Kununurra, Western Australia: Difference between revisions
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| caption = Kununurra in summer from Hidden Valley National Park lookout |
| caption = Kununurra in summer from Hidden Valley National Park lookout |
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| lga = [[Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley]] |
| lga = [[Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley]] |
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| local_map = yes |
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| zoom = 8 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|15|46|25|S|128|44|19|E|display=inline,title}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|15|46|25|S|128|44|19|E|display=inline,title}} |
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| pushpin_label_position= left |
| pushpin_label_position= left |
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Western Australia |
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Western Australia |
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| postcode = 6743 |
| postcode = 6743 |
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| pop = <!--leave blank to draw the latest automatically from Wikidata--> |
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| pop = 5,308 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2016}} |
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| area = {{cvt |input=P2046}} |
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| pop_footnotes = <ref name="census">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC50792|name=Kununurra (State Suburb)|accessdate=2019-12-08|quick=on}} Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].</ref> |
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| est = 1961 |
| est = 1961 |
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| stategov = [[Electoral district of Kimberley|Kimberley]] |
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Kimberley|Kimberley]] |
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'''Kununurra''' is a town in far northern [[Western Australia]] located at the eastern extremity of the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] approximately {{convert|45|km|mi|0}} from the border with the [[Northern Territory]]. Kununurra was initiated to service the [[Ord River Irrigation Scheme]]. |
'''Kununurra''' is a town in far northern [[Western Australia]] located at the eastern extremity of the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] approximately {{convert|45|km|mi|0}} from the border with the [[Northern Territory]]. Kununurra was initiated to service the [[Ord River Irrigation Scheme]]. It is located on the traditional lands of the [[Miriwoong]], an [[Aboriginal Australian]] people. |
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Kununurra is the largest town in Western Australia north of [[Broome, Western Australia|Broome]], with the closest town being [[Wyndham, Western Australia|Wyndham]], {{convert|100|km|mi|0}} away. Kununurra is {{convert|3040|km|mi|0}} from [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] via the [[Great Northern Highway]]. |
Kununurra is the largest town in Western Australia north of [[Broome, Western Australia|Broome]], with the closest town being [[Wyndham, Western Australia|Wyndham]], {{convert|100|km|mi|0}} away. Kununurra is {{convert|3040|km|mi|0}} from [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] via the [[Great Northern Highway]]. |
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The town is situated |
The town is situated 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. |
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The tropical agriculture crops grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) have changed over the years. Tourism and mining have also become important to the local economy. |
The tropical agriculture crops grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) have changed over the years. Tourism and mining have also become important to the local economy. |
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== Characteristics == |
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Kununurra has a transient population; if itinerant residents, the outlying farm areas and communities were included in census population figures, it is estimated numbers would have exceeded 7,000 for 2006, as opposed to the actual figure of 5,619.<ref name="kununurra1">{{cite web|url=http://www.kununurra.org.au/research/transient-population |title=Transient Population of Kununurra - Kimberley History |publisher=Kununurra.org.au |date=2011-02-12 |access-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> An influx in the dry season (From April to September) of tourists and itinerant farm workers can push up the population to around 10,000.<ref name="kununurra1"/> |
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[[File:Sandelholzplantagen Kununurra.JPG|thumb|left|200px|[[Indian Sandalwood]] plantations at Kununurra]] |
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Key farm activities include the growing of [[melons]], [[mangoes]] and until recently, [[sugar cane]]. Farmers are now turning to a more lucrative (though longer term) crop of [[Santalum album|Indian sandalwood]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/scent-of-success-in-sandalwood-farms/story-e6frg9gx-1111114867714 | title=Scent of success in sandalwood farms | date=17 November 2007 | work=The Australian}}</ref> Other crops that have been grown in the Ord are [[cotton]], [[safflower]] and [[rice]], which is being trialled once again, having been the first crop planted on the Pilot Farm in 1960. The town has a melon picking season, which attracts migratory farm workers to the area. There is also a thriving tourism industry with most tourist operators capitalising on the scenery of the [[Ord River]], [[Lake Argyle]], Diversion Dam and other local locations, including the relatively nearby [[Bungle Bungle Range]]. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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[[File:Ord River EW Digby-12.jpg|thumb|Bandicoot Bar, Ord river before construction of dam started]] |
[[File:Ord River EW Digby-12.jpg|thumb|Bandicoot Bar, Ord river before construction of dam started]] |
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[[File:Ord River 1962 EW Digby-13.jpg|thumb|Construction of the Ord river diversion dam]] |
[[File:Ord River 1962 EW Digby-13.jpg|thumb|Construction of the Ord river diversion dam]] |
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The history of the idea of agriculture on the Ord River dates from the 19th century. On the first pastoral lease map (held by WA State Records Office) for the area dated 1887, it shows the northern bank between Wyndham and Kununurra, near House Roof Hill was held as a "Concession for Sugar Cane Planting," although it was never taken up. The idea of tropical agriculture on the Ord was discussed much from the earliest dates, but the land remained under pastoral lease until 1960. |
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Kununurra was built on land resumed from [[Ivanhoe Station]] pastoral lease before 1961,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kununurra.org.au/khs/research/1961-townsite-proclamation |title=1961 Townsite Proclamation - Kimberley History |publisher=Kununurra.org.au |access-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> as the town for the Ord River Irrigation Area which started as the Ord River Project or Ord Scheme, with survey work starting in 1959. [[Lake Kununurra]] is the flooded section of the [[Ord River]] valley that was formerly known as Carlton Reach, which was at times a {{convert|10|km||adj=mid|-long}} waterhole held back by the natural rock barrier known as Bandicoot Bar. At this site in 1959 drilling and blasting marked the start of construction of the Ord River Diversion Dam, which is anchored down onto the Bandicoot Bar. This dam with twenty radial flood gates was almost completed when visited by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] in March 1963, then later completed and officially opened by then Prime Minister, [[Robert Menzies]] on 20 July 1963 when he said that Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) is "... the most exciting place in Australia". |
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As well as the town site some ORIA farmers live on their farms; however the initial idea of the Ord Scheme was for "closer settlement" to allow farmers the convenience of living in the town and since the start of the first Pilot Farm in 1960 most farmers in the valley had lived in the town. However, many people now live on their irrigation farms. Other agricultural and residential localities exist within a {{convert|50|km|adj=on}} radius of the town, including various Aboriginal Communities, Crossing Falls, the Riverfarm Road and Packsaddle farm areas, and the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture, formerly known as the Kimberley Research Station (KRS). KRS started in 1945 from the original Carlton Reach Research Station, set up by Kimberley Michael Durack with help from his brother William Aiden Durack in 1941, and support from the [[WA Department of Agriculture]] and the [[WA Public Works Department]], being the first serious attempt at tropical agriculture on the banks of the Ord River. It was also in 1941 that [[Russell Dumas]] inspected the Ord gorges for dam sites on behalf of the Public Works Department. |
