Roe River

Flowing through one of the most remote and rugged parts of the Kimberley, the Roe River is a place of great natural and cultural significance. Cutting through deep sandstone gorges and lined with pockets of lush vegetation, the river begins in the Princess May Ranges within Prince Regent National Park and flows northwest, emptying into Prince Frederick Harbour in York Sound before reaching the Indian Ocean.

During the higher spring tides, visitors can take a dinghy up the Roe River to where it meets the Moran River, revealing a stunning gorge along the way. This remote junction was famously reached by explorer Joseph Bradshaw during his remarkable horseback journey from Wyndham in 1891.

The Roe River estuary is well known for its thriving wildlife, including impressive saltwater crocodiles, abundant bird species, and superb fishing opportunities.

In 1820, explorer Philip Parker King named the river in honour of the father of his master’s mate, John Septimus Roe, during his voyage aboard the Mermaid. On that same expedition, he also named Prince Frederick Harbour, the Prince Regent River, and nearby Mount Trafalgar.