introduction
Roke: Regions of Western Australia, 12 July 2006
The terms North West Australia, The North West and North Western Australia have been used to label the regions North of Western Australia. These regions include Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne.
The region is bounded in the west by the Indian Ocean, in the east by the Central Division, in the north-east by the Pilbara, and in the south by the Northern Agricultural Division.
It covers an area of 75,731 square miles and has a population of about 10,00.
surfing
Nachoman-au: Cable Beach, Broome, WA; 2003
The offhsore reefs start to kick in again around the great north west and the coastline curves to the east away from the prevailing swell. A few offshore gems only known to a few and novelty wave action when the rare Indian Ocean Cyclones strafe the frontier.
The whole coast here is ideally placed to take full advantage of SW depressions and swell trains spraying out from the Antartic and peppering the coastline. May to September will be your prime season for these swells with rarer NW swells courtesy of descending Indian Ocean cyclonic systems more common from Dec-Feb. Onshore winds courtesy of the enormous inland deserts are very common in summer and sometimes there is just no beating them, no mattter how early you get up. Winter is better with morning offshores common but it is rare not to see some onshore activity late in the afternoon. Enjoy the reefs and relish the points, easily some of the best Australia has to offer.
where to stay
J.W.C Adam: Broome, WA; 01.10.2007
The north west coast of Australia is a beautiful and still largely unpopulated area of Australia and has nowhere near the options of places to stay that it's east coast counterpart has. If you're endeavouring to drive up to these parts make sure you have plenty of water, fuel, food and other relevent supplies as pitstops are all too few and far between - and preferably a 4WD vehicle.
However, this isolation can make for and awesome camping/campervan surfari for the well prepared. With the independance of your home on wheels imagine the freedom and surf potential you could find and the heaps of stories could return with to woo your mates down the pub over a few beers - and the diving is some of the best in the world on the Ningaloo Reef too, if it's flat of course!!
For those prefering a more stable abode there are a choice of hostels, motels, and small hotels in the towns of Exmouth, Karratha Port Hedland and Broome but booking ahead is well advised, it's a long way back to Perth if everywhere is fully booked!