In the far northern part of Western Australia's outback, at the eastern edge of the Kimberley region, is the town of Kununurra. In fact Kununurra is located near the border of Western Australia and Northern Territory. We found this town of around 7,000 to be both lively and booming with excitement. While Kununurra was our last overland stopover in the Kimberley, the stopover was indeed filled with lots of excitement. One of the first things we did was to drive up to Kelly’s Knob Lookout. From the lookout there are panoramic views of the town, the Ord Valley and the nearby mountain ranges.
Kununurra in a local Aboriginal language means "meeting of the waters". The town is indeed appropriately named because of the abundance of waterways in the area. Kununurra has its origins in the establishment of the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA), which made agriculture possible in the area. The waterways also attract tourists to Ord River and Lake Argyle.
Kununurra Sights
While in Kununurra other than checking out the views from the Kelly’s Knob Lookout we also visited some of the local sights, such as the Ord River, a distillery, sandalwood factory and Aboriginal art galleries.
Ivanhoe Crossing & Ord River
Just north of town we visited the historic Ivanhoe Crossing. The Ivanhoe Crossing was once open for crossing over the Ord River. Rumors have it that the crossing may reopen in the future.
Sandalwood Factory
The area around Kununurra is a lush oasis of farmlands, tropical fruit and sandalwood plantations. During our stay we visited the Sandalwood Factory.
Hoochery Distillery
We visited the Hoochery Distillery. It is well known for its rums. The Hoochery is the oldest operating legal still in Western Australia.
The distillery offers a selection of rums and liqueurs for tasting. They also offer tours.
Visitors to the Hoochery can enjoy lunch in the Honk n Holler Cafe.
Visitors to the distillery's tasting room can select a number of rums and/or liqueurs to taste.
The day we visited there were a number of lunch items on the menu at the Honk n Holler Cafe.
There are dining areas both inside and outside.
We did not explore any of the plantations but saw a dust devil while driving through the plantation area.
Waringarri Centre
One of the Aboriginal art galleries in town that we visited was the Waringarri Centre. This is a very interesting gallery with beautiful art sculptures on the lawn in front of the building.
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| Kelly’s Knob Lookout, Kununurra © Spaswinefood |
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| Panoramic View, Kelly’s Knob Lookout © Spaswinefood |
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| Kelly’s Knob Lookout © Spaswinefood |
Kununurra Sights
While in Kununurra other than checking out the views from the Kelly’s Knob Lookout we also visited some of the local sights, such as the Ord River, a distillery, sandalwood factory and Aboriginal art galleries.
Ivanhoe Crossing & Ord River
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| Ivanhoe Crossing, Ord River © Spaswinefood |
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| Ivanhoe Crossing, Kununurra © Spaswinefood |
The area around Kununurra is a lush oasis of farmlands, tropical fruit and sandalwood plantations. During our stay we visited the Sandalwood Factory.
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| The Sandalwood Factory © Spaswinefood |
We visited the Hoochery Distillery. It is well known for its rums. The Hoochery is the oldest operating legal still in Western Australia.
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| Hoochery © Spaswinefood |
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| Rums & Liqueurs, Hoochery © Spaswinefood |
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| Hoochery Visitors © Spaswinefood |
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| Tasting #1 at the Hoochery © Spaswinefood |
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| Hoochery Tasting #2 © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch Menu, Hoochery © Spaswinefood |
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| Entrance to Hoochery Cafe © Spaswinefood |
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| Honk n Holler Cafe, Hoochery © Spaswinefood |
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| Outside Dining Area, Hoochery © Spaswinefood |
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| Dust Devil, Kununurra © Spaswinefood |
One of the Aboriginal art galleries in town that we visited was the Waringarri Centre. This is a very interesting gallery with beautiful art sculptures on the lawn in front of the building.
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| Art Sculptures, Waringarri Centre, Kununurra © Spaswinefood |
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| Art Sculptures, Waringarri Centre © Spaswinefood |
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| Waringarri Centre © Spaswinefood |
Lakeside Caravan Park
During our two nights in Kununurra we stayed at the Lakeside Caravan Park. This Kununurra caravan park was buzzing with excitement while we were in town. At the caravan park we met many Aussies from Eastern Australia who had come to drive Gibb River Road. There was also Murphy, the black lab, who was along for an adventure on the Gibb River Road.
