Wyndham - Karunjie Road
24.5 km
distance
2h 55m
Contour time
4.0
avg score
Unsealed
surface
Scenery
Western Australia
Wyndham is the most northern port in the Kimberley, at the junction of five river systems draining into the Cambridge...
Road quality
4.0 RQS
Every segment scored on 40+ data signals.
Accessibility
Fully sealed
Best in 4WD modified. Peak season: Dry season (May-Oct).
7-day forecast
Long-distance Kimberley station track requiring full expedition preparation. High difficulty sustained across a long distance in one of Australia's most remote regions. Dry season only. The reward is the Kimberley at its raw best.
Scored 4.0/10 by Contour's road quality algorithm across curviness, surface, elevation and traffic. Best suited for 4wd modified drivers.
The road
The Wyndham to Karunjie Station road runs through quintessential East Kimberley country - red Devonian sandstone ranges, scattered boab trees and the vast station land that defines one of Australia s last great pastoral frontiers. Wyndham is the most northern port in the Kimberley, sitting at the junction of five river systems that drain into the Cambridge Gulf. The Five Rivers Lookout above Wyndham provides one of Australia s great panoramic views - the five river delta system spreading below with tidal mudflats, mangroves and the red Kimberley ranges in the distance. Best at sunset, genuinely worth the climb at any time. The Durack family drove 7,500 cattle 5,000 kilometres from Queensland to stock the new Kimberley stations in 1883 - one of the longest and most arduous stock drives in Australian history. The Wyndham meatworks that processed Kimberley cattle from 1919 to 1985 defined the town for most of the 20th century. The road to Karunjie passes through this history on every kilometre. The Kimberley wet season makes this route completely impassable from November to April. Dry season only, with full remote preparation including significant fuel range, water and satellite comms.
Why this road
The region
Wyndham is the most northern port in the Kimberley, at the junction of five river systems draining into the Cambridge Gulf. The town has an extraordinary history as the meatworks capital of the Kimberley and the entry point for the great cattle drives of the 1880s. The road to Karunjie Station passes through quintessential East Kimberley country - red Devonian sandstone ranges, boab trees and the vast station land of one of the last great pastoral frontiers.
History
Wyndham was established in 1886 as the port for the Kimberley pastoral industry following the first great cattle drives from Queensland. The Durack family drove 7,500 cattle 5,000km from Queensland to stock the new Kimberley stations in 1883 - one of the longest and most arduous stock drives in Australian history. The Wyndham meatworks operated from 1919 to 1985, processing Kimberley cattle for export.
Before you go
Fuel in Wyndham or Kununurra. The Kimberley wet season (November-April) makes this route completely impassable. Dry season only. Full Kimberley preparation required: significant fuel range, water, satellite comms and the ability to wait out mechanical problems if required. Check conditions with Kimberley locals.
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Flag itWorth stopping for
Five Rivers Lookout, Wyndham
The panoramic view from above Wyndham over the five river delta and Cambridge Gulf is one of Australia's great viewing points - best at sunset.
Kununurra
The main East Kimberley town 100km south with excellent food, the Ord River irrigation scheme and Lake Kununurra - a good base for this trip.
Route
Start
Wyndham, East Kimberley
End
Karunjie Station area
Gallery
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