 Attractions
Broome: The town of Broome was first settled as a port to service the world's largest pearling grounds. Today cultured pearls are still produced and offer the visitors ample pearl jewellery shopping. Cable Beach is a fantastic white sandy beach facing onto turquoise waters.
Broome Museum: Brings to life the fascinating history of this "Port of Pearls". Along with an array of historical artifacts, that tell the story of Broome.
A great outing for the whole family.
Kunmunya Aboriginal Reserve: First "Wilderness Couple", Susan and Michael Cusack, lived here for 12 months in 1987 to 1988. They endured 40 degree temperatures, swarms of flies, bushfire and drought during the driest season since 1957. Their reward -the eventual Wet and its transformation of the landscape.
Kununurra: The town is the Kimberley's Gateway from the east. It offers access to an enormous variety of unique and colourful Kimberley adventures. It is nestled on the banks of the Ord River. Established in 1960 as the centre for the Ord River Irrigation Project. There are lots of attractions in this town such as Hidden Valley National Park, City of ruins and Lake Argyle.
Kuri Bay: Site of isolated pearl farm. Colour, size and lustre of these "South Sea" pearls, some of which grow to 18mm in diameter, are highly regarded.
Lake Argyle and the Ord River Scheme: Australia's biggest body of fresh water (5672 million cu. m) was created in 1971 by damming the Ord River as part of a bold irrigation project. Explore islands by boat, or canoe 55 km down the Ord from the Carr Boyd Ranges to lakes Argyle and Kununurra. Visit historic Argyle Homestead.
Mitchell Plateau: Fifty resident mammal species include the warabi, smallest of our rock wallabies, and the scaly-tailed possum, both unique to the Kimberley. Some 220 bird and 86 reptile and amphibian species further enhance the richness of this magnificent area. Deep narrow gorges with some permanent pools and spectacular waterfalls are etched into the western sandstone area.
Prince Regent River Nature Reserve: Board a pearl lugger or other boat in Derby for access to outstanding scenery of walled gorges, waterfalls, Aboriginal rock paintings and rainforest patches.
Roebourne: Oldest town in the NW, settled 1864. Some stone buildings have been restored; town thrived during 1880's and 1890's Kimberley gold rush.
Wolfe Creek Crater: Located 130 km south of Halls Creek, this giant meteorite crater is some 800 m wide and 50 m deep.
Admiralty Gulf: Explore the rocky coast, small beaches and headlands with escarpments that in places rise more than 200 m. Named by Lt Phillip Parker King in 1819 to honour the British Admiralty. Access only by boat.
Pilbara (Karrijini National Park): Volcanoes and sedimentary rock more than 4.6 billion years old form the continent's oldest crystal block. Iron ore dominates life: 20 years after mining began in the late 1960's, 200 billion tonnes of ore remain. 6 major mines, 10 townships, 1200 km of railway and 5 separate port facilities have been built and the population has increased from 4000 to 50,000.
|