A key bridge into the East Kimberley has been reopened well ahead of the 2024 high season in a big win for travellers looking to tick off their Kimberley bucket list.
The new Fitzroy River Bridge opened to traffic on Sunday, 10 December 2023 after flooding generated by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie caused significant damage to sections of the Great Northern Highway and Fitzroy Crossing in early 2023.
Opening six months ahead of schedule, the new two-lane bridge crossing across the Martuwarra River at Fitzroy Crossing connects the popular tourism hotspots of Broome and Kununurra and
allows visitors to explore the dreamlike East Kimberley.
The New Fitzroy River Bridge reconnects the Great Northern Highway – the only continuous sealed road connecting the West Kimberley to the East Kimberley.
Tourism Western Australia Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull said it was wonderful to see two of WA’s iconic tourism destinations fully accessible and back open for business ahead of the
upcoming tourism season.
“Tourism WA is thrilled to hear this key transport link has been reopened well ahead of schedule and before the 2024 high season begins in the Kimberley,” said Ms Turnbull.
“We know many travellers explore the stunning Kimberley and surrounding regions between April and October each year, and having the Fitzroy River Bridge completed and reopened will allow for more visitors to travel between Broome and the East Kimberley.
“Kununurra is the gateway to so many of the region’s otherworldly attractions, including Mitchell Falls, the Bungle Bungle Range and Lake Argyle and I’m pleased even more visitors will be able to
freely access these iconic destinations next year.”
The Kimberley region is an iconic destination, with Broome and Kununurra two of WA’s most popular tourism destinations for visitors, offering the most awe-inspiring wilderness adventure in
the world and authentic Aboriginal tourism experiences.
Starting in Broome, the gateway to the Kimberley wilderness and pearling capital of Australia, visitors can enjoy a sunset camel ride across the stunning Cable Beach and peruse the Town
Beach precinct ahead of Staircase to the Moon viewings.
From Broome travellers can head east via the Great Northern Highway and New Fitzroy River Bridge to Kununurra to the World-Heritage listed Purnululu National Park before moving on to the
El Questro Wilderness Park which offers thermal springs, salt flats, deep gorges and rainforests.
The New Fitzroy River Bridge is managed by Main Roads and has been funded by the Commonwealth and WA Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Find out more about the Kimberley at Australia’s North West or help plan your clients epic adventure at westernaustralia.com.
Travel agents can also learn more about Western Australia and the Kimberley region with Tourism WA’s online trade training program, The West Aussie All Stars.
