Great Northern Highway

Stretching from Perth to the wild Kimberley frontier, the Great Northern Highway is Australia’s ultimate outback road trip. This epic ribbon of bitumen cuts through ancient landscapes – spinifex plains, boab-studded savannah, and the gorges of the Pilbara – before delivering you to the tropical coast at Broome. For international travellers, it’s a journey into the heart of Aboriginal culture, ghost towns, and the red-earth drama of the north. Forget the clock; this road demands a relaxed pace, a full tank, and a sense of adventure.

Highlights & What to See

• Boab Prison Tree (Derby): A massive, hollow boab tree with a grim history – once used as a prison for Aboriginal people en route to Derby. It’s a poignant photo stop and a reminder of the region’s past.
• Geikie Gorge (Danggu National Park): Near Fitzroy Crossing, this stunning gorge carved by the Fitzroy River offers boat tours, walking trails, and a chance to spot freshwater crocodiles. The sheer limestone walls glow gold at sunset.
• Halls Creek & China Wall: A natural limestone formation that eerily resembles the Great Wall of China. It’s a short walk from the town and a quirky geological highlight.
• Wolfe Creek Crater: One of the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact craters, accessible via a rough road off the Highway. The 880-metre-wide crater is a surreal sight – and yes, it inspired the horror film.
• Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles): A detour from the Highway, but unmissable. The beehive-shaped sandstone domes are a World Heritage wonder, best explored by 4WD or scenic flight.
• Derby & the Horizontal Falls: Derby is the gateway to the incredible Horizontal Falls, a tidal phenomenon where water rushes through narrow gorges. A seaplane or boat tour is a must.

Suggested Time to Spend

To do the Great Northern Highway justice, allow at least 5–7 days for the stretch from Broome to Kununurra (about 1,000 km). This gives you time for side trips to Geikie Gorge, Purnululu, and Wolfe Creek. If you’re driving the entire route from Perth, budget 2–3 weeks. The best time is the dry season (April–October); in the wet (Nov–Mar), many roads become impassable. Break the drive into 2–3 hour stints, with overnight stops in Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, and Halls Creek. Book accommodation ahead in peak season.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Broome: The pearling town at the Highway’s western end – Cable Beach sunsets, dinosaur footprints, and Chinatown’s pearl showrooms.
• Kununurra & Lake Argyle: The eastern terminus, with the Ord River, freshwater croc cruises, and the vast Lake Argyle (swim in the infinity pool!).
• El Questro Wilderness Park: A luxury station stay near Kununurra with hot springs, gorges, and helicopter rides.
• Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles): Accessible via the Spring Creek Track from the Highway – 4WD essential.
• Mitchell Plateau & Mitchell Falls: A remote 4WD adventure from the Highway north of Derby, with spectacular tiered waterfalls.
• Fitzroy Crossing & the Fitzroy River: A base for Geikie Gorge and the nearby Mimbi Caves (Aboriginal rock art).

Please check official sources for current details.