CALL OF THE WILD

Unspoiled. Untamed. Unbelievable. Western Australia’s north is an adventurer’s paradise.

Billions of years in the making, Western Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular terrain. At Ningaloo, the coastlines of sand and stone crash into impossibly blue seas. The imposing waterfalls of the Kimberley demonstrate the awesome might and power of Mother Nature. Early rock paintings tell the ancient stories of the Aboriginal groups that have called the region home for more than 60,000 years. In short, this is a part of the world with much to offer travellers who like their getaways with a touch of luxury and adventure. Run, don’t walk. Or even better, fly, snorkel or take a luxury cruise along waterways and rivers.

EXHILARATING MARINE ADVENTURES

Located a short drive from Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef is the world’s largest fringing coral reef and attracts snorkellers and divers year-round. While the Exmouth Navy Pier is a perennial attraction, many come to Exmouth during whale shark season (March to August). Jump aboard a catamaran or powerboat with Ningaloo Discovery (ningaloodiscovery.com.au) to swim with the ocean’s largest fish. Boasting one of the highest interaction rates at

97 per cent last season, World Heritagelisted Ningaloo Marine Park remains one of the most reliable places on Earth to swim with these gentle giants. Visitors can also swim with humpback whales, turtles and manta rays further south at Coral Bay. A stay at Sal Salis (salsalis.com.au) in luxury safari tents puts you right on nature’s doorstep, perched among the dunes of Ningaloo Reef. Microflights are available for those who prefer to keep out of the water. For a stay with a difference, visit Bullara Station (bullarastation.com.au): a third-generation working cattle station that spans a quarter-million acres.

EXPERIENCE TRUE WILDERNESS

Stretching across more than 420,000 square kilometres, the Kimberley is one of the planet’s last true wilderness areas and home to unique, deeply Australian experiences.

The former pearling town of Broome on Yawuru Country is both rugged and sophisticated. Cable Beach is one of Australia’s most famous stretches of coastline, best experienced at sunset, on camelback, and safe in the knowledge that your bed for the night is at worldrenowned Cable Beach Club Resort (cablebeachclub.com). The town is also the perfect base for exploring the Horizontal Falls, a fast-moving waterfall that appears to spill across the water.

Sample some traditionally-sourced bush tucker or oysters fresh off the rock with Narlijia Experiences (toursbroome.com.au), as traditional owner Bart Pigram shows you the incredible flora and fauna that bring the mangroves to life.

For gin-lovers, experience the spirit of Broome with a visit to Moontide Distillery (moontidedistillery.com.au). Not only is this perhaps the country’s most isolated distillery, Moontide has a focus on honouring the history of the region, producing gin, spirits and bitters with native ingredients.

You can’t go past Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat (ecobeach.com.au) near Broome. This wilderness camp overlooks one of the west’s most untouched landscapes and stretches of beach. Alternatively, take in the remote Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm (cygnetbaypearlfarm.com.au) at

Cape Leveque – producers of the sustainably grown, rare and highly sought-after South Sea pearl.

Venturing further east, the spectacular clifftop retreat set on the Chamberlain River, El Questro Homestead (elquestro.com.au) gives guests a chance to experience and embrace the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Kimberley. A stay here gives easy access to explore incredible gorges and waterfalls including the must-do Emma Gorge. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park. For the ultimate view of this otherworldly landscape, join Aviair for a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range, or discover it on foot with an informative guided walk or overnight tour with Bungle Bungle Guided Tours (bunglebungleguidedtours.com.au).

The Kimberley is also home to

Lake Argyle, Western Australia’s largest man-made freshwater lake. While Lake Argyle is impressive from any angle, the lake – and its population of birds, fish, crocodiles and other wildlife – is best admired on a sunset cruise with Lake Argyle Cruises (lakeargylecruises.com).

Lake Argyle Resort and its spectacular infinity pool reiterate the Kimberley’s unique brand of rugged luxury.