Geology of the Kimberley: An Overview

The rocks found in the Kimberley region contain geological records spanning the last 1900 million years of the history of the Earth.

An Overview of the Kimberley

Extending from the Great Sandy Desert in the south, through rugged sandstone ridges of the Kimberley Plateau to the Timor Sea in the north, the Kimberley region covers approximately 420,000 square kilometres. Islands off the north coast, the abundance of headlands and gulfs, as well as the irregularity of the coastline show the historically high sea levels currently and the ‘drowned topography’ of the region.

The climate of the region can be characterised as tropical monsoonal, with a wet season extending November through March and a dry season from April to October. Annual rainfall in the region peaks at approximately 1500mm in the north west of the plateau, dropping to 350mm in the semi-arid south. Seeing day temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius is not uncommon in the region, while temperatures at night can dip below zero in the desert regions of the south and on the higher parts of the plateau.

Ancient Geology

Around 1.8 billion years ago, the Kimberley was a separate land mass that collided with the ancient Pilbara and Yilgarn craton, forming the core of the Australian continent as we know it today. The King Leopold Ranges are remnants of mountains erected by the collision, with their folded and crumpled rocks telling a story about the shaping of Western Australia.

The Napier, Oscar, Pillara and Emanuel Ranges are remains of vast coral reefs – similar in scale to the Great Barrier Reef – which existed nearly 400 million years ago. Gogo fish fossils from this ancient reef system, found in the now dry landscape, provide insights into the evolution of life on Earth – including the development of the earliest four-limbed vertebrates and live birth.

Dinosaur footprints on the Dampier Peninsula are an astonishing trace of ancient life in the Kimberley region. Palaeontologists and trace fossil experts consider the range of tracks and their environmental settings as internationally outstanding. Fossilised human footprint sites have also been found and are significant as they are one of only three documented human track sites in Australia and the only site in WA.

Significant Sites

The Kimberley is one of the most sparsely populated areas on Earth – with approximately 40,000 people living in an area the size of Germany. The remoteness and natural beauty of the area produces one of the most unbelievable landscapes in the world, with a range of significant sites.

Bungle Bungles

Located in the World Heritage Purnululu National Park are towering, striped rock formations called the Bungle Bungles. These beehive-like domes emerge from a flat landscape in one of the most fascinating instances of sandstone erosion worldwide. Approximately 360 million years old, the Bungle Bungle Range is also home to a selection of sacred Indigenous rock art sites.

Horizontal Falls

The Horizontal Falls is another unbelievable natural phenomenon where tonnes of water are squeezed through a gap between twin mountain ranges. With some of the biggest tropical tides in the world – rising and falling up to 10 metres – Horizontal Falls is almost a whitewater rapid that can be experienced from the air or on a power boat ride.

Lake Argyle

Lake Argyle is a waterway found approximately 70 kilometres from Kununurra that holds about 20 times the volume of water as the Sydney Harbour. When Lake Argyle was dammed during the 1970s, the water surrounding rugged mountains, creating dozens of uninhabited islands. While its main purpose is crop-irrigation, the lake doubles as a leisure zone for nature cruises, kayakers and boaters, gliding past freshwater crocodiles and over 240 species of bird.

King George Falls

The King George Falls are a breathtaking sight with water spilling 100 metres off the two-billion year old crust of northern Australia into the King George River. A corridor of ascending gorges, with ancient sandstone cliffs lead to the twin waterfalls of King George Falls. Experience the falls by luxury cruise, taking a freshwater shower on the bow as we carefully navigate the boat right under the falls.

Indigenous Significance

The Western Kimberley has Indigenous history dating back at least 40,000 years, continuing to be a home to Aboriginal communities practising traditional law in the world’s oldest continuous culture.

From the Dampier Peninsula and east along the north coast, Indigenous people used the double log raft – galwa or kalum – paired with a remarkable understanding of tidal movements to travel to offshore islands and inaccessible coastal areas. In the Wanjina-Wunggurr native land, Wanjina creator beings (manifested in rock art figures, stone arrangements and landscape features) are central to the customs of the people, guiding every aspect of their lives. Painted art in rock shelters and caves provide a stunning visual record of continuing traditions, with the Aboriginal painting tradition considered one of the longest and most complex rock art sequences in the world.

The history of Indigenous communities in the Kimberley has been one of adaptation, resistance and survival in face of dramatic changes. Throughout the 1890s, Jandamarra and Bunuba people’s intimate knowledge of the Napier and Oscar ranges, proved crucial in resisting European pastoral settlement. A dispute as Noonkanbah Station in 1980 between Indigenous residents, mining companies and the WA State Government over oil drilling in sacred areas was pivotal in the struggle for Traditional Owners to determine what happens on their country.

Experience All The Kimberley Has To Offer With Ocean Dream Charters

Experience the Kimberley like never before with a luxury cruise with Ocean Dream Charters! Explore untouched, remote wilderness in style and comfort aboard our 86-foot twin hull catamaran. As you are encapsulated by the landscape around you, the approachable and professional crew on board Ocean Dream will ensure your holiday is truly an unforgettable experience. With a range of available cruises, varying in length, we’re sure there’ll be a retreat on offer that fits you to perfection. To learn more, contact our friendly service team today!