Photo: Livewireshock / CC BY-SA 3.0
Soar over one of Australia's last great wildernesses with Kimberley Air Tours, a bucket-list flight-seeing experience that reveals the raw, ancient beauty of the Kimberley region from the air. Based out of Kununurra or Broome, these scenic flights offer unparalleled perspectives on towering escarpments, remote waterfalls, and the dramatic coastline where the red desert meets the turquoise Timor Sea. Whether you're a photographer chasing the perfect shot or an adventurer seeking the ultimate outback thrill, a flight with Kimberley Air Tours is the definitive way to grasp the scale and grandeur of this remote corner of the continent.
Highlights & What to See
- The Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park): Marvel at the beehive-shaped sandstone domes from above – the striped orange and black formations are even more surreal from the air, revealing hidden gorges and waterholes inaccessible by road.
- Mitchell Falls: A four-tiered cascade plunging into a deep pool, best appreciated from the cockpit as you fly over the Mitchell Plateau. Many tours land nearby for a short walk to the top of the falls.
- Horizontal Falls: Experience the region's most famous natural phenomenon – a tidal cascade that forces water through narrow coastal gorges, creating a 'horizontal waterfall' effect best seen on a combined flight and boat tour.
- King George River & Falls: The tallest single-drop waterfall in Western Australia, thundering into a dramatic gorge lined with ancient sandstone cliffs. The flight path follows the winding river to the falls for a heart-stopping view.
- Cambridge Gulf & Coastline: Trace the rugged, untouched coastline where remote islands, mangrove creeks, and dazzling white beaches meet the sea – keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles basking on mudflats.
Suggested Time to Spend
Plan for a half-day experience (4–6 hours) for a standard scenic flight, which typically includes 1–2 hours of flight time plus a landing at a remote location like Mitchell Falls or the Bungle Bungles for a short walk. Full-day tours (8–10 hours) combine multiple highlights, such as the Bungle Bungles and Mitchell Falls, often with a gourmet picnic lunch. For the ultimate experience, consider an overnight tour that includes a cruise through the Horizontal Falls or a stay at a wilderness lodge. Flights operate year-round, but the dry season (April–October) offers the clearest skies and most reliable access to waterfalls.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles): Drive or fly into this World Heritage-listed park to explore the domes on foot after seeing them from above.
- Lake Argyle: Australia's largest artificial lake, just south of Kununurra, offers freshwater cruises, kayaking, and extraordinary birdlife – a perfect pairing with an air tour.
- El Questro Wilderness Park: A sprawling station with hot springs, gorges, and luxury accommodation; combine a flight over the park with a stay at the homestead.
- Broome & Cable Beach: The pearling town at the western edge of the Kimberley, famous for its camel rides at sunset and dinosaur footprints – a great base for west-coast tours.
- Kununurra: The gateway town for east Kimberley adventures, with the Ord River irrigation area, Mirima National Park, and easy access to air-tour departures.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
Explore more
Image credits
- Kings Canyon — Zoharby / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park — Tourism NT / Attribution
- Watarrka National Park — Jorge Lascar / CC BY 2.0
- Kununurra — User:Hamiltonstone / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Broome — Kat Clay from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0
- Purnululu National Park — Graeme Churchard from Bristol (51.4414, -2.5242), UK / CC BY 2.0
- El Questro Wilderness Park — Neil / CC BY 2.0