Cocoon yourself in nature at these top Kununurra accommodations

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The East Kimberley’s gateway town of Kununurra is a remarkable place to spend a few days before or after a red-dirt outback adventure.

On the traditional Aboriginal land of the Miriwoong Gajerrong, Kununurra was created as a service town for the bold Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Here you can connect with Indigenous culture, munch on local mango, chia and bananas, and explore some of Western Australia’s most remarkable natural attractions, including World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and its beehive-shaped Bungle Bungle Range. Whether you’re in the mood for something super luxe or feeling like immersing yourself in nature, here’s a wrap of the best Kununurra accommodation.

1. Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments

Two words: tropical escape. Kununurra’s newest and only executive-style, self-contained accommodation offers a selection of studios and one to three-bedroom apartments.

the Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments
Book a stay in one of the suites at Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments.

Crawl into a cabana beside the stunning resort-style pool and depart feeling totally refreshed. The pool, gardens, seclusion… and free airport (transfers during office hours) seal the deal.

the pool at Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments 
Start the day with a refreshing morning dip.

2. Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park

An attractive caravan park set on the green lawns alongside Lily Creek Lagoon, Kimberley Waterfront Holiday Park  has waterfront villas, poolside cabins and powered caravan sites. For your downtime jump in the pool or grab a local mango smoothie from the onsite coffee shop. You will find a rare finch aviary, three guest laundries and a modern outdoor kitchen with barbeques for a cook-up.

3. Kununurra Country Club Resort

Centrally located and friendly on the wallet, the Kununurra Country Club Resort  has 88 comfortable rooms and a large pool.

outside of the restaurant at Kununurra Country Club Resort
Drop by the restaurant at Kununurra Country Club Resort.

Kelly’s, the sprawling onsite restaurant, dishes up meals featuring locally grown chia, chickpeas and tropical fruit, while the drinks’ menu boasts a range of products from the nearby Hoochery Distillery. Complimentary airport pickups and parking right outside the door sweeten the deal.

the Kelly's Bar & Grill at Kununurra Country Club
Breakfast is served at the onsite restaurant, Kelly’s Bar & Grill.

4. The Kimberley Grande Resort 

Just a five-minute walk from an ideal picnic spot at Celebrity Tree Park, this 73-room resort has a 25-metre pool, sports bar and bistro. Rooms are huge and feature varying combinations of up to three single beds, a king bed, a family room with a king and bunk bed and spa suites for those who want to live it up a little. Safety can be an issue in this area, hence the hotel has regular security patrols throughout the night and signage in the room reminding guests to lock their doors.

the premier king room at The Kimberley Grande Resort
Enjoy modern comforts at The Kimberley Grande Resort.

5. Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort

If you’re seeking a peaceful stay within walking distance of the town centre, make a beeline for the friendly Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort .

the cabin at Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort
Bed down in a cosy cabin at Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort.

You’ll find two camp kitchens, 133 powered sites and 20 sites with ensuites, plus a range of self-contained cabins, including two-bedroom villas. Furry friends are welcome at this resort.

cabins at Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort
The resort has plenty of cabins to choose from.

6. Ord Valley Delight

An easy 10-minute drive from Kununurra, this gem of a campground sits on a farm that overlooks the stunning Ord Valley. Here, the peace and serenity are only broken by the odd gentle mooing of a friendly poddy calf.

an aerial view of Ord Valley Delight
A stay at Ord Valley Delight offers remote camping like no other. (Image: Steph Connell)

With five tent sites, Ord Valley Delight  will suit the self-contained camper who can manage without any facilities – don’t forget to bring your own water. Pets are welcome. This is a hosted stay through Hipcamp.

a woman sitting in front of a campfire at Ord Valley Delight
Light a campfire at sundown. (Image: Steph Connell)

7. Hairy Dogs Fishing Camp 

One for the fishers out there. Hairy Dogs Fishing Camp  is located on the banks of the Ord River, an hour from Kununurra. Home to barramundi, lots of crocodiles and birdlife, you’ll feel close to nature at this campsite with river views.

an aerial view of Hairy Dogs Fishing Camp 
Drive across scenic landscapes towards the Hairy Dogs Fishing Camp. (Image: Jillian Robinson)

With plenty of trees for shade, a plunge pool, potable water and an ablution block with showers and flushing toilets, you’ll be a very comfy fisher/camper indeed. This is a hosted stay through Hipcamp.

8. The Cambridge Kununurra 

One to watch, The Cambridge is in the process of becoming a bigger and better hotel complex, with major works planned through to 2024/25. Within walking distance to the town centre and an easy five-minute free shuttle from Kununurra Airport, Cambridge is shaping up to be fit for royalty. Watch this space for reopening dates.

