Wyndham is one of those places you could easily drive past without giving it much thought. It’s a small, historic town in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, about an hour’s drive from Kununurra, and it doesn’t have the polished tourist feel of some other Kimberley destinations.
We’d been staying in Kununurra after our Gibb River Road adventure and decided to spend a day exploring Wyndham. We weren’t entirely sure what we’d find, but there were a few places we wanted to see, particularly Five Rivers Lookout.
As it turned out, Wyndham was more interesting than we’d expected. Between the spectacular views, the town’s history and a chance meeting with two local Aboriginal artists, we were glad we’d made the trip.
If you’re wondering whether Wyndham is worth adding to your Kimberley itinerary, here’s what we discovered and a few other places you might like to explore.
Watch Our Day Exploring Wyndham WA
We filmed our day exploring Wyndham, including Five Rivers Lookout, the Big Croc, the recreational fishing jetty and our conversation with the local Aboriginal father and son who were selling their hand-etched boab nuts.
You’ll also get a look at Wyndham itself, which is quite different from some of the other Kimberley towns we’d visited.
Where Is Wyndham WA?
Wyndham is located in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, approximately 100 kilometres north-west of Kununurra.
Established in 1886, it became an important port during the Halls Creek gold rush and later supported the region’s pastoral and meat industries. The town has a fascinating history, shaped by the Aboriginal people of the region and the many different communities who lived and worked here.
Today, Wyndham is a small town with a distinctly outback feel. It’s also one of those places where the scenery surrounding the town is just as interesting as the town itself.
We visited as a day trip from Kununurra, which worked well for us, although there’s enough in the surrounding area to keep you occupied longer if you want to explore some of the more remote attractions.
Things to Do in Wyndham WA
1. Drive Up to Five Rivers Lookout
If you only have time to do one thing in Wyndham, I’d recommend driving up to Five Rivers Lookout.
Also known as the Bastion Lookout, it sits high above Wyndham and provides incredible views across the Cambridge Gulf, surrounding mudflats, mangroves and waterways.
The five rivers that give the lookout its name are the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King and Forrest rivers, which flow towards the Cambridge Gulf.
We drove up in the Patrol, and the views from the top were spectacular. It’s one of those places where you can really appreciate the scale of the Kimberley landscape, with waterways winding through the country as far as you can see.
The lookout is accessed by a steep, winding sealed road, so take your time on the drive up. There’s parking at the top, and it’s worth allowing plenty of time to enjoy the scenery rather than rushing through.
We thought this was easily one of the highlights of our day in Wyndham.
2. Stop for a Photo at Wyndham’s Big Croc
You can’t really visit Wyndham without stopping to see the Big Croc!
This enormous concrete crocodile is one of the town’s best-known landmarks and makes a fun photo stop as you arrive. At around 18 metres long, it’s certainly hard to miss.
We’ve seen plenty of Australia’s big things during our travels, and this is another one to add to the collection.
But our stop at the Big Croc turned out to be memorable for a completely different reason.
3. Meet the Local Boab Nut Artists
While we were near the Big Croc, we met a local Aboriginal father (Snowy) and son (Steven) who were creating and selling hand-etched boab nuts.
If you’ve travelled through the Kimberley, you’ll know how distinctive the boab trees are. Their large seed pods can also be used as a canvas for intricate artwork, with designs etched into the outer surface.
We stopped for a chat and had the opportunity to see some of their work. Kev ended up buying one of the beautifully decorated boab nuts to take home.
It was one of those unplanned encounters that made our visit particularly interesting.
The artwork was lovely, but being able to stop and talk with the people creating it made the experience even better.
Of course, there’s no guarantee the artists will be there when you visit, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for local artwork as you explore Wyndham.
4. Visit the Wyndham Recreational Fishing Jetty
We also headed down to Wyndham’s recreational fishing jetty to have a look around.
Wyndham sits on the Cambridge Gulf, where the landscape is very different from the gorges and sandstone ranges we’d been exploring elsewhere in the Kimberley.
The jetty provides an opportunity to see the tidal waterways and get a better feel for the town’s connection to the gulf.
It’s also a popular spot for recreational fishing, although you’d certainly want to be mindful of crocodiles around these waterways.
