WA’s Kimberley region is out of this world!

Dec 18, 2025

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Great Walks magazine joined Life’s An Adventure on their 6-day Kimberley Bungles & Beyond tour, a journey designed for those seeking remote wilderness experiences.

A serene landscape featuring a river reflecting the sunset. The sky is painted with vibrant hues of pink and purple. Lush greenery and palm trees line the rocky riverbank, with distant hills forming the backdrop.

Our adventure began in Kununurra, from where we set off in a 4WD bus along the iconic Gibb River Road.

A vibrant desert scene captures a large rock formation arching overhead, framing the sandy floor below. Several people, embodying the spirit of "Life's An Adventure," explore the area near a shallow pool of water, surrounded by rich, reddish rock walls under a clear sky—perfect for walking holidays.

The two-hour drive brought us to El Questro Wilderness Park, a privately-owned expanse covering 4,000 square kilometres — roughly the size of French Polynesia — offering a sense of vast, untouched space that immediately captivated us.

Aerial view of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia, a highlight for Kimberley Walking Tours. The landscape showcases distinctively striped, dome-shaped sandstone formations with orange and black bands, nestled among sparse green vegetation.

Our first walk was to Emma Gorge, a popular trail of less than an hour, accessible from the carpark. While the walk was shared with other visitors, the payoff was spectacular: a 65-metre waterfall cascading into a large waterhole, perfect for a refreshing swim. After a quick dip and lunch, we moved on to Amalia Gorge, a slightly more challenging 3.4km return walk that involved some rock scrambling.

A person wearing a hat and carrying a red backpack strolls along a rugged desert path, surrounded by distinct layered rock formations under a clear blue sky. Sparse vegetation lines the trail, capturing the essence of Walking Holidays Australia for those who believe Life's An Adventure.

Here, we found solitude, a serene waterhole beneath a long waterfall. I lay on a flat ledge smoothed by millennia of water, feeling the stinging spray on my skin and laughing with delight at the sheer joy of the moment.

A cozy cabin with warm interior lighting stands amidst dry grass and trees at dusk. The corrugated metal siding and roof give a rustic appearance. Perfect for those on Kimberley Walking Holidays, the setting sun casts an orange glow over this tranquil retreat.

Life’s An Adventure takes great care in selecting accommodation, and El Questro did not disappoint. Our bungalows featured king-sized beds, showers, and balconies overlooking the Pentecost River. After a hot shower, we enjoyed a top-quality meal at the El Questro restaurant. Owner Mark Norek explained that the Kimberley offers a unique energy—a spirit felt in the towering gorges, pristine waters, and thundering waterfalls hidden from most.

A plate with poached eggs on toast, topped with spinach and beans, accompanied by cherry tomatoes and sliced meat—perfect fuel for Australian Walking Holidays. In the background, a bowl of yogurt with fruit and a glass of orange juice completes this energizing meal.

This spirit was apparent the next morning on our walk to Champagne Falls, a 10km return riverside trail over broken rocky terrain. As we approached the glimmering cliffs of the Cockburn Range, the immensity of time and geological processes became apparent. The cascading water at the falls reminded us that, despite the strenuous walk, moments of pure delight awaited at every turn.

A small airplane flies over a rugged, rocky landscape with expansive views of rolling hills and a clear blue sky. The terrain, perfect for pack-free walking holidays, is arid and features eroded formations. The sun is low, casting gentle light across the scene.

Back at El Questro, we explored El Questro Gorge, a shaded trail along a narrow, spring-fed creek. Towering palms and high escarpments provided respite from the sun, and we swam and floated in yet another inviting waterhole.

People dining on an outdoor patio with a fire pit in the center, creating the perfect ambiance after a day of guided walks. The area is illuminated by warm lights, with string lights and shaded canopies overhead. It's evening, with a twilight sky in the background.

Throughout, our knowledgeable guides carried extensive gear, ensuring we were well-supported. Dinner that evening was an outdoor buffet, lavish and satisfying. On our final morning at El Questro, we visited Zebedee Springs, a thermal spring exclusive to homestead guests after noon. Lounging in the warm, soothing waters was a perfect way to conclude our stay.

Aerial view of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia, a highlight for Kimberley Walking Tours. The landscape showcases distinctively striped, dome-shaped sandstone formations with orange and black bands, nestled among sparse green vegetation.

The journey to Purnululu National Park was slow along mostly unsealed roads, offering plenty of time to take in the dramatic landscapes. Purnululu, one of twelve UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites in Australia, spans 240,000 hectares of remote wilderness. Our first glimpse of Cathedral Gorge came at dusk. Entering the gorge, an amphitheatre of red rock, we were enveloped in silence, attuned to subtle sounds—the drip of water, the hum of insects, even the soft whispers of fellow visitors.

