ADVENTURES AROUND THE WORLD

© Christopher Earls Brennen

Hike I8. Mimbi Caves

Characteristics

These limestone caves are one of Western Australia's largest cave systems. Spiritually significant to the local Gooniyandi aboriginal people, they are one of the oldest identified sites of human occupation in Australia. The Gooniyandi are the traditional owners of the caves. Mimbi is at the heart of Gooniyandi country. Radiocarbon dating from ancient fireplaces confirms that aboriginal people have inhabited this part of the Kimberley for more than 40,000yrs, making them part of the oldest continous cultures on earth.

Trailhead

The Mindi caves are reached by driving 90km southeast from Fitzroy Crossing along the Great Northern Highway, Highway 1. At 18.75919oS 126.06541oE you turn left onto a red-dirt road, the Mt. Pierre Station Road, and drive 3.4kmto the Mimbi Cave area. Passing the left turn to the Jarlarloo Riwi Mimbi campground you come to the Mimbi Cave parking area at 18.72825oS 126.06301oE For the escorted tour (unescorted visits are not permitted), you should sign up online ahead of time at info@fitzroycrossingtourism.com.au (phone 08 9191 5355). Tours begin at 8am and 2pm on Monday to Thursday and at 8am on Friday and Saturday.

Hike

Hiking to Mimbi Cave area

   
Cave entrance   Mimbi Cave maze

   
Blue pool   Unwelcome visitor

The tour of the Mimbi Caves begins with a scenic walk between towering Karst cliffs to the cave entrance. Our tour guide was Rose Nugget accompanied by her daughter Zalia, and later in the caves themselves by three young Gooniyandi boys. The guides share traditional knowledge of local bush tucker, bush medicine and the native flora and fauna found around the cave system. It is an amazing Kimberley experience, 350million years in the making.

The Gooniyandi people share a strong connection with Mimbi Caves and the surrounding country. It has been both home and a place of spiritual significance for thousands of years. On the tour, your guides will share ancient Dreaming stories about the caves and their importance to the Gooniyandi people.

Entering the cave with your flaslight, it becomes clear that the walls of the cave are abundant with marine fossils, layers of sedimentary limestone and richly coloured ochres that stain the walls. Natural light enters the cave system through holes in the cave roof making it possible to navigate through the cave and casting light on ancient rock paintings, each of which has its own unique connection to the caves and the local people. As you move through the caves, ancient rock art and petroglyphs appear at random on the cave walls, further evidence of the Gooniyandi use of the caves over thousands of years. You will hear ancient Dreamtime stories of special significance to the Gooniyandi people. Stories that have been passed down through generations about how the caves and freshwater pools were created. The Gooniyandi guide will also share their knowledge of the abundant native fauna and bush foods around the caves and give you the opportunity to sample local bushtucker, to learn about traditional bush medicines, some of which are still used by the Gooniyandi people today.

Women may visit the birthing cave, a place used by Gooniyandi women in traditional times. The coolness of the cave with an overhang shading the clear water and inner chamber with a flat floor provide the perfect natural environment for childbirth (for cultural reasons, only women are permitted to visit the birthing cave).

During the tour you will enjoy tea and damper, made the traditional way using native seeds, around the campfire while a guide shares a song or two on the guitar and tells the Gooniyandi dreaming stories of the Blue Tongue Lizard and the Mud Lark.

After the tour, you may also enjoy a visit to the small cabin built by a German squatter and his makeshift chess board.

   
German squatter's dwelling in Mimbi Cave area

German squatter's chess board

After the tour, you may also enjoy cooling off in one of the many permanent, freshwater pools near the campground.

Last updated 8/10/2025.
Christopher E. Brennen