West Kimberley, Western Australia
Kimberley coast, Western Australia ©
Overview
Gantheaume Point, Broome WA
© Tourism Western Australia
The west Kimberley is one of Australia's very special places. It is a vast area of dramatic and relatively undisturbed landscapes that has great biological richness and provides important geological and fossil evidence of Australia's evolutionary history.
With sheer escarpments and pristine rivers that cut through sandstone plateaux and ancient coral reefs to create spectacular waterfalls and deep gorges, the region's remoteness has created a haven that supports plant and animal species found nowhere else on the Australian continent.
Against the backdrop of this extraordinary landscape is woven a remarkable account of Aboriginal occupation over the course of more than 40,000 years and the story of European exploration and settlement, from William Dampier's landing at Karrakatta Bay to the development of rich and vibrant pastoral and pearling industries that continue today.
The west Kimberley was added to the National Heritage List on 31 August, 2011.
Related publications
- eBook: National Heritage Listing - One Place, Many Stories: West Kimberley
This publication draws on the Australian Heritage Council final assessment of national heritage values of the west Kimberley and showcases the beautiful landscapes of the region. - Fact sheet: The West Kimberley, Western Australia
- Fact sheet: Pastoral activity in the west Kimberley and national heritage listing
The assessment process
- Australian Heritage Council's final assessment of national heritage values of the West Kimberley (PDF - 1.7 MB) | (Word - 438 KB)
- Draft referral guidelines for the potential National Heritage listing of the west Kimberley (PDF - 839 KB) | (Word - 1.1 MB)
- What does the proposed listing of the west Kimberley as a National Heritage place mean for landholders? (PDF - 1.4 MB) | (Word - 3.9 MB)
Heritage values
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