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The history of the idea of agriculture on the Ord River dates from the 19th Century. On the first pastoral lease map (held by WA State Records Office) for the area dated 1887, it shows the northern bank between Wyndham and Kununurra, near House Roof Hill was held as a "Concession for Sugar Cane Planting," although it was never taken up. The idea of tropical agriculture on the Ord was discussed much from the earliest dates, but the land remained under pastoral lease until 1960. |
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Kununurra was built on land resumed from [[Ivanhoe Station]] pastoral lease before 1961,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kununurra.org.au/khs/research/1961-townsite-proclamation |title=1961 Townsite Proclamation - Kimberley History |publisher=Kununurra.org.au |access-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> as the town for the Ord River Irrigation Area which started as the Ord River Project or Ord Scheme, with survey work starting in 1959. [[Lake Kununurra]] is the flooded section of the [[Ord River]] valley that was formerly known as Carlton Reach, which was at times a ten kilometre long waterhole held back by the natural rock barrier known as Bandicoot Bar. At this site in 1959 drilling and blasting marked the start of construction of the Ord River Diversion Dam, which is anchored down onto the Bandicoot Bar. This dam with twenty radial flood gates was almost completed when visited by the Queen and Prince Philip in March 1963, then later completed and officially opened by then Prime Minister, (Sir) [[Robert Menzies]] on 20 July 1963 when he said that Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) is "..the most exciting place in Australia". |
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As well as the town site some ORIA farmers live on their farms; however the initial idea of the Ord Scheme was for "closer settlement" to allow farmers the convenience of living in the town and since the start of the first Pilot Farm in 1960 most farmers in the valley had lived in the town. However, many people now live on their irrigation farms. Other agricultural and residential localities exist within a 50 km radius of the town, including various Aboriginal Communities, Crossing Falls, the Riverfarm Road and Packsaddle farm areas, and the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture, formerly known as the Kimberley Research Station (KRS). KRS started in 1945 from the original Carlton Reach Research Station, set up by Kimberley Michael Durack with help from his brother William Aiden Durack in 1941, and support from the [[WA Department of Agriculture]] and the [[WA Public Works Department]], being the first serious attempt at tropical agriculture on the banks of the Ord River. It was also in 1941 that (later Sir) [[Russell Dumas]] inspected the Ord gorges for dam sites on behalf of the Public Works Department. |
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The scheme involved damming the Ord River by building the Ord River [[diversion dam]] so that the waters could be conserved and directed to irrigate about {{convert|750|km2}} of land. By 1966, there were 31 farms on the Ord River plains. In 1968 the second stage of the scheme was started with the building of the Ord River Dam (or Ord River Main Dam), known locally as "Top Dam," which holds back the waters of Lake Argyle. |
The scheme involved damming the Ord River by building the Ord River [[diversion dam]] so that the waters could be conserved and directed to irrigate about {{convert|750|km2}} of land. By 1966, there were 31 farms on the Ord River plains. In 1968 the second stage of the scheme was started with the building of the Ord River Dam (or Ord River Main Dam), known locally as "Top Dam," which holds back the waters of Lake Argyle. |
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Flooding of the Ord River continued until completion of the Main Ord River Dam situated 55 |
Flooding of the Ord River continued until completion of the Main Ord River Dam situated {{convert|55|km}} upstream from Kununurra, which was started in 1968, and officially opened on 30 June 1972, with support from [[WA Premier]] [[John Tonkin]], by then Prime Minister [[William McMahon]], when he said "This marks the beginning of Ord Stage II (Two)." The Ord River Dam flooded the land of the Argyle Downs station, the home station of the pioneering [[Patrick Durack|Durack family]], to form what has become known as [[Lake Argyle]]. Stone work from the original Argyle Downs homestead, was removed before Lake Argyle filled and was re-erected near the dam site to become the Argyle Downs Homestead Museum. The Museum had been run by [[Tourism WA]] but was taken on by the Kununurra Visitor Centre during 2010. |
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The second stage of the Ord Project still has not been fully developed but new work is underway. In May 2010, with major funding from the Federal Government, the extension of the main channel construction got underway under the Moonamang Joint Venture |
The second stage of the Ord Project still has not been fully developed but new work is underway. In May 2010, with major funding from the Federal Government, the extension of the main channel construction got underway under the Moonamang Joint Venture.{{needs update |date=September 2021 |reason=This is now over a decade ago. What happened? Did it finish? }} |
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Kununurra post office opened on 1 September 1960.<ref name = "Post Office">{{Citation| last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=wa&country=| access-date = 21 January 2016}}</ref> |
Kununurra post office opened on 1 September 1960.<ref name = "Post Office">{{Citation| last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=wa&country=| access-date = 21 January 2016}}</ref> |
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==Etymology== |
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The name Kununurra is derived from the English pronunciation of the word {{lang |mep |Goonoonoorrang |label=none }} (alternatively {{lang |mep |Gananoorrang |label=none }}) which in the [[Miriwoong language]] means "river". It is a widespread myth<ref>"Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre" {{cite web |url=http://mirima.org.au/our-country.html |title=Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring | Mirima Place for Talking | Our Country |access-date=2016-05-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228022433/http://mirima.org.au/our-country.html |archive-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> that it means '(Meeting of) Big Waters' or 'Big River'.<ref>{{cite web |title = Gunanurang: (Kununurra) big river. |url = http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/DOE_ADMIN/TECH_REPORTS_REPOSITORY/TAB1019688/ABORIGINAL_VALUES.PDF |publisher = East Perth, W.A.: Waters and Rivers Commission |work = Department of Environment and Conservation |access-date = 2008-04-08 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081003132318/http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/DOE_ADMIN/TECH_REPORTS_REPOSITORY/TAB1019688/ABORIGINAL_VALUES.PDF |archive-date = 3 October 2008}}</ref> One also finds accounts of the name of Kununurra which state that it was the Miriwoong name for this part of the Ord River, which makes sense in that the Ord River runs for hundreds of kilometres coming from the south near [[Halls Creek, Western Australia|Hall's Creek]]. It is stated to be likely that other parts of the Ord River were known by other Aboriginal language names, by the various tribal language group areas, over which the river traverses. |
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A 1943 soil classification had named the volcanic clay known locally as "blacksoil", being the predominant soil type of the irrigation area, as "Cununurra Clay" and "Cununurra" was put forward as a possible name, among others in 1960. The General Post Office (GPO) representative from WA on the Nomenclature Committee, objected saying that Cununurra was too close in name to the town of [[Cunnamulla, Queensland|Cunnamulla]] and that could cause postal confusion. A compromise was reached and "K" was used with an argument having been put forward that this would bring it into line with other East Kimberley placenames, such as Kalumburu, and Karunjie. The name was only finally decided just days before the newest town of the Kimberley region, being gazetted on 10 February 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kununurra.org.au/khs/research/1959-naming-kununurra |title=1959 Naming Kununurra - Kimberley History |publisher=Kununurra.org.au |date=2011-02-24 |access-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> |
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==Population== |
==Population== |
