Keeping clean, sitting idle: Kununurra is hardly a place for either. Remote and rugged, Western Australia's northern town is a springboard to some of the world's most remarkable landscapes and far-flung odysseys.
Visit the World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, famed for its distinct beehive-dome formations, the Bungle Bungle. See wildlife in abundance along the twisting Ord River. Journey rivers, waterways, and seas brimming with barramundi. Grasp the spectacular outcome of modern ingenuity at the dammed freshwater lake, Lake Argyle. Drive along the legendary Gibb River Road to the outback oasis, El Questro Wilderness Park.
Stay curious by filling your days with adventures and extraordinary sights with our top 18 things to do in Kununurra.
Things to do in Kununurra
1. Join the biggest party in the Kimberley
Get the Akubra hat ready to experience the magic of the Kimberley in one giant extravaganza. The Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster is one of Australia's top regional events. Running 19 – 27 May, the Kimberley's biggest party in Kununurra includes an exciting line-up of indigenous cultural events, wellness activities, live music, family-friendly events, and an exhilarating outback rodeo.
Make a night of it at the Aviair HeliSpirit Kimberley Moon Experience – a concert under the stars – and the black-tie Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner, serving up the best of the region.
More info: ordvalleymuster.com.au
2. Go on a walkabout in Mirima National Park
Mirima National Park (Hidden Valley) is moments from Kununurra's town centre. Considered a mini-version of the Bungle Bungle range, the park's rock formations resemble the World Heritage site with its beehive-like horizontal layers. You'll also be blown away by the many rock art and engravings throughout the park, which are of great cultural significance for the local Miriwoong people. A spectacular day out.
Price: $15 per vehicle (up to 12 people), $8 per vehicle (concession)
More info: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/mirima-national-park
Address: Hidden Valley Rd, Kununurra WA 6743
3. Hop onboard a cruise around Lake Argyle
What were once ranges are now towering islands in a lake. Lake Argyle is the state's largest man-made lake, covering roughly 1,000 km² – 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour! The stunning reservoir forms part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme and is best explored by boat. Lake Argyle Cruises offers a range of tours to best experience this unique setting, from birdwatching, fishing, and sunset tours.
Price: From $185 per adult, $180 per concession, $115 (4-14 years)
More info: lakeargylecruises.com
Address: 3001b Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle WA 6743
4. Reel big fish on an intrepid fishing tour
Reel in the region's prized fish on an intrepid fishing tour with East Kimberley Charters. The locally owned and operated charter takes avid fishing enthusiasts to a far-flung locale in the Cambridge Gulf to have a chance of catching the highly sought barramundi.
Board a 6.6m marine vessel from Wyndham to venture into the region's most remote waterways. Cruise along teal waterways fringed by mangroves, passing sporadic fields of tawny round rocks with burnished orange ranges in the distance to find your fishing spot. Cast a line at 'drunken trees' in water – a magnet for finned predators sourcing their food – to land your catch.
The intimate charter trip is an adventurous way to experience the Kimberley wilderness with all meals, drinks with complimentary alcoholic beverages (for adults only), fishing gear and tackle, and transfers from Kununurra included.
Price: $880 per adult
More info: East Kimberley Charters
5. Black Rock Falls
The Kimberley is blessed with many waterfalls, but there's one the locals want to keep to themselves. Black Rock Falls is a diamond in the rough. A local favourite, the falls, 32km northwest of Kununurra, can only be accessed by 4WD. It is best to view the falls during the wet season after heavy rains when waterfalls have a heavy flow. Simply magical.
Price: Free
More info: visitkununurra.com/learn/argyle-diamonds/black-rock-falls
Address: Valentine Springs Road, Kununurra WA 6743
6. Molly Springs
Consider Molly Springs nature's bath. This picturesque spring-fed pool and waterfall is 30km north of Kununurra and is considered one of the region's best-kept secrets. It's an intimate spot, the pool only a few metres across. It's a place to spot local wildlife and appreciate the region's colourful pockets.
Price: Free
More info: visitkununurra.com/learn/argyle-diamonds/molly-springs
Address: Victoria Highway, Kununurra WA 6743
7. Cruise along the Ord River
Enjoy life in the slow lane cruising along the snaking Ord River. Triple J Tours offers Australia's longest continuous daily river cruise, journeying 55km between Kununurra and the dam wall at Lake Argyle. The cruise is regarded as one of the Kimberley's most fascinating river cruises. Move by switching sceneries from seas of lily pads, shrublands and forests, soaring red bluffs, to one of the country's greatest irrigation schemes, the Kimberley Diversion Dam. Along the way, spot abundant wildlife, including myriad bird species and crocodiles lurking on riverbanks.
Half-day or full-day tours are available to make the most of this remarkable stretch of the Ord River.
Price: From $220 per adult, $210 per concession, $180 (3-15 years)
More info: Triple J Tours
Address: LOT 2253 Coolibah Drive, Kununurra WA 6743
8. Enjoy a sip of the Kimberley
On a dessert farm just outside Kununurra is Western Australia's oldest continuously operating (legal) still. The East Kimberley thirst trap, The Hoochery Distillery, produces rum, whiskey, and gins made mostly of locally sourced ingredients. The quirky distillery offers tours, revealing how each spirit is crafted and includes tastings. Cheers to that.
More info: hoochery.com.au
Address: 300 Weaber Plain Road, Kununurra WA 6743
9. Go chasing Mitchell Falls
Enjoy a bird's eye view of one of Australia's most spectacular waterfalls. Mitchell Falls, also known as Punamii-Uunpuu to the Wunambal people, is one of the region's most photographed sights, with its four-tiered waterfall luring waterfall chasers.
