Wyndham

Wyndham was established as a port to land prospectors heading for the Halls Creek goldfields in the 1880s. Later, at the turn of the century, beef from pioneer cattle stations in the East Kimberley was shipped from the port and a meatworks built in 1919 was a major industry until it closed in 1985.

Geographical constraints restricted the expansion of the original town site so another settlement was established three miles inland. This larger centre, still known as The Three Mile, is the main residential and shopping area.

Today, Wyndham (population 1000) is the State's northernmost town and a major port exporting grain, lead and zinc from the Cadjebut Mine and cattle and produce grown on the irrigated land around Kununurra. Promoted as the 'Top Town of the West', Wyndham is also a base for tourists coming into the area to visit the many magnificent sights of the Kimberley.

Things to see and do

A giant concrete crocodile welcomes visitors to Wyndham and the real thing, saltwater crocodiles that were originally attracted to the blood drain at the meatworks, continue to live near the old wharf. Part of the meatworks area has been turned into a thriving crocodile farm where crocodiles are bred for their skin and meat. The farm is also successfully breeding the endangered komodo dragon from Indonesia.

Among the historic buildings of the old port area is the old courthouse, now a museum and repository for Wyndham's history. The larger-than-life statues of an Aboriginal family and their animals in Warriu Park were the town's Bicentennial project.

Spectacular views of the Cambridge Gulf and the rivers that flow into it can be seen from the Five Rivers Lookout on top of the bastion, a dramatic bluff overlooking the port area of Wyndham. In the same area is Three Mile Valley, an excellent spot for exploring good trails to a variety of scenery and interesting rock formations.

District attractions

A deep natural chasm, known as The Grotto, off the road between Kununurra and Wyndham, is a safe year-round swimming spot and popular picnic area. Parry Lagoon, off the Northern Highway, is a magnificent wetland sanctuary for migratory birds. Aboriginal rock paintings are located in the vicinity of Moochalabra Dam.

Distinctive Kimberley boab trees are found in groves near Wyndham. Aborigines used these bulbous trees for food, shelter and water and one large specimen known as the Prison Tree, 40 minutes out of town on the King River Road, was used as a temporary lock-up as far back as the 1890s.