The magical Kimberley region extends from Broome to Wyndham and is famous for such landmarks as the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles), Cable Beach, Buccaneer Archipelago, Mitchell Falls and the Ord River Dam. Major towns are Broome, Derby Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kununurra and Wyndham.
Aboriginal presence in the Kimberley stretches back many thousands of years, but in 1688 William Dampier became one of the first Europeans to set sight on the Kimberley. The pastoral industry first opened up the Kimberley, followed by a gold rush at Halls Creek in the late 19th century.
In contemporary times, the region continues to make a vital economic contribution to the state with mineral and petroleum production alone valued at $665.1 million in 2001/02.
Economy
The Argyle Diamond Mine remains a prominent world producer, accounting for 99.6 per cent of Australia’s diamond output and about 25 per cent of the world’s diamonds by volume. The main plant was commissioned in 1985 at a cost of $430 million and is located near Lake Argyle. The life of the mine was previously thought to be 2002 but has been extended to 2007 and may be stretched beyond that period. In late 2001 the State Government approved a second diamond mine for the state, the Ellendale project, located 140km south east of Derby. Production is expected to total 200,000 carats of gem quality diamonds per year. Additional diamond prospects exist at Beta Creek and North King George in the North Kimberley. The Kimberley produces almost 70 per cent of WA’s total value of zinc production and over 90 per cent of WA’s total value of lead production.
The major agricultural products in the Kimberley are horticultural and broadacre crops, and beef cattle. The Ord River Irrigation Area covers about 14,000 ha of developed land, which has access to vast amounts of water from Lake Argyle on the Ord River. Main crops include melons, bananas, pumpkins, mangoes and others are grapes, guava, jackfruit, rambutans, papaya and citrus.
The pastoral industry remains one of the region’s most important industries, and the Kimberley supports the largest number of cattle of any region in WA. Most are exported live to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East. The cattle population is estimated to be about 530,000.
Tourism is fast becoming the biggest Industry in the Kimberly with the region attracting visitors from around the world. Central Europeans in particular seem to be drawn by the colourful landscapes , ancient indigenous culture and art of the Kimberly. As well the beaches of Broome and the rugged splendour of the Gibb River road are major drawcards."