Even if you’re not interested in fishing, it’s worth stopping for a look while you’re exploring the old port area.
5. Wyndham Historical Society Museum
Another stop on our day out was the Wyndham Historical Society Museum, housed in the town’s historic courthouse building.
We didn’t go inside on this visit, but it’s somewhere history enthusiasts may want to include in their itinerary.
Wyndham has a surprisingly varied past, including its early days as a port servicing the Halls Creek goldfields, the meatworks industry and the different communities who helped establish the town.
The museum preserves photographs, artefacts and stories from that history.
If you’re interested in learning more about Wyndham beyond the main tourist attractions, it’s worth checking the museum’s current opening hours before visiting.
6. See the Giant Boab Tree at Wyndham Caravan Park
Another interesting stop was Wyndham Caravan Park, where we went to see a particularly impressive boab tree.
According to the information sign beside it, this is the largest boab tree in captivity, and it’s estimated to be more than 2,000 years old.
Boab trees are such a distinctive feature of the Kimberley landscape, and we’d seen plenty during our travels. But this one was particularly interesting because of its enormous size and estimated age.
The sign also explains how slowly boabs grow and how their soft, spongy wood can store water during dry periods.
It’s worth stopping to see if you’re interested in these remarkable trees. As it’s located within the caravan park, check with the park before entering if you’re not staying there.
Other Things to Do Around Wyndham
We didn’t manage to see everything during our day trip, and there are several other places worth considering if you’ve got more time.
Afghan Cemetery
Wyndham’s Afghan Cemetery is a reminder of the important role Afghan cameleers played in the development of remote Australia.
Before modern transport, camels were used to carry supplies between towns, stations and mining settlements, particularly in areas where other forms of transport struggled.
The cemetery is associated with Wyndham’s early Afghan community and provides an interesting insight into a part of the town’s history that visitors might otherwise overlook.
Pioneer Cemetery
The Pioneer Cemetery, also known as The Bend Cemetery, dates back to Wyndham’s early settlement years.
It’s another place to visit if you’re interested in the history of the town and the people who lived and worked in this remote part of Western Australia.
Cemeteries like this offer a different perspective on a town’s past, particularly when you consider the challenges of living in the Kimberley during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Wyndham Prison Boab Tree
There’s also a historic Prison Boab Tree in the Wyndham area, along King River Road.
It’s associated with the region’s colonial history and accounts of Aboriginal prisoners being held there. It’s important to recognise that these stories are part of a difficult period in the Kimberley’s history.
This is a different tree from the better-known Prison Boab Tree near Derby.
We didn’t visit the Wyndham tree, but it’s something to consider if you’re exploring the area in a suitable 4WD. Check current road conditions and access arrangements before heading out, as it’s not on the main sealed route into Wyndham.
Is Wyndham WA Worth Visiting?
We thought so, although it’s probably fair to say Wyndham won’t appeal to everyone.
It’s an older town that feels a little rough around the edges, and you won’t find the same range of shops, cafes and tourist facilities as Kununurra.
But that’s also part of what makes it interesting.
Five Rivers Lookout alone makes the drive worthwhile, and there’s a surprising amount of history to discover if you take the time to look around.
We particularly enjoyed our conversation with the local boab nut artists, Snowy and Steven. It was completely unplanned, and it’s those sorts of encounters that often become some of our favourite memories from driving around Australia.
If you’re staying in Kununurra, I’d certainly recommend setting aside a day to explore Wyndham rather than driving straight past.
Planning Your Visit to Wyndham
Wyndham is approximately 100 kilometres from Kununurra, making it an easy day trip if you’re already staying in the East Kimberley. Or if you have finished the Gibb or just getting ready.
We drove there in the Patrol and had enough time to visit the main attractions without feeling rushed.
If you’re planning to explore some of the more remote places around Wyndham, including King River Road, allow additional time and check road conditions before setting out.
The Kimberley can be extremely hot, particularly later in the dry season, so carry drinking water and plan any walking around the conditions.
For us, Wyndham turned out to be a much more interesting day than we’d expected. It’s not a polished tourist destination, but between the views, the history and the people we met, we’re glad we took the time to explore it.
With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!
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