Variations of vegetation across the region reflect the distribution of rainfall and soil types. Dense eucalypt woodlands, mangrove forest and rainforest remnants occur in the north. Savanna woodlands occur in the central area and sparse acacia scrub land and spinifex savanna in the south. Conservation reserves comprise almost two million hectares.

Two vegetation types of relatively limited occurrence in the Kimberley deserve special mention. They are rainforests and mangroves.

Rainforest patches occur in heavy rainfall and/or protected locations chiefly in the north west Kimberley but also extend inland and as far south as Broome. These are the only occurrences of rainforests in Western Australia. They support a wide range of species of flora and associated fauna that do not occur elsewhere in the State, and are of particular conservation significance.

Mangrove communities are a notable feature of the Kimberley coast, forming extensive low closed forests on tidal flats. These communities are more species rich than those further south in the State and are an important biological feature supporting diverse land and marine faunas including many species dependent upon this habitat.

The predominance of grasses from a wide range of genera is also an important feature of the Kimberley flora. World wide attention has focused in recent years on tropical grassland ecosystems.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) produce a series of excellent pocket guides (bush books) to the plants, birds and animals in the region.