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Major city · Australia

KununurraGoonoonooram

Give Kununurra 2–3 nights in the dry season (May–Sep) as a base for Lake Argyle, Mirima and the Ord; skip it in the wet unless you want heat, storms and closures.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
May–Sep (dry season)
avoid Oct–Apr (wet season: heat, humidity, road and facility closures)
Airport
KNX
Nights
2–3
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Kununurra is a small irrigation town in the east Kimberley, 45 km from the Northern Territory border, built around the Ord River dams from 1958. It is a service town with a big backyard: Lake Argyle, Mirima sandstone country, gorges and river cruises. Most travellers arrive by air from Broome or Darwin, or break the long drive on the Great Northern Highway. Two or three nights covers the town and the lake; the Gibb River Road and El Questro need more.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Kununurra, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Budget bedHostel or caravan-park cabin bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$380 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$300 (≈ US$200)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Lake ArgyleMirima National Park (Hidden Valley)Ord River cruisesKelly's Knob lookoutIvanhoe Crossing barramundi fishing
Airports
KNX East Kimberley Regional Airport (4 km west of town; Airnorth daily from Broome (about 90 min) and on to Darwin; some Perth services. Taxi to town about A$12; no bus.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Kununurra: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

36°C

25°C

13 rd

Feb

35°C

25°C

12 rd

Mar

36°C

24°C

10 rd

Apr

36°C

22°C

4 rd

May

33°C

19°C

2 rd

Jun

31°C

16°C

1 rd

Jul

31°C

15°C

1 rd

Aug

33°C

16°C

0 rd

Sep

37°C

20°C

1 rd

Oct

39°C

23°C

3 rd

Nov

39°C

25°C

5 rd

Dec

37°C

26°C

9 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car: the town is walkable but hot, and the sights (Mirima, Diversion Dam, Ivanhoe Crossing, Lake Argyle) are 5–70 km out. Hire from the airport agencies; fleets are small, so reserve. Free parking, no traffic lights. Fuel at the 24-hour Ord River Roadhouse.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Lake Argyle

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Drive Victoria Hwy east, then Lake Argyle Road (sealed), about 70 km

Australia's second-largest artificial lake; swim, cruise or fish. The resort village is the only bed at the lake.

Mirima National Park (Hidden Valley)

go

Door to door: Under 15 min

Drive or walk to Hidden Valley Rd, 2 km from town

Sandstone formations with 0.5–4 km trails; go early or late for cooler air and better light. Vehicle entry fee applies.

Ivanhoe Crossing

caution

Door to door: About 15 min

Sealed Ivanhoe Road north, about 10 km

Fishing and BBQ spot; the crossing is submerged and can be impassable after rain. Freshwater crocodiles.

Wyndham and El Questro

overnight

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Victoria Hwy west, about 100 km

El Questro is a wilderness park with gorges and springs; too much for a rushed return day.

Warmun (Turkey Creek)

overnight

Door to door: About 2.5 h

Great Northern Highway southwest, about 200 km

Community art centre and access to Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) country; plan a night.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Coolibah Drive / Konkerberry Drive)

Walk to shops, Visitor Centre and cafés; most motels and caravan parks are here.

Lake Argyle resort village

35 km southeast on Lake Argyle Road; the only bed at the lake, so book ahead in the dry.

Ivanhoe Road / Showgrounds side

Caravan resorts and the race club east of town; you need a car.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
Mid
A$150–260 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
High
A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 2 nights × A$220A$440
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$160A$640
Airport taxi to town2 × A$12 · checkA$24
Mirima National Park vehicle entry1 × A$17 · checkA$17
Lake Argyle cruise, half day2 × A$150 · checkA$300
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$147
Trip total≈ A$405 per person per day, bed includedA$1,618≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and 4WD hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
Pub meal or burgerA$22–35 (≈ US$15–25)
Supermarket groceries, one dayColes and Tucker Box IGA; stock is trucked in, so fresh items can be limited.A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)
Fuel, per litrecheck; Ord River Roadhouse is open 24 h.A$2.00–2.30 (≈ US$2)
Lake Argyle cruise, half daycheckA$130–180 (≈ US$90–120)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Kununurra is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are heat and humidity, crocodiles in river pools, submerged crossings after rain, and long remote drives with road trains and wildlife at dusk.
  • Wet season (Oct–Apr): 35–39°C highs, high humidity, unsealed roads and some tours closed.
  • Freshwater crocodiles at Ivanhoe Crossing and other river pools: swimming is unwise.
  • Ivanhoe Crossing is submerged after rain and can become impassable; check before driving.
  • Long drives with road trains and kangaroos at dusk: plan fuel and daylight.
  • WA quarantine rules on fruit, vegetables and plant material arriving from the NT: declare or eat it first.
  • Prices are high: goods are trucked in.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

KununurraGoonoonooram

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

No embassies in Kununurra; consulates-general in Perth, embassies in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • KNX airport → town, taxi: about A$12 (≈ US$8) (check)
  • Mirima National Park, vehicle entry: A$17 (≈ US$12) (check)
  • Lake Argyle cruise, half day: A$130–180 (≈ US$90–120) (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Excuse me — Excuse me
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is it safe to swim here? — Is it safe to swim here?

English is the working language; Miriwoong is the local Aboriginal language.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kununurra. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep (dry season) · avoid Oct–Apr (wet season: heat, humidity, road and facility closures) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for KNX: Airnorth and Virgin arrival times, taxi and hotel-transfer fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking and driving clusters with rescue anchors: town centre, Mirima and Kelly's Knob, Diversion Dam and Lake Kununurra, Lake Argyle.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Mirima, Lake Argyle, Ivanhoe Crossing, Kelly's Knob) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Wet-season and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources