Great Northern Highway

The Great Northern Highway is a legendary outback route that slices through the heart of Western Australia, linking Perth to the Kimberley region. This epic drive offers a raw, unfiltered encounter with the Australian wilderness—think endless red dirt roads, ancient gorges, and remote roadhouses where the locals are as rugged as the landscape. It’s a trip for those who crave solitude, star-filled skies, and the thrill of the open road.

Highlights & What to See

• Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater – One of the world's best-preserved impact craters, a surreal, almost lunar landscape accessible via a gravel spur off the highway.
• Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park) – The iconic beehive-shaped domes of orange and black sandstone are a must-see, best explored by scenic flight or 4WD.
• Geikie Gorge National Park – A stunning riverine gorge carved by the Fitzroy River, ideal for boat cruises and spotting freshwater crocodiles.
• Halls Creek – A historic gold-mining town with China Wall (a natural quartzite formation) and the nearby Wolfe Creek Crater.
• Fitzroy Crossing – Gateway to Geikie Gorge and the vibrant Mowanjum Aboriginal art centre.
• Broome – The northern terminus, famous for Cable Beach's camel rides, pearl history, and stunning Indian Ocean sunsets.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself at least 5 to 7 days to drive the full route from Perth to Broome (or vice versa), allowing for detours to national parks. Break the journey into manageable 4–5 hour driving days, with stops at roadhouses like Wubin, Mount Magnet, and Newman. If you’re short on time, focus on the northern section from Broome to Halls Creek—the Bungle Bungles and Geikie Gorge are the real showstoppers. Plan for a mix of sealed road and 4WD tracks; a high-clearance vehicle is essential for many side trips.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) – World Heritage-listed, accessible via a rough 53 km track from the highway.
• Karijini National Park – A detour south from Newman offers breathtaking gorges, swimming holes, and hiking trails.
• Millstream-Chichester National Park – Oasis-like pools and ancient rock formations near the highway north of Newman.
• Broome – End your journey with beachside bliss, pearl boutiques, and the famous staircase to the moon.
• Derby – Explore the world's largest boab tree (Prison Boab) and the historic jetty.
• Kununurra – If you continue east, this tropical town is the gateway to Lake Argyle and the Ord River.
• Exmouth & Ningaloo Reef – A long but rewarding detour from the highway near Carnarvon for world-class snorkelling with whale sharks.

Please check official sources for current details.