Each evening we enjoyed beautiful sunsets over the pond near the caravan park. Just at sunset we heard the sounds of hundreds of fruit eating bats flying high overhead. The bats were flying out from their roosts to begin their nightly feeding.
During our two nights in Kununurra we stayed at the Lakeside Caravan Park. This Kununurra caravan park was buzzing with excitement while we were in town. At the caravan park we met many Aussies from Eastern Australia who had come to drive Gibb River Road. There was also Murphy, the black lab, who was along for an adventure on the Gibb River Road.
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| Murphy (The Black Lab), Kununurra © Spaswinefood |
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| Kununurra Sunset © Spaswinefood |
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Sunset, Kununurra © Spaswinefood
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Getting to/from Kununurra
While Kununurra was our last stop in the Kimberley it can also be great place to begin a Kimberley adventure. Kununurra is a long way from any major town. The easiest way to get to Kununurra obviously is to fly. For those looking for an overland adventure then driving is a must. Overland routes include:
1. Broome to Kununurra
Kununurra is 1044 km from Broome. It is a two-day drive on the Great Northern Highway for those looking to drive straight through. We did not. We stopped at Fitzroy Crossing and Warmun. After leaving the Bungle Bungle Range we journeyed towards Kununurra, stopping overnight at Parry Farm before traveling onto Kununurra next day.
2. Darwin to Kununurra
Darwin to Katherine is 324km on the Stuart Highway and then Katherine to Kununurra (524km) on the Victoria Highway. In our case since we were driving in the opposite direction we drove to Katherine after Kununurra. Then we traveled onto Darwin, stopping in at national parks along the way.
Travelers on the road from Darwin to Broome or vice-versa will enjoy stopping over in Kununurra. As we traveled throughout the Kimberley region we came to the conclusion that this region is best explored in a 4x4 vehicle. Traveling in a 4x4 would allow access to places like the Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park and the Gibb River Road (Wyndham to Derby). The best overall experience for the more adventurous traveler would be to explore the Kimberley region in a 4x4 vehicle. We discovered that doing so from Broome or
When we left Kununurra on May 31st we traveled only 37km to cross into the Northern Territory.
Our travels along the Victoria Highway would take us onto Timber Creek, Katherine and from there to Darwin.
While Kununurra was our last stop in the Kimberley it can also be great place to begin a Kimberley adventure. Kununurra is a long way from any major town. The easiest way to get to Kununurra obviously is to fly. For those looking for an overland adventure then driving is a must. Overland routes include:
1. Broome to Kununurra
Kununurra is 1044 km from Broome. It is a two-day drive on the Great Northern Highway for those looking to drive straight through. We did not. We stopped at Fitzroy Crossing and Warmun. After leaving the Bungle Bungle Range we journeyed towards Kununurra, stopping overnight at Parry Farm before traveling onto Kununurra next day.
2. Darwin to Kununurra
Darwin to Katherine is 324km on the Stuart Highway and then Katherine to Kununurra (524km) on the Victoria Highway. In our case since we were driving in the opposite direction we drove to Katherine after Kununurra. Then we traveled onto Darwin, stopping in at national parks along the way.
Travelers on the road from Darwin to Broome or vice-versa will enjoy stopping over in Kununurra. As we traveled throughout the Kimberley region we came to the conclusion that this region is best explored in a 4x4 vehicle. Traveling in a 4x4 would allow access to places like the Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park and the Gibb River Road (Wyndham to Derby). The best overall experience for the more adventurous traveler would be to explore the Kimberley region in a 4x4 vehicle. We discovered that doing so from Broome or
When we left Kununurra on May 31st we traveled only 37km to cross into the Northern Territory.
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| Leaving Western Australia and entering Northern Territory © Spaswinefood |
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| Western Australia and Northern Territory Border © Spaswinefood |
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| Victoria Highway © Spaswinefood |
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| Baobab, Victoria Highway © Spaswinefood |
Kununurra is indeed the perfect place to start or finish explorations in the Kimberley. There is so much to do and see in the
Kimberley Region of Western Australia. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
May 2015
Kununurra
Kimberley Region
Western Australia
© Spaswinefood
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