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Kununurra has a transient population; if itinerant residents, the outlying farm areas and communities were included in census population figures, it is estimated numbers would have exceeded 7,000 for 2006, as opposed to the actual figure of 5,619.<ref name="kununurra1">{{cite web|url=http://www.kununurra.org.au/research/transient-population |title=Transient Population of Kununurra - Kimberley History |publisher=Kununurra.org.au |date=2011-02-12 |access-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> An influx in the dry season (from April to September) of tourists and itinerant farm workers can push up the population to around 10,000.<ref name="kununurra1"/> |
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According to the [[2016 Australian census|2016 census]] of Population, there were 5,308 people in Kununurra. |
According to the [[2016 Australian census|2016 census]] of Population, there were 5,308 people in Kununurra. |
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* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 22.9% of the population. |
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 22.9% of the population. |
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* 71.8% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.6% and New Zealand 2.1%. |
* 71.8% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.6% and New Zealand 2.1%. |
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* 76.4% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included [[Miriwoong language|Miriwoong]] 2.2%. |
* 76.4% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included [[Miriwoong language|Miriwoong]] 2.2%. |
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* The most common responses for religion were No Religion 38.8% and Catholic 19.0%.<ref name="census"/> |
* The most common responses for religion were No Religion 38.8% and Catholic 19.0%.<ref name="census">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC50792|name=Kununurra (State Suburb)|accessdate=2019-12-08|quick=on}} Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].</ref> |
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==Etymology== |
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The name Kununurra is derived from the English pronunciation of the word ''Goonoonoorrang'' (alternatively ''Gananoorrang'') which in the [[Miriwoong language]] means 'river'. It is a widespread myth<ref>"Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre" {{cite web |url=http://mirima.org.au/our-country.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-05-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228022433/http://mirima.org.au/our-country.html |archive-date=28 February 2016}}</ref> that it means '(Meeting of) Big Waters' or 'Big River'.<ref>{{cite web |title = Gunanurang: (Kununurra) big river. |url = http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/DOE_ADMIN/TECH_REPORTS_REPOSITORY/TAB1019688/ABORIGINAL_VALUES.PDF |publisher = East Perth, W.A.: Waters and Rivers Commission |work = Department of Environment and Conservation |access-date = 2008-04-08 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081003132318/http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/DOE_ADMIN/TECH_REPORTS_REPOSITORY/TAB1019688/ABORIGINAL_VALUES.PDF |archive-date = 3 October 2008}}</ref> One also finds accounts of the name of Kununurra which state that it was the Miriwoong name for this part of the Ord River, which makes sense in that the Ord River runs for hundreds of kilometres coming from the south near [[Halls Creek, Western Australia|Hall's Creek]]. It is stated to be likely that other parts of the Ord River were known by other Aboriginal language names, by the various tribal language group areas, over which the river traverses. |
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A 1943 soil classification had named the volcanic clay known locally as "blacksoil", being the predominant soil type of the irrigation area, as "Cununurra Clay" and "Cununurra" was put forward as a possible name, among others in 1960. The General Post Office (GPO) representative from WA on the Nomenclature Committee, objected saying that Cununurra was too close in name to the town of [[Cunnamulla, Queensland|Cunnamulla]] and that could cause postal confusion. A compromise was reached and "K" was used with an argument having been put forward that this would bring it into line with other East Kimberley placenames, such as Kalumburu, and Karunjie. The name was only finally decided just days before the newest town of the Kimberley region, being gazetted on 10 February 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kununurra.org.au/khs/research/1959-naming-kununurra |title=1959 Naming Kununurra - Kimberley History |publisher=Kununurra.org.au |date=2011-02-24 |access-date=2012-02-14}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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The landscape surrounding Kununurra includes features such as Valentine Spring, Black Rock Creek and Middle Springs along with many other [[waterfalls]] and swimming holes. Popular fishing spots include [[Ivanhoe Crossing]], The Diversion Dam, Buttons Crossing, and various locations along the Dunham and [[Ord River|Ord]] Rivers. |
The landscape surrounding Kununurra includes features such as Valentine Spring, Black Rock Creek and Middle Springs along with many other [[waterfalls]] and swimming holes. Popular fishing spots include [[Ivanhoe Crossing]], The Diversion Dam, Buttons Crossing, and various locations along the Dunham and [[Ord River|Ord]] Rivers. |
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The town is located close to the confluence of the [[Ord River|Ord]] and the [[Dunham River]]. [[Lake Argyle]], Australia's largest artificial lake, over {{convert|100|km2}} in size, is 72 |
The town is located close to the confluence of the [[Ord River|Ord]] and the [[Dunham River]]. [[Lake Argyle]], Australia's largest artificial lake, over {{convert|100|km2}} in size, is {{convert|72|km}} by road from the town, being held back by the main Ord River Dam. |
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The town lies within the [[Ord Irrigation Area Important Bird Area]] (IBA), so identified by [[BirdLife International]] because of its importance for wild birds, especially [[estrildid finch]]es.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |title=IBA: Ord Irrigation Area |access-date=2011-09-11 |work=Birdata |publisher=Birds Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102341/http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |archive-date= 6 July 2011 }}</ref> |
The town lies within the [[Ord Irrigation Area Important Bird Area]] (IBA), so identified by [[BirdLife International]] because of its importance for wild birds, especially [[estrildid finch]]es.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |title=IBA: Ord Irrigation Area |access-date=2011-09-11 |work=Birdata |publisher=Birds Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102341/http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |archive-date= 6 July 2011 }}</ref> |
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===Climate=== |
===Climate=== |
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Like other areas in the tropics of [[Western Australia]], Kununurra experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''BSh'') with distinct wet and dry seasons; it borders closely on the tropical savanna climate (Aw). The average annual rainfall is around 800 |
Like other areas in the tropics of [[Western Australia]], Kununurra experiences a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''BSh'') with distinct wet and dry seasons; it borders closely on the tropical savanna climate (Aw). The average annual rainfall is around {{convert|800|mm}}. |
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The dry season from April to September is the most popular time to visit: heat and humidity are lower, and road and park accessibility at their best. In the town's 53 years of weather records, rainfall of over |
The dry season from April to September is the most popular time to visit: heat and humidity are lower, and road and park accessibility at their best. In the town's 53 years of weather records, rainfall of over {{convert|5|mm}} has never been recorded in August, with most Augusts being completely rainless. |
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The build-up season from October to December is characterised by high heat and humidity. The oppressive conditions of the build-up often give way to spectacular [[Thunderstorm|electrical storms]], along with dramatic [[lightning]] displays over the rugged Kimberley landscape. Such storms however bring little rain, and the lightning will often start [[bushfires]] in the surrounding scrub. |
The build-up season from October to December is characterised by high heat and humidity. The oppressive conditions of the build-up often give way to spectacular [[Thunderstorm|electrical storms]], along with dramatic [[lightning]] displays over the rugged Kimberley landscape. Such storms however bring little rain, and the lightning will often start [[bushfires]] in the surrounding scrub. |
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{{Weather box |
