Looking for things to do in Kununurra? I love this small town in Western Australia, and here are my top things to see and experience.
Kununurra is the gateway to the Kimberley region of Western Australia – an area that’s roughly the size of the whole of Sweden. Kununurra is where many travellers kick off (or end) their journey along the epic Gibb River Road, and it’s the first town you’ll hit when you cross into WA from the Northern Territory.
We had absolutely no idea what to expect as we drove into Kununurra – the remote towns of Australia can be hit and miss. But with a national park right in town, lakes and rivers, hiking and watering holes, Kununurra punches well above its weight, and we decided to spend almost a week here while on our half lap of Australia.
In this guide, I’ll take you through some of the things we loved seeing and doing, as well as practical tips for visiting Kununurra.
This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Things to do in Kununurra
1. Hike in Mirima National Park
Imagine stepping into a landscape that looks like it was sculpted by an artist. That’s Mirima National Park.
Described as the mini Bungle Bungles, if you can’t make it to see the real thing in Purnululu National Park, Mirima National Park is your next best option. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Kununurra town centre and there are a handful of hiking trails that meander through the unique rock formations. Here, you can get a glimpse of the distinctive beehive-shaped domes (similar to Purnululu’s, but much smaller), covered in the black-green algae and lichen that help protect the sandstone from weathering.
There are five main trails in the park, and each is fairly short, so you can easily fit a couple in. The Derdbe-gerring Banan Trail is an 800-metre return hike that leads to great views of the Ord River Valley. Our favourite hike was the Demboong Banan Trail, a short, 500-metre return trail through a narrow gap that ends with views over town.
The best time to visit is either early morning or late afternoon when the light casts a magical glow over the rock faces.
Don’t forget – you’ll need a WA Parks Pass to enter.
2. Head out to Lake Argyle
Lake Argyle isn’t just any lake; it’s Australia’s largest man-made freshwater reservoir and a beautiful spot to visit.
We actually stayed here for a few nights, but it’s under an hour’s drive from Kununurra, so it’s an easy day trip.
Take a hike to one of the lookouts for views over the lake to get a sense of just how big this water body is. We were also fascinated by the dam wall itself and the sheer amount of water pumping through each day. There are great views over the lake from the road that leads here, as well as a shady picnic spot opposite the power station.
Get out on the water for some kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding – but be aware there are an estimated 20,000 freshwater crocodiles that live in the lake! They’re unlikely to attack humans, though.
One of the most popular things to do on the lake is a sunset boat cruise. Have a swim by the boat, a few drinks and watch the sun go down – the sunsets here are absolutely epic.
3. Sip rum at Hoochery Distillery
For those who appreciate a good tipple, a visit to Hoochery Distillery is a must. The oldest continuously operating distillery in Western Australia, you can take a tour to learn more about how they make their award-winning rum.
We didn’t bother with a tour and went straight for the tasting (and may have purchased a bottle or two!).
There’s also a cafe onsite (open from May to September) with a great range of food. While it may not be a traditional pairing with a rum tasting, I highly recommend the ice cream sandwich!
4. Take a drive across Ivanhoe Crossing
A visit to Ivanhoe Crossing is a must-do when in Kununurra. It’s one of the iconic images of the region and a spot where you’ll always see something interesting!
Ivanhoe Crossing is both a functional crossing and a popular spot for fishing and photography. This causeway cuts straight through the Ord River. While it’s mostly used by residents who need to cross it to get home or to work, Ivanhoe Crossing is often submerged, so you’ll usually see 4WDers attempting to cross it for a bit of fun – sometimes with the water gushing up around their tyres or even up around the car doors!
After seeing someone get stuck on the causeway and almost washed off, we wisely decided not to cross and instead spent some time watching everyone else attempt it. This is not a place you want to be washed away – saltwater crocs live in these waters! While it’s one of the most popular things to do in Kununurra WA, please be careful!
5. Chill out by Lake Kununurra
Lake Kununurra is the heart of the town and it’s a beautiful spot. You can take a cruise on the river, try your hand at skiing or rowing, and we even heard of people swimming in the lake – though keep an eye out for crocodiles!
We stayed at a caravan park right on the lake and every night a friendly freshwater crocodile named George would swim over to the lake shore and watch all the tourists snapping pics of him. Seeing him was enough to keep me out of the water.
