Road tripping in the Kimberley region with Sean Scott
There’s not too much that can beat the freedom of 4WD touring and camping in the Kimberley region. The wide-open landscape and vast starry night skies create the perfect adventure backdrop! This is exactly what our mate and world-renowned photographer Sean Scott experienced on his recent Kimberley trip, alongside his trusty 79 Series LandCruiser with Deluxe Canopy—affectionately known as Dusty79.
The Kimberley region is famous for stunning waterfalls, Aboriginal rock art, diverse wildlife, sandy beaches – you can even ride a camel along the sunset shores of Cabel Beach in Broome. While the beauty of the region is breathtaking, there is sand and dust to consider! Fortunately, Sean’s Norweld Compact Canopy kept everything secure and protected, allowing him to enjoy the journey with peace of mind, knowing his valuable camera equipment was always kept safe.
Dust free canopy
“No dust at all! It was awesome to have my chargers and camera gear with me the whole time, ready to go whenever I needed them,” said Sean.
For anyone who’s ever experienced the challenges of dust-covered gear in the Kimberley region – or anywhere for that matter – you know this is a game changer! Sean’s canopy setup provided reliable protection on those remote tracks. How? Considered canopy design, sealed doors and a pressurising vent all work together to ensure all Norweld canopies are dust and water resistance.
Reliable off-grid power
Keeping essentials powered up is another challenge on any off-road touring trip. Between cameras, drones, fridges and even a coffee machine, Sean needed serious power to keep everything running. With two 200-amp lithium batteries and a 2000W inverter, he had more than enough juice to stay charged.
“We had enough power for the fridges, computers, camera batteries, coffee machine and even the induction cooktop. Because we were always on the move, everything stayed charged,” Sean explained.
A setup like the Norweld Compact Canopy, whether off the grid or just stopping for a coffee, meant Sean never had to miss a photo opportunity… and as you can see by the pics, there were many! To learn more about canopy wiring options that can keep you going on your adventures, check out our Norweld wiring solutions.
The versatility to stay anywhere
One of the best parts of Sean’s Kimberley region road trip was the freedom to pull over and camp wherever he pleased!
“There was this one spot I knew the sunset would be great, so I decided that because I had Dusty with everything I needed, I could just wait out there. I ended up staying the night since I had a roof top tent as well. I had everything I needed for food and drinks and was totally comfortable not returning to the van until the next day. This happens to me a lot, and it’s great having that flexibility,” said Sean.
At Norweld, we’re proud to have designed and manufactured a range of strong yet lightweight upright fridge mounts. Tried and tested by the roughest and toughest in the industry, they have proven time and time again that they’re built to last.
“The fridge bracket was fantastic, with added support going over the top of the fridge. Everything stayed perfectly secure throughout the journey, even on the corrugated tracks,” Sean said.
Now that’s how you road trip folks! When you’re off the beaten track as far off as the Kimberley, having reliable gear makes all the difference.
Sean’s tips for organising your ute canopy
For anyone organising their own Kimberley region camping adventure, Sean has some simple yet effective tips for staying organised on the road: “Use good-quality products, keep it simple and always put things back where they belong!”
Sean also tested out some cool new ARB storage bags, which he said worked a treat.
“My cameras were stored in bags in the canopy and some in the back seat. In the dustier spots, I kept things inside the car to avoid opening too many doors.”
Sean had the inside of the canopy carpeted by our mates at Pro Touring Concepts, which gave him the perfect setup to keep his charging gear in place with velcro tape.
Sean’s Kimberley road trip itinerary
Thinking of heading out on your own Kimberley region camping trip? The best time to visit the Kimberley is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. It’s an ideal time because the temperatures are comfortable, and rainfall is low, making it perfect for exploring all the wonder that is out there. Here’s a sneak peek at Sean’s itinerary, which shows how he made the most of this spectacular region in Western Australia.
DAY AND DATE | LOCATION |
Thursday, 11 July | Broome |
Friday, 12 July | Dampier Peninsula |
Saturday, 13 July | Dampier Peninsula |
Sunday, 14 July | Dampier Peninsula |
Monday, 15 July | Derby |
Tuesday, 16 July | Fitzroy Crossing |
Wednesday, 17 July | Mimbi Caves |
Thursday, 18 July | El Questro |
Friday, 19 July | El Questro |
Saturday, 20 July | Home Valley |
Sunday, 21 July | Home Valley |
Monday, 22 July | Lake Argyle |
From dramatic coastlines to hidden lakes, Sean’s journey was packed with incredible scenery, great photo opportunities and the freedom to explore at his own pace—all thanks to his Dusty79 set up.
Follow Sean Scott
Follow Sean Scott as he explores all the natural wonders of Australia in his 79 Series LandCruiser dual cab. Check out his Dusty79 build here.
i: @thedusty79
i: @seanscottphotography
f: @seanscottphotography
Ready to transform your ute?
Whether you’re dreaming of road trips from Broome to the Kimberleys or just looking for those perfect weekend getaways, Norweld has the right setup to get you there. Our skilled technicians take care of every detail, from relocating factory cameras and sensors to making sure everything fits perfectly with your vehicle.
We have Norweld-owned branches in Cairns, Townsville, Newcastle, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and various agents around the country. Get in touch with our team to organise a quote, and we’ll set you up with a package just like Sean Scott here.
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*Tray and canopy packages combined with typical 4×4 accessories increase the weight of a vehicle. A GVM upgrade is recommended on most makes and models to ensure trouble-free touring, and for your vehicle to remain legal when loaded.