Your Itinerary

Kununurra 6 Day Escape



Unique Insider's Info

The picturesque township of Kununurra is located on the banks of Lake Kununurra and the Ord River. Sitting close to the Northern Territory border, Kununurra is the eastern gateway into Western Australia. If you’re looking for an outback adventure, Kununurra is the perfect destination to start your Kimberley region experience. Most attractions involve lots of water, flora, fauna and spectacular scenery. First gazetted in the 1960’s as the centre for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Kununurra is one of Western Australia’s youngest towns and is a hub for local industries such as agriculture and tourism.

EAST KIMBERLEY CLIMATE - Average Temp. (c) Average Rainfall (mm)

   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   June   July   Aug   Sept   Oct   Nov   Dec 
Max 36.4 35.5 35.3 35.5 32.9 30.5 30.2 33.6 36.4 38.3 38.8 38.0  
Min 25.1 24.9 24.1 21.3 19.1 15.9 15.0 17.5 20.8 23.7 25.4 25.0  
Rain 196 213 140 21.2 10.0 1.3 3.9 0.1 2.8 25.5 70.9 105  

Clothing: Casual light clothing, casual dress for travelling and activities and smart casual for evening dining is recommended. Include comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, towel, swimwear, all-weather coat/jacket.

Where’s Kununurra? 3,213 kms from Perth and 820 kms from Darwin. Yes, Kununurra is remote but it’s worth the journey to visit this colourful region. Virgin Australia and Airnorth (code share with Qantas) fly regularly to Kununurra.

Special Dates (2019)


Argyle Mine Ord Valley Muster: May 17 - 26.
Kimberley Moon: May 25.
Lake Argyle Swim: May 4.
Dam to Dam: April 6.
Ord River Dragon Boat Marathon: June 9:
Kununurra Agriculture Show: July 12 -13.
Kununurra Camp Draft and Rodeo: August 2 - 4
The Gibb Challenge: May 17 - 24
Kimberley Writers Festival: September 6 - 8

Day 1

Arrive Kununurra, check into your accommodation. Yay – you’re here! Relax, free time to enjoy your accommodation property before heading into town to explore. Be sure to visit Kimberley Fine Diamonds and Nina's Jewelleryto check out pink Argyle Diamonds, it’s possible to do a tour of Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamonds mine site.

Find out what time sunset is to get the best views from Kelly’s knob. Just a couple of kms on the outskirts of town, Kelly’s Knob is the highest point in Kununurra and offers excellent views of the township, taking in the Ord River, Lake Kununurra, Elephant Rock and the Ord River Irrigation area. Once you reach the car park its approximately a 1.2km round trip to the top and some parts of the climb are a bit challenging so its recommended to wear sturdy shoes and take some water with you (or a cold beer!).Its impressive by day but even better at sunset.

There are many dinner options for a relatively small town. Some of my favourites are Kimberley Grande, PumpHouse Restaurant and Bar with amazing views over Lake Kununurra, good for a cold beer or cocktail at sunset. Look out for the freshwater croc and Silver Cobbler (Shovel Nosed Catfish – Arius Midgelei). Kelly’s Bar & Grill located at the Kununurra Country Club is a great dining option. I recommend the Barra!. Ask a local their favourite restaurant and why.

Gourmet Camp Oven Experience with Lake Argyle Adventures with Josh Melville originally from NZ - this exclusive experience overlooks the vast Lake Argyle from a private lookout. Soak in the ambience of a Kimberley sunset as it transforms into a star-lit sky, the perfect setting for your 3 course gourmet dinner. All dishes are created with an emphasis on flavour and freshness using a combination of bush tucker and locally sourced produce. This gourmet dining experience under the Kimberley stars is not to be missed.


 

Day 2


Time to explore Kununurra, to make the most of your visit, we suggest you hire a car or do a Town Tour with 2K Tours especially if you are interested in the Ord River scheme. Here are some suggestions of things to see and do in and around Kununurra.

