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Wyndham is as far north as you can go in Western Australia.
Wyndham was originally a small service town for Australia's north west, then a massive influx of over 5000 gold diggers occurred and entered the colony through here. The miners headed for the goldfields in the vicinity of Halls Creek.
A large jetty was built in the 1890s to export cattle and that was also a reason for the town's growth.
A few km along the Gulf, Wyndham East became the main residential and shopping area in town and both the port and it are now vital links to what was the future growth and development of the East Kimberley region.
Around town make sure you visit the Lookout at Five Rivers where the King river, the Ord, Pentecost, Durack and Forest rivers empty into the Cambridge Gulf. You will be able to safely see wild saltwater crocodiles,(salties) from Crocodile Lookout over the creek. The meat works used this area as a blood drain out into the Gulf.
Saltwater crocodiles can be found in the estuaries surrounding Wyndham. Wyndham is also home to "Big Croc", the huge 18m-long, 3m-high model of a saltwater crocodile which is at Western Australia's first crocodile farm. You can actually watch and feed these crocodiles, alligators and komodo dragons at the Zoological Gardens and at the Crocodile Park.
Ask the locals for advice on a swim at the Grotto, a waterhole haven which is secluded by Boab trees and stair-like platforms of dusty-red rock around the pool in what is a natural amphitheatre. A few km away, lies the Prison Tree, a hollow old Boab tree used by the local police as a temporary lock-up, usually for Aboriginal, prisoners.
A typical Saltie
Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous, so always consult a local person before you have a swim.
We lose people to Salties every year and I don't want you to be one of them. So take care, ask if it is safe before you swim.
The Big Croc at Whyndham
The Post Office and also Durack's store are top quality examples of early Western Australian architecture.The Afghan Cemetery pay due respect to the many camel drovers, (saviours) that came from the Middle East to transport cattle and vital life sustaining supplies for the settlers throughout the harsh areas surrounding Wyndham.
Trips and destinations from Wyndham
King River Road
which includes numerous creek crossings. Along King River Road you will find Singh's Garden, Moochalabra Dam, Aboriginal Paintings, the Prison Tree and various local fishing spots on the tidal reaches of the King River. The road also takes you out to Diggers Rest Station and to El Questro Station, driving to El Questro Station is in the dry season only. You will need a 4wd for getting there. Accommodation, camping and meals are available.
Singh's Garden,
is positioned off King river road and is the remains of a vegetable garden grown by an Afghan Chinaman in the early 1900's. The vegetables were sold at the marketplace near the Wyndham Meatworks.
Moochalabra Dam
This dam was originally built in 1971 to supply water to the Wyndham area. This construction is unique to Australia, because it was designed so water could overflow and pass through the rock on the crest of the hill. The dam was reconstructed in 1999 and the spillway provides a impressive waterfall in the wet season.
Aboriginal Rock Paintings.
Are located off King River road, these paintings of Wandina spirit ancestors and animals have been done with natural ochre.Parry Creek Road. A great alternative 4W Drive road from Wyndham to Kununurra, that passes through Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve and pastoral country. There are five access points, which do require permits and they are available at Wyndham information Centre. Parry Creek Road then continues on to Black
Parry Lagoons Natures Reserve
covers 36,000ha or 90.000 acres and includes grasslands, woodlands and rough sandstone country. The wetlands are an essential feeding and breeding spot for the numerous birds and is a stopover point for migratory shorebirds, some of which come from as far away as Siberia in Russia.
Glad I don't have to flap my arms and fly that colossal distance.
Marlgu Billabong.
Marlgu is an Aboriginal name meaning wild bird, now given to a billabong in the Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. A boardwalk and shaded bird hide have been specially constructed for visitors to enjoy watching the birds without them seeing you. Many species of waterbirds, migratory waders, birds of the grasslands and birds of the sandstone country can be sighted here.
Marlgu Billabong
Telegraph Hill.
The most important access road in the Parry Lagoon Nature reserve leads to Telegraph Hill. Here you will enjoy the extensive vistas of the floodplain and the remote hills, explore the remnants of the old wireless station built back in 1914, which assisted ships entering and leaving Wyndham Port and was also used for naval intelligence, to intercept radio traffic during World War 1. Old Halls Creek Road. (4wd only) The road was constructed some time about 1894 to take the place of the first track blazed from Wyndham to Halls Creek following the gold discovery of 1885. The stone laid by hand can still be seen in some places along the road and the creek crossings. Old Halls Creek Road ends at Great Northern Highway, 71kms from Kununurra.
The Grotto,
is an idyllic swimming place, it is for all seasons and located just 30kms from Wyndham. It lies at the bottom of 140 steps and a natural amphitheatre reaching depths of more than 175m at its deepest part. It is the perfect spot to spend many hours, during the wet season you will see an astonishing waterfall there.
The Grotto at Wyndham
Karunjie Road.
For keen 4W Drivers only, the road begins at the end of the King River road, just past the Prison Tree and concludes at the Pentecost River crossing on the Gibb River Road. This drive provides absolutely dazzling views of the Cockburn Ranges. You can also fish and camp along the banks of the Pentecost River. Maybe catch a big Barra or two.
Gibb River Road. This road was originally used to move cattle from various stations to the ports of both Wyndham and Derby. Today this road is mainly accessible during the dry season. You can visit various stations when you 4wd the Gibb River Road .
El Questro Wilderness Park.
Is reachable from either the King River Road, or the Gibb River Road. El Questro offers various forms of accommodation, luxury homestead, bungalows, tented cabins and camping. Meals, stores, fuel, gorges and more.
Diggers Rest Station Stay Wyndham Western Australia.
has *** accommodation where you can enjoy a hassle-free atmosphere when at this authentic property.Diggers Rest Stationis ideally situated on the banks of the King River and is located 37 kilometres south of Wyndham township on the King River Road, about one hours drive. Diggers Rest Station is a rustic homestead and a working station offering a unique outback experience, ideal for adventurous exploration of the magnificent and beautiful Kimberley landscape.
Some facilities you will find there.
BBQ facilities
Station meals, very yummy.
Pets are Welcome
but not pet lions.
Hot showers
An Internet connection is available
Camping
Fishing
Bushwalking
Bird watching
Horse riding
Now that I remember, the Cast and Crew of Baz Luhrmann's epic movie 'Australia' spent 21 days at Diggers Rest Station filming the movie.
