The Kimberley region has a diverse regional economy with one of the fastest rates in Western Australia. Mining, tourism, retail, agriculture, and pearling are major contributors to the region's economic output.

The pastoral industry and irrigated agricultural operations are the two major activities contributing to agricultural production in the region. In 2003/04, there were 170 agricultural establishments in the Kimberley, covering 23 million hectares. Irrigated agricultural production has increased significantly over the last ten years and was valued at $53.6 million in 2004/05. This activity is based predominantly on horticultural and broadacre crops grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area near Kununurra and also includes smaller agricultural holdings near Broome and Derby.

The pastoral industry is based on rangeland production of beef cattle, which are exported live from the region. The cattle population was estimated to be 600,000, and represented 30 per cent of the State herd. The value of cattle disposals from the Region was $48.0 million in 2003/04, being 9.7 per cent of the State total.

Mineral and petroleum production was valued at $660.6 million in 2004/05, which represents 2 per cent of the State's total. Diamond production at the Argyle Diamond Mine was valued at $467.5 million. Other activities include iron ore production at Cockatoo Island and onshore crude oil production in the Canning Basin. Exploration activities include the search for offshore and onshore petroleum, diamonds, gold and a range of other minerals.

The 2004/05 estimated value of fishing production was $13.5 million. In addition, the Kimberley's pearling industry has become Western Australia's highest value aquaculture industry, with Kimberley production valued at $91.5 million in 2004/05. A significant part of the State's prawn fishery is sourced from the Kimberley.

Tourism is expected to remain one of the region's major growth industries. In 2004/05 there were 285,500 domestic and international visitors to the Kimberley. Total overnight domestic visitor expenditure for 2004/05 was estimated at $195.6 million.

Source: Kimberley Economic Perspective