  • Artopia
  • Kangaroo Haven
  • Waringarri Aboriginal Arts (Waringarri Aboriginal Arts started tours in 2016)
  • Rockalong Stonework for Zebra Rock
  • Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery
  • Stonecraft Gallery on Riverfarm Road
  • The Hoochery – the Ord River Rum cake is so delicious
  • The Sandalwood Factory and Cafe – Mt Romance
  • Ivanhoe Crossing

  • Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve near the town of Wyndham. If you love birds, it’s worth the drive. Spend the day in Wyndham and visit the Historical Museum in the Wyndham port, call in to the Rusty Shed Café for delicious homemade food, coffee and smoothies, drive up the Bastion 5 Rivers Lookout, if you have a 4WD you can take the King River Road and visit the Prison Boab Tree, Aboriginal Rock Art, Moochalabra dam. You can also visit the Pioneer museum and Afghan museum. 
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  • Mirima National Park is accessible and worth seeing all year round. Mirima National Park is just two kilometres (a drive of less than five minutes) east of Kununurra. There is well signposted access via Barringtonia Avenue and Hidden Valley. 
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  • Kununurra Markets are held each Saturday morning from 8am to 12 noon in Whitegum Park (Cnr Coolibah Drive and Leichhardt Street, Kununurra). The markets generally commence in April and run through until September each year. Stalls are many and varied and showcase talented local artisans. We suggest you have breakfast at the markets. Great coffee, food, ambience. 
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  • Lunch options – Wild Mango Café, Kimberley Café, Cornerside Cafe, Sandalwood Factory & Café, Ivanhoe Café (their mango smoothie with chia is awesome, homemade sausage rolls and wraps are scrumptious).
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  • If you’re looking for a truly unique way to finish your day in Kununurra then look no further than Kununurra Cruises.
    Whether its a relaxing sunset swim cruise or an unbelievable dining experience on the water then they have you covered. Our suggestions are Lake Kununurra Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise or The Sunset Swim Cruise.
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  • Check out what’s on and when at the Kununurra Picture Gardens http://www.kpg.org.au The Kununurra Picture Gardens has been providing an outdoor movie experience to the Kununurra Community since 1963. The Picture Gardens is community owned and volunteer-run each week to provide a unique outdoor movie experience.

Day 3

Sunset cruisin’ on the Ord River, just so good! #seeaustralia #kununurra

A post shared by Dan Proud (@danproud) on

Kununurra is all about the water so it’s time for you to get out on its amazing bodies of water, Lake Kununurra & Lake Argyle. There a few different options for you to pick from so below are our suggestions.

Triple J Tours offers lots of different tour options to get you out on both of these incredible waterways. The most popular touring option is the Ord River Day Tour (J3). You will be collected from your accommodation at 11.30am and taken by coach through Durack country to Lake Argyle (70km). As we near Lake Argyle, we will take a short break at the historic Durack Homestead Museum. This Museum was constructed as a replica of the original family Homestead and uses the original Homestead stone. Re-boarding the coach, we drive the short distance to Lake Argyle Resort before viewing the enormous Lake Argyle from a scenic look-out. Crossing the Ord Top Dam wall, guests will see the Ord Hydro-Power Station before boarding their Triple J Tours boat for a scenic 55km cruise along the Ord River back to Kununurra. Marvel at the spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna found along the way, including the elusive freshwater crocodile! Enjoy afternoon tea at our riverside camp before heading back to Kununurra. Take in a colourful East Kimberley sunset before docking back at the Marina and re-boarding your coach for your accommodation drop-off at around 5.30pm.

