Windjana Gorge
Windjana Gorge National Park, Western Australia
Jagged cliffs tower almost 1,000 feet (300 meters) high over the Lennard River at Windjana Gorge, providing a dramatic backdrop for hikers, campers, and day-trippers. Once part of a Devonian-era reef system, the unique landscapes are the centerpiece of the Bandilngan/Windjana Gorge National Park and a sacred site of the Bunuba people.
Hiking the gorge is the most popular way to explore, and a trail runs for about 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) along the riverbed. You can visit Bandilngan/Windjana Gorge National Park on a day trip from Derby. As one of the most easily accessible gorges in the Kimberley region, it’s often included on tours. Multi-day tours set out from Broome through the Kimberley, stopping at the Gibb River Road, Purnululu National Park, and Tunnel Creek National Park.
Windjana Gorge is a prime destination for wildlife watching; you might spot freshwater crocodiles, fruit bats, and corellas.
Crocodiles are common along the river, so swimming is not recommended.
Expect a per-vehicle admission fee to visit the national park.
You’ll find restrooms at a campground in the gorge, but there are no other facilities in the national park, so bring everything you need. Cell phone coverage can be patchy.
Windjana Gorge is located within the Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Fitzroy Crossing to the southeast or from Derby to the west. From Broome, it’s about a 4.5-hour drive and is best visited as part of an overnight tour. The gorge is accessed via the unpaved Fairfield-Leopold Road, and a 4WD is recommended.
Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park is typically only open in the dry season from May to September. In the wet season, the roads to the gorge are inaccessible, and hiking trails are flooded, so the park is closed to the public. The gorge is popular with daytrippers, so it’s a smart idea to time your visit for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Windjana Gorge sits between the Great Northern Highway and the Gibb River Road, making it a strategic stopover when exploring the wild Kimberley region. You’ll need a 4WD to tackle the 410-mile (660-kilometer) Gibb River Road, but it’s one of the region’s most scenic road trips, passing natural gorges, waterfalls, and swimming holes. Stop to swim at Bell Gorge or Manning Gorge, go hiking at Lennard Gorge and Galvan's Gorge, and follow the road to Kununurra.
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