Lake Argyle

Like the rest of Australia’s ‘top end,’ the Kimberley has two distinct seasons; a tropical ‘wet’ season that runs from October to March, and a tropical ‘dry’ season from April to September.

The Wet Season

While it's normal for there to be monsoonal rains throughout the wet season, it’s more accurate to say that the majority of the region's 500-850mm of annual rainfall usually happens around February and March.

At worst, this can lead to some of the more remote unsealed roads being unpassable, and some of the smaller national parks and tours being closed, but for the most part, the Kimberley remains accessible throughout this time of year.

Locals refer to the period from January to April as the ‘Waterfall Season,’ when a lot of the Kimberley’s rejuvenation and restoration occurs in the floodplains of the regions’ many rivers and creeks, causing countless gorges and waterfalls to spring to life.

If you’re not afraid of some thunder and lightning, the Waterfall Season is the best time of year to witness spectacular light shows over world famous drops like Mitchell Falls, King George, and Revolver Falls, which hug Lake Aryle’s western shoreline inside the Carr Boyd Ranges.

The Dry Season

From April to September, when the southern part of Australia is getting the majority of its rainfall, the Kimberley dries up. This means that all national parks and major tours are open and fully operational.

If you plan on visiting during this time, it’s always important to book ahead as accommodation and activities can be quickly snapped up.

While the range in temperature can vary between locations, 340 days of recorded sunshine per year; distinct wet and dry seasons, high humidity and occasional heavy downpours mean that the Kimberley climate can fairly be described as ‘tropical monsoonal.’

In Broome, known colloquially as the western gateway to the Kimberley, average temperatures range from a fairly consistent 25°C to 32°C throughout the year, with heavy rainfalls from November to April, and warm sunny days from May to October.

In Kununurra to the east – only a short drive from Lake Argyle - average temps are slightly more variable from 20°C to 36°C. High humidity and heavy rainfall characterize the wet season from November to April, while May to October is all about warm to hot days and cool breezy nights.

Be aware that the hottest recorded days in the Kimberley are well above 40°C (104°F) so be sure to a) carry plenty of water with you whenever you step outside, and b) always check the local weather forecast, especially if your journey involves being out on the water or on a medium to long hike. People have been known to wander off, become dehydrated, get lost and expire in these types of conditions.

The short answer to this is that the Kimberley is a massive and geologically diverse region. Divided into two regions (East and West) it covers 423,517 square kilometres by area, which makes it equivalent in size to European countries like Belgium and Holland!

To continue comparisons to the European continent, the population of the region is sparse at only 40,000 permanent residents – about the same as Europe’s smallest principality, Liechtenstein.

Given the sheer size of the region, as described above, you could spend weeks and months exploring the Kimberley if you so desired.

For most people this length of stay is not possible, so a good couple of weeks is highly recommended. If even this amount of time is not feasible, there’s plenty you can achieve during shorter stays.

It’s important to remember however, because of the remoteness of the Kimberley, the distances needed to travel, and the reliance on conditions depending on the time of year you visit, to always build in some contingency during any Kimberley trip.

As a minimum, allow yourself 5-6 days to explore places like Lake Argyle, where the amount of exploration you can do is only limited by your imagination. For those self-driving and not arriving via one of the local airports, one week would give you enough time to have an authentic and memorable Kimberley adventure.

Part of the Kimberley’s appeal is in its diverse and rich history of immigration and settlement, which dates back tens of thousands of years when you include the original Indigenous inhabitants.

Made up of several language groups, each with their own unique culture, traditions and beliefs, the earliest Indigenous Aboriginal groups include the Bardi, Wororra, Wunambal and Gooniyandi peoples, whose ancestral roots remain clear in the region today.

Since the 1800s, like much of Australia, the Kimberley has become home to people of non-Indigenous descent including European settlers and many from Southeast Asian destinations. This racial and cultural mix continues to be celebrated and preserved.

While arriving in the Kimberley can be an adventure of its own, your reward for getting here should include a mix of relaxation, adventure, wildlife spotting and discovery. As mentioned already, you could spend weeks or even months delving into the Kimberley, so here are a few of the Kimberley’s most popular attractions:

1. Lake Argyle: We might be biased, but this man-made lake is one of the largest in the world, and offers incredible boating, fishing, and camping opportunities
2. Bungle Bungle Range: A unique and ancient bee-hive shaped sandstone formation inside Purnululu National Park is a must-visit
3. Horizontal Falls: At the Buccaneer Archipelago, this natural wonder is created by rapid tidal changes that cause water to rush through two narrow rock openings.
4. Cable Beach, Broome: With its white sand and crystal-clear waters, Cable Beach is famous for swimming, sunbathing, and camel rides!
5. Mitchell Falls: This stunning four-tiered waterfall in Mitchell River National Park can only be accessed by helicopter, making for an unforgettable holiday experience.
6. Windjana Gorge: This is an ancient gorge that is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles, and is a popular spot for hiking and free camping.
7. El Questro Wilderness Park: Covering over one million acres, El Questro is an adventure in its own right with stunning gorges, waterfalls and hot springs.
8. The Kimberley Coast: Rugged cliffs, pristine beaches and abundant marine life, make this a popular destination for boat tours and fishing trips.
9. Tunnel Creek: This cave system inside Windjana Gorge National Park is great for guided tours and offers a unique glimpse into the region's history.
10. Gibb River Road: Travel this iconic outback road for over 600 km to arrive in the Kimberley. You won’t forget its stunning landscapes and attractions.

The easy answer to this is yes, but tours are available that will take you to same places, so this question does depend in part on your timeframes and budget.

If you are travelling the Gibb River Road, a high clearance 4WD drive is the only way to go. You can drive through the Kimberley along the sealed Great Northern Highway to get to Kununurra, but even the attractions on this road (like the Bungle Bungles) require a 4WD to enter.

It’s always important to check for signposted warning about crocodiles all over the Kimberley, because the short answer is that saltwater crocodiles do live and breed all over this region.

Factors that could impact the safety of swimming in the Kimberley include changes in water levels the known presence of dangerous wildlife, and the quality of the water itself. It's important to be aware of any potential risks and take necessary precautions, such as avoiding swimming after heavy rainfall or checking for any recent croc or shark sightings.

At Lake Argyle, although it is home to the world’s largest population of Johnston River Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodyllus Johnstoni), these prehistoric creatures are timid and generally considered not dangerous to humans. The locals at Lake Argyle who swim in these waters respect the fact this is the Crocodiles’ natural habitat.