With inland landscapes created over billions of years with stuning gorges and waterfalls, big coastal tides, staircases to the moon are all part of the North West adventures experience. The North West region of Western Australia is located over 1300kms north of Perth and includes the red landscape and contrasting aqua waters of the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
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North West Weather
Winter is definitely the best time for adventure in the North West with day time temperatures of around 25-34 degrees. It can also get pretty cold in the night time because of the wind off the desert and fresh coastal breezes.
Summer is also the wet season and is very tropical with hot and humid day time temperatures in excess of 45 degrees. The summer conditions do also make for spectacular summer storms with lightning shows, down pours, incredible sunsets and warm balmy nights. The Pilbara and Kimberley regions within the North West Tourist Region can be prone to cyclones during this time, which bring dangerous winds and flooding.
Note: heading out to remote locations during this warmer months presents high risks from heat and extreme weather conditions and should only be done with appropriate planning or with an expert guide.
Cyclone Preparation and Safety
If you are travelling to the North West region during summer it’s important to understand and have access to cyclone preparation and safety information. Find information on the WA cyclone warning system and advice for preparation at www.dfes.wa.gov.au.
North West Popular Destinations
Popular destinations in the North West Tourist Region include Broome (home of the iconic Cable Beach), Karajini National Park known for it’s magnificent gorges), Newman, Port Hedland, Karratha, Derby and Kununurra (and nearby El Questro and Lake Argyle).
Getting Around The North West
Driving through the Pilbara and Kimberley is the best way to explore the region. To really see the best of the North West a 4WD is highly recommend. A 4WD may be required to negotiate water crossings and access roads to get to some of the North West’s remote locations. If you need to hire a car or 4WD check out the availablity and specials at Europcar!
The North West is located 1300km north of Perth and extends from Onslow (southern end) to Kunnanurra (northern end). If long drives are not your thing or perhaps you don’t have the time required to drive to and around the North West, you can fly into and around the region via various North West Regional Airports.
North West Adventures
North West Adventures On & Under The Water
Beaches
As you head further north there are less beaches that are suitable for swimming or are only suitable for swimming seasonally, due to risks with salt water crocodiles and sharks. Beaches are also greatly effected by extreme low and high tides in the North West. There are a handful of popular beaches in the North West that are good for swimming and feature iconic attractions that people travel from all over the world to see.
Karratha
There are several beaches in and around the Karratha area that are popular for swimming. These include Hearsons Cove, Back Beach, Dampier Foreshore and Honeymoon Cove Point Samson.
Port Hedland
Spoil Bank was formed from the sand dredged from the port and is accessible by 4WD. It can be inundated in a high tide, so be sure to check the tides before venturing to the end. Pretty Pool is another beach that’s great for swimming when the tide is up or during neap tides.
Eighty Mile Beach
220km of white sandy beach located between Port Hedland and Broome makes Eighty Mile Beach WA’s longest uninterrupted beach. It’s best known for it’s fishing and shells and is a great spot to camp with the Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park located here also.
Broome
Cable Beach attracts people from all over the world and is best known for it’s sunsets and iconic beach camel rides. It’s also a great beach to drive on if you have a 4WD (there are some restictions during turtle nesting season). November to May is stinger season, so it’s best enjoyed May to October. Cable Beach is conveniently located within walking distance of Broome’s Cable Beach Resorts and Caravan Parks.
Town Beach is located just a few minutes drive from the Broome Town Centre and is a nice beach for swimming and is so picturesque with the pink sand against the torquoise waters and green mangroves. Town Beach Cafe is located here too and it has recently been re-developed into a lovely community space with picnic facilities, grassed areas, water park and kids playground.
Read more about things to do in Broome in the Always Adventure Ready What To Do in Broome Guide.
Camel Rides
You really can’t visit Broome and not do a camel ride on Cable Beach. Sitting up high as you take in the views of Cable Beach and Gantheaume Point. You can book a day time or evening sunset ride and choose from a 30 min or 1 hour ride
Cruises
Broome
Broome Sunset Cruises set sail from Gantheaume Beach and sails off into the sunset where you can relax on board or take a dip in the boom net. Snacks are provided and drinks are available to purchase onboard.
