The Loop through the great Kimberley Wilderness

Day 1: Broome

A direct journey from Perth to Broome takes just two and a half hours, and flights depart every day. Broome is also served by direct flights from Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Enjoy the grandeur of Broome's world-famous Cable Beach, a 22-kilometer stretch of beautiful white sand and clear turquoise waters, and end your first day on a Cable Beach camel train viewing one of the most stunning ocean sunsets. Take a star-gazing tour of Broome's astoundingly brilliant night skies or catch a movie at Sun Pictures, the world's oldest operational outdoor theater. You can prolong your time in Broome, Australia's exotic pearling port, to enjoy more of the city's fusion flavors and melting pot of cultures.

Day 2: Broome to Fitzroy Crossing

Take the Great Northern Highway east of Broome to Fitzroy Crossing for a four-and-a-half-hour drive. Explore this authentic outback village and try your luck fishing for Barramundi on one of the world's largest rivers. For your overnight stay, choose from two properties that offer motel, caravan, and camping choices.

Day 3: Fitzroy Crossing to Geikie Gorge return

Geikie Gorge National Park is around 20 kilometers north of town. Explore the 30-meter deep gorge, fossilized ancient lifeforms, and native wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles, with the Bunuba people on an informative river cruise and cultural trip. Alternatively, you can go bush walking on one of two designated trails. Return to Fitzroy Crossing to spend the night.

Day 4: Fitzroy Crossing to Mimbi Caves and Halls Creek

The Gooniyandi rock art of Mimbi Caves is one of several notable cultural sites near the ancient town of Fitzroy Crossing. Pre-book an Aboriginal tour and drive the 90 minutes east to this maze of caves, where your guide will tell you about the caves' cultural significance and stories. It will take you around two hours to go east to Halls Creek, which is the entryway to two incredible natural wonders: Wolfe Creek Crater and the Bungle Bungle Range.

Stay a night or two at Halls Creek's Hotel, motel or caravan park.

Day 5: Halls Creek to Wolfe Creek Crater return

You can drive south from Halls Creek to Wolfe Creek Crater National Park on an unpaved road. It's the world's second largest meteorite crater, measuring 880 meters across. This detour will take a full day, and a 4WD is highly advised. There is, however, a faster option: take a beautiful flight from town. You'll also be whisked north to experience a bird's eye view of the Bungle Bungle Range, which is part of the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park.

Day 6: Halls Creek to Purnululu National Park

Take the 160-kilometer trip from Halls Creek to Purnululu National Park's entrance (note a 4WD is essential as the last 53km is via a rugged, unsealed track).

Cathedral Gorge, Echidna Chasm Walk, and Piccaninny Creek are just a few of the many features of this 350-million-year-old terrain. There are camping alternatives both inside and outside the park, as well as glamping possibilities.

Day 7: Purnululu to Kununurra

Visit the Gija Visitor Centre in Warmun, which shows traditional and contemporary art and craft work by local Aboriginal artisans, to break up the last leg of your journey. When you get in Kununurra, the eastern Kimberley hub, you'll quickly see why it got its Aboriginal name when you take a trip on the Ord River and Lake Argyle, the southern hemisphere's largest man-made lake. Stay in Kununurra for a night or two to experience the region's plentiful wildlife and some of the best river fishing in the North West. From Kununurra, direct flights to Perth or Darwin are available, or you can continue your outback experience.

Credit: Tourism Australia, James Fisher/Tourism Australia Copyright, Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd and Tourism Australia