Fitzroy Crossing

Fitzroy Crossing is a rugged outpost on the edge of the Kimberley, where the vast, rust-red landscape is sliced by the mighty Fitzroy River. This tiny town is the gateway to some of Australia’s most dramatic gorges and ancient Aboriginal rock art, offering a raw, authentic taste of the remote northwest.

Highlights & What to See

• Geikie Gorge National Park – Cruise or kayak through this spectacular water-carved gorge with towering white, orange and grey cliffs. The park is jointly managed with local Bunuba people, and ranger-guided boat tours reveal freshwater crocodiles, fruit bats and the area’s Indigenous cultural significance.
• Tunnel Creek National Park – Wade into a 750-metre-long water tunnel formed by an ancient reef system. You’ll need a torch and sturdy shoes to explore this cave, which was a hideout for Aboriginal outlaw Jandamarra.
• Windjana Gorge National Park – A dramatic limestone gorge lined with river gums and freshwater crocodiles basking on sandbanks. It’s part of the “Devil’s Highway” drive and a key stop on the Gibb River Road.
• Mimbi Caves – On Gooniyandi country, these ancient limestone caves and waterholes feature vivid rock art and are accessible via guided tours that share Dreamtime stories and bush-tucker knowledge.
• Fitzroy River – The river itself is a lifeline; in the dry season you can swim in billabongs, fish for barramundi, or simply soak up the vast, silent floodplains at sunset.

Suggested Time to Spend

Base yourself here for two to three nights to do justice to the gorges. Day one: Geikie Gorge in the morning and a cultural tour at Mimbi Caves in the afternoon. Day two: a full day to explore Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge (they’re 35 km apart and best combined). A third day allows for a leisurely Fitzroy River cruise or a scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago. The town itself is tiny, so most of your time will be spent out on country.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Derby – 250 km west, the start of the Gibb River Road and home to the famous Boab Prison Tree and massive horizontal waterfalls.
• Broome – 400 km west, with Cable Beach, pearl history and a vibrant multicultural town centre; a natural bookend to a Kimberley road trip.
• Halls Creek – 260 km east, gateway to the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater and the remote Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles).
• Gibb River Road – The iconic 660 km dirt road passes through Fitzroy Crossing and links to El Questro Wilderness Park, Bell Gorge and the Mitchell Plateau.
• Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) – 300 km southeast, the beehive-domed sandstone range is a World Heritage site and a must-see for hikers and photographers.

Please check official sources for current details.