- Mimbi Caves Campground capacity increased to 35 campsites, with new bathroom and kitchen facilities
- Upgrades provide a more comfortable and welcoming experience for visitors, while supporting the Mimbi community in WA’s North West
- Part of the $6 million Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects joint investment by the Cook Labor Government through Tourism WA and the Australian Government
Expansions to Mimbi Caves Campground have been completed in time for the peak Kimberley tourist season, delivering new facilities to enhance the visitor experience and support the local community.
The upgrades at the Kimberley site include a new bathroom block, new camp kitchen, onsite sewage treatment system, and 14 extra campsites, bringing the campground’s total capacity to 35 sites.
The new sites allow more visitors to stay and engage in cultural experiences with the local Mimbi community, including guided tours of nearby Mimbi Caves, which has been the most popular tour booked through the Kununurra Visitor Centre for the past two years.
Located between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek in Australia’s North West, Mimbi Caves Campground first opened in 2017 with the support of the WA Government through Tourism WA’s Camping with Custodians program.
Camping with Custodians is an Australian-first Cook Labor Government initiative that has supported the development of seven high-quality campgrounds on Aboriginal lands since 2016. The eighth site near Dandaragan is nearing completion and due to open in September. The campgrounds are owned and operated by local Aboriginal communities, giving visitors the opportunity to stay on Country, experience Aboriginal culture, and contribute directly to local economies.
For Aboriginal communities in Western Australia, the program creates jobs, skills development, and economic opportunities, while supporting people to live and work on Country.
Camping with Custodians is a key initiative of the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan, which is backed by a $20 million government investment over the next four years. Actions under the Jina Plan include the ongoing expansion of the Camping with Custodians network and creating further opportunities for the Aboriginal tourism sector.
Mimbi Caves Campground is also supported by co-operative Commonwealth funding under the $6 million Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects, facilitated by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, which helps increase the supply of First Nations tourism experiences across Western Australia and create new opportunities for Aboriginal tourism businesses and communities.
Find out more about Mimbi Caves Campground .
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to supporting the development of high-quality Aboriginal-owned and operated tourism infrastructure as we know it directly creates local jobs and gives visitors more opportunities to experience WA’s culture, history, and nature authentically.
“Upgrades to campgrounds like Mimbi Caves Campground mean more people can enjoy comfortable facilities while connecting meaningfully with Aboriginal culture and Country in WA.
“I encourage visitors to take a self-drive holiday to Western Australia’s incredible Kimberley region and stay at Mimbi Caves Campground, where they are guaranteed to have an unforgettable stay full of unique, memorable experiences.”
As stated by Regional Development and Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Mimbi Caves has become one of the most popular cultural tourism experiences in the Kimberley. These additional campsites will allow more visitors to stay on Country and connect with the rich history and traditions of the Mimbi community.”
“The Cook and Albanese Governments are investing in Aboriginal tourism because we know it creates lasting economic benefits for regional communities. Every new visitor who stays at this campground helps support local jobs and strengthens the community’s future.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
“Mimbi Caves is one of the Kimberley’s most sought-after cultural tourism attractions, and these upgrades will enable more visitors to experience the unique culture, stories, and Country that have drawn people here for generations.”
“As Aboriginal tourism continues to grow, so do opportunities for young people to develop skills, secure meaningful local jobs, and build strong futures while remaining connected to Country.”
Comments attributed to Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“By investing in Aboriginal-owned and operated campgrounds we are helping create jobs and support economic development and self-determination for remote communities.
“The expansion of the Mimbi Caves Campground means the local community can share their culture and stories with more tourists on Country.
“The Albanese Government is committed to promoting a deeper understanding of First Nations culture through tourism investments.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“Mimbi Caves are one of the Kimberley’s great cultural treasures, offering visitors the opportunity to experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world while creating real economic opportunities for local Aboriginal families.
“I’m proud to see continued investment in projects like Mimbi that showcase the Kimberley to the world while empowering Traditional Owners to share their stories, culture and Country on their own terms.”
