Kununurra
Kununurra is the gateway to Western Australia’s East Kimberley, home to a population of around 5,000 people. Surrounded by dramatic ranges, waterways and vast savannah landscapes, the town sits on the edge of the Ord River and provides access to Lake Argyle and Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles). In July 2028, Kununurra will take centre stage when the total solar eclipse crosses the east Kimberley.
Kununurra’s established accommodation, restaurants, shops, tour operators and airport make it the region’s most accessible base for experiencing the event. Combined with the Kimberley’s cloudless dry-season landscapes and expansive horizons, Kununurra offers an unforgettable setting for one of nature’s most spectacular astronomical events.
doon doon
Doon Doon is a small, remote settlement in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, located along the Great Northern Highway between Kununurra and Halls Creek (about 110km south of Kununurra). Best known for its roadhouse and its rugged outback setting, Doon Doon is set to become an unlikely global destination in July 2028 during the total solar eclipse. Doon Doon will enjoy just over 5 minutes of totality.
The eclipse is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the region, and the Western Australian Government is investing in infrastructure, including a dedicated viewing site at Doon Doon and a potential upgrade to the campground there.
lake argyle
Lake Argyle will be one of the standout places in the East Kimberley to experience the 22 July 2028 total solar eclipse, with around 4 minutes 19 seconds of totality. Set among the rugged ranges and vast waterways of the Kimberley, Lake Argyle offers a spectacular natural foreground for one this rarest celestial event.
Its combination of long totality, dramatic scenery and existing tourism infrastructure including accommodation, camping and cruises makes it particularly appealing for eclipse visitors. The lake is easily accessed via a one hour drive from Kununurra (about 70km).
For photographers, the setting is especially compelling. The immense expanse of water, red-rock landscapes and open skies could create striking images as daylight suddenly fades, the temperature drops and the Sun disappears behind the Moon.
el questro
Located within the rugged El Questro Wilderness Park, the station is the hive of activity and it sits directly within the eclipse path. It’s expected to experience approximately 4 minutes 42 seconds of totality.
The journey from Kununurra to El Questro Station is around 110 km and takes approximately 1½–2 hours, depending on road conditions. El Questro advises that the route includes sealed roads followed by 16 km of gravel road, and a 4WD is required to reach the station due to off-road conditions and a water crossing.
Surrounded by ancient ranges, gorges, rivers and open Kimberley landscapes, El Questro provides a dramatic natural setting for the sky to darken in the middle of the day.
With accommodation and camping available at the station, El Questro is particularly well suited to visitors wanting to make the eclipse part of a longer Kimberley adventure, rather than simply travelling to a viewing site for the day.
gibb river road
The Gibb River Road offers one of the most adventurous ways to experience the 22 July 2028 total solar eclipse, crossing more than 600 km of spectacular Kimberley wilderness between Derby and Kununurra. The best viewing opportunities in the eastern section, where totality approaches five minutes.
Locations along the Gibb include Home Valley Station, Ellenbrae Station, the Pentecost River and El Questro, where dramatic ranges, rivers and open landscapes provide exceptional eclipse foregrounds. Mount Barnett and Manning Gorge are also attractive western options, while the area around Drysdale River Station offers a remote wilderness experience.
bungle bungles
Within the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, the Bungle Bungles will provide an extraordinary backdrop for the solar eclipse, with totality lasting approximately 4 minutes 21 seconds.
The famous orange-and-black striped sandstone domes, ancient gorges and vast wilderness will take on a completely different atmosphere as the sky darkens during totality. Cathedral Gorge, Piccaninny Gorge and the surrounding domes offer particularly dramatic landscapes for photographers.
From Kununurra, Purnululu is approximately 300 km by road. The final 53 km is along the rugged, unsealed Spring Creek Track, which takes around 2.5–3 hours and requires a high-clearance 4WD. Scenic flights from Kununurra are another option.
mitchell plateau
At the Mitchell Falls, totality will last approximately 5 minutes 5 seconds, among the longest durations in the Kimberley. Certainly, the falls are one of the most remote and spectacular places on earth, too!
Getting there is an adventure in itself. From Kununurra, the plateau is around 520 km by road, reached via the Gibb River Road, Kalumburu Road and the 85 km Port Warrender Track. The road is narrow, corrugated and often rough, so a 4WD is essential. Alternatively, scenic fixed-wing flights and helicopter flights operate from Kununurra and Broome.
Surrounded by ancient sandstone, Livistona palms and the spectacular Mitchell Falls, this is an extraordinary setting for totality.
bigge island
Located off the remote Kimberley coast, Bigge island lies within the path of totality and can only be accessed by expedition cruise or helicopter, rather than by road.
With rugged cliffs, islands, turquoise water and vast open skies, Bigge Island could provide an extraordinary backdrop as the Kimberley falls into darkness during totality. It is particularly suited to photographers and cruise travellers looking for a remote, immersive eclipse experience away from towns and crowds.
Totality will be approximately 5 minutes, with access by expedition cruise or boat, making it particularly well suited to photographers, cruise passengers and wilderness travellers. The Kimberley reaches a maximum totality of 5 minutes 10 seconds near the eclipse centreline.