The Three Most Luxurious Hotels in the Kimberley
The Kimberley is one of the earliest places humans ever called home in Australia. Archaeological evidence suggests Indigenous Australians have lived here for more than 65,000 years, making this region not only ancient, but sacred. A place where rock art still whispers of creation stories, Wandjina deities and vanished communities like the mysterious Yawijibaya people of the High Cliffy Islands off Montgomery Reef. And yet, despite this long human history, the Kimberley’s spirit remains raw, elemental and remarkably unchanged.
Sprawled across Australia’s northwest corner, the Kimberley is three times the size of England and remains one of the least inhabited places on earth. Here, ochre escarpments plunge into mirrored rivers, mangroves fringe tidal reefs, and the night sky is unspoiled by artificial light. Travelling to this place offers an antidote to the frenetic distractions of modern life, and to truly connect with this vast and ancient wilderness, you must be immersed in the landscape. On a captivating Kimberley tour, stay in APT's luxury Wilderness Lodges and experience the rare opportunity to explore the without sacrificing creature comforts — proving that true luxury can blend seamlessly with the land, just as the boab tree’s roots entwine the rugged soil. This inland experience is a perfect companion to Kimberley coast cruises, offering a deeper connection to Country before or after you discover the Kimberley by sea.
The APT Kimberley Wilderness Lodge Experience
In a land shaped by fire and time, APT’s Wilderness Lodges offer something few places on Earth can: luxury in a landscape largely unchanged for tens of thousands of years. Each lodge is designed not to conquer the wild, but to sit gently within it — blending the comforts of home with the quiet drama of the bush.
Stay in private tented cabins, each appointed with an en suite, a hot shower, and a shaded deck, where you can watch the bush stir to life at sunrise. Though the setting is remote, the hospitality is anything but. From freshly pressed linen to the warmth of dedicated Lodge Hosts, every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
At night, the Kimberley’s clear skies become your ceiling, and dinner is a three-course feast of outback indulgence. Picture Cone Bay barramundi grilled to perfection or duck à l’orange served alfresco amid the hush of the bush. Morning breaks with the scent of fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast prepared by the lodge’s on-site chefs — fuel for the day’s explorations.
Perfectly placed in some of the Kimberley’s most iconic destinations, our Wilderness Lodges are where digital noise is replaced with birdsong, firelight and conversation replace screens, and the night sky, unobstructed by artificial light, becomes your evening entertainment.
Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge
A land of soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls, Mitchell Plateau was once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Today, it remains a realm of dramatic beauty and profound cultural significance, with Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge tucked away in its very heart.
The Ungolan Pavilion, named in the local Wunambal language, is the lodge’s soul. Here, Aboriginal artistry meets contemporary design, with timber beams and earthy textures that reflect the sandstone country beyond. The pavilion features a gallery which showcases works by Kandiwal artists, with all sales directly supporting this small Indigenous community.
Between moments of relaxation, discover Mitchell Falls itself. Carved from sandstone formed over 1.6 billion years ago, the Falls have been slowly shaped by the flow of the Mitchell River and the region’s seasonal rains. You might embark on a guided interpretive walk, spotting vibrant Gouldian finches or hearing the echo of ancestral stories carried on the breeze, before cooling off in the lodge’s spring-fed waterhole.
Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Just off the Gibb River Road, Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge rests on Aboriginal-owned land close to the Imintji community. Imintji — meaning ‘a place to sit down’ — perfectly reflects this land’s history as a resting spot for stockmen driving cattle. Today, it’s a tranquil haven nestled between epic gorges and ochre-hued ranges.
The Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges rise like a dream beyond the lodge’s sprawling lawns, shifting colours with the passing sun. Inside your cabin, earthy tones and natural textures echo the rugged landscape, while outside, private decks invite you to soak in morning gold or the deep indigo of twilight.
Evenings at Bell Gorge unfold with unhurried grace. Sip a glass of wine beneath a blanket of stars, hear the distant call of a barking owl, and breathe in the eucalyptus-scented breeze. The architect-designed central lodge, featuring an open-air bar and lounge, strikes a flawless balance between rustic simplicity and refined indulgence.
Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge
Purnululu National Park has been a sanctuary for Indigenous Australians for tens of thousands of years, and in Gija Dreaming, the striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range are said to be ancestral spirits transformed to stone. Formed some 360 million years ago from ancient river sediments stained by iron and algae, these beehive formations are so fragile they crumble beneath your fingertips. Hidden in plain sight for centuries, the Bungle Bungle Range was only brought to national attention in 1983. Today, this surreal landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered for its extraordinary geology and profound cultural heritage.
APT’s Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge offers a rare chance to stay within Purnululu National Park’s sacred bounds, just a stone’s throw from the beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle Range. Days unfold exploring the iconic domes, Piccaninny Creek, Cathedral Gorge, and the narrow fissure of Echidna Chasm. Evenings invite quiet retreat with open-air dining beneath star-studded skies, a leisurely drink with new-found friends, and stories shared amid the flickering glow of a fire.
While APT’s Wilderness Lodges offer unrivalled immersion, other stops on your journey blend the same spirit of adventure with luxurious sanctuary.
El Questro – Emma Gorge
Once a rugged cattle station, El Questro has evolved into one of the Kimberley’s most iconic wilderness retreats. Tucked beneath the soaring red escarpments of the Cockburn Range, Emma Gorge places you at the threshold of one of the region’s most enchanting natural spectacles.
A short but rewarding hike leads to the gorge’s crowning jewel: a 65-metre droplet waterfall spilling into a glassy pool, flanked by fern-fringed rock walls. On one side, a warm thermal spring seeps into the water, a soothing contrast to the invigorating chill of the plunge pool itself. Afterwards, retreat to your cabin, where canvas and comfort meet beneath Kimberley skies.
Fitzroy River Lodge
Set where red dirt meets ribboning water, Fitzroy River Lodge offers an authentic taste of the Kimberley’s quieter side. Spread across 50 acres of native bushland, the lodge is a sanctuary for both travellers and wildlife, from wallabies grazing at dawn to brolgas tracing slow arcs through the morning mist.
The Fitzroy River, among the last remaining free-flowing rivers on Earth, has sustained life here for millennia. The accommodation suits every kind of traveller, from adventurers to those seeking a touch of comfort in the wilderness, with a choice of suites that provide a welcoming base. After a day on the road, take a dip in the shaded pool, sip a cold drink at the bar, or enjoy fresh local fare at the open-air restaurant.
Kununurra Country Club Resort
In the vibrant frontier town of Kununurra, the Country Club Resort blends relaxed luxury with unbeatable proximity to the Kimberley’s crown jewels. From here, you can soar over the beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, cruise the mirror-like waters of the Ord River, or explore the vast expanse of Lake Argyle, a manmade marvel teeming with freshwater crocodiles and birdlife.
This tropical oasis offers a welcome pause from the region’s ruggedness. Modern rooms — ranging from king to triple configurations — are set amid palm-draped gardens, with a resort-style pool glinting at their centre. Whether you’re returning from a scenic flight or stocking up in town for your next adventure, the Country Club’s inviting restaurant and laidback atmosphere make it more than just a stopover.