The Kimberley & The Pilbara from Sydney

Shelly what I'd do is make a list of what you'd like to see. Plot them on a map and then work out the travel distance between each. Allow for somewhere new each day add up your days and hopefully that will give you plenty of spare days to now go back and add extra time for the places that you really must see. As you've no doubt read that places like the Gibb River Road, Mitchell Plateau,& ElQuestro you could easily while away a few weeks. In the Broome area there is the Dampier Peninsula which is fantastic and a week can easily be lost there.

The Pilbara Region well I could spend 8wks alone there as the diversity of landscapes and scenic opportunities are huge. From the coast (80 Mile Beach and similar), to the inland gorges of Karijini and the numerous waterholes such as Carawine Gorge and not to forget the various mining towns.

It's amazing what you see in a relatively short time. Also look at how you intend to get back east eg via the Grt Central Road to the Stuart Hwy or drop all the way down to the Eyre Hwy.

Enjoy your planning it's half the fun of a big trip.

Cheers

Dunc

I just got back from the Kimberley and only went to El Questro, North of Mitchell Falls and over to Broome then back home. Ive been up there many times so i only visit a few places each time.
If i was you id spend your time looking around the Kimberley and Broome area for your trip and do the west coast/ Pilbara another time.
There is so much to see in the Kimberley, El Questro, Home Valley station,King Edward River area, Mitchell Falls, surveyors pool (north of Mitchells Falls) Walsh Point a little bit further north again.
It takes you about 4-5 days to get to El Questro from Sydney, so theres your first week gone. A few days here then a day or 2 at Home Valley then up to mitchell falls area theres your 2nd week gone. Then there is Mt Elizabeth station, Manning Gorge, Galvans gorge and Bell Gorge, week 3-4 gone.Mornington wilderness camp, windjana gorge and tunnel creek then onto Derby week 5.
So there is about 4-5 weeks of travel and you haven't seen Broome or Cape Leveque north of Broome yet.
July is school holidays over there so there are a lot of families and its middle of the tourist season. June/july would be better plus there is usually more water in the falls in june.
Get a good road atlas and do as the other person said, mark out all the sights you'd like to see and go from there.
cheers..

Hi George & Shelly
Not many people realize, but there are very particular dates to be in Broome.
Before you even start planing what to see, go to this website:

Staircase to the Moon 2016

This is very spectacular! We actually know of people coming from Europe to see this marble of the nature.

When you will be in Kimberly, definitely do not skip The Horizontal Waterfall with going by boat through it. Yes, it is very expensive, but worth every cent of it. This is adrenalin driven + breath taking spectacular experience.
Bungles are best to see from ground.
Kimberley is for us like a magnet ...... We are there at least every second year.
(We are from Sydney, like you)
Actually, we are going there again next months for about 5weeks.

Cheers Dana

I now regard the first trip into an area as a recce.

Check out some of the 'must sees' of course but there'll never be time for them all so I start a list of destinations and activities for trip #2.

Thanks all for your replies. We have got quite an extensive list of places to visit already and have started mapping things out, but it's always good to hear first hand experiences from people who have been there.

We realise we could spend months and months in this area and still not see it all, but it's a fairly long way from Sydney so we want to make the most of our time there and do as many must-see things as we can ....... if it means we need another trip back there in a few years .... oh well!!!

Having travelled majority of the rest of the country, WA has always been on our wish list and it's exciting that we will finally make it there, just wish we had longer to see it all, but unfortunately we need to work and pay the bills!

Hi George and Shelly,
There are many excellent suggestions mentioned in this thread. I just thought I would add my thoughts as we traveled to the Kimberley Region in July/August 2013.
If you travel the Tanami there is the Newhaven Bird Sanctuary as well as Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater. Purnululu NP is a must visit. However, you cannot take in caravans although camper-trailers are OK. You do need to pre-book as campsites are limited and it does get busy. Certainly try to avoid school holidays. The various walks in the area are spectacular. We were there at the end of July and it was very hot. There is water available, however.
There is a popular camping area called Caroline Pool just outside Hall's Creek. It is not recommended as when we were there because of the lack of any toilet facilities it was quite unpleasant.
Kununurra is very busy and so are the caravan parks. Possibly a pre-book? Lake Argyle is a must. The Five Rivers Lookout at Wyndham is certainly worth a visit.
Once on The Gibb River Road El Questro has a better variety of activities and tours than Home Valley. However, that is not to say that Home Valley is not worth a stay. Mornington Wilderness Camp is worth considering. There is some spectacular scenery and because it is off the beaten track to some extent with limited camping it is that much quieter. It must, however, be pre-booked.
Others have mentioned the Horizontal Falls Experience. We did this and flew out from Derby. For not much extra you can stay overnight on the luxury pontoon. Nevertheless it is an expensive day but the scenery is spectacular and the entire operation is very professionally run. The speed boat ride through the Horizontal Falls can best be described as "a theme park ride in the wilderness", but it is worth it.
Mitchell Falls should not be missed, however the road can be a corrugated disaster. Take only off road capable trailers . It is definitely not suitable for any caravan. Many people do damage their vehicle on this stretch of road so make sure you adjust your tyre pressures to suit the conditions. We stayed in the generator camping area which is, in our opinion, a better option than the non-generator area.
Take the helicopter trip out to the falls and then do the walk back. There are at least five places to swim, croc free, as you walk back to the camping area.
Koolajman at Cape Leveque is a great spot. However, again it is a pre-book. There is restaurant and many different types of accommodation available.
Broome is very interesting and very busy. Many people have difficulty in getting accommodation in the caravan parks. Again to be certain pre-book well ahead.
A final note about free camp sites. WA seems to be ensuring that these have toilets facilities. Obviously if you have a caravan this is not so relevant, however those sites without toilets do suffer by generally being strewn with toilet paper. Not pleasant.
Have a great trip. It is certainly a great part of the country.