Kalumbura

Things to see

Red soils and huge termite mounds near Kalumbura

Kalumbura
Inaccessible Aboriginal community in the far north of Western Australia.
There is something which possesses some people who drive 4WD vehicles. They feel that having bought a vehicle which, in theory at least, will travel anywhere, that they should take it to the most impossibly difficult places. There's a real sense of 'Well I've been there'. Looming large in this collection of out of the way places is Kalumburu Mission - the most northerly point accessible by road in Western Australia. It is a kind of Western Australian equivalent to Cape York - and the road is about as good. Kalumburu is located 270 km north of the Gibb River road which means that it is 636 km from Derby and 550 km from Wyndham over one of the toughest dirt roads in Australia.

The only services on the road are at Drysdale River Homestead where fuel and supplies can be bought and at Kalumburu Mission where accommodation, food and fuel are available. They are separated by 264 km of wilderness with no facilities and a few cattle stations which do not welcome visitors.

Kalumburu Mission and Aboriginal Community is located 5 km from the mouth of the King Edward River and is the setting for the historic Kalumburu Catholic Mission which is set amidst mango trees and coconut palms. The area is owned by the local Aborigines and an entry permit must be obtained before travelling to the settlement. Permits can be obtained by contacting (08) 9161 4300 or (08) 9332 7044. Visitors to the area usually trek through the King Edward Gorge and fish in the river - although caution must be exercised as this is an area of estuarine crocodiles. There are a number of important Aboriginal art sites (including engravings, paintings and camping sites) in the area but most of them are closed to the public. Enquire at the Kalumburu Store for further details.

Things to see:  

Accommodation
Only camping is available at Kalumburu Mission and it is advised that all caravans be left at Drysdale River Homestead as the road to the Mission is regarded as unsuitable for caravans.