Visitor Information -- Australia's North West Tourism (tel. 08/9193 6660; www.australiasnorthwest.com) supplies information on the entire region. The Kununurra Visitor Centre and the Broome Visitor Centre also handle inquiries and bookings about things to see and do, and places to stay, across the Kimberley, and you can drop into their offices once you arrive.

Best of the Kimberley (tel. 1800/450 850 in Australia, or 08/9192 6070; www.kimberleytravel.net) is a Broome-based one-stop agency marketing a large range of tours and experiences, and it specializes in personalized vacations.

Getting Around

Enormous distances, high gasoline costs (A$1.50 per liter or more), and very limited roads and facilities can make traveling the Kimberley difficult and time-consuming. The region is effectively closed during the cyclone season from November to April, other than along the sealed highway. Most attractions are only accessible along unsealed roads, for which a two-wheel-drive rental car is totally unsuitable, while others can only be reached by aerial tours or charter boats. If you don't want to rely on tours, rent a four-wheel-drive (available in Broome and Kununurra), but check on restrictions (Hertz and Thrifty have fewest). Allow for an average speed of 80kmph (50 mph) or less on the area's rough unsealed roads, and be prepared for soft patches where the road surface has collapsed. Most outfits will allow one-way rentals between Broome and Kununurra, at a surcharge of approximately A$500 to A$750.

Kimberley Camping & Outback Supplies, 65 Frederick St., Broome (tel. 08/9193 5909; fax 08/9193 6878; www.kimberleycamping.com.au), sells and rents every piece of camping equipment you might need, from tents and "mozzie" (mosquito) nets to cooking utensils and outdoor clothing.

Taking a guided four-wheel-drive camping or accommodated safari is usually the best way to travel the Kimberley. Safaris depart Broome, Kununurra, or Darwin, and last between 2 days and 2 weeks. Popular tours make the cross-Kimberley journey between Broome and Kununurra, especially along the Gibb River Road, and into the Bungle Bungle.

Most safaris run only in the Dry season, April or May through October or November. Respected operators include APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures (tel. 1800/889 389 in Australia or 03/9277 8444; www.kimberleywilderness.com.au) for the most comprehensive selection including cruises; East Kimberley Tours (tel. 1800/682 213 in Australia, or 08/9168 2213; www.eastkimberleytours.com.au) concentrating on the Bungle Bungle; and Kimberley Wild (tel. 1300/738 870 in Australia, or 08/9193 7778; www.kimberleywild.com), dealing mostly with West Kimberley. Kimberly Wild was named WA's "Best Tour Operator" in 2009.

Both APT Kimberley Wilderness and East Kimberley (the Bungles only) operate semi-permanent, catered, and environmentally sensitive camps in remote scenic spots. While primarily for people on their tours, they may be available to independent travelers, from A$195 per person twin share, including dinner, bed, and breakfast. The APT Bungles and Ungolan (Mitchell Plateau) camps boast en-suite facilities and cost A$225 to A$255 twin share for dinner, bed, and breakfast. You should book well ahead; go to www.kimberleywilderness.com.au for more information.

Broome Aviation (tel. 08/9192 1369; www.broomeaviation.com) and King Leopold Air (tel. 08/9193 7155; www.kingleopoldair.com.au), based in Broome, and Alligator Airways (tel. 1800 632 533 in Australia, or 08/9168 1333; www.alligatorairways.com.au) and Slingair Heliwork (tel. 1800/095 500 in Australia, or 08/9169 1300; www.slingair.com.au), based in Kununurra, run a range of flight-seeing tours all over the Kimberley, lasting from a couple of hours to several days. Some also involve sightseeing on the ground, hiking, four-wheel-drive trips, overnights at fishing camps, or stops at cattle stations.

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