Experiencing the Kimberley Coastline
- Naomi Lang
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
I could write and rewrite my experience of the Kimberley coastline over and over again. Each time, it would be a string of words woven together, always along the lines of: it is captivating and vast. The dramatic landscapes are rugged and unforgettable. Cruising through towering gorge walls and silky blue waters is a privilege—dreamt of by some and experienced by the lucky ones.
Ahhh, The Kimberley. It’s grabs you, shakes you up, makes you curious and spits you back out. It’s wild, untamed, and absolutely unforgettable. Cruising through towering gorges feels like something out of a dream—one that plenty fantasise about but only the lucky ones actually get to experience. Every inch of this place is carved with beauty, from the jagged red cliffs to the hidden waterholes, and once you’ve been out here, it stays with you for a lifetime.
Much like Africa there’s a raw beauty about it. It’s another place I find hard to explain fully until you visit yourself. Trying to evoke feelings of deep peace, curiosity, adventure and wonder is something even the best artists struggle with. So I hope this recount scratches the surface of what’s out there.
The sunsets don’t just fade; they explode—setting the clouds on fire with reds, oranges, blues and purples so vivid they don’t seem real. And when the storms roll in, they don’t muck around. Picture this; You’re anchored in an isolated bay, the sun is setting as a big grumpy thunderstorm picks up wind and sets the whole sky alight in a orange rainy haze, you best believe that lightning cracks so close you can feel the charge in the air while watching as bolts cross the sky. The sky darkens with a moody, electric energy, we thrive off it. A dance on the back deck to Fleetwood Mac ‘Dreams’ and excited cheering from the whole crew as we absorb another spectacular Kimberley scene. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop and just take it all in, knowing full well that no words or pictures will ever do it justice.
A hazy combination of rain and wind from a wet season thunderstorm in late February
My favourite time of day? Easy. Just before sunrise, anchored up a river. The world’s still half asleep, birds are chatting off in the distance and the quiet lapping of water against the boat makes you feel at ease. A fresh coffee in hand, the first rays of sunlight stretch across the sky, slowly waking up the sandstone cliffs—turning into soft pinks before deepening into those rich, earthy Kimberley reds. It’s magic.
I could write about this place a hundred times over, and every time, I’d say the same thing—it’s massive, it’s mesmerising, and it leaves you wanting more.
The Kimberley is bold, beautiful, and you never know what to expect. The history runs deep, untouched and raw, and once you’re out here, it feels like nothing else exists. The worries of the outside world disappear the second you lose sight of port. The biggest dramas? Trying not to cook the soles of your feet on roasting hot sandstone and making sure you’ve tied your knot properly so both your lure and Barra end up in the boat.
And the natural phenomenas? Next level. With some of the largest tides in the world, the ocean and land are constantly shifting, revealing waterfalls one moment and massive whirlpools the next. Currents rip through narrow sandstone gaps, luring in adventurers, fishos, and curious souls. Some people have spent years dreaming of this place, finally ticking it off the bucket list, while others keep finding their way back. Horizontal falls and Montgomery reef are a sight to see from the air. The patterns in the land and water draw you in. The first time I flew over Horizontal falls I shed a few silent tears, the beauty and vastness seem to stretch as far as the eye could see. The way the land seemed to twist and fold pointing out above the waterline took the words right out of my mouth, still does each trip, the novelty hasn’t worn off and it probably won’t.
Will I think of the Kimberley one day when I’m grey and old? No doubt it will cross my mind more often than I think. There are a series of moments that I will hold close to my heart for many years to come, no doubt there will be memories that will fade although the feeling of adventure and pure curiosity will be tied with the ones that stay in the memory bank.
It’s magic. It’s peaceful. It’s the Kimberley.
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