{{Weather box |
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|location = Kununurra |
|location = Kununurra (1965−1986) |
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|metric first = Yes |
|metric first = Yes |
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|single line = Yes |
|single line = Yes |
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|collapsed = Yes |
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|Jan record high C = 43.9 |
|Jan record high C = 43.9 |
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|Feb record high C = 42.2 |
|Feb record high C = 42.2 |
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| Line 104: | Line 102: | ||
|Dec record high C = 44.6 |
|Dec record high C = 44.6 |
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|year record high C = 45.1 |
|year record high C = 45.1 |
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| Jan avg record high C = 40.8 |
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| Feb avg record high C = 39.8 |
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| Mar avg record high C = 38.7 |
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| Apr avg record high C = 38.2 |
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| May avg record high C = 36.3 |
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| Jun avg record high C = 34.4 |
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| Jul avg record high C = 34.4 |
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| Aug avg record high C = 37.2 |
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| Sep avg record high C = 39.4 |
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| Oct avg record high C = 41.3 |
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| Nov avg record high C = 42.2 |
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| Dec avg record high C = 41.8 |
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| year avg record high C = 43.0 |
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|Jan high C = 36.4 |
|Jan high C = 36.4 |
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|Feb high C = 35.5 |
|Feb high C = 35.5 |
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| Line 117: | Line 128: | ||
|Dec high C = 38.0 |
|Dec high C = 38.0 |
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|year high C = 35.1 |
|year high C = 35.1 |
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| Jan mean C = 30.8 |
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| Feb mean C = 30.2 |
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| Mar mean C = 29.8 |
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| Apr mean C = 28.5 |
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| May mean C = 26.0 |
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| Jun mean C = 23.2 |
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| Jul mean C = 22.7 |
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| Aug mean C = 25.5 |
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| Sep mean C = 28.6 |
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| Oct mean C = 31.0 |
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| Nov mean C = 32.1 |
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| Dec mean C = 31.9 |
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| year mean C = |
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|Jan low C = 25.2 |
|Jan low C = 25.2 |
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|Feb low C = 24.9 |
|Feb low C = 24.9 |
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| Line 130: | Line 154: | ||
|Dec low C = 25.7 |
|Dec low C = 25.7 |
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|year low C = 21.6 |
|year low C = 21.6 |
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| Jan avg record low C = 21.8 |
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| Feb avg record low C = 22.1 |
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| Mar avg record low C = 20.2 |
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| Apr avg record low C = 16.1 |
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| May avg record low C = 13.6 |
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| Jun avg record low C = 10.6 |
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| Jul avg record low C = 9.2 |
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| Aug avg record low C = 11.5 |
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| Sep avg record low C = 15.4 |
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| Oct avg record low C = 18.2 |
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| Nov avg record low C = 20.6 |
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| Dec avg record low C = 21.4 |
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| year avg record low C = 8.7 |
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|Jan record low C = 19.6 |
|Jan record low C = 19.6 |
||
|Feb record low C = 19.0 |
|Feb record low C = 19.0 |
||
| Line 155: | Line 192: | ||
|Nov rain mm = 70.9 |
|Nov rain mm = 70.9 |
||
|Dec rain mm = 105.3 |
|Dec rain mm = 105.3 |
||
|rain colour = green |
|||
|Jan rain days = 14.8 |
|Jan rain days = 14.8 |
||
|Feb rain days = 14.8 |
|Feb rain days = 14.8 |
||
| Line 168: | Line 206: | ||
|Dec rain days = 10.4 |
|Dec rain days = 10.4 |
||
|unit rain days = 0.2mm |
|unit rain days = 0.2mm |
||
|Jan humidity = 60 |
|||
|source 1 = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_002038_All|site_name=Kununurra|access-date=29 January 2014|date=January 2014}}</ref> |
|||
|Feb humidity = 65 |
|||
|date=January 2014 |
|||
|Mar humidity = 57 |
|||
|Apr humidity = 40 |
|||
|May humidity = 35 |
|||
|Jun humidity = 33 |
|||
|Jul humidity = 30 |
|||
|Aug humidity = 31 |
|||
|Sep humidity = 31 |
|||
|Oct humidity = 37 |
|||
|Nov humidity = 43 |
|||
|Dec humidity = 51 |
|||
|source 1 = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_002038_All|site_name=Kununurra|access-date=14 November 2024|date=November 2024}}</ref> |
|||
}} |
|||
{{Weather box |
|||
|location = Kununurra Aero (1991−2020) |
|||
|metric first = Yes |
|||
|single line = Yes |
|||
|collapsed = Yes |
|||
|Jan record high C = 43.1 |
|||
|Feb record high C = 41.7 |
|||
|Mar record high C = 43.0 |
|||
|Apr record high C = 40.4 |
|||
|May record high C = 38.5 |
|||
|Jun record high C = 37.4 |
|||
|Jul record high C = 36.5 |
|||
|Aug record high C = 38.5 |
|||
|Sep record high C = 41.1 |
|||
|Oct record high C = 43.9 |
|||
|Nov record high C = 45.1 |
|||
|Dec record high C = 45.3 |
|||
|year record high C = 45.3 |
|||
|Jan high C = 35.9 |
|||
|Feb high C = 35.2 |
|||
|Mar high C = 35.8 |
|||
|Apr high C = 35.5 |
|||
|May high C = 33.0 |
|||
|Jun high C = 30.5 |
|||
|Jul high C = 30.8 |
|||
|Aug high C = 32.8 |
|||
|Sep high C = 36.8 |
|||
|Oct high C = 38.8 |
|||
|Nov high C = 39.1 |
|||
|Dec high C = 37.3 |
|||
|year high C = 35.1 |
|||
| Jan mean C = 30.5 |
|||
| Feb mean C = 30.0 |
|||
| Mar mean C = 30.0 |
|||
| Apr mean C = 28.7 |
|||
| May mean C = 25.8 |
|||
| Jun mean C = 23.1 |
|||
| Jul mean C = 22.9 |
|||
| Aug mean C = 24.2 |
|||
| Sep mean C = 28.3 |
|||
| Oct mean C = 31.1 |
|||
| Nov mean C = 32.2 |
|||
| Dec mean C = 31.4 |
|||
| year mean C = |
|||
|Jan low C = 25.1 |
|||
|Feb low C = 24.7 |
|||
|Mar low C = 24.2 |
|||
|Apr low C = 21.8 |
|||
|May low C = 18.6 |
|||
|Jun low C = 15.7 |
|||
|Jul low C = 14.9 |
|||
|Aug low C = 15.5 |
|||
|Sep low C = 19.8 |
|||
|Oct low C = 23.4 |
|||
|Nov low C = 25.2 |
|||
|Dec low C = 25.5 |
|||
|year low C = 21.2 |
|||
|Jan record low C = 18.8 |
|||
|Feb record low C = 19.5 |
|||
|Mar record low C = 16.1 |
|||
|Apr record low C = 11.9 |
|||
|May record low C = 8.6 |
|||
|Jun record low C = 6.7 |
|||
|Jul record low C = 6.4 |
|||
|Aug record low C = 6.1 |
|||
|Sep record low C = 9.3 |
|||
|Oct record low C = 13.9 |
|||
|Nov record low C = 16.4 |
|||
|Dec record low C = 19.0 |
|||
|year record low C = 6.1 |
|||
|rain colour = green |
|||
|Jan rain mm = 209.2 |
|||
|Feb rain mm = 216.0 |
|||
|Mar rain mm = 143.3 |
|||
|Apr rain mm = 29.5 |
|||
|May rain mm = 6.8 |
|||
|Jun rain mm = 3.0 |
|||
|Jul rain mm = 1.4 |
|||
|Aug rain mm = 0.1 |
|||
|Sep rain mm = 5.2 |
|||
|Oct rain mm = 23.4 |
|||
|Nov rain mm = 58.5 |
|||
|Dec rain mm = 142.6 |
|||
|Jan rain days = 15.7 |
|||
|Feb rain days = 15.0 |
|||
|Mar rain days = 11.0 |
|||
|Apr rain days = 3.0 |
|||
|May rain days = 1.2 |
|||
|Jun rain days = 0.5 |
|||
|Jul rain days = 0.3 |
|||
|Aug rain days = 0.1 |
|||
|Sep rain days = 0.7 |
|||
|Oct rain days = 3.8 |
|||
|Nov rain days = 7.2 |
|||
|Dec rain days = 12.3 |
|||
|Jan humidity = 60 |
|||
|Feb humidity = 64 |
|||
|Mar humidity = 52 |
|||
|Apr humidity = 37 |
|||
|May humidity = 30 |
|||
|Jun humidity = 28 |
|||
|Jul humidity = 24 |
|||
|Aug humidity = 23 |
|||
|Sep humidity = 29 |
|||
|Oct humidity = 32 |
|||
|Nov humidity = 40 |
|||
|Dec humidity = 53 |
|||
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web | title = Kununurra Aero - Climate statistics for Australian locations | url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_002056_All.shtml | accessdate = 31 May 2021}}</ref> |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
[[File:East Kimberley Regional Airport airside east view.jpg|thumb|[[East Kimberley Regional Airport]]]] |
