Adventurers looking for “The Outback” will surely find it in the Kimberley. This region is bordered by ocean and desert, and its landscape is marked by ancient mountain passes, fertile rivers, and sprawling grasslands dotted with boab scrub. European settlers were attracted to the area’s expansive lands ideal for cattle and sheep farming, and its coastal waters rich with oysters. Broome’s pearling industry has evolved over the years, with enterprising settlers transitioning from harvesting mother of pearl to the shiny spheres themselves. The turquoise waters and golden sands of Cable Beach are a playground for sun-lovers by day, offering spectacular sunsets each evening. Roebuck Bay’s unique terrain features red earth and sandstone cliffs known for fossil footprints of dinosaurs.

Away from the coast, the Kimberley’s rugged terrain further shows the age of the land. Historians estimate that the Kimberley was one of the first regions of the Australian continent to be settled by man. The Aboriginal cultures descended from these original settlers still account for the majority of the population here. When traveling with Ker & Downey, Aboriginal guides will lead you through protected lands, accessible by invitation only. Learn the proud history and traditions of these lands through the eyes of the people still living here.

In Tunnel Creek National Park, the walls of Australia’s largest network of caves are decorated with countless Aboriginal rock paintings. More prehistoric rock art can be found in Mitchell River National Park, a remote destination famous for endemic flora and fauna and the impressive Mitchell Falls. Take a private helicopter over the falls and watch as it careens over four levels of sandstone. Purnululu National Park is home to the distinct sandstone towers and domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, an area inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its amazing illustration of erosion over hundreds of millions of years.