If you’re looking to get out on the waters of Lake Argyle as well as Lake Kununurra why not choose a combo tour of both. Lake Argyle Luncheon Tour & Ord River Day Tour (J3LA) & Lake Argyle Sunset Tour & Ord River Tour + Riverside Lunch (J2LA) are full day tours that will give you a comprehensive look and overview of all things Lake Argyle and Lake Kununurra. With pick up and drop off from your accommodation being either 8am & 5:30pm or 9am & 7pm respectively. Both of these tour options have amazing local produce lunch options and don’t forget your bathers on these tours so that you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of Lake Argyle while enjoying a complementary beer or wine!


Day 4


Wow factor plus today – take a visit to World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park better known as the Bungle Bungle Range. Here are some options.

Helispirit – Bungle Bungle and Secret Springs Flight/Swim/Picnic
This scenic air tour features a stunning scenic flight from Kununurra over the Bungle Bungle Range, with spectacular views of the famous Bungle Bungle domes. You will make a landing at the airstrip in Purnululu National Park for refreshments, before flying to a secret spring nestled within the Range. Once landing, you will take a short hike into your private water hole, where you can swim in absolute privacy and enjoy a picnic in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. A fair level of mobility is required for the short hike to the waterhole. This tour option is available year-round with spectacular waterfalls after the rains in February and March.

Aviair – Bungle Bungle Wanderer        

Experience spectacular aerial views of the Bungle Bungles in the Purnululu National Park.
Land at a remote unsealed airfield in the Purnululu National Park and transfer to an airconditioned 4WD bus, your guide will drive you closer to the Bungle Bungle Range.
Enjoy a moderate 3km guided walk amongst the famous eroded towers and black and orange banded beehive structures on the Domes Walk. Your guide will take you into Cathedral Gorge, where towering cliffs open up to form a space with awe inspiring natural acoustics, here you will rest and enjoy your lunch.
Walk along the bed of Piccaninny Creek, which flows only in the monsoon waterfall season. Learn about the Kimberley climate, the six seasons and unique flora and fauna so important to the traditional custodians of the land.
Return via a scenic flight to Kununurra, on the way viewing the Argyle Diamond Mine where rare pink diamonds are mined


Seaplane Tour

Bungle Bungle & Lake Argyle Island Experience
Kimberley Air Tours most popular tour by float plane showcasing the World Heritage Listed Bungle Bungle Range and land on Lake Argyle for an unforgettable island experience!
Discover the awe-inspiring Bungle Bungle Range with its striped bee hive domes as it rises 300m out of the desert to meet you. Spot the famous Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Gorge as you orbit above.
Touch down on Lake Argyle in our seaplane! Set foot on a remote island and enjoy locally made cakes and a cup of coffee or tea while spotting local wildlife and taking in the magnificent views of Lake Argyle. There is no better location to get that picture-perfect photo to share with friends.

 

Day 5

Departing from Kununurra full day 4WD tour to El Questro. This lengthy 12-hour tour through El Questro will take you through the Wilderness Park, departing from Kununurra in the far East Kimberley. Guided by an El Questro ranger, the tour includes an all-encompassing journey through Emma Gorge and Zebedee Thermal Springs. Take a mid-day break for lunch at the Steakhouse Restaurant and end the full day with the Chamberlain River Cruise.
 
Take the ultimate scenic flight with Kingfisher Tours, full day Wandjina Explorer.

In the culture of the Kimberley people, the Wandjina is a respected and irritable spirit, who brings water and life to a parched land. Join us as we explore the heart of the Wandjina country and marvel at the landscapes, river systems and coast that these spirits have nurtured. Kingfisher Tours depart Kununurra, and fly across to the coast flying over the Mitchell Falls in Wunambal country then we follow the coast to Port Warrender and the Kimberley Coastal Camp, pearl farms of Vansittart Bay, the historic WWII Truscott airbase, and miles of exotic and pristine coastline.We arrive at the remote settlement of Kalumburu our local guide will take you to the Kalumburu mission settlement, a picnic morning tea is served on the Mission lawns. Visit the antiquated and fascinating museum, the Church and Bakery. Art Centre and the historic WWII aircraft graveyard, thena picnic lunch under the shade of the paperbarks at the local swimming hole. Back to the airstrip and wheels up to the Timor Sea coast, overflying Faraway Bay, the spectacular King George Falls, Berkeley River, and the mighty Cambridge Gulf, on our return to Kununurra, as the sun goes down. Optional: Overnight Packages for all coastal lodges please call to discuss



