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Geraldton Perth Karratha Port Hedland Broome Kununurra Darwin

The adventure hub of the Kimberley, Kununurra is the place to begin your exploration of Australia’s final frontier.

A mere 42 kilometres from the Northern Territory border, Kununurra is the gateway to the Kimberley. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, rock formations, farmland, and waterways, including the famous Ord Irrigation Scheme. With iconic destinations such as Lake Argyle, El Questro and Purnululu National Park right at your doorstep, don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending more time in Kununurra than you first expected!

See the sights

Explore

Start your Kimberley adventure in Kununurra.

Taking its name from the Aboriginal word Goonoonoorrang meaning ‘Big Water’, Kununurra is located on the banks of the mighty Ord River. The river is the lifeblood of the town and plays a huge part in locals’ lives. The upper Ord River is a place for swimming, waterskiing, paddling, cruising, houseboats, fishing, abseiling, waterfalls, and more. Head down the lower Ord River for exciting fishing adventures and remote camping spots – just remember to always be croc-wise!

Get your bearings with a hike up Kelly’s Knob for a spectacular view of the town, or if you’d prefer an easy stroll why not meander through Mirima National Park – often referred to as the ‘mini Bungle Bungle’. Browse stunning Aboriginal and local artworks at one of the many galleries. We recommend an art tour with Waringarri Art Centre, whose artists collaborated with us to design our logo! Take a dip in the quiet oasis of Molly Springs or if you’re looking for a 4WD adventure, head to Secret Springs and discover why this local secret has become increasingly popular.

For help planning your Kununurra adventure, contact the friendly team at Kununurra Visitor Centre for their local advice and guidance.

TREAT YOUR TASTEBUDS

Eat

Kununurra is often referred to as ‘the fruit bowl of Western Australia’. Acres and acres of crops surround Kununurra with the Ord Irrigation scheme keeping the region lush and fertile. Mangoes, melons, bananas, chia seed and sandalwood are just some of the plant varieties commonly grown in Kununurra.

Start your day with a coffee from Spilled the Beans Café, located inside Kimberleyland Waterfront Park. Or, if you’d prefer to settle in for a slow morning, a coffee under the mango trees at Ivanhoe Cafe is the perfect way to begin your day.

For the best spot in town for a sunset drink, there’s no better place than the PumpHouse Restaurant. Perched on the edge of Lake Kununurra, the PumpHouse offers delicious fare made with locally grown produce and warm, friendly service. Keep an eye out for their resident freshwater crocodile, who likes to make an appearance around sunset for any snacks that may fall his way.

Don’t miss a visit to the Hoochery to sample the award-winning rum at WA’s oldest operating legal still. The Hoochery is 100% Australian-made, owned, and operated family business that offers true Kimberley hospitality in a picturesque location.

Relax on holiday

Sleep

There’s a bed for every budget in Kununurra.

We recommend the 4.5-star self-contained Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments for their central location, friendly staff, and beautiful amenities. If you travel with your home on your back, Kimberleyland Waterfront Park and Discovery Parks Kununurra are great places to pull up and rest.

The Cambridge, Kimberley Grande, Kununurra Country Club, and the Kununurra Hotel are also excellent options

Beyond Kununurra, there is accommodation available at Lake Argyle, El Questro and within Purnululu National Park.

Local Tips

The Essentials

Best time of year to visit

The dry season (April-September) guarantees blue skies and moderate temperatures, ideal for exploring! While the wet season (Oct-May) offers spectacular opportunities for chasing waterfalls, either by land, air or water. Many tours and accommodation offering ‘out of season’ discounts.

Climate

During the dry season (April to September), Kununurra experiences warm days and clear blue skies with temperatures ranging from 14 – 31°C. Humidity levels are low and the nights are cool.

From late October to November is the ‘build up’ where temperature and humidity levels are high. Storm clouds often threaten to open up however it’s not until January/February that the wet season really kicks in. While a tricky time to travel with many tour operators closed, the wet season is when the Kimberley comes alive with raging waterfalls, flowing rivers and verdant lands replenished by the heavy rains.

Recommended length of stay

To explore Kununurra and all its surrounding beauty, you will need at least 7-10 days. If you’re planning on venturing further out to El Questro, Lake Argyle or Purnululu National Park, we recommend at least 10-14 days.