Cape Leveque

| Chris Riley

The Dampier peninsula stretches approximately 220 kilometres north from Broome. At the northern most tip lies Cape Leveque, and the Kooljiman Resort/camp ground. At this stage you’ll need a four wheel drive with good clearance to get there, but there has been on-going rumours that the road is soon to be sealed. (Those rumours have abounded since we first went in 2010 – the road remains the same).

We had the good fortune to include a trip to Cape Leveque in 2010.  There’s various places to stay on the peninsula, but as the Kooljiman Resort is right at the tip, it offers easy access to both the rising sun from the east, and the setting sun from the west. It’s an ideal location to see just how good the sun can be at different times of day.

Looking out to the right from our beach shelter

For our stay we rented a three sided beach shelter on the eastern side. We had our camper trailer at the time, and parked that beside the shelter, whilst Dianne and Bob set up a small tent inside. There was a cool water shower in the corner of the shelter, and a picnic table outside overlooking the water. The loos, and hot water showers were a bit of a trek away, but we often just made do with the cool shower in our own shelter.

And to the left

From the time the sun came up in the morning, to when it set in the evening the days were filled with so much to see and do. Being on the eastern side of the peninsula we had the joy of seeing the sun rise over the ocean, something rare for those of us who live in the west of the country.

The sun beginning to light up the sky

Sometimes we’d wake to an empty ocean view, and sometimes we’d wake, green with envy, when some lucky person or two had anchored their yacht just offshore.

Yacht anchored overnight

There was always plenty to do throughout the day. The water was only a few steps from our shelter, and absolutely perfect for a dip. In case you’re wondering, crocodiles and stingers are prevalent around the Dampier peninsula, everywhere that is except at the Cape. Apparently the tides there keep them away, or so I’m told. So we swam in safety, the guys managed to throw a line in a few times, and we went for plenty of beach walks.

Cruise ship anchored offshore

When we were at the shelter there was always something happening on the water to look at. Sometimes it would be a fellow camper doing some kayak fishing, or sometimes it would be one of the small luxury cruise liners anchored up ferrying passengers in for some shore time.

And then when the sun started it’s decent it was time to head around to the western side of the peninsula. Cape Leveque is famous for it’s sunsets, but it’s not as you’d imagine. It’s not the sky that brings artists and photographers from near and far to capture the glorious spectacle as the sun drops towards the horizon. As the sun sinks towards the horizon the rays hit the orange cliffs lining the shore. They shine bright, almost as if they’re lit from inside.

Cliffs lit up by the setting sun
Yes – these colours are for real

Just another place that adds to the ‘colours of the Kimberley’, and no trip to this glorious region would be complete without a trip to the Cape.

There’s various forms of accommodation at Kooljaman ranging from camping options, either in the campground, or at one of the beach shelters. There’s also different levels of houses to rent. Check them all out long before you arrive though to make your selection, and book early. They book out early in the season.

Just another wonderful Kimberley destination to add to your bucket list…..

 

15 thoughts on “Cape Leveque”

  1. Thanks for directing meet to this post, Chris.
    The second photo of the cliffs is unbelievable! So red. I thought I was used to the red around Port Headland but this is another level of ‘vividness.’ As much as I am not a fan of desert regions the unique hue of water and the cliffs would tempt me to go there. Lucky you for having stayed there. It was nice to travel there in a ‘virtual sense. Did the red dirt get in everything?

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  2. Thanks for directing meet to this post, Chris.
    The second photo iof f the cliffs is unbelievable! So red. I thought I was used to the red around Port Headland but this is another level of ‘vividness.’ As much as I am not a fan of desert regions the unique hue of water andcthe cliffs wouldctemot me to go there. Lucky you for having stayed there. It was nicer to travel there in a ‘virtual sense. Did the red dirt get in everything?

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    Reply

    1. It’s very common to see a photographer with his camera on a tri-pod trying to capture the best shot as the sun lights up the cliffs. It really is unique, and a totally different take on what a sunset can look like. Quite strange to see people looking in the opposite direction of the setting sun. As for red dust, we’ve never had a problem with it getting in. We don’t do a lot of off road, but we will go down tracks if it seems worth it, I do have the Oodnadatta Track in mind though sometime in the future. That’s a longer one.

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