Cape Leveque - Kimberley Australia

Cape Leveque

Cape Leveque is located on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. A drive from Broome to Cape Leveque includes some 200 kilometres of unsealed road characterised by corrugations and sandy sections.

Cape Leveque is hidden out of the way, and its hard to get there, but once you arrive and see the pristine white beaches and the golden red cliffs, you’ll understand why you are one of the lucky people, and you’ll be glad you made the trip.

A four wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended for travel and the road is not suitable for caravans. You will need to allow three and a half hours for the drive from Broome to Cape Leveque and during the summer wet season the road will sometimes be closed to traffic.

There is excellent swimming, fishing and snorkelling. Fly/drive tours, scenic flights, four wheel drive day tours and overnight tours are available from Broome. Aboriginal bushtucker, tag-a-long and mud-crabbing tours available. Charter boats offer full and half day fishing, and scenic tours to Sunday Island.

Iconic Cape Leveque

Lying at the end of Dampier Peninsula about 200kms north of Broome, the remote iconic Cape Leveque makes for a refreshing alternative to the Kimberley’s more visited coastal destinations. It resides at the head of this famous peninsula and is best known for its bright red sandstone cliffs and its pure waters. You’ll need a four-wheel drive to get here.

The modus operandi here is all about long walks along cliffs and beaches and taking in the reef. You can snorkel the azure waters or jump aboard the glass-bottom boat for a look at the brightly coloured fishes. July to October time even has humpback whales prowling the waters.

The Aboriginal heritage of Cape Leveque dates back some 7,000 years and they still reside here, many working in the tourist trade, operating guided walks and running the eco resort. The best way to appreciate the area is by taking a bush tucker tour with an Aboriginal guide. They teach you how to make a spear for fishing, after which you get to barbecue your catch.

Accommodation is chiefly at the Kooljaman Cape Leveque, which is a fancy eco resort for this remote area. It’s owned by local Aboriginal communities and is located near the airport while overlooking the sea from its expansive grounds. Alternatively, many visitors to the cape simply come here on a daytrip while staying at a Broome hotel.

It is a three- to four-hour drive from Broome along the Beagle Bay-Broome and Leveque roads. The surface is typically a combination of earth and a burgeoning covering of tarmac. It will eventually be fully sealed, though it remains bumpy so taking your time is recommended. It takes roughly double the time from Derby to get here, going via the Mount Jowlaenga Road, but you can loop back to Broome.

Please respect the land, culture and privacy of the local Aboriginal people. Drive slowly when entering communities and do not wander uninvited into residential areas. No permit is required to drive to Cape Leveque, though entry fees do apply if not staying overnight.