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== |
== Agriculture == |
||
[[File:Sandelholzplantagen Kununurra.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Indian Sandalwood]] plantations at Kununurra]] |
|||
Kununurra has a Celebrity Tree Park with many trees planted by famous people including [[Rolf Harris]], and more recently [[Baz Luhrmann]], after the majority of the filming for his film ''[[Australia (2008 film)|Australia]]'' was conducted just outside Kununurra. The town has many local attractions, including waterfalls, gorges and ranges. It was voted the second best town to live in Australia for outdoor adventure by ''Outdoor Australia'' magazine in the March/April 2007 edition.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} |
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Key farm activities include the growing of [[melons]], [[mangoes]] and until recently, [[sugar cane]]. Farmers are now turning to a more lucrative (though longer term) crop of [[Santalum album|Indian sandalwood]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/scent-of-success-in-sandalwood-farms/story-e6frg9gx-1111114867714 | title=Scent of success in sandalwood farms | date=17 November 2007 | work=The Australian}}</ref> Other crops that have been grown in the Ord are [[cotton]], [[safflower]] and [[rice]], which is being trialled once again, having been the first crop planted on the Pilot Farm in 1960. The town has a melon picking season, which attracts migratory farm workers to the area. There is also a thriving tourism industry with most tourist operators capitalising on the scenery of the [[Ord River]], [[Lake Argyle]], Diversion Dam and other local locations, including the relatively nearby [[Bungle Bungle Range]]. |
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[[File:Kununurra airport.jpg|thumb|[[Kununurra Airport|Old airport terminal]]]] |
|||
[[Nicole Kidman]] feels that area water helped her get pregnant while filming in this town stating, "Seven babies were conceived out of this film and only one was a boy. There is something up there in the Kununurra water because we all went swimming in the waterfalls, so we can call it the fertility waters now."<ref>{{cite news |title = Kidman hails fertile waterfalls |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7633455.stm |publisher = BBC NEWS |access-date = 2008-09-24 | date=24 September 2008}}</ref> |
|||
==Media== |
==Media== |
||
Since 1980 Kununurra has been the base of the ''[[Kimberley Echo]]'' founded by the late James O'Kenny and Brian Cole. Radio station 6WR broadcasts across the Kimberley area from Kununurra on 693 AM, 101.1 FM, 101.3 FM, 102.1 FM, and 104.3 FM. 6WR also streams live online, and is available via the 'VAST' service to remote and blackspot areas of Australia on the Optus C1 satellite. Reach Beyond Australia<ref>https://www.reachbeyond.org.au/</ref> broadcasts via shortwave from Kununurra between 9.7 and 15.3 MHz with evening releases in English and many Asian languages. |
Since 1980 Kununurra has been the base of the ''[[Kimberley Echo]]'' founded by the late James O'Kenny and Brian Cole. Radio station 6WR broadcasts across the Kimberley area from Kununurra on 693 AM, 101.1 FM, 101.3 FM, 102.1 FM, and 104.3 FM. 6WR also streams live online, and is available via the 'VAST' service to remote and blackspot areas of Australia on the Optus C1 satellite. Reach Beyond Australia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reachbeyond.org.au/|title=Welcome to Reach Beyond in Australia|website=Reach Beyond Australia}}</ref> broadcasts via shortwave from Kununurra between 9.7 and 15.3 MHz with evening releases in English and many Asian languages. |
||
==Culture, recreation, and tourism== |
|||
The town has many local attractions, including waterfalls, gorges, and ranges. |
|||
===Jirrawun Arts=== |
|||
[[Jirrawun Arts]] was an [[Indigenous Australian art]] centre, established in 1998 in Kununurra before moving to Wyndham in 2006. It was notable as the base for [[contemporary Indigenous Australian art]]ists of the eastern [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley region]], including [[Paddy Bedford]] and [[Freddie Timms]]. It closed in 2010. Their art was exhibited in exhibitions in Melbourne and elsewhere.<ref name="Eccles06">{{cite journal|last=Eccles|first=Jeremy|year=2006|title=Jirrawun: A unique model|journal=Art & Australia|volume=44|issue=1|pages=82–89|url=http://www.artaustralia.com/article.asp?issue_id=175&article_id=73|access-date=27 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Oliver|first=Tony|title=Blood on the spinifex : Goody Barrett, Paddy Bedford, Rameeka Nocketa, Lena Nyadbi, Peggy Patrick, Rusty Peters, Desma Sampi, Phyllis Thomas, Freddie Timms, Timmy Timms|year=2002|publisher=Ian Potter Museum of Art|location=Parkville, Victoria|isbn=0-7340-2918-7}}</ref> |
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===Waringarri Aboriginal Arts=== |
|||
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts is an [[Indigenous Australian art|Aboriginal art centre]] that celebrates the art and culture of the Miriwoong people. It was established in the 1980s, and became the first wholly Indigenous-owned art centre in Western Australia. It is also one of the oldest continuously operating art centres in Australia. The centre was refurbished in 2011.<ref name=waringarri>{{cite web | title=About Us | website=Waringarri Arts | url=https://www.waringarriarts.com.au/about-us/about-us | access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref> |
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Within the centre, there are artists' studios and galleries, in which artworks are for sale, and cultural tours and performances are available for visitors. These activities help to provide economic independence for artists and their community. Waringarri supports over 100 artists, including [[painter]]s, [[printmaker]]s, [[wood carver]]s, [[boab]] engravers, [[Sculpture|sculptor]]s, and [[Textile arts|textile art]]ists.<ref name=waringarri/> |
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==Transport== |
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[[File:Kununurra airport.jpg|thumb|[[Kununurra Airport|Old airport terminal]]]] |
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[[File:East Kimberley Regional Airport airside east view.jpg|thumb|[[East Kimberley Regional Airport]]]] |
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[[East Kimberley Regional Airport]], commonly referred to as Kununurra Airport, is located {{cvt|3.7|km}} west of the town centre. Heavy wet seasons often result in this area being cut off from essential outside services and deliveries. The airport is a crucial piece of infrastructure which enables people and goods to enter or leave from the region and especially supports tourism and economic development.{{cn|date=January 2024}} |
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==Facilities== |
==Facilities== |
||
The town has many local attractions, including waterfalls, gorges, and ranges. |
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===Legal=== |
===Legal=== |
||
The |
The Kununurra Courthouse, which includes a magistrate and a jury courtroom, was opened on 26 October 2014. It was designed by TAG Architects and Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects. The paintings of the [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] artists from [[Miriwoong language|Miriwoong]] country were included in the design of the building.<ref>{{cite web |url =http://architectureau.com/articles/new-kununurra-courthouse/?mc_cid=ec71d06a8e&mc_eid=8c11c6ad66|title =Local rules: New Kununurra Courthouse |date = 6 July 2015|work =ArchitectureAU|publisher =Architecture Media Pty Ltd |access-date =6 July 2015}}</ref> |
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===Education=== |
===Education=== |
||
East Kimberley College has a student population of just over 900 ranging from kindergarten to year 12.<ref>https://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/student_trends.do?schoolID=4123&pageID=SP03</ref> St Joseph's Primary School and Ngalangangpum School are two Catholic schools. There is limited tertiary education available via a Western Australia North Regional [[Technical and further education]] (TAFE) campus. |
East Kimberley College has a student population of just over 900 ranging from kindergarten to year 12.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/student_trends.do?schoolID=4123&pageID=SP03|title = Student Numbers Trends East Kimberley College}}</ref> St Joseph's Primary School and Ngalangangpum School are two Catholic schools. There is limited tertiary education available via a Western Australia North Regional [[Technical and further education]] (TAFE) campus. |
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===Health=== |
===Health=== |
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| Line 192: | Line 365: | ||
===Community=== |
===Community=== |
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The Kununurra Leisure Centre is a multi-purpose, community recreation facility catering for a wide range of sports, recreation activities and social functions. It includes a 25 |
