungles (if hiring 4WD, add a day)
Day 3 & 4: Wyndham/Kununurra to Purnululu – 300 km | 4 hr 45 min
Day 5: Fitzroy Crossing –- 438 km | 6 hr
Day 6: Broome – 400 km | 4.5 hr
Broome to Darwin Itinerary
Katherine to Broome – 6 days (Itinerary below)
Day 1: Broome to Fitzroy Crossing – 400 km | 4.5 hr
Day 2: Purnululu –- 438 km | 6 hr
Day 3 & 4: Wyndham and Parry's Lagoon – 300 km | 4 hr 45 min
Day 5: Kununurra and Lake Argyle – 112 km | 1 hr 45 min
Optional 2 days: Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungles (if hiring 4WD, add a day)
Day 6: Kununurra to Katherine – 515 km | 6 hr 45 m
Optional Katherine to Darwin – 4 days
Day 7: Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge – 28 km | 30 m
Day 8: Nitmiluk National Park - Edith Falls – 90 km | 1 hr 20 m
Day 9: Litchfield National Park – 250 km | 2 hr 45 m
DAY 10: Darwin – 140 km | 1 hr 40 m
Boab trees near Parry Lagoon. Photo: kimberleyspirittours via IG
Kununurra and Lake Argyle
Distances
From Katherine – 515 km | 6 hr 45 m
From Judbarra
Gregory National Park – 285 km | 3 hr 45 m
From Wyndham – 100 km | 1 hr 15 m
From Purnululu – 290 km 4 hr 30 m
Kununurra is the first town you’ll come to upon entering Western Australia from the Northern Territory. It is a green oasis on a river surrounded by the red landscapes of the Kimberley.
Things to do in Kununurra
- Take an Ord River boat tour to see the wildlife (from 11.30 am – 5.30 pm $180)
- Walk through Mirima National Park (formerly called Hidden Valley National Park) a mini bungle bungles right in the town of Kununurra.
- Climb Kelly’s Knob for great views (take plenty of water and take your time).
- If you'd like to visit the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park, one option is to hire a 4WD from Kununurra, drive down in the morning, spend the afternoon and following morning exploring, then drive back in the afternoon. It's 300 km each way (4 hr 45 mins).
Mirima National Park, Kununurra. Photo: alana.vic via IG
Mirima National park, Kununurra. Photo: irishozy via IG
Mirima National Park, Kununurra. Photo: linc_53 via IG
Mirima National Park, Kununurra. Photo: nicfrazee
Things to do in Lake Argyle
- Visit the museum and learn about the creation of the dam and lake
- Drive over the dam wall
- Visit Homestead Falls
- Take a sunset cruise
- Swim in the infinity pool ($10 if you are not a guest)
Lake Argyle Camping for Campervans
The
Caravan Park at Lake Argyle is also a resort and it has an infinity pool with amazing
views over Lake Argyle. There is also a restaurant, bar, shop, bait, tour
bookings and fuel.
RATES:
$17.50/adult (there are family discounts). $10/adult
if you just want to use the infinity pool.
The Infinity Pool. Lake Argyle. Photo: thetravellingnomads via IG
Lake Argyle stormy sunset. Photo: nik taverner via IG
The Carr Boyd Ranges around Lake Argyle. Photo: danproud via IG
Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve
Distances
From Kununurra – 70 km | 1 h 15 mins
From Purnululu – 280 km | 4.5 hr
Parry Lagoon is 30 mins north of the Victorian Highway along the Great Northern Highway on the way to Wyndham. Look for a blue sign. Stop at the information bay on the way in to get your bearings.
This wetland area is best visited just after the wet season (The wet season is Dec – Mar) but there is water here all year on waterlily studded Marglu Billabong. You’ll see a lot of waterbirds such as jabirus, spoonbills, herons, magpie geese, waterfowl, pelicans, egrets, ibis, and more. There are bird hides so you can watch them.
Check out the surreal boab forest at Parry Creek Farm.
Do not swim here and keep away from the waters edge. There are crocodiles.
Parry Creek Farm field of Boabs
Finch at Parry's Lagoon. Photo: rvtrip via IG
Lily pond at Parry's Lagoon. Photo: petesflap via IG
The Grotto
A little further north, heading toward Wyndham, is the Grotto. It is 2WD accessible but the water dries up in summer so it’s best to visit it just after the wet season, such as in April. It is croc-free and safe for swimming.
There are a lot of stairs. Maybe that’s what keeps the crocs away. There is a tarzan swing which is fun. Take care of submerged rocks before jumping in from a height.
The Grotto: Photo: freshwatereastkimberleyapartments via IG
Wyndham
Wyndham is in two parts; old Wyndham (or Wyndham Port) and Wyndham three Mile (or Wyndham East). Wyndham is the northern most town in Western Australia and is about as isolated as you can get, surrounded by desert and mudflats.