Derby
Cruise to the natural phenomenon of the Horizonal Falls on a day adventure. This is one of the Kimberleys most visited attractions and can only be accessed by boat or by sea plane. This cruise includes a sea plane ride to the falls, a boat cruise, barramundi BBQ lunch on board and a fish feeding from the croc/shark free cage!
Kununurra
The Ord River Explore Cruise sails for 34 miles down Western Australia’s Ord River where you can look out for bird life and crocodiles along the way. The pace picks up a bit through the narrow canyons before reaching the Ord River Dam.
Diving
Broome
Rowley Shoals Marine Park is 300km west of Broome and have some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world. Clerke Reef, Imperieuse Reef and Mermaid Reef form the three coral atolls, which are home to a wide variety coral and marine life including dolphins, sea turtles, whales and manta rays. There are several dive operators that run tours to the Rowley Shoals Marine Park.
Lake Argyle
Enjoy several fresh water dive sites throughout Lake Argyle including the bucket list Argyle Downs Homestead Site. This dive is one of Australia’s best historical dive sites. Dive through this homestead and out buildings that was submerged by Lake Argyle in early 1972. There are specific dive requirements for this dive. You can find out more about this and other Lake Argyle dives at lakeargyle.com.
Dolphin Experiences
The North West of Western Australia presents a unique dolphin experience in Broome. Introducting the Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise. The unusual Snubfin Dolphin can be spotted on this tour along with dugongs, turtles and bottlenose dolphins. You may even be able to swim in the boom net depending on conditions.
Snorkelling
Broome
Rowley Shoals Marine Park is 300km west of Broome and have some of the most spectacular waters for snorkelling in the world. Clerke Reef, Imperieuse Reef and Mermaid Reef form the three coral atolls, which are home to a wide variety coral and marine life including dolphins, sea turtles, whales and manta rays. There are several dive operators that run tours to the Rowley Shoals Marine Park for snorkelling tours.
Turtle Experiences
There are six species of marine turtles that are found in Australian waters and five of these species are found along the North West’s Pilbara Coast. Turtles nest between October – March and good locations to see them are Cemetery Beach Port Hedland, Eighty Mile Beach and throughout the Dampier Archipelago.
Waterfalls
The best place to see waterfalls in the North West around Kununurra in the Kinberley Region and the best time to see them is early in the year during and after the Summer rainfalls. Mitchell Falls, located in the Mitchell River National Park are one of the most spectacular falls in Australia. No swimming is allowed at the base of the falls due to the risk of crocodiles, however there are some safe swimming spots along the way . This four tiered waterfall can be accessed via the 8.6km return walk trail from the Mitchell Fall Campground. Little Mertens Falls and Mertens Gorge are must see attactions along the way.
North West Adventures On Land
Fat Bikes
Don’t have a 4WD to drive on Cable Beach? Well why don’t you ride along Cable Beach instead on a Fat Bike hired from Broome Cycles. Minimum 3 day hire available.
Gorges
There are lots of gorges to explore within the Pilbara and Kimberley region of North West Australia. Around 11 of these gorges are found within Karajini National Park, including Hamersley Gorge, Hancock Gorge, Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge and more. Other popular tourist gorges are Emma Gorge at El Questro, Millstream in the Millstream Chichester National Park and Adcock Gorge on the Gibb River Road.
North West Adventures By Air
Scenic Flights
Much of the North West landscape is so rugged it is only accessible by air. Scenic flights from Broome take you over the Buccaneer Archipelago, Horizontal Falls and the Dampier Penninsula Coast. These flights include on the ground experiences too, including a boat ride through horizontal falls, a Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm visit and lunch, Adyaloon Hatchery vist and lunch and a swim at Jologo Beach.
North West Accommodation
Need somewhere to stay while you adventure in and around the North West? Compare prices, check availability and read reviews: Check Trip.com
Popular places to base yourself for adventure in the North West include, Broome, Kununurra, El Questro, Derby, Karratha, and Port Hedland.
Caravan Parks
Karratha Caravan Parks
Kununurra Caravan Parks
Are looking for more adventure outside of the North West? Check out the Always Adventure Ready Western Australia Adventures Guide for more inspiration and I’d love for you to share your North West adventure experiences by leaving a comment below.