KIMBERLEY & PILBARA • Landscape hotspots • Starring in movies • Brilliant beaches • Epic waterfalls • Heritage pubs SPECIAL PUBLICATION • Great fishing March 11-12, 2017 • Wildflowers the EXPERIENCE THE PEOPLE & PLACES OF A LAST FRONTIER March 11-12, 2017 2 sevenwesttravelclub.com.au 3 Welcome to a world of wonders ON THE BIG SCREEN P4 Ancient landscapes of the Kimberley and the Pilbara ᔡ Glen Chidlow have starred in many films. Chief executive, Australia’s North West tourism BEACHES P8 NORTH WEST MAP P9 or us Sandgropers, NATIONAL PARKS P10 compass points play a MEET THE LOCALS P16 Stephen Scourfield at big part in establishing EVENTS P18 Python Pool in the Pilbara. our place in the world. WATERING HOLES P20 Firstly we come from BOOKS P22 FWA — that huge State that takes WILDFLOWERS P23 up almost one-third of mainland DRIVE ADVENTURES P24 Australia. GREAT FISHING P26 When travelling within our KIMBERLEY COAST P28 A wealth of themes State, we generally refer to two WATERFALLS P30 localities; you can go down The Great North West is ᔡ Stephen Scourfield Season. Waterfalls have been in south or you can head up north. a vast area with few full roar, with flows likely to last Each conjures up a distinct For Kimberley planning, he Great North West all dry season. expectation in terms of holiday accommodation and activities, people and amazing feels remote. It has been one of the biggest experience and it is in these go to australiasnorthwest.com landscapes and stories There are big wet seasons on record. pages that we outline the best of landscapes, epic Kununurra, in the East the Kimberley and Pilbara river systems, Kimberley, received double the Tranges that glow red in the rainfall if usually does within evening. There are horizons so the first few months of the wet wide that sometimes you think — nearly 900mm of rain had you can see the bend of the fallen by the end of January. Earth. At one point, Lake Argyle was This is where we get back to nearly 5m over-full. It held 31 being simply human; to days times the volume of Sydney BOOK A of a slower rhythm; to the tick harbour — 10 more than usual. WATERFALL REEF EXPERIENCE BROOME’S WORKING PEARL FARM... of the planet that has always Halls Creek has had its TOUR AND RECEIVE been there, always with the wettest season since records same pulse, even when it is began in 1945, and Broome OFF drowned out by our noise. reportedly its biggest in 20 50% Yes, big landscapes are years. A GIANT TIDES ...AND FEEL THE POWER OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST TROPICAL TIDES where we get our perspective For more than 30 years I’ve SEA SAFARI* back. felt immersed in the Great The Kimberley covers North West, and I’m pleased to nearly 425,000 sqkm, the share its many themes. Pilbara more than 500,000. But in what is nearly a million ------------------ KIMBERLEY WILDERNESS LODGES sqkm of the Great North West, Stephen For the self-drive traveller there are probably fewer than Scourfield has 100,000 residents. covered more Boasting the best locations and off ering a touch of luxury, By comparison Wanneroo, than half a APT’s unmatched network of private wilderness lodges are in Perth’s northern suburbs, million the perfect indulgence in the Kimberley. has nearly 200,000 residents kilometres in and Armadale, south of Perth, the North West • Located at Mitchell Falls, Bungle Bungle and Bell Gorge more than 80,000. and written two • $295* per person per night, twin share including breakfast, The Great North West has novels set in the 3-course dinner and tented cabin with private ensuite been drenched this Wet Kimberley. • Stay 2 nights and save 20% or stay 3 nights and save 30%* FEATURES EDITOR Jenni Storey 9482 3787 TRAVEL EDITOR Stephen PEARLS | TOURS | ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING | DINING Vist kimberleywilderness.com.au/Lodges or Scourfield 9482 3095 PRODUCTION EDITOR Niall McIlroy 9482 3250 call 1800 240 504 or see your local travel agent DESIGN Rochelle Smith TRAVEL SALES CO-ORDINATOR Shannen Leonhardt 9482 3474 TRAVEL SALES EXECUTIVES Jennifer Green 08 9192 4283 | cygnetbaypearlfarm.com.au *Conditions apply. SEE: aptouring.com.au/SpecialDeals. Australian Pacifi c Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619. APT5431 9482 3477, Sarah Owen 9482 3481, Scott Robinson 9482 3504 3448306DNJG02152017 March 11-12, 2017 2 sevenwesttravelclub.com.au 3 Welcome to a world of wonders regions, which collectively form the Dreamtime. It is also home hear from those who are helping the North West of WA. to an eclectic range of people drive the country’s economy in The North West is the who add a layer of character the Pilbara iron ore industry, to quintessence of what we regard and vibrancy to this part of the learn of the feats of the as truly