
Celebrate the unique landscapes and lifestyle of the East Kimberley region at the Ord Valley Muster, held around Kununurra over a fun-packed fortnight each May.
By Allie Metz
The frontier country of the Kimberley is on show with ten days of concerts, tours, cultural experiences and food events during the Ord Valley Muster. Taste fresh Kimberley produce and enjoy Aboriginal music and dance. Get swept away in a street party, dig for diamonds or watch rough-riders at a rodeo. Not-to-be-missed is the Kimberley Moon - the flagship music concert on the banks of the Ord River.
FAST FACTS
- Where: Kununurra
- When: 19 - 28 May
- Price: $$ - $$$
THINGS TO DO
Taste the flavours of the outback
Armed with local produce from the region’s massive food bowl, internationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur and television host Colin Fassnidge will be hosting a cooking demonstration on the banks of Lake Kununurra. Book your tickets to get a taste of his take on local food as you watch the sunset over the lake.
Tour the mines
Enjoy a cultural experience that is truly unique to the area when you visit the Argyle Diamond Mines. You’ll be transported by air conditioned coach to the security gate where a guide from Luridgii Cultural Eco Tours will meet you. You will get the opportunity to learn about the how the traditional owners of the land and the Argyle Diamond Mine have forged a partnership in one of the region’s most sacred sites. This will be followed by a light lunch in the ‘Miners Mess’ and a visit to the shop where you can see (and even purchase) some of the diamonds that have been mined on site.
Have a laugh
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow makes a popular stop off at the Ord Valley Muster for two nights of hilarious stand-up with some of the world’s funniest comedians. The show takes place at The Hoochery, which is Western Australia’s oldest continuously operating legal rum distillery.
Saddle up for a big night at the rodeo
The area’s largest rodeo of the year, the Ord Valley Muster Rodeo features saddle bronc, bull and bullock rides as well as live entertainment for an action packed evening perfect for the whole family. It’s a nail-biting night of excitement as true outback cowboys ride for their lives and big cash prizes.
DON’T MISS
The Kimberley Moon Experience is arguably the festival’s biggest drawcard. Pack a blanket and picnic hamper and settle in for a night of music on the banks of the Ord River. On May 27, the Jim Hughes Amphitheatre will host famous Australian musicians Jimmy Barnes, Daryl Braithwaite and The McClymonts.
HOW TO GET THERE
It's a three hour flight north from Perth to Kununurra, the gateway to the wild, sweeping landscapes of the Kimberley.
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