Kununurra

Untamed and adventurous Kununurra is the gateway to some of Western Australia's remarkable natural attractions. With sizzling red soil, wide open blue skies and rugged bush scenery, this place will enliven your senses. Well located about a three hour flight north of Perth, it's the gateway to the East Kimberley. From here visit Purnululu National Park and Bungle Bungle range, Lake Argyle, Mitchell Plateau, Ord River and Argyle Diamond Mine. This off road track journeys through a landscape of gorges, waterfalls and cattle stations the size of small European countries. Although Kununurra is a fairly young town, it sits on an ancient landscape where early Aboriginal tribes roamed. In fact, the word Kununurra means ﾑbig water' in the language of Aboriginal locals. The irrigation scheme has created a permanent waterway out of a series of waterholes. Lake Kununurra is a year-round playground for water sports enthusiasts. Lake Argyle is so vast it's rated as an inland sea. Explore the wetlands packed with bird life by cruise and canoe. Note, however, there's a local rumour that once you've tasted the waters of the Ord River, you're destined to return! Watch the sunset at Kelly's Knob Lookout, the highest point in Kununurra. Take a picnic and explore 600-million-year-old Zebra Rock. In the wet season, a local favourite swimming hole is Black Rock Falls. Minerals in the water have stained the 30-metre cliff face a dramatic black colour, creating an incredible spectacle. Mirima National Park, known by locals as ﾑHidden Valley,' is a short drive from town, packed with unusual rock formations in dramatic colours and shapes, providing fantastic photo opportunities. The month of May is a great time to visit Kununurra, especially for the annual Ord Valley Muster which ends with the Kimberley Moon Concert on the banks of the Ord River.