Lake Argyle, WA: Are there any Lake Argyle cruises?
Lake Argyle cruises runs morning boat trips across Lake Argyle near Kununurra in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Expect islands, inlets and rugged mountains.
Lake Argyle is not a natural reservoir, but as man-made lakes go, it is pretty incredible. The lake is one of the highlights of the Kimberley region in north-western WA. It’s just south of Kununurra, near the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Size of Lake Argyle, WA
The lake was formed by the building of the Ord River Dam. It’s the second largest reservoir in Australia after Lake Gordon in Tasmania. Lake Argyle’s surface area is around 100 square kilometres, while it has a capacity of 35,000 gigalitres. The size of Lake Argyle is regularly compared to Sydney Harbour. Lake Argyle Cruises claims the lake is 21 times bigger than the harbour.
4 top Kununurra experiences to book
- Take a cruise along the Ord River – including the spectacular Kimberley sunset.
- Or go for the Ord River lunch cruise instead.
- Dine in the outback – cooked in a camp oven at an atmospheric secret location.
- Take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles – and land for the Cathedral Gorge Walk.
Rice-growing in the Kimberley
The absurd thing about Lake Argyle, however, is there are no cities of any size it can provide drinking water to. The original plan was to turn the surrounding areas into rice-growing land, watered during the drier months from the lake. But the local water birds, particularly magpie geese, put paid to that. They ate rice shoots before the rice had time to grow.
The birds won, and now the lake is recognised as an important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. There’s also plenty of life in the lake, with archer fish, barramundi and southern saratoga competing for space with freshwater crocodiles.
Lake Argyle Cruises
The other thing you’ll find on Lake Argyle is cruise boats. The lake may be useless for irrigating rice, but it sure is pretty to glide across.
Lake Argyle Cruises has been running a morning cruise for more than two decades. Lasting two hours and costing $70, these Lake Argyle cruises flit between the lake’s many islands and inlets. On the way, you’ll hear the story of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, spot rock wallabies and get fabulous views of the rugged Carr Boyd Ranges. Book via the operator’s website.
If a cruise doesn’t grab you, then Lake Argyle Cruises also offer fishing charters, kayak hire and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Swimming is at your own risk – there are thousands of freshwater crocodiles in the lake.
Accommodation is available at the Lake Argyle Resort.
More things to do in Western Australia
Bar and restaurant hop in Maylands, Perth.
Tackle the wild waves of the Injidup Natural Spa in Yallingup.
Go fishing in the King River near Wyndham in the Kimberley.
Stay in a gardens-surrounded apartment at Seashells Yallingup.
The best things to do in Norseman, Western Australia.