Australian; vast open world. And what better way to hard-hat pearl divers and the spaces, rugged ranges, learn about our State than to technology steering the pearling ᔡ Glen Chidlow waterfalls, gorges, and ancient visit and speak to people who industry today, to forage for Chief executive, Australia’s landscapes that hold secrets of call the North West home. To bush foods and medicines whilst North West tourism learning of the complexities of Aboriginal culture by someone or us Sandgropers, who lives it. compass points play a Five-star resorts, luxury big part in establishing lodges, expedition cruise vessels our place in the world. and state-of-the-art four-wheel- Firstly we come from drive coaches mean the FWA — that huge State that takes experience can be as up almost one-third of mainland comfortable as you want to Australia. make it. The region is home to When travelling within our world-class tour operators and A wealth of themes State, we generally refer to two guides who can make your localities; you can go down experience more enjoyable. Season. Waterfalls have been in south or you can head up north. Australia’s North West full roar, with flows likely to last Each conjures up a distinct Tourism, along with The West all dry season. expectation in terms of holiday Australian, is pleased to bring It has been one of the biggest experience and it is in these you this compilation of wet seasons on record. pages that we outline the best of experiences, locations, insider Kununurra, in the East the Kimberley and Pilbara Glen Chidlow welcomes everyone to the North West. tips and points of interest. Kimberley, received double the rainfall if usually does within the first few months of the wet — nearly 900mm of rain had fallen by the end of January. At one point, Lake Argyle was nearly 5m over-full. It held 31 times the volume of Sydney BOOK A harbour — 10 more than usual. WATERFALL REEF EXPERIENCE BROOME’S WORKING PEARL FARM... Halls Creek has had its TOUR AND RECEIVE wettest season since records began in 1945, and Broome OFF reportedly its biggest in 20 50% years. A GIANT TIDES ...AND FEEL THE POWER OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST TROPICAL TIDES For more than 30 years I’ve SEA SAFARI* felt immersed in the Great North West, and I’m pleased to share its many themes. ------------------ Stephen Scourfield has covered more than half a million kilometres in the North West and written two novels set in the Kimberley. FEATURES EDITOR Jenni Storey 9482 3787 TRAVEL EDITOR Stephen Scourfield 9482 3095 PRODUCTION EDITOR Niall McIlroy 9482 3250 PEARLS | TOURS | ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING | DINING DESIGN Rochelle Smith TRAVEL SALES CO-ORDINATOR Shannen Leonhardt 9482 3474 TRAVEL SALES EXECUTIVES Jennifer Green 08 9192 4283 | cygnetbaypearlfarm.com.au 9482 3477, Sarah Owen 9482 3481, Scott Robinson 9482 3504 3448306DNJG02152017 March 11-12, 2017 4 sevenwesttravelclub.com.au 5 SCREEN DREAM Dramatic landscape becomes big film star ᔡ Stephen Scourfield any movies have BRAN NUE DAE been filmed in Way back in the summer of the Great North 1969, life seems pretty idyllic West, bringing for young Willie in the old the dramatic pearling port of Broome. He Mlandscapes and characters of spends his days fishing, and the area to the world. with his mates and his girl. This is classic Broometime. But then his mother sends him off to the religious mission for schooling. He runs away and Bran Nue Dae tells the story of on the mudflats just beyond Broome local Jimmy Chi, his journey home. Apart from a town. The Roebuck Hotel directed by Rachel Perkins and scene shot at Molly Springs reminds us of Jessica Mauboy’s starred Rocky McKenzie, Ernie near Kununurra, most of the bluesy solos and some musical Dingo, Geoffrey Rush, Jessica filming was done around numbers. Sun Pictures, the Mauboy and Missy Higgins. A scene from Broome, from Napier Terrace world’s oldest picture garden, the film Bran on the edge of Broome’s features. Some scenes were AUSTRALIA Nue Dae, shot Chinatown to an old house, shot at Roebuck Plains Station. Nicole Kidman is an English in Broome. Morgan’s Camp, which still sits Bran Nue Dae was written by aristocrat who reluctantly Getting around Broome is easy Cruise with Stay 3 the Pay 2 Kimberley See us at the Early Bird Servicing all major accommodation, Cable Beach, Chinatown, Perth Caravan Town Beach 7 days a week and Camping show Specials Claremont now available. 22-26March 15%off August - Like to linger a little longer? September Be our guest. classic cabins Make it a holiday to remember Safe, reliable transport for all groups around town and and treat yourself to a 3-day long distance transfers 3445648LVNSR02142017 break for the price of 2 at the relaxing Seashells Broome.