# Best Walks in the Kimberley WA | Gorge Walks & Wilderness Tracks Guide
Canonical: https://bookfromowner.com.au/guides/wa/north-west/the-kimberley/best-walks/
Type: AttractionGuide
Location: The Kimberley, Australia's North West, Western Australia
Last updated: 2026-06-01

> The best walks in the Kimberley WA — Cathedral Gorge and the Domes at Purnululu, Bell Gorge, Emma Gorge, Mitchell Falls, Tunnel Creek, and the multi-day Piccaninny Gorge. Distances, difficulty ratings, heat-safety advice, and who each suits.

## Quick Answer
- Best for: Walkers, photographers & gorge lovers
- Price range: Park entry fees apply (Purnululu ~$17/person)
- Vibe: Remote, raw, ancient red rock
- Distance: Spread across the Kimberley — base in Kununurra or Broome

## Featured Properties
- The Kimberley Grande Resort: 4/5 (399 reviews)
  Book direct: https://kimberleygrande.com.au/
  The Kimberley Grande Resort — The Kimberley
- Best Western Cambridge Hotel Kununurra: 4.4/5 (40 reviews)
  Book direct: https://www.bestwesternkununurra.com.au/
  Best Western Cambridge Hotel Kununurra — The Kimberley
- Hotel Kununurra: 3.9/5 (561 reviews)
  Book direct: http://www.hotelkununurra.com.au/
  Hotel Kununurra — The Kimberley

## FAQ
Q: What is the best walk in the Kimberley?
A: Cathedral Gorge in Purnululu National Park is the walk most visitors consider the single best — a 3km return track opening into a vast natural amphitheatre between the striped Bungle Bungle domes, dramatic at any time of day and extraordinary at sunrise. For a waterfall walk, Bell Gorge on the Gibb River Road and Mitchell Falls on the Mitchell Plateau are both outstanding, with Mitchell Falls being significantly more remote and demanding.

Q: Do I need a 4WD for Kimberley walks?
A: Yes for most of them. Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) requires a high-clearance 4WD to access via 53km of unsealed road. Bell Gorge, Mitchell Falls and Emma Gorge all require 4WD on corrugated Gibb River Road sections. Tunnel Creek is an exception — it is reachable via sealed road and does not require high clearance. If you do not have a 4WD, a scenic flight over Purnululu and a guided gorge tour are the realistic alternatives.

Q: When is the best time to walk in the Kimberley?
A: July and August are the ideal walking months — daytime temperatures of 28–32°C rather than 40°C+, all roads and parks open, and the peak Dry Season conditions that make every walk manageable. May and June work well and have the bonus of fuller waterfalls, though some tracks may still be opening after the Wet. Avoid walking September and October outside of very early mornings as the heat becomes dangerous.

Q: Are the Kimberley gorge walks safe for swimming?
A: Some gorge pools are confirmed safe for swimming by rangers — but you must check on the day via ranger signage or direct ranger advice, every time. Freshwater crocodiles inhabit many pools and are generally not dangerous to humans, but saltwater crocs can travel inland through creek systems and are extremely dangerous. Never assume a gorge pool is safe without a current, specific ranger confirmation, regardless of what previous visitors have done.

Q: How much water should I carry on a Kimberley walk?
A: A minimum of two to three litres per person per hour of walking in late Dry Season conditions, and more in September–October heat. For the Mitchell Falls track and Bell Gorge, carry at least four litres per person for the full return journey. Underestimating water in the Kimberley's heat is the most common cause of serious incidents — always carry more than you think you need and turn back if you're running low.

Q: Are Kimberley walks suitable for families?
A: Some are, with honest limitations. Cathedral Gorge and the Domes Walk suit older children (12+) who are comfortable on rough ground. Tunnel Creek works well for older kids who can wade. Bell Gorge suits fit families with teenagers. None of the Kimberley's main walks are suitable for young children, prams or the less mobile — the terrain is rough, the heat is extreme, and the distances from assistance are significant. For families with young children, guided scenic flights and Lake Argyle boat tours are better options.

