Kununurra and the Kimberley in the AIR on the WATER and under the STARS
Kununurra and the Kimberley; in the AIR, on the WATER and under the STARS
It can be difficult to plan how to best experience the national parks and majestic watercourses of the Kimberley if you are towing a caravan and also if you don’t have a 4WD. But, there are ways that you don’t have to miss out on the off road adventure. It is well known that you should absolutely not miss the spectacular Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle) and the amazing Ord River during a visit to Kununurra and the East Kimberley. This is how to do it without taking your rig off road.
The World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park is located 300 km south of Kununurra and covers almost 240,000 ha. The Bungle Bungle Range is a deeply dissected plateau that dominates the centre of this park; with its striped sandstone domes and majestic gorges.
Would you love to gaze at the 350 million year old Bungle Bungle Range from the air, with a Bungle Bungle helicopter flight? Or walk amongst the sandstone domes, into the gorges and sleep under the stars? But how to do it, when the road into the park is a 53 km unsealed stretch with a myriad of creek beds and sharp turns? Here is how – award winning helicopter company, HeliSpirit in partnership with East Kimberley Tours, has developed 3 new helicopter fly/drive tours into the Bungle Bungle which land in Purnululu National Park and link to a guided tour. There is a one day tour and overnight options, where you can stay at the Bungle Bungle Bushcamp in an ensuite safari cabin for one or 2 nights.
These Bungle Bungle helicopter tours depart from Warmun, situated halfway between Kununurra and Halls Creek on the Great Northern Highway. Included is secure storage for your vehicle and caravan in the HeliSpirit helicopter compound at Warmun. If the helicopter and bulk fuel tank is stored there safely, you can bet your precious travelling home will be safe there too!
At 650km long, the Ord River is one of WA’s largest river systems. It commences near Halls Creek and its course runs around the edge of Purnululu, on to Lake Argyle, flowing 55km to Lake Kununurra, before it exits to meet the salt water near Wyndham.
The best way to experience the Ord River is on the water, with a local guide. From Kununurra, Triple J Tours offers the longest daily river cruise in Australia covering a distance of 55km from Kununurra to the Ord Top Dam at Lake Argyle. Guides; Jeff, Grant and Dylan have lived here most of their lives and their knowledge of the wildlife and the Kimberley is second to none. Triple J vessels are modern and comfortable and the pumpkin scones served at a secluded riverside location, top off this great day.
To find out more about these “Ord-some” adventures, call us on 08 9168 1101