Fitzroy Crossing - Kimberley, Australia

Situated in the heart of some of the best pastoral country in Australia with other industry interests including Tourism and Mining. The town is approximately 114 metres above sea level and is surrounded by vast flood plains of the Fitzroy River.

From May to October days are warm and dry and nights are cool whilst from December to March, in most years, tropical storms transform the surrounding countryside into a waving sea of green.

Located on the river bank just out of reach of major flood waters, the old town began where there was a suitable place to ford the river. Still standing in the old town is the original causeway crossing, the former post office (now backpacker accommodation), the police station, an avenue of Boab trees, and a footbridge across the Brooking Creek linking the Inn and the original cemetery.

18km's from the town on a sealed road is the magnificent Geikie Gorge National Park, the gorge was carved by the Fitzroy River through an ancient limestone reef, approximately 350 million years old. The tranquil waters abound with fish, and birds are attracted to its tree lined banks.

Fitzroy Crossing Attractions

Geikie Gorge National Park

Fitzroy Crossing's premier attraction in Geikie Gorge National Park. Lying 18 km north east of the town it was named after Sir Archibald Geikie (a noted British geologist) by Edward Hardman who travelled through the Kimberley region in 1883.

Geikie Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge are all part of an ancient 'barrier reef' which developed during the Devonian Period about 350 million years ago. It is estimated that the reef, which started to the east of Kununurra and swept around in a huge arc to the north of the Kimberleys before crossing the current land mass near Derby and becoming exposed to the south and north of Fitzroy Crossing, was 20 km wide and over 1000 km long. The waters of the Lennard and Fitzroy Rivers have cut through these ancient reefs exposing them and forming beautiful gorges.

Geikie Gorge abounds in wildlife which includes the harmless Johnson crocodile as well as Leichhardt's sawfish and Coach-whip stingrays whose saltwater ancestors swam up the Fitzroy River millions of years ago. The gorge has good camping facilities. Swimming and bushwalking are catered for.

Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge

It is 63 km to Tunnel Creek and 95 km to Windjana Gorge from the main Derby-Fitzroy Crossing Road. Tunnel Creek is a unique formation created by waters from the creek cutting a 750 metre tunnel through the ancient reef. The tunnel is 15 metres wide and up to 12 metres high and offers visitors an excellent opportunity to see the ancient 'barrier reef' from an ideal vantage point.

There is a 3.5 km walking trail at Windjana Gorge which allows visitors to experience the beauty of the gorge.