Perched where Australia’s Outback meets the Indian Ocean, Broome is where country and coast meet. This remote oasis combines luxury, adventure and a laidback vibe into one.
With its wide empty beaches, abundant wildlife, warm tropical climate and spectacular natural colours, this is a region you won’t want to miss out on. Book your flights to Broome with Virgin Australia today!
Broome to Purnululu National Park
From the white sands of Broome western australia to the awe-inspiring orange rocks of Purnululu National Park, Western Australia is the place to be for adventure. Whether it’s exploring the ruins of a gold rush town or taking in a four-wheel drive safari, this is one state where you can’t afford to miss out.
The city of Broome is the gateway to the Kimberley, an untamed wilderness that stretches from Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the north to Darwin in the south. The region is filled with gorges, red dirt and looming mountains, all of which offer stunning views that are virtually untouched by humans.
A highlight of any trip to the Kimberley is a visit to the Bungle Bungles, a World Heritage-listed area in the heart of Purnululu National Park. Its mesmerising ‘beehive’ domes of striped orange and grey sandstone tower rock formations have become icons of the region, a must see for any traveller.
There are many ways to get up close and personal with the iconic peaks, including a range of hiking trails that take you around these mesmerising rocks. You can also go on a scenic flight over them.
This is a great way to see the ‘beehive’ domes from above and to experience the acoustics of Cathedral Gorge, where you’ll walk among the red walls of narrow Echidna Chasm. The hike is also a fantastic opportunity to see a wide variety of plants that thrive in this harsh environment, from red paperflowers to mauve mulla-mulla and green spinifex.
You can also enjoy cable beach, which is the perfect spot for a swim, and there’s a fossilised dinosaur footprint at Gantheaume Point. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from May to October.
If you’re looking for something more exciting, you can fly over the ‘beehive’ domes and gorges in an open-sided helicopter, such as Helispirit or AviAir. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it’s best to book your flights in advance.
Another highlight is the Spring Creek Track into the park, which takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete. It’s 53km long and is heavily corrugated, with plenty of creek crossings and winding corners.
Purnululu National Park to Bungle Bungles
When we were in Broome and Western Australia, one of the things that really stood out to us was the beauty of Purnululu National Park. This beautiful national park is located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, close to the state border with the Northern Territory. It is a large and remote park that is renowned for its sandstone towers and cones that were first discovered by the indigenous people of the area.
There are a few ways to see these amazing rock formations. One way is to take a scenic flight over them and another is to visit the park on a guided tour. Regardless of how you choose to visit the park, it will be an experience that is sure to leave you with lasting memories.
You can also take a hike through the park. This is a great way to see the different parts of the range and it is easy to get around with your guide. You will be able to see the beautiful formations and enjoy the shady areas as you hike along.
This hike is a full day activity and costs about $399 AUD. You will need to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat as you will be exposed to the sun. You will also need to bring water and other supplies.
The hike to Cathedral Gorge is a flat but exposed trail with some rocky portions. You will be able to take frequent breaks in shady areas. You will also be able to see the spectacular gorge that is Cathedral Gorge.
These sandstone towers and cones are some of the most unique structures on Earth, and you can’t help but be mesmerized by their beauty. They are known to be 360 million years old, making them a truly ancient landscape.
Although these sandstone towers were first discovered by the indigenous people of the Kimberley, they were largely unknown to most Australians until 1983. This was the year that a documentary crew filming in Western Australia spotted these amazing rock formations.
Since then, this national park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its stunning natural beauty. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Australia! You can book a Bungle Bungle guided tour or a scenic flight over the park. You can also explore the park by 4WD if you want to get off the beaten path.
Bungle Bungles to Broome
Broome is a stunning city in western Australia that’s surrounded by the stunning natural wonders of the Bungle Bungle ranges and the incredible gorges and rock formations of the eastern Kimberley. With a rich Aboriginal and pearling history, the area is filled with restaurants and shops that showcase their culture and food.
Broome and the surrounding areas are home to a diverse range of cultures and people from across the globe, making the area a truly unique place to visit. There’s a range of experiences to suit all tastes and budgets, including the famous Bungle Bungle day tour that includes a visit to the park, a scenic flight over the domes and a four wheel drive into the park to see them first-hand.
This trip is a perfect way to see the amazing world-famous sandstone domes in Purnululu National Park and the breathtaking views they provide over the surrounding wilderness. You can also explore the Bungle Bungles by helicopter, which provides a completely different experience and allows you to see this incredible scenery from a unique perspective.
The journey from the Bungle Bungles to Broome is a short one and can be made in either a car or 4WD. However, if you are in a rental car, it is recommended to hire the best possible model as the road conditions can be rough and uneven at times.
It’s best to leave early as the drive is long, but this is one of the most spectacular parts of the entire Kimberley region and you will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. The route is mostly on unsealed roads, so if you’re not comfortable driving in these conditions, it may be worth considering hiring a four-wheel drive for the duration of your stay.
You can take a scenic flight over the domes, which is an unforgettable way to see this incredible landscape, or you can get out of the vehicle and walk through them, or even go on a guided tour that takes you through the maze of orange and black-striped sandstone domes. The park is also known for its amazing cathedral gorge, an incredible amphitheatre of soaring cliffs and livistona palms.
Broome to Halls Creek
The Kimberley is a unique region in Australia that’s as diverse as it is beautiful. Its coastline is home to turquoise water, red rocks and sun-kissed white sand.
Broome, Western Australia’s largest town, is a tourist favourite for its stunning beaches. It’s a cosmopolitan town with many cultural influences from around the world, and it is a great place to begin your trip along The Savannah Way.
From here, you can explore the world-heritage site of Purnululu National Park, which is a wonderland of soaring gorges, Aboriginal rock art and dramatic caves. You’ll also see the behive-like mounds of the Bungle Bungles, a natural spectacle of orange and black stripes produced by tidal forces.
You can’t miss the incredible Horizontal Falls, described by David Attenborough as one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. Located in Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago, these waterfalls are formed by the force of tidal movements that create huge volumes of water rushing through a narrow cliff passage.
There are numerous tours that allow you to take in the natural beauty of the area from above. These include a scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago, which is home to 1,000 islands made of Precambrian sandstone from 2 billion years ago.
Alternatively, you can cruise Roebuck Bay on an old pearl lugger. And between March and October, head to Town Beach to witness the magical ’Staircase to the Moon’ visual illusion caused by the moonlight reflecting off exposed mudflats.
Halls Creek, WA’s first gold rush town, is a charming little town that is home to some wonderful historical sites. It was a lively place when it was first discovered in 1885, but these days you’ll find it much quieter. It’s also the home of Yarliyil Art Centre, which gives local Aboriginal people a chance to produce their own art ethically and sell it in a fair.
Another fascinating destination is the historic town of Old Halls Creek, 15km away from the newer Halls Creek. It’s a real throwback to the past, and it’s worth visiting. It has remnants of a well, graveyard and mud brick post office, as well as some street signs.