The rugged Kimberley at the northern end of Western Australia is one of Australia’s last frontiers. It’s a little-travelled and very remote area of great rivers, oases and magnificent scenery. If you’re looking for quintessential Australian landscapes of red earth, rock, gum trees and blue skies, this is the place to come. Wildlife includes freshwater crocodiles, wallaroos and the rare black-footed wallaby. Attractions include the spectacular gorges on the Fitzroy River, Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, the Gibb River Road and Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) National Park. Halls Creek is the largest town in the Kimberley. Derby, 220km (136mi) away at the mouth of the Fitzroy River, is a useful base for excursions into the area. The most popular time to visit is between April and September. Although the Wet (the rainy season in the north) offers ethereal thunderstorms and a magic carpet of wildflowers, rains make many roads impassable.