Great Northern Highway: Perth to Broome Highlights

Introduction Embarking on a journey along the Great Northern Highway from Perth to Broome is more than a road trip. It’s a rite of passage through Western Australia’s vast north country — a tapestry of red desert plains, ancient gorges, and Indigenous culture stitched together by long, open horizons and roadhouse hospitality. This is the route that slices through WA’s most dramatic landscapes, from the wine-dark evenings of the Wheatbelt to the rugged Kimberley coast. If you crave wide skies, outback charm, and genuine adventure, the Great Northern Highway delivers in spades.

This article is your compass to the Perth to Broome highlights. You’ll find must-see national parks, iconic gorges, classic Kimberley experiences, practical travel tips, and ready-to-use itineraries. Whether you’re chasing dramatic scenery, wildlife encounters, or a culture-filled trail through remote towns, the Great Northern Highway is a gateway to some of Australia’s best-kept travel secrets.

H2: The Great Northern Highway — what makes this route special

• Australia’s northern arterial road: The Great Northern Highway is the primary north-south corridor that connects Perth with the Kimberley and the far north. It’s less about city sights and more about awe-inspiring landscapes that shift with every hundred kilometers.
• A living outback classroom: The road passes through storied landscapes where ancient rocks tell stories of time scales far beyond everyday life. You’ll encounter red gorges, spinifex-covered plains, and waterholes that invite a dip after a long day on the road.
• Gateway to Kimberley adventures: The highway offers access to the Kimberley’s iconic experiences — from the ancient gorges and wildlife to legendary outback stations and guided tours that reveal Darwin’s northern neighbour’s beauty.
• Comfort with character: This route is dotted with roadhouses, small towns, and comfortable campsites. It’s not about luxury hotels; it’s about authentic outback hospitality, sunsets that make you pause, and detours that become the trip’s highlight.

H2: Route segments and highlights — what to expect along the Perth to Broome journey

Note: The Great Northern Highway is long and diverse. The highlights below reflect the major categories of experiences you’ll encounter along the way, with examples of places you’ll likely want to see or plan for.

H3: The Pilbara leg — Karijini National Park and Gorge Country

• Karijini National Park: One of Western Australia’s crown jewels, Karijini is famous for its deep, dramatic gorges, emerald rock pools, and refreshing creek crossings. The park’s Weano, Hancock, and Joash gorges offer some of WA’s best hiking and swimming opportunities. For many travelers, Karijini is the high point of the Pilbara, a place to feel the earth’s ancient heartbeat.
• Waterholes and cliff-top views: Expect dramatic escarpments, red rock faces, and sheltered swimming holes. The color contrasts — the iron-rich rocks against turquoise water — create postcard-perfect moments after a dusty day on the highway.
• Millstream-Chichester National Park: A lower-traffic gem to break up the drive. It’s known for palm-fringed springs, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. A short hike or a lazy afternoon by a lazy river can be a perfect counterpoint to long highway stretches.
• Practical travel tips:
  • Best season: The dry season (April to October) is ideal for easier access and comfortable hiking.
  • What to bring: a sturdy pair of hiking shoes, water, a hat, and a light rain shell for occasional showers.
  • Overnight options: Campgrounds inside Karijini or nearby campsites let you wake to birdsong and morning light on the gorges.

H3: The Kimberley gateway — Gibb River Road and Kimberley gorges

• The Gibb River Road experience: While not every traveler takes this detour, the Gibb River Road is the quintessential Kimberley adventure. It’s a graded road that opens up remote gorges, seasonal waterfalls, and wildlife encounters, all with the sense of pioneer adventure.
• Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek: These two sites are among the Kimberley’s most iconic. Windjana Gorge features towering limestone walls and a calm river that’s home to all sorts of birds and freshwater crocodiles. Tunnel Creek, a cave system carved through limestone by groundwater, offers a unique underground walk that’s both eerie and beautiful.
• Bell Gorge and nearby waterfalls: A highlight for many, Bell Gorge is a dramatic waterfall setting with a deep pool perfect for a cooling swim. The approach is a picture of Kimberley rugged beauty — red rock, green forest, and a waterfall that makes the journey feel worthwhile.
• El Questro Wilderness Park: This vast property offers a range of experiences, from guided gorge hikes to boat trips along the Chamberlain Gorge. It’s a comfortable way to experience the Kimberley’s scale without sacrificing access to creature comforts.
• Practical travel tips:
  • Road conditions: The Gibb River Road can be challenging after heavy rains. Check road conditions and be prepared with a higher clearance vehicle if you intend to go off the main track.
  • Gear and planning: Carry extra water, a spare tire, and a basic first-aid kit. Mobile coverage can be limited in remote sections.
  • Timing: The best combination of wildflowers, flowing water, and fewer crowds often occurs in the shoulder seasons (late April to early June or September to October).

