Kimberley Luxury: El Questro and Home Valley

Until recently the Top End, as the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia is known locally, was the preserve of those who were prepared to get down and dirty. However gradually more luxurious options are becoming available. Its timely too because the release of Baz Luhrmann’s epic Australia will have three stars: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and the Kimberley landscape.

Wet Season, Kimberleys

The Kimberley region stretches from a few hundred kilometres inland from Broome in the west to Kununurra at the eastern end of the Gibb River Road. The GBR is best road through the Kimberley region: which makes it 4WD only at the best of times and closed to visitors during the Wet (November to April).
Your luxury options are limited for most of the route but as you near the Kununurrua end of the route you are suddenly spoilt for choice.

Home Valley, Gibb River Road
Is run by the local Indigenous Land Corporation and to be frank don’t book if you want smooth, 5-star luxury the whole way. However if you want to combine stunning natural beauty, fantastic wild life and you actually want to interact with the real locals, the Aborigines then this one is for you.

Home Valley Horse and Stockman

The Home Valley’s accommodation ranges from camping and up but luxury option is to choose one of the eight “Grass Hut” bungalows are set to take advantage of stunning views over the Bindoola Creek River. The open sided restaurant is good too and of course features the local beef. Appropriately named the Dusty Bar & Grill is the epicentre for night time entertainment. Here guests can mingle with the Station’s local wildlife up close, including snakes and our resident kangaroo. Keep an eye out for the pool playing dog too. The after dinner program includes local entertainers playing country music and storytelling around the camp fire.

Dusty Bar, Home Valley

Located west of the notorious Pentecost River visiting Home Valley is open year around (except December) – making it one of the only accommodation options for experiencing the remote Kimberleys during the Wet, though you will have to fly from Kununurrua.

El Questro Homestead

El Questro Homestead

Is the 5-star branch of the El Questro Station. Run by Voyages Hotels & Resorts a recent $1.9 million renovation has replaced the Homestead’s Asian-influenced decor with a more rustic Australian feel. Updated balcony bathrooms feature in several of the exclusive rooms The egg-shaped stone tubs and double-headed showers make washing off the day’s dust a joy. With just six rooms the Homestead is an exclusive retreat cantilevered over the magnificent Chamberlain Gorge. Visitors are encouraged to choose from a selection of dining locations, from a private cliff top to the Homestead’s spacious verandas, but almost always under a canopy of stars.

Decorated with modern pieces set against rustic authentic Australian furnishings, the Homestead really is an oasis from which to appreciate the untamed beauty of the Kimberley. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the Homestead has a swimming pool and tennis court, for the exclusive use of Homestead guests.

Chamberlain Suite, El Questro

The premier suite is the Chamberlain Suite which is cantilevered over the Chamberlain Gorge, the Chamberlain Suite offers panoramic views and features a wrap-around veranda with floor to ceiling windows to enjoy the magnificent sunset and sunrise over the gorge.

If you want to see some of the locations where Australia, the movie was filmed then sign up for The Big Day Out: a full-day tour which loops around the spectacular cockburn Ranges. Closer to home the Zebedee Springs is a tropical oasis lush with palms and padanus to which Homestead guests an arragne private visits. Emma Gorge with it bridal-veil falls is a short and popular hike.