Kununurra WA is untamed and adventurous and the gateway to some of Western Australia's remarkable natural attractions.
With sizzling red soil, wide open blue skies and rugged bush scenery, the place is an eye opener.
The landscape of gorges, waterfalls and cattle stations, of which some are the size of small European countries.
Although Kununurra is a fairly young town, it sits on an ancient landscape where early Aboriginal tribes roamed, the word Kununurra means 'big water' in the language of Aboriginal locals.
Kununurra is located at the eastern extremity of the Kimberley Region approximately 37 kms from the border of the Northern Territory. It was initiated to service the Ord River Irrigation scheme.
It is the largest town in Western Australia north of Broome.The town is situated in among the scenic hills and ranges of the far north-east Kimberley Region, having an abundance of fresh water, conserved by the Ord River Diversion dam and the main Ord River Dam which is down stream, and you will read about in my next blog.
On arriving at Kununurra you have to pass over the Ord River Irrigation Dam, the history behind this dam is truly amazing... for those interested read the information below...
Ord River Irrigation Scheme
With one of the fastest flowing rivers in Australia during the wet season, the rich fertile soils, the East Kimberley boasted all the dynamics for a successful irrigation scheme.
The fertile plains of the lower reaches of the Ord River have long lured pastoralists and farmers to the East Kimberley. Despite the extremely heavy rainfall in the ‘wet’ the ‘dry’ season reduced the Ord from a fast flowing river to a series of waterholes.
Without harnessing the waters there was no chance the area could sustain the cherished dream of an agricultural industry.
The only way to transform the semi-desert cattle country to a luscious, year round agricultural area would be to develop a dam on the Ord river. This would capture much of the 2500 gigilitres of water that flowed into the ocean each day during the wet season storms (enough water to supply Perth for 10 years)
In 1959 a grant from the Commonwealth Government was finally approved, enabling the Western Australian Government to start work on the massive Ord Irrigation Scheme.
The Ord Irrigation Scheme is the end result of a bold plan to develop part of the nation's tropical north for intensive irrigated agriculture by harnessing the waters of the Ord River.
The construction of the Kununurra Diversion Dam across the Ord River was completed in 1963, this development marked the completion of the first stage of the Ord Irrigation Scheme. The major capital investment also led to the establishment of the town of Kununurra which was built as the service centre for the scheme.
The Kununurra Diversion Dam was built on Bandicoot Bar and was designed to divert water from the Ord River onto the Ivanhoe Plain for irrigation. The Kununurra Diversion Dam comprised 20 radial gates mounted with a concrete framework and spillway structure to cater for fluctuating river levels.
During the wet season the gates open to allow the flood waters to pass through, whilst limiting flooding of adjacent agricultural land.
During the dry season the gates close to allow for water storage and diversion to the irrigation channel, ensuring a year- round supply of water.
The flow down the Ord River is regulated by the opening and closing of these gates year round.
The Kununurra Diversion Dam was completed following the 1962/63 wet season. Until the initial flood passed the gates were left open and were then lowered when debris and mud was cleared. In March 1963, the Queen and Prince Phillip visited the project to see the waters of the Ord harnessed for the first time.
Once finishing touches were completed, the Ord River Project was officially opened by Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies in July 1963.
Driving over the Dam
We stayed at the show ground, and quickly set up our camp for the week...
The Lodge
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