The boat cruises are incredibly popular; they seemed to be full every single night. You can take tours up to the wetlands or a sunset dinner cruise. The popular Triple J Tours run a tour from Lake Argyle to Lake Kununurra (with pick up in Kununurra) which includes afternoon tea, wildlife spotting and sunset return to Kununurra.
Sunsets here are nothing short of epic, and each night bats swarm up from the trees and are silhouetted over the lake. It’s one of the relaxing spots to spend an evening.
6. Hunt down some swimming holes
Kununurra is blessed with several natural swimming holes – but they’re best visited during the wet season. Mayiba (Middle Springs), Thegooyeng (Black Rock Falls) and Galjiba (Molly Springs) are three local favourites. These spots offer refreshing swims and picturesque settings that make them worth the trek.
We visited a few of the waterfalls and springs – but the waterfalls were more of a trickle and the murky water wasn’t enticing when we couldn’t see what was underneath! Despite that, it’s worth a drive out – pack a picnic and spend a relaxing afternoon.
7. Take a tour with Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts is a fabulous art gallery and one of the top Kununurra attractions. In the heart of Miriwoong Country, the gallery showcases incredible Indigenous artworks – with plenty of pieces available to buy.
The gallery also offers fascinating tours that provide insights into the local Aboriginal culture and history. Two of the best tours are the Sunset Tour and Mirima National Park Walk. Both are accompanied by Miriwoong guides who share local knowledge, stories and history. If you’re looking for a mix of nature and culture, these tours are one of the best things to do in Kununurra.
8. Spot celebs at Celebrity Tree Park
Where Hollywood has its Walk of Fame, Kununurra has its Celebrity Tree Park.
Well, not quite.
This quirky park features trees planted by notable personalities like Baz Luhrmann, John Farnham, and even Princess Anne. Each tree has a plaque that lists its celebrity. It’s a fun stop to add to your Kununurra itinerary – wander through the trees and see which famous people have passed through Kununurra.
9. Take a day trip to El Questro
El Questro is one of the most iconic places to visit in the Kimberley. This 700,000-acre property has everything from relaxing hot springs to hikes, all set against a backdrop of towering gorges and waterfalls.
Spend the day exploring Emma Gorge, hiking to El Questro Gorge (4WD with snorkel required to get to the start of the gorge) or relaxing in Zebedee Springs.
I’d recommend starting your day early – these spots get busy very quickly!
If you love it here and want to stay longer, that’s easy. El Questro Station has accommodation options from campsites to 5-star luxury lodgings (popular with celebs like Chris Hemsworth). Book in advance, though – the campsites and glamping tents book up very quickly during the dry season.
10. Pick up some souvenirs
As well as picking up a bottle of Hoochery Distillery Rum, there are other stores in Kununurra that sell souvenirs I’ve never seen elsewhere.
Zebra Rock Gallery has beautiful handmade art and homewares all made from the rare and beautiful zebra rock. This rock has distinct black and white patterns, just like its namesake, and everything we saw was stunning. They also make products out of other uniquely patterned stone.
There’s also The Sandalwood Shop, which has everything from soothing oils to fragrant soaps and mosquito coils. There’s a short video that highlights the history of sandalwood and how this bewitchingly smelling timber is processed.
11. Take a flight over the Bungle Bungles
I’ve only ever seen the famous Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park from the ground – but from the air it would be even more incredible.
Splurge on this once-in-a-lifetime experience and spend time soaring over the Bungle Bungles – your jaw will drop at the beauty of this region. Aviair, HeliSpirit and Kimberley Air Tours all offer scenic flights over Purnululu National Park.
This tour even drops you on the ground for a tour of some of the highlights of Purnululu – the Domes Walk and Cathedral Gorge – before whisking you back to Kununurra by air. Check availability online now. It’s a long drive from Kununurra to Purnululu National Park, so this is one way to see this stunning park if you’re short on time.
12. Fly over Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls)
Want to go further by air? If you’re not travelling the Gibb River Road, this is your chance to see the grandeur of Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls).
On Wunambal Gaambera Country, Punamii-Uunpuu is the jewel of Mitchell River National Park, home to ancient Aboriginal rock art, rocky plateaus and plenty more waterfalls.
