The north west of Western Australia is the home of the Kimberley region and the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The North West is a land of extraordinary contrasts, where the red rocky landscapes of the outback meet the bright turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Towns of the Kimberley: Coastal and outback towns of the Kimberley region offer vastly diverse experiences. Enjoy the laidback lifestyle of cosmopolitan Broome. Visit Kununurra and Derby, the eastern and western gateways to the Kimberley. And stop by at the rugged pioneering towns of Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek

Weather and climate in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Australia's North West vary dramatically. Temperatures range from under 5°C to over 40°C and the weather pattern creates two very distinct seasons, each offering vastly different holiday experiences.

Summer season - November to April - In summer there are fewer tourists, as the days can be hot and the nights are balmy. While it is known as the wet season in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, the rain usually falls in heavy, short downpours in the late afternoon and evenings so you can expect great lightning shows, spectacular sunsets, thundering waterfalls and plenty of wildlife to blow your senses.

Wilderness adventures can be found in quantity and quality. Your North West holiday could take you to Western Australia’s (WA) World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, featuring the famous beehive-shaped Bungle Bungles. Or you could find yourself in the magnificent Mitchell River National Park and the beautiful waterways of Geike Gorge National Park.

You can follow ancient cave systems at Tunnel Creek National Park. Walk through the spectacular Windjana Gorge. Cruise the vast inland sea of Lake Argyle. Or explore one of the world’s largest meteorite craters at Wolfe Creek Crater National Park.

While Broome’s Cable Beach is classed as one of the world’s best beaches, there are also many world-class attractions to be found just off the coast in the Kimberley region. Kimberley cruises to the Buccaneer Archipelago, give you the chance to witness amazing tidal movements at the Horizontal Waterfalls. A snorkel or dive tour of Rowley Shoals Marine Park you can swim with over 600 species of fish.

Qantas operates direct flights to Broome from both Sydney and Melbourne. Direct Sydney flights operate during the peak season from April to October and depart on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Melbourne flights operate twice weekly departing Saturdays and Sundays. For the full schedule with departure and arrival times please visit www.qantas.com

Qantas also provides connecting flights from all other capital cities. Virgin Blue operates direct flights to Broome from Adelaide and connecting flights from all other capital cities. Skywest andAirnorth provide connections between Broome, Kununurra and Darwin in the Northern Territory. Jetstar also operate domestic flights.

There are daily flights to Perth airport (Western Australia’s capital city) from major international hubs. These flights connect with all interstate flights to major towns within Australia’s North West.Skywest offers a weekly service from Denpasar in Bali to Port Hedland, with connections to Broome.