Ord River Cruise: Lake Kununurra to Top Dam Sunset & Wildlife

Summary

Ord River day trip with fast-boat cruise, wildlife & riverside tea

You’ll feel the wildness of East Kimberley as you glide 110km along the Ord River from Kununurra to Lake Argyle. Spot birds and freshwater crocs with your local guide, pause for fresh pumpkin scones by the riverbank, and watch sunset colors spill across Lake Kununurra before heading back. It’s a day full of small surprises and quiet moments you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the water shimmered — not blue, but this muddy gold under the sun. We’d just left Kununurra Marina and our guide, Dave (who’s lived here his whole life), pointed out a jabiru stalking along the bank. I’d never seen one before — sort of awkward and elegant at the same time. The boat moved quick but you could still catch little flashes of color in the trees. There was this warm, dry smell in the air that stuck to my skin.

I kept thinking we’d get used to all that space, but every bend felt bigger than the last. Someone spotted a freshwater crocodile sunning itself on a rock — tiny compared to what I imagined, but still made me keep my hands well inside the boat. Dave told us stories about building the Ord Top Dam and how it changed everything for this part of East Kimberley. He had this way of talking like he was just chatting with friends, not giving a tour. At one point he handed out pumpkin scones at a riverside camp — they were still warm and honestly better than I expected (I took two, don’t judge).

The last stretch before the dam got wild — narrow channels, water rushing past rocks so close you could almost touch them if you dared (I didn’t). It was loud in that exhilarating way where everyone goes quiet for a minute just to take it in. Coming back downstream, we hit that late afternoon light where everything turns soft orange and even the birds seemed slower. The sunset over Lake Kununurra wasn’t showy, just calm and wide open — I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ord River Explorer Cruise and Sunset

• Coach transfer to Marina at 11:30am
• Board modern vessel for river cruise
• Cruise 55km on Ord River
• Spot birds and wildlife along river
• Experience fast-flowing water near Ord Top Dam
• Arrive at Ord Top Dam and explore
• Return downstream to riverside camp
• Enjoy afternoon tea at camp
• Watch Kimberley sunset on the water
• Return to pick up point

Top questions

How long is the Ord River Explorer Cruise?

The cruise covers 110km round trip between Kununurra and Ord Top Dam at Lake Argyle.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, coach pickup from your accommodation is included at 11:30am.

What wildlife can I see on this Ord River cruise?

You may spot birds like jabirus and freshwater crocodiles along the riverbanks.

Are refreshments provided during the cruise?

Yes, afternoon tea with pumpkin scones, cake or muffins is served riverside during the tour.

Is this cruise suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Where does the Ord River Explorer Cruise start and end?

The cruise starts in Kununurra Marina and travels up to Ord Top Dam at Lake Argyle before returning.

What time does this day trip depart?

The coach departs at 11:30am for transfer to the marina where your boat awaits.

What’s included

Your day includes coach pickup from your accommodation in Kununurra around 11:30am, a fast-boat river cruise between Lake Kununurra and Ord Top Dam at Lake Argyle with a local guide sharing stories along the way, plus afternoon tea with fresh pumpkin scones or cake served right by the river before heading back as sunset colors fill the sky.