Welcome to Kununurra, Gateway to the East Kimberley! Kununurra in Western Australia (WA), makes the ideal base for anyone wishing to get around the East Kimberley region. With so many places to go and so much to see, the hardest part will be deciding whether to stay for one week or two in the East Kimberley. See natural wonders and rugged ridges and be awed by the magnificent Lake Argyle. From sparkling diamonds to barramundi fishing, Kununurra has it all. Kununurra is a local Aboriginal word meaning “meeting of big waters”. This picturesque town was gazetted in the early 1960's as the centre for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, with a population of around 5,000, Kununurra is one of the youngest towns in Western Australia and is now the hub of local industry for agriculture, tourism and mining in the east Kimberley. The town is situated in an area rich in history, on land that was once part of Ivanhoe Station. The pastoral history of the area is well documented in books by Dame Mary Durack, the famed Durack Homestead site is now covered by the waters of Lake Argyle, however, the homestead was faithfully removed brick by brick and reconstructed to become fascinating pioneer museum. Kununurra is the perfect base for your Kimberley adventure, take a four wheel drive tour, lake and river cruises, light plane or helicopter flights over some of the most spectacular landforms in the world, or just relax after a day chasing the big Barramundi. There is plenty of accommodation, ranging from 4 star hotels and resorts, self contained apartments, bed & breakfasts, motels and caravan parks. Stay awhile and take in some of the numerous local sights. Mirima National Park (Hidden Valley) Located in the Kununurra townsite, this is the first National Park visitors see when they enter the State from the Northern Territory. It features 300 million year old sandstone cliffs, often referred to as the ‘mini Bungles’. Drysdale River National Park At 430,000 hectares, this is the largest National Park in the Kimberley and one of the largest in the State. It is wild, untouched and very beautiful and over 630,000 hectares in size.  The importance and sensitivity of this reserve has been recognised on an international basis by UNESCO who gave it “World Biosphere Reserve” status. Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve A protected bird sanctuary sheltering such species as magpie geese, swamp hens, cranes, dab chicks, pelicans, brolga, 17 varieties of duck and the beautiful elusive jabiru. The reserve is open during dry weather and has well marked walking tracks. Ord River Typifying the Aboriginal meaning of Kununurra ‘big waters’ or ‘meeting of the waters’, this river is now a permanent body of water since the construction of the Ord Irrigation Scheme. Above the Diversion Dam, it forms Lake Kununurra, a year round mecca for water sport enthusiasts. The permanent water supply has also formed wetland areas which have become havens for birds in the area. Cruises and canoeing trips are a good way to see this remarkable river system. Kelly’s Knob Lookout At 191 metres, Kelly’s Knob Lookout is the highest point immediately around Kununurra. It offers great views of the irrigation areas around town and is a good spot to catch the sunset. Ivanhoe Crossing Only 13kms from Kununurra, this crossing formed part of the original road from Kununurra to Wyndham. It was flooded when the Diversion Dam was built and is closed to traffic during the wet when the water level is too high for safety. It is a very popular fishing spot. Diversion Dam This wall forms part of the highway from Kununurra to the west coast and  contains 20 radial gates which regulate the flow of water into the lower Ord River. Valentine’s Pool An interesting series of rock pools and shady beaches best seen during the wet season. Popular with all the locals as a wet season swimming hole. Stockman’s Grave A tinplate cross marks the grave of pioneer stockman David Suttie, who is featured in the Jeannie Gunn book “We of the Never Never’. The grave is found on the old Wyndham Road not far from Black Rock Falls. Middle Springs A series of rock water holes flowing over a slab faced rock into a small swimming hole on the Parry’s Creek Road. Black Rock Falls A spectacular wet season attraction and favourite swimming hole of the locals. Water tumbles over a 30m semi-circular cliff face into a small pool area. Over the years the cliff face has been stained black by minerals in the water. Zebra Rock Unique to Kununurra, Zebra Rock can be found in small reef outcrops of stratified claystone of shale in the Ranford Formation. Its age has been placed at nearly 600 million years old. Lake Argyle Homestead The reconstructed Argyle Homestead is now a museum acknowledging the early cattle pioneers, particularly the Durack family who established the original homestead. The homestead was built from stones moved from the original homesite which is now under Lake Argyle. Lake Argyle The major dam of the Ord Irrigation project which was opened in 1972. The inland sea, which is twenty-three times the size of Sydney Harbour, is held back by a wall measuring only 345 metres long. The wall is constructed of rock fill over an impervious clay core. At normal level, the dam holds 5,672 million cubic metres of water - in full flood conditions, the dam can hold six times this amount. Cruises operate on the lake on a regular basis and visitors can see myriads of birds in the wetlands aroundthe mouth of the Ord River and the variety of marsupials which inhabit the islands in the lake. Location 3,153 kilometres north of Perth Contact Kununurra Visitor Centre Coolibah Drive Kununurra WA 6743 <<back