The arrival of the Overland Telegraph Line in 1889 provided the local Aborigines with an excellent source of spearheads because they climbed up the poles and helped themselves to the ceramic insulators.
Population is now 1200 and is partly sustained by tourism.
Things to do in Wyndham
- Five Rivers Lookout. It is signposted from Wyndham Three Mile and you couldn’t get a better view unless you actually flew over the region. The five rivers are the Durack, King, and Pentecost to the south, Forrest to the west and Ord to the north.
- The Big Crocodile at the entrance to Wyndham Three Mile. This 20 metre long crocodile is hard to miss. It was designed and built by sculptor Andrew Hickson and the students from the Halls Creek TAFE using steel rods, mesh and concrete.
- Wyndham Port has a few old meatworks buildings and a small display of the trains and cranes which operated on the wharf. The Old Post Office (across the road from the low security prison) is now the Tourist Information Centre and Post Office Museum.
- Wyndham Three Mile - At Wyndham Three Mile the local Aboriginal population have constructed enormous statues depicting an Aboriginal family with a dingo and kangaroo (It is a block east of the main street). In the same street is a open air cinema with comfortable deck chairs, a small screen and enclosed projector booth.
- The Prison Tree is on the King River road. It is a hollowed out old baobab tree which was used as a temporary lockup by the local police,
Parry Lagoon Campervan Camping
There
is camping at Parry Creek Farm. To get to the campsite, keep driving past the
information bay on Parry Creek Road.
Facilities include a pool. BBQs, camp kitchen and nature walks.
RATES:
Unpowered sites are $15 for up to 8 people.
Prison Tree, Wyndham. Photo: ruivencampers via IG
Bungle Bungles, Purnululu
Distances
Parry Lagoon – 270 km | 4.5 hr
Kununurra – 290 km | 4.5 hr
Fitzroy Crossing – 440 km | 6 hr
The Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungles within the park are accessible only by 4WD due to creek crossings. You have two options:
- You can take a full day tour from the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park for $315 per person.
- Or you can hire a
4WD vehicle from Kununurra for around $70 per day. Due to the distance from Kununurra,
you’ll need the car for at least 2 days and will have to overnight in a tent.
After turning off the highway to Purnululu National Park, stop at the information bay to get your bearings. Further along, the Purnululu Visitor Center (Ranger Station) has maps to the walks and nearest lookouts.
Camping near Purnululu
- Free Camping - Between Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing (650 km) there are 5 rest areas where you can camp overnight for free. Just look for the “24hr” blue sign.
- Budget Camping - Larrawa
Bush Camp isn’t free but it has more facilities including hot showers, flushing
toilets, internet, BBQs and campfires.
RATES: $10 per person
The Bungle Bungles. Photo: seanscottphotography via IG
Walking among the Bungle Bungles. Photo: wonderlust.perth via IG
Purnululu National Park. Photo: stonycreekcampers
Fitzroy Crossing
Distances
From Purnululu
National Park - 400 km | 4 hr 10 m
From Kununurra - 650 km | 6 h 45 m
From Parry
Creek Farm – 650 km | 6 hr 45 m
From Broome – 400 km | 4.5 hr
Mimbi Caves
96 km before you reach Fitzroy Crossing (and 55km after Larrawa Bush Camp) you will see a sign to Mimbi Caves, a series of cave networks carved through the 400 million year old Devonian reef system which includes active growing limestone formations such as shawls and flowstones, some with sparkling crystals.
Book a
3 hour walking tour with Girloorloo Tours a 100% indigenously owned and operated
tour company.
RATES: adults
$80, kids $40
Mimbi Caves Campervan Camping
There is a campsite at the caves, if you feel like resting up, with
swimming holes that are safe for swimming. Facilities include a camp kitchen, toilets, shower and BBQs.
RATES: $14 per person.
Fitzroy Crossing
Fitzroy is a small town with a 24 hr fuel station, shops, a visitor centre and a place to camp in your campervan The main attraction here is Geikie Gorge National Park – a river carved through weathered sandstone cliffs - which lies 20 km north of town on a sealed road. 1 hr boat tours run from May – October.
Fitzroy Campervan Camping
Fitzroy
River Lodge has a swimming pool, showers, laundry, tennis, bar and pub food. It
has grassy sites under shady trees and friendly staff. The amenities are okay.
RATES:
$38 for two people.
Geikie Gorge, Fitzroy Crossing. Photo: estiezz via IG
Geikie Gorge at Fitzroy Crossing WA. Photo: louisedavey via IG
Crocodile and tortoise, Geikie Gorge. Photo: studyabroad biodiversity
Broome
From Fitzroy Crossing it is a 4 and a half hour drive to Broome.