This is a remote area that’s difficult to get to, but several charter companies – Aviair, HeliSpirit and Kimberley Air Tours – have day tours from Kununurra to showcase this beautiful part of the Kimberley.
13. Chat to the team at the Visitor Centre
If Kununurra is your starting point for the Kimberley, make a stop at the Kununurra Visitor Centre. The staff here are incredibly helpful and can provide up-to-date information on what to do in Kununurra, events and road conditions. If you’re planning to explore beyond Kununurra, especially the Gibb River Road, this is the place to get all the information you need.
Map of Kununurra attractions
Practical tips for visiting Kununurra
Where is Kununurra?
Kununurra is the gateway to the East Kimberley region, just 42 kilometres from the Northern Territory border.
To get here, you can come by road or air.
By road
From Darwin, it’s a drive of about 900 kilometres to Kununurra. Head south on the Stuart Highway via Katherine, then take the Victoria Highway all the way to Kununurra. From Katherine to Kununurra, it’s about a 5.5 hour drive.
Coming from Broome? It’s roughly a 1,000-kilometre journey via the Great Northern Highway. Kununurra is a great stop on a Broome to Darwin road trip (an excellent Australian road trip!). Alternatively, you can tackle the Gibb River Road, but you’ll need to add a few extra days onto your itinerary for this journey along Australia’s most iconic former stock route.
By air
There are direct flights to Kununurra from Broome, Darwin and Perth. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Australia, you’ll need to connect via one of these cities.
Virgin Australia, Airnorth and Nexus fly these routes – check Skyscanner for the latest schedules and airfares.
You can then rent a car in Kununurra, which you’ll definitely need to get around.
Best time to visit Kununurra
Kununurra has a tropical climate, which means it has distinct wet and dry seasons. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from May to September, when the weather is cooler and most attractions are easily accessible. The wet season, from October to April, brings heavy rains and can make some roads impassable – but on the flip side, it’s also when the waterfalls and swimming holes are at their most spectacular.
One of the best – but busiest! – times to visit Kununurra is for the Ord Valley Muster, a 9-day community festival that highlights the best of the region. There’s always music, entertainment and food. If you’re not fussed about joining the crowds, this is an amazing time to be in town.
Where to stay in Kununurra
Kununurra is a popular place to stay, so there’s plenty of accommodation. We loved our time at Discovery Parks Lake Kununurra, which was right on Lake Kununurra. Our campsite was on the lake shore, which meant lovely views every morning and evening. The facilities are great and sites are shady. Book online with Booking.com or Expedia
When it comes to hotels in Kununurra, The Kimberley Grande Resort has spacious rooms and a lovely pool area (book on Booking.com or Expedia), while the Kimberley Croc Motel is a great budget-friendly choice that gets good reviews (book on Booking.com or Expedia).
For a self-contained option, Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments has a choice of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Book online with Booking.com or Expedia
Final thoughts: Things to do in Kununurra
If you’re heading from the Northern Territory to Western Australia you’ll have no choice but to pass through Kununurra – but I reckon this lovely little town is worth at least a few days.
Don’t fly through here, take some time to see it. From the striking landscapes of Mirima National Park to sunsets over Lake Kununurra, it’s a beautiful place to stay a while.
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Now you know the best things to do in Kununurra, what are you planning to do when you visit?
Related posts
Before you go… you might like these Australia travel guides:
- The ultimate Australia bucket list
- A 2-week Darwin to Broome road trip – no 4WD required!
- The best things to do in the Kimberley
- Everything you need to know before visiting Purnululu National Park
- An epic Adelaide to Darwin road trip itinerary
- 10-day Northern Territory road trip
AUSTRALIA TRIP ESSENTIALS
- Book your flight to Australia online with Skyscanner. I like this site because it shows me which dates are cheaper.
- Find a great hotel in Australia. Check prices on Booking.com and Expedia online.
- Check out the huge range of day tours throughout Australia on GetYourGuide or Viator. There’s something for everyone.
- A copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Australia will be handy.
- One thing I always purchase is travel insurance! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.
- Pack sunscreen (look for SPF50 or higher), a hat and sunglasses because the sun is hot!
- If beaches are on your Australian itinerary, pack one of these Tesalate beach towels, which are incredible at repelling sand (and an Aussie brand!).
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