Around 110km from Broome, Beagle Bay is notable for the extraordinarily beautiful mother-of-pearl altar at Beagle Bay church, built by Pallottine monks in 1918. There's no accommodation, but fuel is available (weekdays only). Book ahead and proceed directly to the church.

Middle Lagoon, 180km from Broome and surrounded by empty beaches, is superb for swimming, snorkelling, fishing and well, doing nothing. There's plenty of shade and bird life, and the cabins are great value.

Near Middle Lagoon and with its own secluded beach, Mercedes Cove offers isolation, with several appealing meshed huts ('eco tents') and air-con cabins with gorgeous views. It's very well-run (read attention to detail) and you can almost roll into the sea from your camp site – it's a 20m stroll down down a gently sloping sandy path.

This small, low-key community near Middle Lagoon offers a limited number of secluded camp sites and basic bungalows, and is popular with fishermen.

This exquisitely located eco-cafe overlooking Pender Bay serves fabulous organic mango smoothies, homemade gourmet pizzas and the best coffee on the peninsula. There's a tiny bush campground (camp sites per person $20) with stunning views, funky outdoor shower and not a caravan in sight. Telstra mobile reception available.

This friendly spot has a couple of secluded camp sites, plus slightly worn safari tents, a fixed 'nature' tent (BYO food) and a comfortable bungalow. The location is superb – set on a bluff overlooking scarlet-hued (pindan) cliffs and the beach below.

Between Middle Lagoon and Cape Leveque, Lombadina is located 200km from Broome. This beautiful tree-fringed village offers various tours (minimum of three people required) including fishing, whale watching, 4WD, mudcrabbing, kayaking and walking, which can be booked through the office. Accommodation is in backpacker-style rooms and self-contained cabins ($220 to $240), but there's no camping. Fuel is available on weekdays and there are lovely articles for sale at the Arts Centre (open weekdays).

Tiny Chile Creek, 10km from Lombadina down a very sandy track, offers basic bush camp sites and en-suite safari tents (minimum two-night stay), all just a short stroll to the creek, or 2km from the Indian Ocean. Good for birders.

Cape Leveque is spectacular, with gorgeous white beaches and stunning red cliffs. Eco-tourism award-winner Kooljaman (%08-9192 4970; www.kooljaman.com.au; entry per adult $5, unpowered/powered sites d $38/43, dome tents $65, cabins with/without bathroom d $170/145, safari tents d $275; W) offers grassy camp sites, driftwood beach shelters, hilltop safari tents, and budget tents. There's a minimum two-night stay, and the place is packed from June to October. The BYO restaurant (%08-9192 4970; mains $29-38, BBQ packs $22-26; h8am-4pm & 6pm-10pm, Apr-Oct, lunch Nov-Mar) opens for lunch and dinner, or you can order a BBQ pack.

Be sure to hook up with one of Kimberley's characters, Brian, whose trips are considered tops for fishing lovers and keen crabbers. Own car required.

Bardi custodian Bundy offers a tour through local eyes, providing a wonderful insight into traditional customs, including bush tucker, fish poisoning and spear making.

Overlooking stunning Cygnet Bay, this pearl farm-cum-tourist venture provides fascinating explanations of the pearling process (adult/child $27/10) and is home to the region's best restaurant (mains $17 to $50). Accommodation choices include camping ($90 per double), safari tents ($230 per double) or more luxurious pearlers' shacks (from $290 per double). Boat trips to the giant tides cost $155.

The community of Ardyaloon (One Arm Point) has a well-stocked store, fuel, great fishing and swimming with views of the Buccaneer Archipelago. Entry to the community (which includes hatchery visit) is payable at the trochus hatchery. Note: there's no camping in Ardyaloon.

Offers little bling but this small outstation on the water, between Cape Leveque and Ardyaloon, has unpowered sites, a remote location and plenty of bush tucker trees.