Key facts

• Expanding for 423,000 sq kms and with a population of around 30,000, fewer people live in each square kilometre of this awesome landscape than almost anywhere else on earth.
• Although the 1960s town of Kununurra is young, the landscape is not, some of the oldest rocks here formed around 20 million years ago.

Full story

From the pristine beaches and rugged red cliffs of Cape Leveque to the surreal rock scape of the Bungle Bungle beehives, and the hidden waterfalls and palm oases of Echidna Chasm and Cathedral Gorge, the Kimberley is like nowhere else.

In Australia’s North West, lies one of the world's last great wilderness areas. Expanding for an astonishing 423,000 sq kilometres, and with a population of around 30,000, fewer people live in each square kilometre of this awesome landscape than almost anywhere else on earth.

You won't find her listed in the credits along side Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, but the Kimberley really stole the show in Baz Luhrmann's epic romantic adventure, Australia the movie.

Although the 1960s town of Kununurra is young, the landscape is not - some of the oldest rocks here formed around 20 million years ago.

This is the place for an authentic outback adventure – go four wheel driving on the 660 kilometre Gibb River Road; take a scenic flight over the extraordinary rock formations of the Bungle Bungles and Mitchell and Horizontal Falls; swim in the coral gardens and abundant marine life of the Rowley Shoals; or paddle a canoe and fish for barramundi the Ord River, keeping an eye out for the crocodiles.

This wild rugged range also covets gems of a different kind, being the world’s largest supplier of diamonds, exporting around one quarter of the world’s supply of these sparkling beauties.

For a true taste of the distinctive lifestyle and culture of the east Kimberley, visit during the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, a two week cattle rounding festival held each year in May.

The Kimberley’s majestic red gorges; friendly, unpretentious locals; and other diamonds in the rough, make it a worthy Australian icon.