 

Day 6

Your last day (potentially), lazy day before catching the big bird home.
Before your flight, why not try out café 'Cornerside Cafe' specialising in modern Australian brunch using locally produced food as much as possible with lots of healthy food options plus a few naughty ones. They also specialise in single origin coffees and coffee specials

Day 7

But Wait There's More

FISHING
Bask in the Kimberley sun while chasing that iconic Barramundi. Northbound Charters do a range of tours including half days in Lake Kununurra. Spend a full day fishing the remote waterways of the Kimberley. Offering so much more than just a fishing charter, the scenery in this area is stunning, rugged and raw. Sheer rock faces meet the vast water offering an ideal photo opportunity. The Kimberley is the home of big crocs, and while they usually lurk beneath the muddy waters, during the cooler months of June and July they can be spotted sunning themselves on the banks at low tide.

Then you have Ultimate Adventures 1 hour’s 4WD from Kununurra on the Parry’s Creek Road, near the historic Bend of the Lower Ord River and Carlton Crossing is Hairy Dog’s Fishing Camp. Fishing enthusiasts and nature-lovers are welcome! Overnight bush bed and breakfast is catered for travellers as well as those enjoying one of Ultimate Adventures’ fishing safaris.

HELIFISHING
The best place in the world to experience helifishing with Helispirit. The best time to fish in the Kimberley is during and just after the wet season from January to May. Nothing beats a helifishing out of Kununurra with no easier or productive way to barra fish than in a chopper with a pilot who knows the hot spots. Experience some incredibly diverse locations ranging from saline coastal flats, floodplain and barrage systems, billabongs and spectacular gorges and best of all, catch lots of barra.

UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION
We definitely suggest you spend more time in the East Kimberley.
APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures. Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge:  located in the heart of Purnululu National Park. Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge.
Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge. Provides dinner bed and breakfast and access to a swimming pool.
Lake Argyle Resort - Lake View Villas are close to our famous infinity pool and have views across Coolibah Pocket, Bamboo Cove and Pannikin Bay.
The Berkeley River Lodge - Only accessible by air, getting to the Berkeley is half the adventure. Leave modern life far behind and relax into the rhythms of nature in your luxurious villa floating atop the coastal dunes. Be one of the privileged few to set eyes upon breathtaking wilderness landscapes by river cruise or helicopter flight
El Questro - Amid the vast and ancient landscape of Western Australia’s East Kimberley region sits the untamed natural beauty of El Questro. From deep gorges and majestic mountains to thermal springs, mud and salt-flats, rainforests and cascading waterfalls everything the Kimberley has to offer is located across the property's 700,000 acres.
Faraway Bay - Nestled on a rocky hilltop overlooking the turquoise Timor Sea. 280 kilometres north-west of Kununurra, is a remote and spellbinding part of the Kimberley coastal region of Western Australia.
Kimberley Coastal Camp - There are very few places in the world where you can enjoy fabulous scenery, gourmet food, unique beach front accommodation, spectacular fishing and ancient rock art – all combined with unparalleled hospitality in a remote wilderness location. Established in 1994 Kimberley Coastal Camp is nestled on the pristine shores of the Admiralty Gulf in the heart of the great Kimberley wilderness.
Home Valley Station - Located close to the mighty Pentecost River, at the foot of the majestic Cockburn Range. Experience the exhilaration of barramundi fishing, soak in the unforgettable scenery of the East Kimberley and be inspired by the region's Indigenous people.

 


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