## At a Glance
- Season: Dry Season only — May to October; roads open progressively from late April
- Easiest walk: Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu — 3km return, mostly flat, jaw-dropping
- Most demanding (day): Mitchell Falls track — 8.5km return, rocky, creek crossings, heat
- Multi-day: Piccaninny Gorge circuit — 30km+, camping, permit required
- Water rule: Carry minimum 2–3 litres per person per hour in summer conditions
- Croc rule: Never enter waterways without a current croc-risk sign saying it's safe; ask rangers
- Start time: Before 8am every day — the heat after 10am is dangerous
- What to bring: Quality boots, sun protection, sat phone or PLB, water, snacks

## Featured
- 1. Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu National Park — The walk that defines the Kimberley
  - Why people love it: The moment the gorge opens into the amphitheatre is one of the most dramatic single experiences in Australian walking — a natural cathedral that earns the name entirely.
  - Don't miss: The natural amphitheatre at the end of the gorge — arrive at sunrise for the walls glowing orange in the first light.
  - Good to know: Not suitable for small children, prams or anyone unsteady on rough ground. The access road is 53km unsealed and requires a high-clearance 4WD — do not attempt it in a 2WD. Start before 8am to beat the heat on the return walk.
- 2. Echidna Chasm, Purnululu National Park — The narrowest gorge in the Bungles
  - Why people love it: The walls closing to arm's-width overhead and the way the light travels down at midday make this the most intimate, otherworldly walk in the Bungles.
  - Don't miss: The slot canyon in the deepest section, particularly around midday when the sun aligns and the walls light up gold.
  - Good to know: Involves boulder scrambling and a low crawl — not suitable for people with claustrophobia, mobility issues or young children. Requires the same 4WD access as Cathedral Gorge.
- 3. The Domes Walk, Purnululu National Park — Close-up with the Bungle Bungle formations
  - Why people love it: Walking among the domes at ground level resets your sense of scale — photographs taken from planes do not prepare you for standing at the base of these formations.
  - Don't miss: The formations in early-morning light, when the orange and black banding catches the low sun from the side.
  - Good to know: Exposed with minimal shade — start before 8am and carry at least two litres per person. Same 4WD access as all Purnululu walks; not suitable for anyone expecting a sealed path.
- 4. Bell Gorge, Silent Grove Campground — The Gibb River Road's most rewarding gorge swim
  - Why people love it: The combination of the multi-tiered waterfall and the deep gorge swimming hole is the defining Kimberley experience — worth every step of the rocky walk in.
  - Don't miss: The plunge pool at the base of the waterfall — swim in, feel the cold water, look up at the red gorge walls.
  - Good to know: Confirm croc safety with the ranger or signage before swimming — never assume. The rocky return journey in the heat is the hard part; carry three litres and start before 8am. Not suitable for small children or the less mobile.
- 5. Emma Gorge, El Questro Wilderness Park — The most accessible gorge experience on the Gibb
  - Why people love it: The combination of the creek wades, the shaded gorge corridor and the waterfall pool makes Emma Gorge feel like a proper adventure, even though it's accessible enough for most fit visitors.
  - Don't miss: Swimming in the cold, clear plunge pool beneath the slender waterfall — after the creek wades and the scramble, it's earned.
  - Good to know: Wet-foot crossings are unavoidable — wear sandals or bring a change of footwear. Station pass fees apply. Confirm croc safety with El Questro staff before swimming. Not suitable for anyone unable to wade shallow crossings.
- 6. Mitchell Falls Track, Mitchell River National Park — The most remote waterfall walk in Western Australia
  - Why people love it: It is the most remote and dramatic waterfall walk in Western Australia — a four-tiered cascade on an ancient plateau, and the full sense of genuine wilderness that most Australian destinations no longer deliver.
  - Don't miss: Standing at the top tier of the falls looking down through three more tiers of cascading water to the wide plunge pool below.
  - Good to know: The most demanding walk in this guide — extreme heat, remote location, no phone signal, rocky terrain and multiple creek crossings. Experienced walkers with proper gear only. Not suitable for children, the less mobile, or anyone without 4WD access and wilderness experience.
- 7. Tunnel Creek, Tunnel Creek National Park — Walk and wade through a 750-metre limestone tunnel
  - Why people love it: There is nothing quite like walking through a pitch-black flooded limestone cave by torchlight and emerging into a sunlit collapse chamber — it is singular and completely irreplaceable.
  - Don't miss: The sunlit collapse chamber in the middle of the tunnel — the light after the darkness is one of the most dramatic natural reveals in the Kimberley.
  - Good to know: Requires wading through dark water — not suitable for anyone with a strong fear of the dark or water. Freshwater crocs are present; read current ranger information before entering. Bring a head torch and a spare.
- 8. Piccaninny Gorge Circuit, Purnululu National Park — The Kimberley's great multi-day wilderness walk
  - Why people love it: Penetrating to the innermost sections of Piccaninny Gorge, where the walls close overhead and the silence is complete, is an experience that no day walk in Australia rivals.
  - Don't miss: The innermost canyon sections on day two, where the walls close to 10 metres wide and the scale is absolute.
  - Good to know: Experienced, self-sufficient walkers only — no trail, remote location, all water carried and treated, multi-day camping in extreme heat. Not for beginners, families or anyone without navigation skills and wilderness first aid.

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