The Kununurra Leisure Centre is a multi-purpose, community recreation facility catering for a wide range of sports, recreation activities and social functions. It includes a {{convert|25|m|adj=on}} pool. |
||
Kununurra Neighbourhood House is a not-for-profit community centre that provides various services and activities for the residents of Kununurra. Some of the services offered by Kununurra Neighbourhood House include family support, playgroups, parenting programs, emergency relief, referrals and advocacy. The centre also hosts events such as markets, workshops, festivals and fundraisers. Kununurra Neighbourhood House is open to the community between 8 am and 1 pm Monday to Friday.<ref>{{cite web |title = Kununurra Neighbourhood House |url =http://www.kununurraneighbourhoodhouse.org/about-us.html |website=Kununurra Neighbourhood House|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> |
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Kununurra Youth Hub |
Kununurra Youth Hub is run by [[Police Citizens Youth Club]] (PCYC) to the community between 8 am and 5 pm daily.<ref>{{cite web |title = Kununurra Youth Hub |url =https://www.swek.wa.gov.au/facilities-recreation/youth-services.aspx |website=Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> |
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== In popular culture == |
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==Transport== |
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Kununurra has a Celebrity Tree Park with many trees planted by famous people, [[Baz Luhrmann]], signed after the majority of the filming for his 2008 film ''[[Australia (2008 film)|Australia]]'' was conducted just outside Kununurra.{{cn|date=January 2024}} [[Nicole Kidman]] thought that the area's water helped her get pregnant while filming in this town, stating "seven babies were conceived out of this film and only one was a boy. There is something up there in the Kununurra water because we all went swimming in the waterfalls, so we can call it the fertility waters now."<ref>{{cite news |title = Kidman hails fertile waterfalls |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7633455.stm |publisher = BBC News |access-date = 2008-09-24 | date=24 September 2008}}</ref> |
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[[East Kimberley Regional Airport]], commonly referred to as Kununurra Airport, is located 3.7 km (2.3 mi) west of the town centre. Heavy wet seasons often result in this area being cut off from essential outside services and deliveries. The airport is a crucial piece of infrastructure which enables people and goods to enter or leave from the region and especially supports tourism and economic development. |
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It was voted the second best town to live in Australia for outdoor adventure by ''Outdoor Australia'' magazine in the March/April 2007 edition.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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| Line 212: | Line 387: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[ |
*[https://www.visitkununurra.com/ Kununurra Visitor Centre] |
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*[ |
*[https://www.abc.net.au/kimberley ABC Local Radio - Kimberley] |
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*[ |
*[https://www.swek.wa.gov.au/ Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley] |
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*[ |
*[https://www.kununurra.org.au/ Kununurra Museum], run by the Kununurra Historical Society |
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{{authority control}} |
{{authority control}} |
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{{Towns Kimberley WA}} |
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{{Western Australia}} |
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[[Category:Ord River]] |
[[Category:Ord River]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:26, 14 November 2024
| Kununurra Western Australia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kununurra in summer from Hidden Valley National Park lookout | |||||||||
  Kununurra Location in Western Australia | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 15°46′25″S 128°44′19″E / 15.77361°S 128.73861°E | ||||||||
| Population | 4,515 (UCL 2021)[1] | ||||||||
| Established | 1961 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6743 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 47 m (154 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | 2,172.5 km2 (838.8 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Kimberley | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Kununurra is a town in far northern Western Australia located at the eastern extremity of the Kimberley approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the border with the Northern Territory. Kununurra was initiated to service the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. It is located on the traditional lands of the Miriwoong, an Aboriginal Australian people.
Kununurra is the largest town in Western Australia north of Broome, with the closest town being Wyndham, 100 kilometres (62 mi) away. Kununurra is 3,040 kilometres (1,889 mi) from Perth via the Great Northern Highway.
The town is situated 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.
The tropical agriculture crops grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) have changed over the years. Tourism and mining have also become important to the local economy.
History
[edit]
The history of the idea of agriculture on the Ord River dates from the 19th century. On the first pastoral lease map (held by WA State Records Office) for the area dated 1887, it shows the northern bank between Wyndham and Kununurra, near House Roof Hill was held as a "Concession for Sugar Cane Planting," although it was never taken up. The idea of tropical agriculture on the Ord was discussed much from the earliest dates, but the land remained under pastoral lease until 1960. Kununurra was built on land resumed from Ivanhoe Station pastoral lease before 1961,[2] as the town for the Ord River Irrigation Area which started as the Ord River Project or Ord Scheme, with survey work starting in 1959. Lake Kununurra is the flooded section of the Ord River valley that was formerly known as Carlton Reach, which was at times a 10-kilometre-long (6.2 mi) waterhole held back by the natural rock barrier known as Bandicoot Bar. At this site in 1959 drilling and blasting marked the start of construction of the Ord River Diversion Dam, which is anchored down onto the Bandicoot Bar. This dam with twenty radial flood gates was almost completed when visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in March 1963, then later completed and officially opened by then Prime Minister, Robert Menzies on 20 July 1963 when he said that Kununurra and the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) is "... the most exciting place in Australia".
As well as the town site some ORIA farmers live on their farms; however the initial idea of the Ord Scheme was for "closer settlement" to allow farmers the convenience of living in the town and since the start of the first Pilot Farm in 1960 most farmers in the valley had lived in the town. However, many people now live on their irrigation farms. Other agricultural and residential localities exist within a 50-kilometre (31 mi) radius of the town, including various Aboriginal Communities, Crossing Falls, the Riverfarm Road and Packsaddle farm areas, and the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture, formerly known as the Kimberley Research Station (KRS). KRS started in 1945 from the original Carlton Reach Research Station, set up by Kimberley Michael Durack with help from his brother William Aiden Durack in 1941, and support from the WA Department of Agriculture and the WA Public Works Department, being the first serious attempt at tropical agriculture on the banks of the Ord River. It was also in 1941 that Russell Dumas inspected the Ord gorges for dam sites on behalf of the Public Works Department.
The scheme involved damming the Ord River by building the Ord River diversion dam so that the waters could be conserved and directed to irrigate about 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi) of land. By 1966, there were 31 farms on the Ord River plains. In 1968 the second stage of the scheme was started with the building of the Ord River Dam (or Ord River Main Dam), known locally as "Top Dam," which holds back the waters of Lake Argyle.
Flooding of the Ord River continued until completion of the Main Ord River Dam situated 55 kilometres (34 mi) upstream from Kununurra, which was started in 1968, and officially opened on 30 June 1972, with support from WA Premier John Tonkin, by then Prime Minister William McMahon, when he said "This marks the beginning of Ord Stage II (Two)." The Ord River Dam flooded the land of the Argyle Downs station, the home station of the pioneering Durack family, to form what has become known as Lake Argyle. Stone work from the original Argyle Downs homestead, was removed before Lake Argyle filled and was re-erected near the dam site to become the Argyle Downs Homestead Museum. The Museum had been run by Tourism WA but was taken on by the Kununurra Visitor Centre during 2010.
