Great Northern Highway Itinerary

Kununurra to Purnululu National Park (The Bungle Bungle)

Kununurra - Purnululu National Park (The Bungle Bungle)

Depart Kununurra early and drive though some of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the North West. The turn off to the National Park is about 250 km (two to three hours) from Kununurra. 

If driving straight to the Bungle Bungle, choose to camp or glamp the night at the Bungle Bungle Caravan park, only 1 km off the Great Northern Highway or if you do have a 4WD vehicle, drive all the way into the heart of the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) and stay at either one of the lodges or under the stars in one of the national park campgrounds.

The following day take a tour and discover the WOW that is the Bungles for yourself with either a walking, bus, or a scenic flight tour.

The Bungle Bungle - Mimbi Caves

Bungle Bungle Caravan Park - Mimbi Caves - 316 km

Don’t forget to stretch your legs in Halls Creek, visiting the Yarliyil Art Centre and the lovely staff at the Halls Creek Visitor Centre where they can help you with all your tour and accommodation needs for your trip ahead! Plus they have an extensive range of gifts and souvenirs too.

4WD option: Visit the legendary Wolfe Creek Crater National Park - The turnoff to the National Park is situated approximately 154 kilometres south of Halls Creek along the Tanami Road. From the turnoff, it is approximately 23 kilometres to the car park along unsealed roads (contact Halls Creek Travel & Tourism for up to date road conditions). There is a National Park campsite with basic toilets, however you need to be totally self-sufficient for all your supplies. 

If skipping Wolfe Creek Crater, stop for the night at Mimbi Caves. This new campground is only 10 km off the main road, they offer hot showers, a BBQ shelter and secluded camp sites. Make sure you book for the Mimbi Caves tour for the next morning which is one of Australia’s most spectacular and significant natural geological sites.

Mimbi Caves to Fitzroy Crossing

Mimbi Caves to Fitzroy Crossing

Join your Gooniyandi guide for the Mimbi Caves Tour, an amazing journey deep inside the caves which are a part of the 350 million year old Devonian Reef system. The tour guides are great fun and their homemade damper is delicious!

After your morning tour head to Fitzroy Crossing only a short drive from Mimbi Caves.

Once you have unhitched the van, drive out to the original town site to explore the history of the old town and visit the legendary Crossing Inn before making your way out to Geikie Gorge for the sunset cruise.

Fitzroy River Lodge is a great place to stay just out of town and on the banks of the river with plenty of room for everyone.

Fitzroy Crossing to Derby

Fitzroy Crossing - Derby

Make your way to the historical town of Derby not forgetting to stop at the Boab Prison Tree on the way to the Caravan Park. Make sure you check out Derby’s events calendar as they always have something exciting on from markets to the Boab Festival including crab races. At the end of the day make your way to the famous Derby Jetty to watch the sunset.

Horizontal Falls

From Derby, book yourself on a trip of a life time with a one day or overnight Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure. As David Attenborough once said, the ‘Horizontal Falls is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world’.

And to top off the day, treat yourself to a delicious Kimberley steak at the Spinifex Hotel.

Derby to Broome

Derby - Broome

Make sure you drop into the Willare Bridge Roadhouse for a Yeeda Pie which soon will be made on site at their new pie factory.  They also have decadent home-made pastries to offer the weary traveller! You can then roll into Broome just in time to watch the famous Broome camels make their afternoon trek on Cable Beach.

Broome is one of the most popular towns to visit in Western Australia in the tourism season so make sure you book your accommodation early.