We are often asked when guests are wanting to book our Kimberley Tours, which month is the best time to experience the Kimberley? This is probably a more complex question than you realise, because even each month of our peak dry season visitor time is different. This brief guide is designed to help you understand the main differences in terms of not only weather, but how the landscapes and ecologies respond to these seasonal changes. Once you understand these seasonal changes and the different experiences you can have across those different months, you can then decide what time of year would provide you with your ultimate personal Kimberley experience. This is something we at Charter North spend a lot of time factoring into our conversations with our guests when designing and planning our private charters. We want you to have the best destination experience you possibly can, because let’s face it, you might only get this one opportunity. Unless of course you get hooked on the Kimberley like I did almost thirty years ago now, and just can’t stay away! Many people that visit the Kimberley talk about its magnetism and how it just gets in your blood. Even after thirty years, although I strongly testify to that, I still can’t quite explain it. Perhaps to quote a line from a great Australian movie; “It’s Just the vibe”
So now, let’s explain those differences and help you make the best choice.
April – Shoulder season when the Kimberley looks its best
Immediately after the rains the many waterholes and billabongs are full and the abundant waterfalls are at their magnificent peak visitor condition. If you don’t mind the lingering last bit of humidity, the occasional light shower of rain, and the insects that continue to enjoy these conditions, you’ll be rewarded with a lush green landscape. Some of our seasonal migratory birds start to disappear for another year, however the one hundred and twelve river systems, connected tributaries and wetlands full of residual water can be ideal for photographing the birds and wildlife as they maximise these seasonal conditions. Did you know the Kimberley holds seventy five percent of all Western Australia’s fresh water resources!
Temperatures are still quite warm, and there may be parts of the Kimberley we are unable to access due to high water levels, every wet season is different and it is an experience in itself to see and feel the country before the bulk of visitors arrive later in the year. Another bonus this time of year is the lower volume of visitors and the availability of accommodation. April might not be the best weather for camping, however the days exploring are stunning! And after a day in the lush Kimberley landscapes, you can retreat to some of the unique Kimberley character accommodation to relax in your air conditioned room while reflecting on your day and contemplating what tomorrow will bring.
May – Beginning of the cooler weather
The rain has gone and the last clouds have disappeared. The Kimberley days can still be in the low to mid thirties, with the insects departing as the humidity is now replaced by our typical “dry heat” The nights are also gradually cooling and becoming more conducive to that much loved campfire and sleeping under the stars experience. Ah, what a night! If your still up for a little more comfort, there should still be available accommodation before the peak visitor season kicks in.
As May progresses we are mostly guaranteed access to all the renowned features of the Kimberley, with the road surfaces probably the best you will feel and see for the remainder of the visitor season. There is still a fair amount of 4WD adventure in our travels through May as we negotiate numerous creek and river crossings that can still have significantly high water levels. The vast savannahs are still relatively green and lush, therefore still supporting quite a bit of local wildlife as they feverishly take advantage of the remaining feeding and breeding opportunities before the prolonged dryer conditions arrive. We often regard April and May as the best wildlife spotting months of the entire year. That is of course from a seasonal visitors perspective, unless your lucky enough to be “locked into the Kimberley” over the full wet season months from December through to the end of March. It’s quite a sight and experience!
June & July – Peak of the dry season
These two months are the peak of what we refer to as our “dry season” These months have comfortably warm days that have settled into frequent high twenties to low thirty degree temperatures, accompanied by a gentle south easterly breeze helping keep temps stably cool. This is our true winter here in the north, yes winter! The nights can be surprisingly chilly with temps often dropping below ten degrees, even zero on some extreme occasions! So definitely pack a sweater or jacket and some long warm trousers if you plan to be outside after sundown, otherwise you may very well wonder why you left those colder climates to spend time in the tropical north? We use good quality swags fully dressed with warm comfy linen, doonas and pillows to keep you nice and snug while you lay there next to the campfire just gazing at the endless starry skies as you drift off to sleep. No need to stress about the idea of waking to a cold morning, the campfire will be waiting for you. Even a freshly brewed coffee to warm the bones! It’s worth knowing some important characteristics of the Kimberley when trying to understand the cooler dry season conditions. Even though we refer to the Kimberley as being in the North West, in comparison it lies further south than our true north. As we travel along the Gibb River Road we are also traversing the “Kimberley Plataea” that is bound by mountain ranges, much further inland from the coastal regions, and with elevation levels of around five hundred meters. The local environment through the central plateau is predominantly savannah woodlands. Our nights in The Bungles, Purnululu National Park, are notoriously cooler than most other Kimberley zones as the park lays on the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert. Think Central Australian deserts if you have ever had the pleasure. So if your looking to escape those bitter cold southern winters for some perfect warm days and fresh cosy nights in The Kimberley, the weather doesn’t get much better than June or July, Be aware though, there are thousands others that have the same idea as our visitor numbers peak. Don’t expect to have the Kimberley all to yourself.
August & September – Quiet side of the dry season
For bird enthusiasts in particular, August & September may be the months you want to consider a visit. This is because seasonal water sources are beginning to dry up, concentrating the birds to the few year round waterholes available, making them easier to find and observe.
August starts to see temperatures on the rise again but, no higher than the mid thirties at most, while the days remain dry and nights are still relatively cool but mostly not cold like the previous two months. So you can still look forward to those fresh meals around the campfire as the sky above really turns it on, and those crisp morning breakfasts with fresh coffee around the campfire.
There will be some evidence on the landscape of the June-July school holiday activity, however the vastness of The Kimberley seems to cope quite well. The road surfaces will have had a bit of pounding by now so expect a few bumps and humps on your journey. All part of the Kimberley Adventure! By this time of year, given the dryness of the savannahs starting to emerge, the rising heat of the days, and the visitation of the previous months, our wildlife has mostly retreated for now. Therefore these two months, and mostly until The Kimberley begins to receive rain again, the wildlife of the woodlands are pretty scarce. If its waterfalls and swimming your chasing, like lots of others that visit The Kimberley each year, then your still in luck. While your starting to feel like your part of a privileged minority, the waterfalls are surprisingly good after not seeing any rain for months. This is another aspect of mother nature’s magic bestowed upon the Kimberley. Why, How? You may ask? Well the sheer magnitude of some of the Kimberley River catchments, combined with the unique prehistoric landforms results in phenomenal amounts of summer rains being trapped within the sandstone plateaus, then slowly and gradually releasing over the entire course of the dry season. The same as a slow release irrigation system. Just enough to keep everything and everyone happy until the rains arrive again. Gotta love mother nature!
Depending on how the season progresses, it’s not unusual for the storm clouds to start building in September. This cloud activity brings an increase in humidity, and a rise in the heat. As a result, temperatures can begin to climb to the high thirties again, even tipping 40 occasionally towards the last half of September and beyond. For the wildlife this is a welcome sign as they contemplate and start preparing for another season of breeding and feeding. For visitors to The Kimberley, we begin to change pace slightly making the most of early morning starts for our hiking activities and later afternoon swims or shady retreats to escape the heat. For humans, this could also be the time to start considering the once again available accommodation to relax in air conditioned comfort as visitors also begin to retreat for the season.
October – Start of the hot season
Most would not advise travelling the Kimberley after September each year as it is getting way too hot these days! I tend to agree.
For further Kimberley weather information click here
Check out our Kimberley itinerary suggestions here