The second stage of the Ord Project still has not been fully developed but new work is underway. In May 2010, with major funding from the Federal Government, the extension of the main channel construction got underway under the Moonamang Joint Venture.[needs update]
Kununurra post office opened on 1 September 1960.[3]
Etymology
[edit]The name Kununurra is derived from the English pronunciation of the word [Goonoonoorrang ] Error: {{Lang}}: invalid parameter: |label= (help) (alternatively [Gananoorrang ] Error: {{Lang}}: invalid parameter: |label= (help)) which in the Miriwoong language means "river". It is a widespread myth[4] that it means '(Meeting of) Big Waters' or 'Big River'.[5] One also finds accounts of the name of Kununurra which state that it was the Miriwoong name for this part of the Ord River, which makes sense in that the Ord River runs for hundreds of kilometres coming from the south near Hall's Creek. It is stated to be likely that other parts of the Ord River were known by other Aboriginal language names, by the various tribal language group areas, over which the river traverses.
A 1943 soil classification had named the volcanic clay known locally as "blacksoil", being the predominant soil type of the irrigation area, as "Cununurra Clay" and "Cununurra" was put forward as a possible name, among others in 1960. The General Post Office (GPO) representative from WA on the Nomenclature Committee, objected saying that Cununurra was too close in name to the town of Cunnamulla and that could cause postal confusion. A compromise was reached and "K" was used with an argument having been put forward that this would bring it into line with other East Kimberley placenames, such as Kalumburu, and Karunjie. The name was only finally decided just days before the newest town of the Kimberley region, being gazetted on 10 February 1961.[6]
Population
[edit]Kununurra has a transient population; if itinerant residents, the outlying farm areas and communities were included in census population figures, it is estimated numbers would have exceeded 7,000 for 2006, as opposed to the actual figure of 5,619.[7] An influx in the dry season (from April to September) of tourists and itinerant farm workers can push up the population to around 10,000.[7]
According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 5,308 people in Kununurra.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 22.9% of the population.
- 71.8% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.6% and New Zealand 2.1%.
- 76.4% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Miriwoong 2.2%.
- The most common responses for religion were No Religion 38.8% and Catholic 19.0%.[8]
Geography
[edit]The landscape surrounding Kununurra includes features such as Valentine Spring, Black Rock Creek and Middle Springs along with many other waterfalls and swimming holes. Popular fishing spots include Ivanhoe Crossing, The Diversion Dam, Buttons Crossing, and various locations along the Dunham and Ord Rivers.
The town is located close to the confluence of the Ord and the Dunham River. Lake Argyle, Australia's largest artificial lake, over 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) in size, is 72 kilometres (45 mi) by road from the town, being held back by the main Ord River Dam.
The town lies within the Ord Irrigation Area Important Bird Area (IBA), so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for wild birds, especially estrildid finches.[9]
Climate
[edit]Like other areas in the tropics of Western Australia, Kununurra experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) with distinct wet and dry seasons; it borders closely on the tropical savanna climate (Aw). The average annual rainfall is around 800 millimetres (31 in).
The dry season from April to September is the most popular time to visit: heat and humidity are lower, and road and park accessibility at their best. In the town's 53 years of weather records, rainfall of over 5 millimetres (0.20 in) has never been recorded in August, with most Augusts being completely rainless.
The build-up season from October to December is characterised by high heat and humidity. The oppressive conditions of the build-up often give way to spectacular electrical storms, along with dramatic lightning displays over the rugged Kimberley landscape. Such storms however bring little rain, and the lightning will often start bushfires in the surrounding scrub.
The summer monsoon period between January and March often causes accessibility issues, and the closure of many roads and national parks, due to heavy rain. Days are overcast and hot; heavy downpours are a frequent occurrence.
| Climate data for Kununurra (1965−1986) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 43.9 (111.0) |
42.2 (108.0) |
40.5 (104.9) |
39.5 (103.1) |
38.0 (100.4) |
36.7 (98.1) |
36.4 (97.5) |
39.4 (102.9) |
41.0 (105.8) |
43.6 (110.5) |
45.1 (113.2) |
44.6 (112.3) |
45.1 (113.2) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 40.8 (105.4) |
39.8 (103.6) |
38.7 (101.7) |
38.2 (100.8) |
36.3 (97.3) |
34.4 (93.9) |
34.4 (93.9) |
37.2 (99.0) |
39.4 (102.9) |
41.3 (106.3) |
42.2 (108.0) |
41.8 (107.2) |
43.0 (109.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 36.4 (97.5) |
35.5 (95.9) |
35.4 (95.7) |
35.5 (95.9) |
32.9 (91.2) |
30.5 (86.9) |
30.3 (86.5) |
33.6 (92.5) |
36.4 (97.5) |
38.3 (100.9) |
38.8 (101.8) |
38.0 (100.4) |
35.1 (95.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 30.8 (87.4) |
30.2 (86.4) |
29.8 (85.6) |
28.5 (83.3) |
26.0 (78.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.7 (72.9) |
25.5 (77.9) |
28.6 (83.5) |
31.0 (87.8) |
32.1 (89.8) |
31.9 (89.4) |
28.4 (83.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 25.2 (77.4) |
24.9 (76.8) |
24.1 (75.4) |
21.4 (70.5) |
19.1 (66.4) |
15.9 (60.6) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.4 (63.3) |
20.8 (69.4) |
23.7 (74.7) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.7 (78.3) |
21.6 (70.9) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | 21.8 (71.2) |
22.1 (71.8) |
20.2 (68.4) |
16.1 (61.0) |
13.6 (56.5) |
10.6 (51.1) |
9.2 (48.6) |
11.5 (52.7) |
15.4 (59.7) |
18.2 (64.8) |
20.6 (69.1) |
21.4 (70.5) |
8.7 (47.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 19.6 (67.3) |
19.0 (66.2) |
16.1 (61.0) |
12.2 (54.0) |
9.6 (49.3) |
7.7 (45.9) |
4.8 (40.6) |
9.2 (48.6) |
10.6 (51.1) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
19.1 (66.4) |
4.8 (40.6) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 196.6 (7.74) |
213.0 (8.39) |
136.2 (5.36) |
21.2 (0.83) |
10.0 (0.39) |
3.9 (0.15) |
1.3 (0.05) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.8 (0.11) |
25.5 (1.00) |
70.9 (2.79) |
105.3 (4.15) |
786.7 (30.96) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2mm) | 14.8 | 14.8 | 10.2 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 6.8 | 10.4 | 65 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 60 | 65 | 57 | 40 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 37 | 43 | 51 | 43 |
| Source: [10] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Kununurra Aero (1991−2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 43.1 (109.6) |
41.7 (107.1) |
43.0 (109.4) |
40.4 (104.7) |
38.5 (101.3) |
37.4 (99.3) |
36.5 (97.7) |
38.5 (101.3) |
41.1 (106.0) |
43.9 (111.0) |
45.1 (113.2) |
45.3 (113.5) |
45.3 (113.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.9 (96.6) |
35.2 (95.4) |
35.8 (96.4) |
35.5 (95.9) |
33.0 (91.4) |
30.5 (86.9) |
30.8 (87.4) |
32.8 (91.0) |
36.8 (98.2) |
38.8 (101.8) |
39.1 (102.4) |
37.3 (99.1) |
35.1 (95.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 30.5 (86.9) |
30.0 (86.0) |
30.0 (86.0) |
28.7 (83.7) |
25.8 (78.4) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.9 (73.2) |
24.2 (75.6) |
28.3 (82.9) |
31.1 (88.0) |
32.2 (90.0) |
31.4 (88.5) |
28.2 (82.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 25.1 (77.2) |
24.7 (76.5) |
24.2 (75.6) |
21.8 (71.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
15.7 (60.3) |
14.9 (58.8) |
15.5 (59.9) |
19.8 (67.6) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.2 (77.4) |
25.5 (77.9) |
21.2 (70.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 18.8 (65.8) |
19.5 (67.1) |
16.1 (61.0) |
11.9 (53.4) |
8.6 (47.5) |
6.7 (44.1) |
6.4 (43.5) |
6.1 (43.0) |
9.3 (48.7) |
13.9 (57.0) |
16.4 (61.5) |
19.0 (66.2) |
6.1 (43.0) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 209.2 (8.24) |
216.0 (8.50) |
143.3 (5.64) |
29.5 (1.16) |
6.8 (0.27) |
3.0 (0.12) |
1.4 (0.06) |
0.1 (0.00) |
5.2 (0.20) |
23.4 (0.92) |
58.5 (2.30) |
142.6 (5.61) |
839 (33.02) |
| Average rainy days | 15.7 | 15.0 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 7.2 | 12.3 | 70.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 60 | 64 | 52 | 37 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 23 | 29 | 32 | 40 | 53 | 39 |
| Source: [11] | |||||||||||||
Agriculture
[edit]
Key farm activities include the growing of melons, mangoes and until recently, sugar cane. Farmers are now turning to a more lucrative (though longer term) crop of Indian sandalwood.[12] Other crops that have been grown in the Ord are cotton, safflower and rice, which is being trialled once again, having been the first crop planted on the Pilot Farm in 1960. The town has a melon picking season, which attracts migratory farm workers to the area. There is also a thriving tourism industry with most tourist operators capitalising on the scenery of the Ord River, Lake Argyle, Diversion Dam and other local locations, including the relatively nearby Bungle Bungle Range.
