Surprising Kununurra

Construction of this town started in about 1963 in response to the start of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme.
It wasn’t a very auspicious start with the diversion dam being built on a Sacred Site of the original owners. The Dreaming lines of those people gradually becoming inaccessible as the waters rose.
It’s fair to say the scheme was groundbreaking and audacious engineering. As a project, there were many challenges like the remoteness and terrible roads, the poor communications (a bit like the service that Telstra offers up here today), and cantankerous seasonal weather. All of which means it’s remarkable that it ever finished.
The end result is that the town is pretty damn good. It’s nestled amongst some beautiful natural features, the man made features are quite agreeable, nor have the tourism potential been missed with so many features in close proximity.
As outsiders we notice that the Aboriginal communities are more functional and more affluent than in many towns we have seen.
The weather since 32hrs before arriving here has hit a purple patch compared to the previous month. That certainly disposed one more favourably to a place.
Still, I think e would like to stay longer.

We did a walk this morning into Mirima N.P. (Called mini Bungles), A bike ride around the town and then out to the Kununurra Lake, fix the resulting flat tyre, then a bit of caravan maintenance that was a bit outstanding. Sunset from Kelly’s Knob was sensational, but the video is disappointing because of wind noise.
Telstra stole 4 hours in trying to get our phone services/billing sorted out. Just don’t get me started.
We might go back to Kelly’s Knob for sunrise tomorrow. You will be the first to know if we do.Read more