Broome to Fitzroy Crossing road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

The drive from Broome to Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia covers a 396km distance in a driving time of approximately 4h2m. The best road trip stops are the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park and the Giant Boab Tree.

For many travellers, the drive from Broome to Fitzroy Crossing marks the first leg on the big drive across the Kimberley, either from Broome to Kununurra or Broome to Darwin.

Broome offers trips to natural wonder Horizontal Falls, sunset camel tours on Cable Beach, boat cruises to 120 million-year-old dinosaur footprints and pearl farm tours by helicopter. To check out a great range of Broome activities and tours, browse here. For Broome accommodation, book here.

Fitzroy Crossing isn’t exactly a huge place, but it’s one of the few lonely outposts that passes for a town in this sparsely-populated northern chunk of Western Australia.

Broome to Fitzroy Crossing distance and driving time

The distance from Broome to Fitzroy Crossing is 396km, which makes for a driving time of around four hours and two minutes.

However, there are a few road trip stops you may wish to add to the itinerary.

9 great Broome experiences to book today

1. Sunset camel ride – take in the changing colours of Cable Beach on camelback.
2. Horizontal Falls flight – see one of nature’s most extraordinary natural phenomena
3. Crocodile park visit – watch big crocs being fed up close.
4. Half hour helicopter ride – see the extraordinary red rock coastline from above
5. Dinosaur footprints adventure – including a wildlife spotting boat ride down Dampier Creek.
6. Sunset cruise – enjoy an Indian Ocean sunset with wine in hand
7. Windjana Gorge day trip – venture deeper into the rugged Kimberley.
8. Town tour – learn Broome’s fascinating history along the way.
9. Mud-crabbing experience – catch crabs in the mangroves then eat them after they’re cooked by a pro.

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Broome to Fitzroy Crossing road trip: To the Great Northern Highway

The journey out of Broome starts along Broome Road, and passes the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. If you haven’t been already, this is an attraction worth considering. Especially given the rest of the drive is rather empty.

Shortly afterwards, you’ll come to the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse and the junction with the Great Northern Highway. Get used to this road, because you’ll be on it for a long time.

Broome to Fitzroy Crossing drive: Willare Bridge Roadhouse

The next logical stop is the Willare Bridge Roadhouse and Caravan Park. You’ll probably just want to refuel and pick up snacks here, but you can take in views of the Fitzroy River just before arriving.

The junction with the Derby Highway, which heads towards Derby, is a little further along.

If you decide to head north, things to do in Derby include scenic helicopter flights, the Boab Prison Tree, tours to Horizontal Falls and the Mowanjum Museum.

Attractions between Broome and Fitzroy Crossing: Giant Boab Tree and Leopold Downs Road

Stay on the Great Northern Highway, however, and your best bet for a photo stop is the Giant Boab Tree. It’s on the left, just after the turn-off for the Liveringa Airstrip.

Further along, Ellendale Station Lake is reasonably pretty, and there’s a free camping spot at the Ellendale Station Rest Area.

Best 5 Broome day trips to book in advance

Horizontal Falls and Dampier Peninsula day tour – including speedboat ride and Buccaneer archipelago flight. (See other Horizontal Falls tour options here).
Dampier Peninsula 4WD tour – including Beagle Bay’s pearl shell church, Aboriginal communities & Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
Fixed wing air tour – including Cape Leveque, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm & Horizontal Falls.
Windjana Gorge day tour – including the Tunnel Creek caves.
Epic full day combo – see Mitchell Falls, Horizontal Falls and the Dampier Peninsula in one trip.

Otherwise, keep going another 90km until you reach Fitzroy Crossing. About halfway along this section is the turn-off up the Leopold Downs Road. You almost certainly need a 4WD for this unsealed road, but it will take you to Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge.

Fitzroy Crossing is on the Fitzroy River. It’s hardly the Big Smoke, but it does have a supermarket and a couple of places to stay. You can also visit the Marnin Studio, which showcases art and craft made by remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region.

The main reason to stay in Fitzroy Crossing, though, is boat trips along the Fitzroy River through Geikie Gorge.

Broome accommodation recommendations

There are plenty of places to stay in Broome – mostly scarily expensive. These are the best accommodation choices if they’re available on your dates.

For the best pool scene: Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa.
For Cable Beach location, but considerably cheaper: RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park.
For a good value, fairly central aparthotel: Moonlight Bay Suites.
For character, heritage and charm: Pinctada McAlpine House.