A Hidden Gem That Sparkles Like Its Namesake

It’s no secret that Australia is a vast country with a vibrant culture and an untamed natural beauty. Yet what you may not know is that there’s a stunning region in the west, home to spectacular gorges, waterfalls, and abundant history: the Kimberley, a hidden gem that sparkles like its namesake.

The Kimberley’s warm tropical climate boasts average temperatures between 77° to 95°F year-round. Its untamed landscape stretches across nearly 164,000 square miles—twice the size of the United Kingdom. The Kimberley features the oldest exposed rock on earth: striking orange and red sandstone dated to 3.5 billion years peeking through lush foliage and emerald green waters.

The iconic Geikie Gorge National Park gives Kimberley its nickname: The Cascading Crown of the North. Its majestic, towering walls formed over millions of years and hold 600-million-year-old fossils. Cruising Geikie Gorge, visitors soak in layers of ancient rock art and the natural displays known as “reflections of the Dreamtime” according to the indigenous Bunuba People.

At the heart of the Kimberley sits Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest manmade lake, surrounded by an array of wildlife such as rock wallabies that climb intricate sandstone domes and freshwater crocodiles lurk below the lake’s sparkling surface. Visitors can cruise Lake Argyle, fish barramundi on a houseboat, or tour the historic Durack Homestead Museum to immerse themselves into early Australian pioneer history.

The most spectacular part of the Kimberley lies in the north with Purnululu National Park. Purnululu protects the iconic Bungle Bungle Range—ancient striated orange and black domes striped by centuries of water runoff. Adventurous visitors take helicopter rides for unrivaled views or hike the famous 37-mile round-trip through Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Creek.

Whether exploring indigenous culture, epic scenery, vibrant wildlife, or ancient history, the essence of the Kimberley shines like the crown it’s named after—a glittering Australian landscape full of discovery. The Kimberley is a hidden gem that sparkles like its namesake.