One of the top things to do in Kununurra is to take a scenic flight over the falls. Kingfisher Tours offers various itineraries to sightsee the falls from above and include a trek with a local Aboriginal guide.
Price: From $650 per adult, $640 per concession, $580 (3-12 years)
More info: kingfishertours.com.au
Address: 120 Konkerberry Drive, Kununurra WA 6743
10. Encounter a world icon Bungle Bungle
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle is a geological wonder. The peculiar formation – a ginormous field of beehive-like orange and black sandstone domes – soars 300 metres above savannah plains and seemingly out of nowhere.
This spectacular scenery can be found in Purnululu National Park, 329km south of Kununurra. Within the park are a series of walking trails to get close to these far-flung icons, including a tour of the natural amphitheatre, Cathedral Gorge. To truly grasp the enormity of these beehive-like structures, hop on a scenic flight to realise just how surreal landscapes in the outback can be.
More info: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/purnululu-national-park
Address: Purnululu National Park
11. Celebrity Tree Park
Walk the Kimberley's red carpet with a visit to Celebrity Tree Park. While Hollywood has its famed star plaques, the Kimberley has trees planted by visiting celebrities. From royalty to singing sensations, see what celebrities have left their mark, their influence deeply rooted in the town's history.
The peaceful park fringes the Ord River's Lily Creek Lagoon, making it a perfect spot for a picnic and one of the top things to do in Kununurra for free.
Price: Free
More info: visitkununurra.com
Address: Celebrity Tree Park, Victoria Highway, Kununurra WA 6743
12. Have a far-flung adventure at El Questro
Hit the legendary Gibb River Road to visit the biologically blessed wonderland, El Questro Wilderness Park. Western Australia's version of Eden is an adventurer's playground, home to some of the state's most iconic sights, including Emma Gorge. This picturesque natural pool is surrounded by a lush fern wall and trickling waterfall, making it one of the region's most visited sites.
Embark on a day trip or stay a few nights to explore the working cattle station's numerous natural beauty spots – rugged summits, snaking streams, thermal springs, gorge hiking trails and topsy-turvy four-wheel-drive tracks.
More info: elquestro.com.au
Address: Gibb River-Wyndham Road, Durack WA 6743
13. Get cultured at Waringarri Aborginal Arts
See the Kimberley in a world of colour at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts. The renowned arts centre celebrates the local Miriwoong culture. It is the Kimberley's first wholly indigenous-owned art centre established and one of the oldest art centres in the country.
See artists' creating their next masterpiece in the studio and appreciate their works displayed in the galleries. The centre proudly champions over 100 artists, from painters, wood cravers to boab engravers throughout the region. Cultural tours and live performances are hosted throughout the year to provide insight into the Miriwoong culture. Make sure to take a piece of the Kimberley home with many artworks for sale.
Price: Free
More info: waringarriarts.com.au
Address: 16 Speargrass Road, Kununurra WA 6743
14. Climb Kelly's Knob Lookout
Give the glutes a workout hiking to the top of Kelly's Knob. Lookout The summit is Kununurra's highest point, rising 191 metres above the town and plains. The trail is a 1.2km round trip that will get the heart racing and can be challenging in some areas but worth the epic climb. At the summit, spot what's what of Kununurra's outstanding sceneries: Elephant Rock, Ord River, Lake Kununurra, Kununurra town and the Ord River Irrigation scheme. We suggest hiking at sunset or sunrise to make the most of cooler weather and watch the red earth glow below.
Price: Free
More info: visitkununurra.com
Address: Kelly Road, Kununurra WA 6743
15. Dare to cross Ivanhoe Crossing
Ivanhoe Crossing is not your average road. The concrete causeway was initially built as part of the Kununurra to Wyndham Road over the Ord River. With water flowing all year around, it attracts off-road enthusiasts to make a splash on four wheels (only when the water level is low).
The area also attracts avid fishers vying to catch barramundi. As it is saltwater country, standing on the crossing itself is not recommended due to its elusive residents lurking about – crocodiles.
Price: Free
More info: visitkununurra.com
Address: Ivanhoe Road, Kununurra WA 6743
16. Shop for pink diamonds
Add some pink shine to your jewellery collection. The Argyle Diamonds Mine may have closed, but you can still purchase the striking Argyle pink diamond from one of the town's boutiques. Head to long-time jewellery retailer Nina’s Jewellery and the leading supplier of the rare diamond, Kimberley Fine Diamonds to see the world’s rare pink diamonds crafted into beautiful jewels. Both stores also stock other naturally coloured diamonds sourced in the region for a truly unique statement piece.
More info: kimberleyfinediamonds.com.au
Address: 93 Konkerberry Drive, Kununurra WA 6743
17. Feast at a local instituition
Once pumping out water is now pumping out some of East Kimberley's most tantalising cuisines. Initially part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, The PumpHouse is now one of the region's most scenic places to dine. Devour modern Australian fare in historic surroundings while watching a striking sunset over the waterway and ranges. Impressive on all accounts.
More info: pumphousekununurra.com.au
Address: Lot 525 Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle WA 6743
18. Get a history lesson at Argyle Downs Homestead Museum
Gain fascinating insight into the region's pastoral pioneers with a visit to Argyle Downs Homestead Museum. Built in 1895, the historic homestead was once home to the Durack family – a famous name throughout the region. Originally from Ireland, the family were early settlers and the first to take up extensive pastoral leases and build a permanent home.
When Lake Argyle was dammed, the home was moved, piece by piece, to its new location. Nowadays, the heritage home showcases the region's pastoral history and the legacy of the Duracks.
Price: Free
More info: argylehomesteadmuseum.com.au
Address: Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle WA 6743
