Destination

Bigge Island

Bigge Island

Off the north Kimberley coast, 6km across Scott Strait, remote Bigge Island harbours incredible galleries of ancient rock art. Canvases include scenes of Wandjina and Gwion Gwion (or Bradshaw) art, as well as more recent ‘first contact’ art: sailing boats and people wearing orange headdresses and smoking pipes that illustrate the first interactions between Indigenous peoples and foreign visitors to these shores.

Painted by the Wunambal people, the Wandjinas on the cave walls around Wary Bay are known as Kaiaira or Sea Wandjinas. The Gwion Gwions are completely different, elegantly depicted with long bodies and often adorned in tassels and headdresses.

After Augustus Island, Bigge Island is the second largest island in the Bonaparte Archipelago.

Bigge Island

A more detailed look at this large island in the Kimberley

Bigge Island, located off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia, is a stunning and culturally significant destination that showcases the Kimberley’s rugged beauty, diverse ecosystems, and deep Indigenous heritage. Spanning approximately 18 kilometres in length, Bigge Island is the second largest island in the Bonaparte Archipelago and is renowned for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, sheltered beaches, and ancient rock art galleries.

Geography and Geology

Bigge Island is characterised by its striking sandstone formations, which have been shaped over many years by wind and water. The island’s rugged cliffs and weathered rock structures create a landscape that is both dramatic and unique. The coastline is dotted with secluded bays, sandy beaches, and tidal flats, offering visitors an ever-changing panorama of natural beauty.

The island’s sandstone caves and overhangs provide ideal conditions for the preservation of ancient rock art, one of Bigge Island’s most significant cultural features. Additionally, the surrounding waters of the Timor Sea are teeming with marine life.

Cultural Significance

Bigge Island holds profound cultural importance for the Wunambal Gaambera people, who regard it as part of their Wandjina Wunggurr cultural landscape. Many of the rock art galleries on Bigge Island depict Wandjina figures, identifiable by their halo-like headdresses and serene expressions, as well as Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) figures, which are thought to be among the oldest depictions of human activity in the world.

Flora and Fauna

Bigge Island’s vegetation includes hardy coastal shrubs, spinifex grasslands, and pockets of mangroves along the shoreline. The island is an important habitat for native wildlife, including the northern quoll, a carnivorous marsupial that is listed as endangered on the mainland but has stable populations on offshore islands like Bigge. Other notable species include rock wallabies, sea turtles, and a variety of birdlife including seabirds such as ospreys and frigatebirds. The surrounding waters are rich in marine biodiversity, supporting coral reefs, fish, and dolphins.

Exploration and Tourism

Accessible only by boat or helicopter, Bigge Island is often visited by commercial cruise operators in the Kimberley, including most of the boats listed on this website. Activities on Bigge Island include exploring the ancient rock art sites, hiking through the rugged terrain, and bird watching. The island’s isolation and pristine environment create a sense of timelessness.

Conservation and Preservation

Preserving Bigge Island’s natural and cultural heritage is a priority for the Wunambal Gaambera people and conservation organisations. The island’s traditional owners play a leading role in its management through programs such as the Uunguu Rangers, who work to protect the island’s ecosystems and cultural sites. Their efforts include monitoring wildlife populations, managing visitor access, and ensuring that the rock art and other cultural landmarks are respected and preserved.

Bigge Island also benefits from its inclusion in the North Kimberley Marine Park, a 26,000 square kilometre protected area that safeguards the region’s unique biodiversity and cultural values.

See Bigge Island with the Kimberley Cruise Centre

Bigge Island is a remarkable destination that embodies the essence of the Kimberley: rugged natural beauty, vibrant ecosystems, and a deep connection to ancient traditions. Give us a call or email here at the Kimberley Cruise Centre if you’d like to know more information about Bigge Island or the incredible rock art that can be found here!