Lake Argyle (Image Brian Yeo)
Garni Woora-Noonggoor — how are you all? These are the words of welcome you will hear when you visit the beautiful town of Kununurra in Western Australia, the gateway to the East Kimberley.
Goonoonoorrang, the traditional name for Kununurra by the Miriuwung and Gajerrong peoples, translates to ‘river’ or ‘big water’ which is appropriate for a town that sits on the mighty 650km-long Ord River.
Located just 55km from the Northern Territory border, Kununurra is one of Australia’s youngest towns, established in the early 1960s to support the Ord River Irrigation scheme.
The small town serves as a great base camp for travellers exploring the East Kimberley region and is the gateway to some of Australia’s most popular attractions such as the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park (the Bungle Bungles) with its distinctive beehive-shaped rock formations, Mitchell Plateau, Lake Argyle, the Ord River, El Questro and many beautiful gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes. It's a beautiful place to explore, so allow plenty of time to see it all at your own pace.
Ord Valley (Image Peter Lowry)
If you are starting your journey along the legendary Gibb River Road from Kununurra’s eastern side, be sure to pop into the Kununurra Visitor Centre where the many helpful staff will provide you with lots of information about the bucket-list attractions to see and do long the way. Visit the visitor centre website and download the G.O.A.T Gibb River Road guide to assist with your planning.
Kununurra also offers remarkable Aboriginal cultural experiences on Country with local custodians eager to share their knowledge and ancestral lands with visitors.
Located a fairly short drive (one hour) east of Kununurra, the Argyle Homestead Museum is a testament to the region’s rich history and is well worth a visit. Wander through the 1890s home of the prominent Durack family, originally from Galway, Ireland, who were among the early European settlers and established extensive pastoral leases in the area.
Local wildlife (Image Hayden Arrowsmith)
Managed today by the Kununurra Visitor Centre, the Argyle Homestead Museum stands as a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Durack family and offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the early days of pastoral life in the Kimberley.
There are many awesome tours and experiences in and around Kununurra. Whether it’s a sunset cruise on Lake Argyle, floating on a noodle watching the sun go down; a scenic flight over the beehive-shaped Bungle Bungle Range and Lake Argyle; a walk to Kelly’s Knob to get a bird’s eye view of the town; or a special dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants — there’s something for everyone in Kununurra.
If you are planning your dream trip to the Kimberley, the Kununurra Visitor Centre is a terrific resource for unparalleled local knowledge and tours and will provide comprehensive information on local activities and sights.
Visit the Kununurra website to browse at your leisure, you can book your experiences and accomodation online or if you need some personal touches, don’t hesitate to contact the team by email info@visitkununurra.com or by phoning 08 9168 1177.
Warany, ngoondengi barrenkoo! — Alright, (you all) take care/stay well!
Branco's Lookout, El Questro (Image Monica Torland)
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