H3: The Bungle Bungle and the eastern Kimberley detour — Purnululu National Park

• Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park): A classic Kimberley detour from the Great Northern Highway, the Bungle Bungle Range is famed for its beehive-shaped sandstone domes and striking beehive formations. The park offers scenic flights, guided walks, and dramatic viewpoints that reward the detour with unforgettable panoramas.
• How to approach: Many travelers route from Fitzroy Crossing or Halls Creek to Purnululu via a detour from the Great Northern Highway. The experience is a blend of rugged hiking, scenic lookout points, and a chance to see ancient landscapes etched into the earth’s surface.
• Practical travel tips:
  • Access and permits: Some sections require access passes or guided tours. Check current park requirements before you go.
  • Time on-site: Plan at least half a day for the range and longer if you want in-park hikes and a more immersive experience.

H3: From the Kimberley to Broome — coastbound experiences and iconic stops

• El Questro and beyond: As your Kimberley adventure winds down, you’ll find that the landscape changes from red gullies to broader coastal horizons. East Kimberley towns and stations often offer cultural tours, fishing experiences, and sunset viewpoints that showcase the region’s character.
• Ocean-facing rewards: While the Great Northern Highway is about inland adventures, making your way toward Broome introduces you to coastal WA. The bigger pay-off often comes in Broome itself, where you can swap outback dust for white-sand beaches and aquatic adventures.

H2: Broome highlights — why this end point is worth the journey

• Cable Beach magic: Sunsets over Cable Beach are legendary. A camel ride along the shoreline at golden hour is a quintessential Broome experience that many travelers consider a must-do.
• Pearl history and culture: Broome’s pearling history is fascinating, with museums and galleries that detail the town’s unique cultural and economic story. A stroll along Dampier Terrace or a guided walk through the town’s historic precinct brings this past to life.
• Gantheaume Point and dinosaur footprints: A short, scenic stop that blends coastal beauty with paleontological intrigue. If the tide allows, you can glimpse ancient footprints imprinted in the rock.
• Staircase to the Moon (seasonal): If your timing aligns, this natural phenomenon when the full moon rises over the tide creates a stair-like illusion over Roebuck Bay. It’s a photographer’s dream and a memorable Broome moment.
• Practical travel tips:
  • Beach safety: Always check for current tides and swimming advisories. Cable Beach has both calm days and strong tides.
  • Dining and culture: Broome offers a rich blend of culinary experiences, from fresh seafood to frontier-inspired pubs and modern fusion meals.
  • Nearby adventures: Day trips to Horizontal Falls (a dramatic tidal phenomenon) and the Dampier Peninsula offer additional ways to cap off the trip.

H2: Practical tips for planning your Perth to Broome journey

• When to go: The dry season (roughly April through October) brings cooler days but stunning clarity and little rain, ideal for long drives and hiking. The wet season (roughly November through March) can bring heavy rains and road closures, but it also brings lush scenery and dramatic waterfalls in full flow.
• Vehicle readiness: A reliable 4WD or a high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended, especially if you plan to explore detours like the Gibb River Road or park entrances that require sturdy terrain. Pack a spare tire, basic tools, extra water, and a full fuel plan.
• Packing list essentials:
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days and warm nights
  • High-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses
  • Swimwear and a towel for waterholes
  • Insect repellent for mosquitoes near water and roadhouses
  • A camera or a good phone for capturing expansive horizons
• Road etiquette and safety:
  • Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk — kangaroos and camels can appear on the highway.
  • Respect community spaces and obey road signs, especially in remote Indigenous regions.
  • Carry a spare jerry can of fuel if you’re planning long stretches between roadhouses.
• Food and accommodation strategy:
  • Plan a mix of roadhouse meals, campsites, and the occasional guided tour to balance convenience and the sense of discovery.
  • In Kimberley detours, book ahead where possible, especially in peak seasons, to secure a spot at popular campgrounds or stations.

