The Kimberley provides adventurers with a truly epic experience. It’s here you can take part in one of the last true outback adventures and experience the spectacular scenery along the 660 kilometre Gibb River Road. Search for pearls in Broome, look for birds in one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth or walk through the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle in Purnululu National Park. The Kimberley in Western Australia is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas stretching from Broome in the west to beyond Kununurra to the east.

AN OUTDOOR ART GALLERY

The Kimberley has a rich Aboriginal history thoughtto stretch back over 50,000 years, with traditional laws and customs depicted through intricate rock art paintings across the landscape. The world-famous Gwion Gwion rock paintings are an integral part ofthe landscape and are olderthan the Egyptian pyramids.The Kimberley’s dramatic Wandjina paintings, the creator spirits ofthe land, has become an internationally-recognised symbol of Aboriginal Australia and was an important part ofthe opening ceremony ofthe Sydney Olympics in 2000.

ANCIENT AND EXTRAORDINARY LANDSCAPES

The Kimberley is home to extremely diverse landscapes - intricate headlands and archipelagos, deep bays, impressive tidal effects, deep caves and gorges and magnificent waterfalls. The landscape is home to a world-heritage listed site, two National Heritage sites, four wetlands of international significance, 20 wetlands of national significance and 33 parks and reserves.

Rocks and plateaus

The World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park is home to the awe-inspiring 350-mi 11 ion year-old Bungle Bungle -a vast area of beehive like sandstone domesthat rise 300 metres out ofthe earth, creating narrow chasms and hidden gorges. More than 650 types of plants, 130 birds, 81 reptile and 12 frog species live here. In the north of the Kimberley, the Mitchell Plateau and spectacular Mitchell Falls are one ofthe least disturbed ecosystems left in the world and are of great biological importance. The plateau providesa refuge for threatened wildlife such as the monjon.atype ofwallabyandthe black grass wren.

THE KIMBERLEY GOGO FISH - A MISSING LINK IN THE EVOLUTIONARY CHAIN

The ancient tropical reefs ofthe 370-mi I lion year old Devonian era have been laid bare in the Kimberley, and in the 1980’s scientists discovered well-preserved fossils ofthe remarkable gogo fish, the first sea creature to show physical characteristics of life’s journey from ocean to land.

Corges, tunnels and caves

At overthree kilometres long with 300 metre-high walls, the 375-mi 11 io n year old Windjana Gorge in Windjana Gorge National Park contains deep freshwater pools surrounded by native figtrees. The pools are a paradise for a diverse array of wildlife such as parrots, fruit bats and freshwater crocodiles. The gorge is part of the Napier Range, where you’ll also find Western Australia’s oldest cave system in the nearby Tunnel Creek National Park. It’s here you can walk nearly one kilometre into a tunnel and wade waist deep through freshwater pools. This was also the hide out of Jandamarra, the local Aboriginal resistance hero who fought to protect his culture from the devastating impacts of white settlement.

Untouched coastlines

The 400 square kilometre Montgomery Reef is Australia’s largest inshore reef. The roaringtide rushes out in an awesome display of power to expose upto four metres of reef. The reef is home to a rich variety of marine life including fish, crabs, invertebrates, molluscs and sea plants. Turtles, dugongs, manta rays and many species of sea bird also inhabit the area.

The Buccaneer Archipelago contains around 1,000 islands over an area of about 50 square kilometres. At Talbot Bay hugetidal pressure is created by the small gaps between the islands, forcing water to rush through and creating the powerful Horizontal Falls.This environment provides a haven for whales, with the nutrient-rich waters providing important nursery habitat fortheiryoung.

Rowley Shoals Marine Park has some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in Western Australia. Explorethree diverse reefs, home to a variety ofcorals, fish molluscs and other invertebrates and at least 13 species of larger marine animals including sea turtles, manta rays, whales and dolphins.