OUTBACK TRAVEL
Kimberley calling
Story and photos Colin Kerr
Covering an area larger in size than the whole of Victoria, the Kimberley, spread over some 424,517 square kilometres, is about as far from Australia's major population centres as you can get without leaving the mainland. The Kimberley is a land of contrasts and extremes. It has many areas of stunning beauty and places that are truly tranquil and serene. Throughout its length and breadth, nature has left a trail of rough, ragged escarpments, huge red gorges, towering waterfalls, pockets of lush rainforest, massive rivers, wide open plains, remote desert regions, colourful mountain ranges as well as miles of isolated and scenically unsurpassed coastline.
An astonishing range of wildlife and floral treasures are also to
be found here, including huge turtles, predatory saltwater crocodiles, as
well as
the less troublesome freshwater variety. In addition, those strange looking
boab trees (some well over 1,000 years old), tall livistona palms, beautiful
water lilies, colourful kapok bushes and kurrajong trees are all special
sights across this unique landscape.
The Kimberley has a diverse regional economy ranging from the agriculture
of the Ord River irrigation system, to cattle, mining, aquaculture and
a rapidly growing range of tourism facilities and ventures for visitors to
enjoy. 
Full story OUTBACK Issue 35 June/July 2004