9. Kimberley Croc Motel

Located in the centre of Kununurra, Kimberley Croc Motel has lush tropical gardens, a pool and basic but clean and comfy rooms. With a supermarket across the street and a fish and chips shop attached to the facility, dining is fuss-free. Pets are welcome in specific rooms at this quiet and secure property.

10. Hotel Kununurra

Locally known as ‘The Pub’, Hotel Kununurra was established in the 1960s and has been a mainstay of the local population since. Today, the pub still remains a beloved meeting place for the local community. If you like a bit of old-fashioned hotel charm, pop by for a stay in one of the single, double or family rooms. Everything you need is close at hand.

11. Discovery Parks – Lake Kununurra 

Located on the shores of Lake Kununurra, this spacious park offers a range of caravan park sites and modern cabin accommodation . Facilities include a large pool, tennis courts, and BBQ areas. It’s an ideal spot for fishing, boating and birdwatching or just unwinding.

12. Kimberley Coastal Camp 

Access by light aircraft, float plane and helicopter, Kimberley Coastal Camp is nestled on the pristine shores of the Admiralty Gulf. Accommodation is in beachfront bungalows, all with water views, sleeping two lucky people king or twin share.

an aerial view of the pool at Kimberley Coastal Camp
Step outside your accommodation for a splash in the pool.

With a limit of just 16 guests at a time, this camp is the ideal place to hide away from the crowds and spend your time fishing, viewing ancient rock art or simply chilling out.

the boat at Kimberley Coastal Camp
Rent a boat for fishing at Kimberley Coastal Camp.

13. Faraway Bay 

Located 280 kilometres northwest of Kununurra and only accessible by helicopter or light aircraft, Faraway Bay  is nestled on a rocky hilltop overlooking the turquoise Timor Sea.

a woman sipping coffee at Faraway Bay
Sip coffee by the waterfront at Faraway Bay. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Here, you will find ancient rock art, abundant fresh and saltwater fishing and a plethora of wildlife. Scattered amongst the natural bushland, the eight spacious cabins are simple but elegant and feature private outdoor showers with ocean views.

14. Berkeley River Lodge

Only accessible by air, getting to Berkeley is half the adventure . Situated on sandhills overlooking the entrance to the Berkeley River, the villas have superb 180-degree views of the coast.

aerial coastal views at Berkeley River Lodge
Stay near the coast at Berkeley River Lodge. (Image: Wildman Productions)

Each retreat has an ensuite, open-air free-standing bathtub, dramatic glass frontage, air-con and is in walking distance to the pool and restaurant.

the infinity pool at Berkeley River Lodge
Soak up staggering views from the infinity pool. (Image: Emily Abay)

15. El Questro 

Located 110 kilometres west of Kununurra, El Questro Wilderness Park encompasses thermal springs, salt flats, deep gorges and rainforests.

a couple sitting outside their tent at El Questro Wilderness Park
Get cosy in a luxury safari tent at El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

It also boasts an excellent range of accommodation – from the super luxe Homestead to camping beside the river and pre-erected tents, this 700,000-acre slice of Kimberley wilderness has an accommodation option to suit every budget.

an aerial view of the El Questro Wilderness Park
Immerse in the Kimberley wilderness.

16. Lake Argyle Resort – Discovery Parks

‘Caravan park’ and ‘world-class pool’. It’s not often that you get those two phrases in one sentence, but Lake Argyle Resort and Caravan Park  does exactly that with its 35-metre infinity edge pool.

a woman sitting on the edge of the infinity pool at Lake Argyle Resort
Sit on the edge of the pool and take in the incredible landscape. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

With unrestricted views across Lake Argyle, this watery paradise is one of the Kimberley’s most Instagrammed. Sleeping options include plenty of grassy powered and unpowered sites, studio cabins and one-to-four-bedroom luxe villas with lake views.

an aerial view of Lake Argyle Resort
Make Lake Argyle Resort your next paradise retreat. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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8 secret places in Western Australia you need to know about

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    WA might be enormous, but the right insider knowledge brings its mysteries a whole lot closer.

    “Western Australia is a land of record-breakers,” says Carolyn Tipper, a Travel Director working on AAT Kings Western Australia tours. “It has the second-longest fault line, the second-largest meteorite crater, the second-fastest flowing river—it just keeps surprising you. And every area has its charm.”

    From tropics to deserts, Australia’s largest state is a land of extremes. You can’t see all of Western Australia in a lifetime, but with the right guide, you can discover its hidden pockets of magic.

    Carolyn wishes to reach her guests’ hearts. “I want them to enjoy and be in awe,” she says. “I want them to have the holiday of a lifetime.”

    1. Mimbi Caves

    You wouldn’t expect a Great Barrier Reef in the outback – but that’s what you’ll find at Mimbi Caves. Once part of a 350-million-year-old reef, these caves hold marine fossils, ancient Indigenous rock art, and Dreamtime stories shared by a Gooniyandi guide.

