For the past century, the main land use in the Kimberley has been for pastoral activities.

Currently over 50% (approximately 224, 000 square kilometres) of Kimberley land is held under pastoral lease; that is, the land has been classified primarily for the grazing of stock. This area includes approximately 93 pastoral leases carrying about 500,000 head of beef cattle.

The balance of land in the Kimberley is either crown land, Aboriginal reserve, conservation estate or freehold land in the major urban centres.