Fitzroy Crossing

The Gateway to Geikie Gorge

Fitzroy Crossing is one of only two "towns" along the over 1000 km stretch of highway between Broome and Kununurra.

(You can also get to Fitzroy from Derby, via the unsealed Gibb River Road and Leopold Downs Road, past the Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge national parks.)

The town owes its existence to the Fitzroy River.

Old Fitzroy Crossing on the Fitzroy RiverOld Fitzroy Crossing on the Fitzroy River. Photo by Yaruman5


Every wet season the river swells into a formidable torrent. It can rise up to 13 metres above the old crossing and flow at 30.000 cubic metres per second.

The Fitzroy in full flood is one of the largest rivers in the world and an awesome sight to behold. (Not that many travellers ever get the chance.)

In the past the river was often difficult or impossible to cross. Travellers had no choice but to pull up at the Crossing Inn and to wait for the waters to recede. (And drink lots of beer while waiting.)

Even at other times fording the Fitzroy could be quite an adventure, and the Crossing Inn became an infamous watering hole for the adventurers brave enough to have a go.

These days there is a highway and a bridge further south, and the whole town has shifted south as a result.

Still, during particularly wet periods the highway still gets flooded and closed. It happens a few times every wet season. And drinking beer is still the most popular way to pass wet season waiting time in the Kimberley.

Today Fitzroy Crossing is a welcoming, pleasant little township with a mostly Aboriginal population.

Things to see and do

The main reason for tourists to stop in Fitzroy Crossing is of course the Geikie Gorge National Park, located only 20 kilometres out of town and accessible on an all bitumen road.

Geikie GorgeGeikie Gorge


But a few more places here are worth looking at. The old Crossing Inn was built in 1897 as a shanty inn and trade store for long distance travellers about to tackle the crossing of the mighty Fitzroy.

It's still standing and still serving beer, so having a beer here is a must. If you like it you can get a room here, too.

Fitzroy Crossing InnThe infamous Fitzroy Crossing Inn. Photo by Yewnyi


The Pioneer Cemetery is in the same corner, on the banks of the river.

On the way to Geikie Gorge you pass the turn off to the Old Townsite where the historical post office building is located.  It was built in 1895 but due to flood damage had to be rebuilt in the 1950's. The old police station (built 1897 and heritage listed) is also still standing.  As are most of the boab trees that were planted here by the police as a boab avenue.

A bit further on is the low level Old Concrete Crossing that was built in 1935. Go ahead, you can drive back and forth. But there's not much on the other side, just an unsealed road back towards the highway.

Crossing the Fitzroy River on the Old Concrete CrossingCrossing the Fitzroy River on the Old Concrete Crossing

Where to stay

The Geikie Gorge National Park is a day use area only, so campers need to stay at at one of the two caravan parks in town.
If you are looking for a real bed you can choose from the Fitzroy River Lodge on the highway or the Crossing Inn.

Fitzroy Crossing Tourist Information


Read about other Kimberley towns


Travelling to the Kimberley?


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