Kununurra & East Kimberley
Gateway town to the East Kimberley, with Lake Argyle cruises, Ord River gorges and scenic flights over the World Heritage beehive domes of the Bungle Bungle Range.
Kununurra is the gateway town to Western Australia's East Kimberley, founded in the 1960s during the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Close to the Northern Territory border, it is surrounded by red sandstone ranges, gorges and vast tropical farmland. The town itself has Mirima National Park, Kelly's Knob Lookout, Lake Kununurra and Aboriginal art centres, all easily explored on foot or by a short drive. The classic way to explore is by heading out from town: about 70 km south, Lake Argyle offers sunset cruises and lake views from an infinity pool, and you can return to town by speedboat down the Ord River; about 100 km west is El Questro Wilderness Park, home to Emma Gorge and Zebedee Springs at the eastern end of the Gibb River Road; to the north-west are Wyndham's Five Rivers Lookout and birdwatching at Parry Lagoons; and around 250 km south lies the Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, which most visitors see on a return scenic flight. The May–Sep dry season brings clear skies and all roads open; the Nov–Mar wet season is hot with frequent thunderstorms, and many dirt roads and national parks close. Fly into Kununurra Airport from Perth, Darwin or Broome, and plan on 3–5 days. Saltwater crocodiles live in the rivers and lakes – never swim in waters not marked as safe.
Top sights
- Lake Argyle – A giant reservoir formed by the Ord River Dam, one of Australia's largest artificial freshwater lakes, with breathtaking sunset cruises, an…
- Bungle Bungle Range – The orange-and-black striped beehive sandstone domes of Purnululu National Park, a World Natural Heritage Site, are most striking when seen…
- Cathedral Gorge – At the end of a trail through the beehive domes of southern Purnululu, a giant round rock amphitheater with powerful echoes.
- El Questro Wilderness Park – A wilderness park on a huge former cattle station at the eastern end of the Gibb River Road, combining gorges, hot springs, boat cruises an…
- Durack Homestead Museum – A stone homestead moved from the flooded Argyle station, telling the pastoral history of the Durack family, who opened up the East Kimberle…
- Echidna Chasm – A very narrow conglomerate gorge in the north of Purnululu, only about one metre wide and over a hundred metres high. Its walls glow red wh…
- Mirima National Park – Often called “Little Bungle Bungles,” right next to Kununurra town. Its orange-red striped sandstone valleys are ideal for short walks.
- Kelly's Knob Lookout – A small hill lookout beside the town centre, with a 360-degree view over Kununurra, the Ord River irrigation area and distant ranges. It is…
- Ord River & Lake Kununurra Cruise – A 55 km journey down the Ord River from Lake Argyle Dam to Kununurra, passing gorges, crocodiles and dense birdlife.
- Emma Gorge – A classic hiking gorge in El Questro, ending in a cool, deep pool beneath a waterfall that drops from above, where swimming is allowed.
- Zebedee Springs – Natural hot spring pools beneath the palms of El Questro, with water around 28–32°C. They are open only in the morning.
- Ivanhoe Crossing – A low causeway on the Ord River, where water pours over a concrete weir and forms white rapids. It is a popular photo spot near the town.
- Five Rivers Lookout – A lookout on the summit of Bastion Hill in Wyndham, with a sweeping view of five rivers flowing into Cambridge Gulf.
- Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve – A Ramsar wetland near Wyndham, where large numbers of waterbirds gather in the dry season. It has a birdhide and boardwalks.
- Elephant Rock – A red sandstone hill on the shore of Lake Kununurra, shaped like a reclining elephant. Also called the “Sleeping Buddha,” it is a landmark…
- Lily Creek Lagoon – A lakeside wetland on the edge of town, where water lilies, waterbirds and freshwater crocodiles are common. It is an easy birdwatching str…
- Waringarri Aboriginal Arts – An Aboriginal-owned art centre that sells East Kimberley ochre paintings, where you can watch artists creating work on site.
- Hoochery Distillery – A rum distillery hand-built on a farm north of town, said to be Western Australia's oldest licensed distillery. Tastings and tours are avai…
Where to eat
- Pumphouse Restaurant – A lakeside restaurant converted from the old pumphouse of the Ord River irrigation scheme. Kimberley beef and wild barr…
- Wild Mango Café – A local café famous for its mango smoothies and house-made Italian gelato, serving breakfast all day. A great place to…
- Kimberley Café – The highest-rated brunch café in the town centre, with outback-style décor, a juice bar using local produce, and good-v…
- Gulliver's Tavern – A country-style tavern in the town centre serving steaks, pizza and Thai beef salad in its beer garden, with live music…
Itineraries
- Gibb River Road: Broome to Kununurra – A 4WD adventure across 660 km of unsealed roads in the Kimberley, from Indian Ocean beaches to eastern gorges and beehi…
- Darwin to Broome Highway Crossing – Traverse the southern edge of the Kimberley from the Northern Territory along sealed highways, fly over the beehive dom…