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.

Prefer a little adventure with your cruising? Want to see more than blue skies and ocean waves? Prefer a smaller boat rather than a cast of thousands?

Check out the luxury cruise operators that will take you to Australia’s remote Kimberley region. This is Australia’s true tropical north with a distinct wet season. The cruising and tourist season runs from March to September.

The Kimberley’s are renowned for their spectacular rock formations and amazing rivers and waterfalls. The whole area has a tidal range of over 10m so that the tidal surge creates its own “horizontal waterfalls” as the sea rushes through confined rocky outcrops. The tropical reefs also get exposed when the tide goes out. The wildlife is everywhere:turtles, dugong,and manta rays are common. This is also crocodile country so you won’t be doing much salt water swimming but the river bilabongs are generally safe. The North West is well known for its barramundi fishing - and your chef will no doubt be happy to cook your catch.

Helicopters or expedition boats allow you to land and visit one of the world’s most remote and untouched regions. The Kimberleys are 1800 million years old and feature rugged escarpments, dramatic ranges, spectacular gorges and waterfalls. Water lilies, ferns, and ancient rain forest covers the deep red gorges. This is one cruise where on board you will be barefoot but ashore you might want to take your hiking boots! Don’t expect to find any shops to buy trinkets in either, if you need it make sure you bring it with you on board. Smart casual is the dress code: but you will need a broad-brimmed hat to survive the fierce Australian sun.

All the ships operate out of Broome in northern Western Australia (fly from Perth, Darwin or Sydney). The old pearling town is a resort destination itself but its also the last major port heading north. Approximately 13 days cruising will take you to Wyndham with a transfer to Kununurra near the Northern Territory border. The ships are small with, typically around 100 guests, and have a shallow draft, so they can navigate close to shore,through the reefs and into the river systems such as the Mitchell, Sale and Drysdale Rivers.

The Kimberley’s are remote area, even by Australian standards, and also some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. To reach the area by land would take a well-equipped 4WD at least a week to 10 days ex-Broome. North Star Cruises has their own helicopter and this gives you unparalleled access to these remote beauty spots: without any of the hard work. Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises is another well-regarded operator based in Broome which offers daily shore excursions.