A small airplane flies over the distinctive beehive-shaped rock formations of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia, under a partly cloudy sky. Ideal for Kimberley Walking Tours, this landscape boasts a vibrant mix of orange and green hues.

The acoustics highlighted the serenity of this geological masterpiece. Accommodation at Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge was comfortable and environmentally harmonious, with buffet-style dinners rounding off full days of exploration.

A group of hikers from Kimberley Walking Tours stroll along a rocky path, surrounded by large, uniquely shaped sandstone formations in a sunny, arid landscape. Sparse vegetation grows amid the rocks and dry grassy area, offering an ideal escape for walking holidays.

A highlight of the trip was the optional heli-hike into Piccaninny Gorge. Partnering with local helicopter company HeliSpirit, Life’s An Adventure offered the unique opportunity to be dropped directly into the gorge, bypassing days of trekking.

A woman relaxes in a kidney-shaped swimming pool nestled in a wooded outdoor area, reminiscent of serene Australian Walking Holidays. The pool is encircled by a fence, with trees, a building, and patio furniture visible under the clear skies.

From the air, the Bungle Bungles revealed their full grandeur: beehive-shaped mounds striped in orange and black, with hidden gorges, pools, and fan palms clinging to rocky walls. Our Indigenous guide led us through the gorge, explaining its geological and cultural significance.

A tranquil, blue pool sits at the base of a narrow canyon with rugged rock walls. Sunlight illuminates the rocks as greenery clings to the stone, offering a perfect spot for pack-free walking holidays. A small waterfall serenely trickles into the inviting water below.

Palm-rimmed waterholes, polished-pebble creek beds, and intricate sandstone formations offered constant “wow” moments, each turn revealing the Kimberley’s raw beauty. We explored ‘The Fingers,’ five sandstone chasms spreading like a giant’s handprint, before returning to the helicopters, exhilarated and exhausted.

Experience the breathtaking view from a helicopter cockpit as you soar over the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia. These dome-shaped sandstone formations, with their striking orange and black stripes, are a perfect highlight for those on walking holidays in Australia.

The following day, we explored the northern Bungles, including Mini Palms and Echidna Gorge. Mini Palms is a narrow 4km return trail that winds among Livistona palms, ending at a platform with sweeping gorge views. Echidna Gorge, shorter at 2km return, is even narrower, with towering conglomerate walls that channel light dramatically at midday.

A lush tropical scene with tall palm trees and large red rock formations evokes the beauty of Kimberley Walk, Western Australia. A hiker wearing a backpack and hat observes the landscape, fully immersed in a vibrant, natural paradise perfect for walking holidays WA enthusiasts.

The effect was cinematic, reminiscent of adventure films, and offered spectacular photo opportunities. These final explorations showcased the Kimberley’s interplay of light, shadow, and geological grandeur, leaving a lasting impression of awe and wonder. Throughout the trip, the combination of guided walks, helicopter flights, and carefully selected accommodation revealed the Kimberley as a land of immense scale and untouched beauty.

Two people walk on a rocky terrain with layered, red and orange sandstone cliffs in the background, reminiscent of a Kimberley Walk in Western Australia. The clear blue sky contrasts with the earthy colors of the landscape, suggesting a warm and sunny day ideal for walking holidays WA.

At every turn, the spirit of the region—the combination of geological wonder, abundant waterholes, and towering escarpments—was palpable. Our guides’ knowledge and care ensured we could focus fully on the landscape, immersing ourselves in both its physical and spiritual grandeur.

A scenic view of a waterfall flowing into a natural rock pool surrounded by red rocks and lush greenery, perfect for those enjoying Kimberley Walk in Western Australia. Under the clear blue sky, two people swim in the calm water, embracing the serenity of their walking holiday in WA.

The Kimberley is Australia’s last frontier, and experiencing it through Life’s An Adventure offered a unique perspective. From the gorges of El Questro to the beehive formations of Purnululu, each day provided a mix of adventure, reflection, and relaxation.

A person wearing a hat and pink shirt is sitting on rocks beside a clear, tranquil pool surrounded by large boulders and trees. Sunlight filters through, casting reflections on the water—a serene spot perfect for moments found during Kimberley Walk Western Australia adventures.

Waterfalls, palm-lined creeks, and towering cliffs punctuated our walks, while helicopter flights revealed perspectives impossible to appreciate from the ground. The careful combination of accessibility and remoteness allowed us to witness pristine landscapes without the crowds often associated with more popular destinations.

A person wearing a blue jacket hikes through a narrow passage between towering, rugged rock formations on one of the Australian Walking Holidays. The sunlight casts a warm glow on the rocky walls, creating a striking contrast with the shadowed path below.

Returning to Kununurra after four days of hiking and exploration, I reflected on the scale and spirit of the Kimberley. This was a region where time seemed to slow, and natural processes were displayed on a monumental scale. The combination of geological diversity, lush waterholes, and cultural significance created an experience that was simultaneously invigorating and humbling.