Ord River Explorer Cruise: 110km Kununurra river tour with sunset

Cruise 110km into gorge country and watch the landscape shift as the Ord River narrows toward the dam.

The Ord River Explorer is a 110km round-trip river cruise from Kununurra to Ord Top Dam on Lake Argyle, operated by Triple J Tours with a live English-speaking guide. Coach pickup begins at 11:30am from your accommodation, followed by fast-boat cruising through East Kimberley wilderness, afternoon tea on the riverbank, and a sunset return to Kununurra. The tour runs six hours total and suits all fitness levels.

The Experience

The day starts with a coach pickup at 11:30am that takes you to the Marina in Kununurra, where you board one of Triple J's modern vessels. From there it's 55km upriver into the outback, scanning the landscape for freshwater crocodiles sunning on rocks and the abundance of birdlife that moves through the gorge country. The water stays calm for the first stretch, giving you time to settle in and watch the terrain change.

The last 15km of the journey to Ord Top Dam is where the river tightens and the current picks up—fast-flowing water and narrow passages make this section exhilarating. You reach the dam, a man-made structure that created the entire ecosystem you've been cruising through, then turn around and head back downstream. The return journey reverses the route, so you experience that dramatic final stretch twice, each time revealing something different in the light.

Afternoon tea waits on the riverbank—pumpkin scones, cake and a muffin—before the boat heads back toward Kununurra. As you near town, the Kimberley sunset unfolds while you're still on the water, the light catching the gorge walls and the river surface. The coach returns you to your pickup point when the tour concludes.

What’s included

• Coach pickup from your accommodation at 11:30am.
• fast-boat cruise on one of Triple J's modern vessels.
• 110km round-trip journey to Ord Top Dam on Lake Argyle.
• live English-speaking guide throughout.
• afternoon tea with pumpkin scones, cake and muffin on the riverbank.
• return transport to your pickup point.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Triple J Tours

Is this one for you?The fixed 11:30am departure and six-hour structure mean the day is already built—no arranging transport, no timing the dam visit, no guessing when the sunset will hit the water. You show up, and the Kimberley unfolds on schedule.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I see on the Ord River cruise?

Freshwater crocodiles sunning themselves on rocks and an abundance of birdlife throughout the gorge country are common sightings as the boat cruises the 55km upriver stretch.

How long is the entire Ord River Explorer tour?

The tour runs six hours total, including coach pickup at 11:30am, the river cruise, afternoon tea on the riverbank, and return transport to your starting point.

What happens at the Ord Top Dam?

The Ord Top Dam is the turnaround point at the end of the 55km upriver journey; you arrive at the man-made structure that created the lake ecosystem, then the boat heads back downstream, so you experience the dramatic final stretch of fast-flowing water twice.

Is pickup from my accommodation included?

Yes, coach pickup is included; the boat departs at 11:30am from the Marina in Kununurra after collection from your accommodation.

What food and drink are provided during the cruise?

Afternoon tea on the riverbank includes pumpkin scones, cake and a muffin; you should have lunch before departure as none is provided during the tour.