11 Things to do in and around Kununurra
By Julia D’Orazio
Rare sightings and remote adventures go hand in hand in Kununurra. The Kimberley hub is on the doorstep of some of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders and cultural sites.
Visit the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park to see rising beehive-like formations, the Bungle Bungle. Connect to Country through technicolour at an Indigenous art centre. Uncover a bird’s eye view of the four-tiered Mitchell Falls onboard a scenic flight. Relish an enchanting sunset and modern Australian fare at Lake Kununurra’s historic restaurant. Have a go at reeling the region’s tastiest catch, barramundi. Observe wildlife along the snaking Ord River. Appreciate engineering marvels standing atop the dammed Lake Argyle.
Expect to fill your days with extraordinary encounters as we share our top things to do in Kununurra.
1. See a world wonder at Bungle Bungle
Encounter a world icon at Purnululu National Park. The park, 329 km south of Kununurra, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed park Bungle Bungle Range – a geological wonder of beehive-like orange and black sandstone rock domes soar 300 metres above savannah plains.
There are a myriad of walking trails to explore these extraordinary formations, including tours to the mesmerising natural amphitheatre, Cathedral Gorge. Get a bird’s eye view of Earth’s artwork with a scenic flight to realise how surreal landscapes within the Kimberley outback can be.
2. The PumpHouse Kununurra
Prepare for sensory enchantment as The PumpHouse Kununurra has reopened its doors. The Kimberley’s iconic restaurant – housed in the former Ord River Irrigation Scheme pump house – is back to serving contemporary Australian cuisine using regional produce. Enjoy modern fare in this unique setting while catching a stunning sunset over Lake Kununurra and ancient ranges. Simply magical.
3. Take a scenic flight
The Kimberley is one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers. Raw and remote, it can take some effort to visit some of the country’s – if not the world’s – most celebrated natural wonders.
Sit back comfortably, taking in otherworldly views onboard a scenic flight. Local carrier Aviair offers scenic air tours that visit El Questro, the World Heritage Purnululu National Park – home of the Bungle Bungle range, and photographer’s favourite, the four-tiered Mitchell Falls.
4. Cruise along the mighty Ord River
To appreciate the extent of Kununurra’s spectacular scenery requires a long boat ride. Locally owned and operated, Triple J Tours offers Australia’s longest continuous daily river cruise along the mighty Ord River, travelling 55 km between Kununurra and Lake Argyle.
Along the way, you’ll become enamoured with the many ecosystems along this remarkable stretch of the 650 km-long river. Witness seas of lilypads morph into tangled jungles, sandy riverbanks occupied by sunbathing crocs, and ruddy-hued cliffs. Encounter the many mechanisms of the country’s greatest irrigation schemes, the Kimberley Diversion Dam, including the towering Lake Argyle dam wall. Make sure to bring your binoculars with over 270 bird species spotted in the region, making it a bird-lovers utopia.
Triple J Tours offers half-day or full-day tours with outstanding commentary provided.
5. Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
Get immersed in the many shades of the Kimberley by visiting one of Australia’s oldest art centres, Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, in Kununurra.
The Kimberley’s first wholly indigenous-owned art centre celebrates the local Miriwoong culture and supports emerging talent. It displays the works of over 100 local artists, from painters, boab engravers, wood carvers and artefacts of artists who have passed on. The gallery also provides cultural tours and live performances throughout the year to enrich the connection to Country.
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6. Be a captain for the day
Wear the captain’s hat and navigate your way around Lake Argyle. Lake Argyle Cruises offers half-day dingy boat hire. Take up to three people with you and choose your island adventure, sailing from one swim spot to the next. Cast a line to catch a silver cobbler – a lake speciality. A boat licence is required.
Or gather your family or friends for a BBQ pontoon party. Cook a feast while touring the lake at your own pace – cruisy as.
7. Have a pint at Hotel Kununurra
When temperatures are scorching hot, go from summer sizzle to clutching an ice-cold tipple at Hotel Kununurra. Affectionately known as ‘The Pub’, it’s a magnet for thirsty locals and tourists keen to relax in the beer garden and watch live sporting matches unfold on multiple screens. The traditional pub fare is generous, so bring a healthy appetite.
8. Relax at Lake Argyle Resort
Stay a night or two at Lake Argyle Resort. The resort and holiday park (camping and caravans) overlooks the namesake lake, with one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular landscapes best experienced from the resort’s infinity pool.
After your scenic dip, refuel at Lake Argyle Restaurant. Try a local delicacy, freshly caught silver cobbler or bite into a crocodile burger. Yum!
9. Watch a sunset at Lake Kununurra
Witness another colourful spectacle watching the sunset over Lake Kununurra. Head to the banks or Discovery Parks – Lake Kununurra to watch the afterglow slice through a dark cobalt sky.
10. Set sail along Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle is not your average lake. Australia’s second largest artificial lake covers roughly 1,000 km² – making it 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour! It forms part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Within this massive lake are ‘islands’: former ranges now surrounded by water. Its scenery makes it an exceptional place to explore by boat, with Lake Argyle Cruises offering a range of tours to best experience the majesty of nature and the ingenuity of humankind.
11. Catch a barra
Catch Kimberley’s prized fish on a far-flung fishing tour with East Kimberley Charters. The small charter takes avid fishers to the remote waterways of the Cambridge Gulf to reel in barramundi.
Hop on a 6.6m marine vessel from Wyndham to sail aquamarine channels edged by mangroves with rusted-red ranges in the distance. Cast a line at trees and exposed roots in water to hook in your catch in the wilderness.
Meals, drinks with complimentary alcoholic beverages (for adults only), fishing gear, and transfers from Kununurra are included.
Like some more info?
For more information on getting to Kununurra and places to stay, check out our destination guide.
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We’re a super friendly bunch in the Kimberley and always happy to help with sharing a local insight of where to go and what to see. Please get in touch if you have questions we can help answer.
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