Go Kununurra

The last sizeable stop off before reaching the WA/NT border is Kununurra. This is a relatively new town, in the Kimberley, put on the map in the 1960s to create and support the massive Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Lake Argyle is the biggest man made water body in Australia.

There is lots of great stuff to do in this region, such as the three-day canoeing trip down the Ord River from Lake Argyle back to Kununurra, with fantastic scenery, cute little crocs (harmless ‘freshies’), waterholes and Aboriginal rock art. Ask about it at the Kununurra Visitor Centre.

There are several waterholes that are safe for swimming and close to town, but ask the locals or the Visitor Centre first because you are right in the middle of croc country. If you’re really worried, use the town’s lush swimming pool.

There’s lots of fruit picking work in Kununurra, with the season going from May-November. The produce is mainly mangoes and melons, and many of the farms arrange transport or accommodation, so it’s a good place to stock up on cash for your next adventure. There are two well equipped backpacker hostels in town and several caravan parks.

Make sure you get to El Questro - WA’s million acre wilderness park - while in the region; its gorgeous gorges offer a true station atmosphere, bush entertainment and accommodation from camping through to 5-star. Good value day tours are available from Kununurra.