H2: Suggested itineraries — how to pace your Perth to Broome journey

Itinerary A — 7–10 days (fast-paced highlights)

• Day 1–2: Perth to Pinnacle or New Norcia detour, then push into the wilds of the Pilbara.
• Day 3–4: Karijini National Park — gorge walks and swimming holes.
• Day 5–6: Gibb River Road detours — Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Bell Gorge.
• Day 7–8: Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) detour for awe-inspiring beehive formations.
• Day 9–10: Final stretch to Broome; relax on Cable Beach and start exploring town.

Itinerary B — 14–21 days (immersive experience)

• Day 1–3: Perth to New Norcia and the Wheatbelt countryside; Margaret River is a stretch away and not necessarily on the GNH, but a great detour if you have time.
• Day 4–6: Pilbara highlights — Karijini and Millstream-Chichester; spend time in the gorges, waterfalls, and scenic lookouts.
• Day 7–10: Gibb River Road and the Kimberley — Windjana Gorge, Bell Gorge, El Questro, and a night under the Kimberley sky.
• Day 11–14: Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) — explore the domes with ranger-guided walks.
• Day 15–21: Broome — Cable Beach sunsets, Pearl Museum, Gantheaume Point, and optional Horizontal Falls day trip.

Itinerary C — family-friendly, relaxed pace

• Focus on shorter driving days, more rest stops at roadhouses with kid-friendly facilities, and a few well-chosen detours like Karijini and El Questro to create lasting memories without overloading the schedule.

H2: Why this journey resonates — the travel sales perspective

• A sense of discovery: The Great Northern Highway isn’t just a route; it’s a canvas where every stop offers a new memory — a chat with a roadhouse owner about local stories, a dip in a sculpted gorge, or a sunset that makes the sky look painted.
• Authentic outback hospitality: Roadside stays and roadhouse dining become part of the experience. Guests are often greeted with warm welcomes, simple home-cooked meals, and tips about local must-dos that you won’t find in a guidebook.
• Cultural immersion: The Kimberley and Pilbara regions offer deep Indigenous histories, art centers, and guided cultural experiences that connect travelers with country in meaningful ways.
• The payoff of rewards: Off the highway, you’ll find waterfalls, gullies, and coastal scenery that make every mile feel earned. The journey itself becomes as memorable as the destination.

Conclusion The Great Northern Highway from Perth to Broome is not just a road; it’s a corridor to some of Western Australia’s most compelling landscapes and experiences. From the dramatic gorges of Karijini to the Kimberley’s remote charm and the iconic beauty of Broome’s Cable Beach, this route delivers a mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation that’s hard to beat. It invites you to slow down, absorb the red earth’s quiet grandeur, and savor the kind of travel that becomes a story you’ll tell for years.

If you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime outback odyssey, start with a plan, a trusty vehicle, and the willingness to let the road show you what WA has to offer. Whether you’ve got a week or three, the Great Northern Highway can tailor an itinerary that feels spontaneous, epic, and utterly unforgettable. Book the essentials, map your detours, pack wisely, and set out for a journey that will redefine what you expect from a road trip in Australia.

Bulleted quick reference for planning

• Top highlights: Karijini National Park, Windjana Gorge, Bell Gorge, Gibb River Road detours, Purnululu (Bungle Bungle), Cable Beach in Broome.
• Best time to travel: Dry season (April–October) for easier driving and comfortable hiking.
• Essentials: 4WD or high-clearance vehicle, spare tire, ample water, sun protection, and a detailed map or offline navigation.
• Family-friendly tip: Choose shorter driving days with frequent breaks; prioritize nature-based stops that invite curiosity and easy exploration.

With careful planning and a spirit of adventure, the Great Northern Highway offers not just a route, but a memory-making journey from Perth to Broome that lingers long after you’ve parked the car and stepped onto the sands of Cable Beach.