The tropical north of Western Australia is rich with contrasts - red earth, white beaches, vast gorges, caves, forests and waterfalls, and it's endlessly surprising.

Broome, located 2250km from Perth and 1859km from Darwin, is the gateway to the remote Kimberley region but it also has a pleasant, multi-cultural character of its own. It owes its existence to the Pinctada Maxima, the world's largest pearl oyster shell, discovered in Roebuck Bay in 1861 and to this day, Broome still remains the pearling capital of the world. There are plenty of places to buy pearls, and you can tour a pearl farm and a pearling museum.

With 22 kilometres of white sand and clear tropical waters, Broome's Cable Beach rates as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. On a balmy summer evening, watch the sun set the sky ablaze as it sinks into the Indian Ocean. What could be more glorious?

Between March and October, when conditions are just right, you can see shafts of moonlight reflected on the rippling mudflats of Roebuck Bay at low tide, giving the illusion of a staircase reaching for the moon. This unforgettable natural phenomenon is celebrated with Staircase to the Moon nights, where you can enjoy the view and be entertained by some local artists at the Staircase Markets, held at Town Beach.

You will be constantly amazed by the Kimberley, an area three times the size of England and often described as Australia's last frontier. More than 350 million years ago the region was under the ocean and as a result, a 1000-kilometre barrier reef developed. Today, with the land so harsh and dry, the only reminder of any underwater world lies within its stunning landscape.

If fishing is your holiday activity of choice, head to Kununurra and join a guided barramundi tour. Your guide will take you 90 minutes from town to the fishing spot and show you how to catch a 'barra' while also revealing some Aboriginal fishing secrets. You may also get to try some bush tucker such as seeds from a boab tree (they taste like powdered milk, by the way).

The Bungle Bungles, located in the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, were formed by the erosion of rivers and creeks around 20 million years ago. You'll marvel at giant orange and black beehive structures stretching out before you and gorges and pools weaving their way through the base of the beehive mounds. From Kununurra, take a two-hour flight straight over the Bungle Bungle Ranges for a fantastic bird's-eye view.

The flight can also take you on to the region's other national icon, Lake Argyle. This huge lake was formed by the Ord River Dam system and holds nine times more water than Sydney Harbour. From the air, you can see the Argyle Diamond Mine which produces one-third of the world's diamonds, including the rare pink diamond. If you want to see a croc the size of a bus up close, go on a sunset cruise along the Ord River. You'll also spot other local wildlife here, like short-eared rock wallabies.

Test out the acoustics at the natural amphitheatre of the Cathedral Gorge. This vast cavern rising high into the sky is an amazing sight to behold. For some exercise and a different perspective on the gorge, hike along the Echidna Chasm where the gorge is significantly narrower.

Camp overnight so you can take a couple of days to explore nearby Piccaninny Creek on the southern edge. This 12-kilometre winding gorge will give you a sense of the age, texture and sheer size of the rock formations in the Kimberley. Like the rest of this incredible region, it constantly surprises you with its secrets.

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• Nearest City:Broome
• Distance to Broome:220 kms
• Nearest Airport:Broome
• Distance to Broome Airport:220 kms

Local Attractions in the Area

• Bungle Bungle Range
• Cable Beach
• Gibb River Road
• Cape Leveque
• Mitchell River National Park
• Kimberley Cruising

Helpful Links for the Area

• Australia's North West
• The Kimberley
• Broome
• Kununurra
• Suggested Itineraries
• Kimberley Visitors Centre

Seasonal Events

• Ord Valley Muster
• Staircase to the Moon, Broome
• Mango Festival
• Shinju Matsuri, Broome
• Migratory Birds, Broome