The most northerly township in Western Australia, Wyndham is surrounded by some of the Kimberley’s most spectacular landforms, rivers and wetlands, offering a host of outback adventures. 

Situated on the Cambridge Gulf at the convergence of the King, Pentecost, Durack, Forest and the Ord Rivers and surrounded by some of the most spectacular landforms, rivers and wetlands in the Kimberley. Wyndham is an artist’s and photographer’s paradise.

Located 100kms from Kununurra, the town was established in 1886 by Australian explorer John Forrest and became the major port and trading station of the East Kimberley. Today, Wyndham has a population of approximately 800 people, and offers its visitors a friendly face and the chance to discover some of its diverse and exciting history.

Heritage

Established in 1886, the Port of Wyndham was an essential link in the development of the Kimberley. Its beginnings came with the Halls Creek gold rush, as thousands of would-be gold barons travelled through the port on their way to stake their claim. With the end of the gold rush just a couple of years later, Wyndham continued to service the beef industry, with supplies delivered to and cattle transported from the port.

From 1913, the government started construction of the Wyndham Meatworks, which opened in 1919 and was involved in the export of beef to Britain. It was the town's major employer until it closed in 1985.

The overland telegraph also played a large part in Wyndham's history - in 1889 links between Perth and Wyndham were established, and in 1914 the Wyndham Wireless Station was built on top of Telegraph Hill in Parry Creek Nature Reserve. It was operational until 1921 assisting ships entering Wyndham Port, and also played a part in World War I.

Wyndham also made the headlines on several occasions, including in the 1930's when it was the Australian landing point for aviators seeking to establish new solo flying records between England and Australia. In 1935, the first Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service (later renamed the Royal Flying Doctor Service) was established in Wyndham. 

Today, Wyndham operates as a working port, servicing the cattle export industry, the mining and tourism industries and the Ord River Project. 

For more information on surrounding regions please call us on 08 9168 1177 today or email info@visitkununurra.com.