Media
[edit]Since 1980 Kununurra has been the base of the Kimberley Echo founded by the late James O'Kenny and Brian Cole. Radio station 6WR broadcasts across the Kimberley area from Kununurra on 693 AM, 101.1 FM, 101.3 FM, 102.1 FM, and 104.3 FM. 6WR also streams live online, and is available via the 'VAST' service to remote and blackspot areas of Australia on the Optus C1 satellite. Reach Beyond Australia[13] broadcasts via shortwave from Kununurra between 9.7 and 15.3 MHz with evening releases in English and many Asian languages.
Culture, recreation, and tourism
[edit]The town has many local attractions, including waterfalls, gorges, and ranges.
Jirrawun Arts
[edit]Jirrawun Arts was an Indigenous Australian art centre, established in 1998 in Kununurra before moving to Wyndham in 2006. It was notable as the base for contemporary Indigenous Australian artists of the eastern Kimberley region, including Paddy Bedford and Freddie Timms. It closed in 2010. Their art was exhibited in exhibitions in Melbourne and elsewhere.[14][15]
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
[edit]Waringarri Aboriginal Arts is an Aboriginal art centre that celebrates the art and culture of the Miriwoong people. It was established in the 1980s, and became the first wholly Indigenous-owned art centre in Western Australia. It is also one of the oldest continuously operating art centres in Australia. The centre was refurbished in 2011.[16]
Within the centre, there are artists' studios and galleries, in which artworks are for sale, and cultural tours and performances are available for visitors. These activities help to provide economic independence for artists and their community. Waringarri supports over 100 artists, including painters, printmakers, wood carvers, boab engravers, sculptors, and textile artists.[16]
Transport
[edit]
East Kimberley Regional Airport, commonly referred to as Kununurra Airport, is located 3.7 km (2.3 mi) west of the town centre. Heavy wet seasons often result in this area being cut off from essential outside services and deliveries. The airport is a crucial piece of infrastructure which enables people and goods to enter or leave from the region and especially supports tourism and economic development.[citation needed]
Facilities
[edit]The town has many local attractions, including waterfalls, gorges, and ranges.
Legal
[edit]The Kununurra Courthouse, which includes a magistrate and a jury courtroom, was opened on 26 October 2014. It was designed by TAG Architects and Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects. The paintings of the Aboriginal artists from Miriwoong country were included in the design of the building.[17]
Education
[edit]East Kimberley College has a student population of just over 900 ranging from kindergarten to year 12.[18] St Joseph's Primary School and Ngalangangpum School are two Catholic schools. There is limited tertiary education available via a Western Australia North Regional Technical and further education (TAFE) campus.
Health
[edit]Kununurra District Hospital houses 32 beds and a 10-bed aged care facility.[19] There are dental practices in the town.
Community
[edit]The Kununurra Leisure Centre is a multi-purpose, community recreation facility catering for a wide range of sports, recreation activities and social functions. It includes a 25-metre (82 ft) pool.
Kununurra Neighbourhood House is a not-for-profit community centre that provides various services and activities for the residents of Kununurra. Some of the services offered by Kununurra Neighbourhood House include family support, playgroups, parenting programs, emergency relief, referrals and advocacy. The centre also hosts events such as markets, workshops, festivals and fundraisers. Kununurra Neighbourhood House is open to the community between 8 am and 1 pm Monday to Friday.[20]
Kununurra Youth Hub is run by Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) to the community between 8 am and 5 pm daily.[21]
In popular culture
[edit]Kununurra has a Celebrity Tree Park with many trees planted by famous people, Baz Luhrmann, signed after the majority of the filming for his 2008 film Australia was conducted just outside Kununurra.[citation needed] Nicole Kidman thought that the area's water helped her get pregnant while filming in this town, stating "seven babies were conceived out of this film and only one was a boy. There is something up there in the Kununurra water because we all went swimming in the waterfalls, so we can call it the fertility waters now."[22]
It was voted the second best town to live in Australia for outdoor adventure by Outdoor Australia magazine in the March/April 2007 edition.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Kununurra (urban centre and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ "1961 Townsite Proclamation - Kimberley History". Kununurra.org.au. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Premier Postal History, Post Office List, retrieved 21 January 2016
- ^ "Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre" "Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring | Mirima Place for Talking | Our Country". Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ "Gunanurang: (Kununurra) big river" (PDF). Department of Environment and Conservation. East Perth, W.A.: Waters and Rivers Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
- ^ "1959 Naming Kununurra - Kimberley History". Kununurra.org.au. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Transient Population of Kununurra - Kimberley History". Kununurra.org.au. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Kununurra (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 December 2019. Material was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- ^ "IBA: Ord Irrigation Area". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Kununurra". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Kununurra Aero - Climate statistics for Australian locations". Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Scent of success in sandalwood farms". The Australian. 17 November 2007.
- ^ "Welcome to Reach Beyond in Australia". Reach Beyond Australia.
- ^ Eccles, Jeremy (2006). "Jirrawun: A unique model". Art & Australia. 44 (1): 82–89. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ^ Oliver, Tony (2002). Blood on the spinifex : Goody Barrett, Paddy Bedford, Rameeka Nocketa, Lena Nyadbi, Peggy Patrick, Rusty Peters, Desma Sampi, Phyllis Thomas, Freddie Timms, Timmy Timms. Parkville, Victoria: Ian Potter Museum of Art. ISBN 0-7340-2918-7.
- ^ a b "About Us". Waringarri Arts. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ "Local rules: New Kununurra Courthouse". ArchitectureAU. Architecture Media Pty Ltd. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ^ "Student Numbers Trends East Kimberley College".
- ^ "Kununurra Hospital". Western Australian Department of Health. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- ^ "Kununurra Neighbourhood House". Kununurra Neighbourhood House. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ "Kununurra Youth Hub". Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ "Kidman hails fertile waterfalls". BBC News. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
External links
[edit]- Kununurra Visitor Centre
- ABC Local Radio - Kimberley
- Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley
- Kununurra Museum, run by the Kununurra Historical Society
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