    “That’s when the real connection happens,” says Carolyn, who has taken guests through on the AAT Kings Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour . “When guests connect, not just with the land, but with the people who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.”

    Eye-level view of traveller exploring Mimbi Caves.
    Walk through ancient limestone passages. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    2. Kalbarri National Park

    Nothing prepares you for the Kalbarri Skywalk: a 25-metre platform jutting over Murchison Gorge, 100 metres above the red cliffs and river below. From July to October, join the AAT Kings Untamed Pilbara and West Coast tour to see over 1000 wildflower species paint the park, and listen as an Indigenous guide shares their uses, bush foods and medicine plants.

    “I want our guests to have an emotional experience,” says Carolyn. “It’s not just about seeing the land, it’s about stepping into the stories.”

    An aerial view of the Kalbarri Skywalk, one of the secret places in Western Australia, with visitors on the edge.
    Stand on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    3. Hamelin Bay Wines

    Margaret River isn’t just a top wine region – it’s a winner in every category. Where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide, granite cliffs rise, limestone caves sprawl and Karri forests tower. It almost distracts from the world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

    Almost.

    Out of over 100 cellar doors, AAT Kings pick Hamelin Bay Wines as a favourite. Hosted tastings of small-batch wines on the Western Wonderland tour end with a group meal. The menu shifting with the seasons.

    “Get off the beaten track to one of WA’s most relaxed venues for some amazing red and white signature wines,” explains Carolyn, “accompanied with upmarket pub food.”

    Spectacular views.

    A person raising a glass of Chardonnay against a glowing Western Australia sunset.
    Sip world-class wines at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia. (Image: Getty)

    4. Wildflower Guided Walk, Kings Park

    Western Australia is home to 12,000 native plant species – 3000 bloom in Kings Park’s Botanic Garden. Stroll past Kangaroo Paw, Banksia and blooms from the Goldfields, Stirling Ranges and Kimberley. “The diversity of Western Australia is immense,” says Carolyn, who leads guests through on the South Western Escape tour .

    Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden.
    Wander among thousands of native plant species. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    5. Hoochery Distillery

    Did you know that between Kununurra and Emma Gorge lies the state’s oldest continuously operating distillery? Well, the oldest legal one. Set on a family farm, Hoochery Distillery was hand-built using materials found on the property, conjuring up award-winning rum from local sugarcane, wet season rainwater and yeast.

    Today, visitors can sample a hearty nip of rum, along with whiskies and gins – all crafted using traditional, labour-intensive methods. It’s the ideal way to soak up the ‘spirit’ of the Kimberley on the AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour .

    People enjoying a rum tasting at one of the secret places in Western Australia.
    Sample award-winning rum. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    6. Geraldton

    The wildflowers of the Midwest will make your heart blossom. In Geraldton, the Helen Ansell Art Gallery brings the region’s botanicals to life in vivid colour and intricate detail. In nearby Mullewa, wander bushland trails lined with everlastings and native blooms. Further afield, Coalseam Conservation Park bursts into carpets of pink, white, and yellow each spring. Do it all on the Wildflower Wanderer tour with AAT Kings.

    woman walking through Wildflowers, Coalseam Conservation Park
    Chase vibrant wildflower trails. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    7. El Questro

    Wake up after a night under the stars at Emma Gorge Resort, ready to explore the mighty beauty of the El Questro Wilderness Park. With deep gorges, thermal springs, and cascading waterfalls, time slows here.

    Join the AAT Kings’ Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour to drift through Chamberlain Gorge, where sheer sandstone walls glow burnt orange in the sun, archer fish flick at the surface, and rock wallabies peer down from ledges above. Then, step into Zebedee Springs, a secret oasis of warm, crystal-clear pools among prehistoric Livistona palms – a moment of pure, wild stillness.

    Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro.
    Wake to adventure at Emma Gorge Resort. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    8. Lake Argyle

    Once vast cattle country, Lake Argyle now sprawls like an inland sea – Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake, created by the damming of the Ord River. Scattered with over 70 islands, its glassy waters teem with life, like freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bony bream, sleepy cod and over 240 bird species. That’s nearly a third of Australia’s avian population.

    Glide across the lake’s surface on a cruise as part of AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour , where the silence is only broken by the splash of fish and the call of birds. For Carolyn, this place is a perfect example of how WA’s landscapes surprise visitors. “Lake Argyle is a big puddle of water that became a game-changer,” she says. “Seeing it from a boat, coach, and plane is mind-blowing. It puts time, isolation and the sheer scale into perspective.”

    Aerial View of Triple J Tours on the Ord River, near Kununurra.
    Glide past islands on Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake. (Image: Western Australia)

    Discover more of Western Australia’s hidden gems and book your tour at aatkings.com.