The Ord River incorporates two man-made barriers. Lakes Argyle and Kununurra were created via the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. The Kununurra Diversion Dam is located six kilometres west of the town of Kununurra.

The Ord River Floodplain is now classified as a Ramsar Wetland Site and is included on the List of Wetlands of International Importance. The Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar in Iran in 1971 and is an intergovernmental treaty which provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

The Five Rivers Lookout at Cambridge Gulf provides visitors with a spectacular panorama of the area. The Cambridge Gulf stretch of the Ord River is a one of the best places for barramundi fishing. It’s also home to large saltwater crocodiles – swimming is not advised.

A visit to the area in the wet season will provide ensure a vista of waterfalls cascading into Carlton Gorge.

There are various companies that offer a range of boating and canoeing tours along the stretch of water that lies between the Kununurra Diversion Dam and the dam wall at Lake Argyle.

Location: the Ord River runs through Kununurra, which is 1,047 kilometres north east of Broome and 101 kilometres from Wyndham.

Australia’s North West

Kununurra Visitor Centre