Wyndham is a town located in Western Australia, approximately 105km northwest of Kununurra along the Great Northern Highway and about 1,037 km northeast of Broome. Travellers can reach Wyndham through domestic flights departing from Perth to Broome and Kununurra throughout the year. During the summer months, direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Broome are also available.
Wyndham was inhabited by Aboriginals from the Djeidji, Duulngari and Aruagga tribes. The first European explorer in the region was Phillip Parker King, who arrived on 19 September 1819 on the Cutter Mermaid, exploring the Western Australian coast to discover a river leading to the continent's interior. In 1879, Alexander Forrest reported the area's pastoral potential, and in 1881, Solomon Emanuel and Patrick Durack sent a party to confirm the reports. In 1883, John Forrest surveyed the area, hinting that the region had distinct indications of gold.
That same year, Patrick 'Patsy' Durack overlanded thousands of breeding cattle and horses from Southwest Queensland to the region, the longest overlanding of cattle ever attempted in Australia, lasting two years and four months. The next year, in 1884, Wyndham was established as a port and trading station, with the Cushidoo landing supplies at the site. In 1885, the first shipment of cattle and sheep reached the Gulf, and Wyndham became a booming town with six pubs and ships landing thousands of miners heading to the Halls Creek Goldfields.
The town was surveyed and gazetted in 1886, and blocks of land were sold. By that time, the gold rush at Halls Creek and Wyndham ceased to have any importance in the area, and it served the pastoral interests in East Kimberley. The Overland Telegraph Line reached the town in 1889, and by 1900 the town's population of 61 people voted for federation, except for one who never disclosed their identity.
By 1912, the town's economy relied on promissory notes called "shinplasters," issued by publicans and storekeepers. During World War I, the Duracks effectively controlled the town as they owned nearby cattle stations. The Wyndham meatworks, constructed by the WA government in 1913, became the town's major employer upon its opening in 1919, exporting beef to Britain. It facilitated the export of beef to Britain until its closure in 1985, killing the last bullock and exporting it on October 10th that year.
Wyndham was the landing point for many solo aviators attempting to set new flying records between England and Australia in the 1930s. It was also home to the first Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service, which was established in 1935 and later became known as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Today, Wyndham is a small town with around 900 people. It operates as a working port, servicing industries such as cattle export, mining, tourism, and the Ord River Project.
Five Rivers Lookout (The Bastion)
One of the most impressive sights in Wyndham is the Five Rivers Lookout, also known as The Bastion. This lookout offers a breathtaking and dramatic view of the surrounding landscape. To access it, follow the marked road from Wyndham Three Mile that ascends to the east of the town. From the lookout, you can take in the stunning panoramic view of the five rivers - Durack, King, and Pentecost to the south, Forrest to the west, and Ord to the north - as well as the vast mud flats that stretch out in every direction. This unique and remarkable vista is truly one of a kind and is considered to be one of the most impressive scenic vistas in Australia.
The Big Crocodile
Located at Wyndham Three Mile, the Big Crocodile is a massive tourist attraction that greets visitors as they enter the town. Standing at 3 meters high and measuring 20 meters in length, this concrete crocodile is located in a park beside the road. The impressive sculpture was created in 1988 by sculptor Andrew Hickson and students from Wyndham TAFE and is a prime example of computer technology. The sculpture is made up of 5.5 km of steel rod, 10 rolls of bird mesh, and 6 cubic meters of concrete.
Located on Koolama Street, just one block east of the main street, + is a must-visit location for tourists exploring the town of Wyndham. At the Warriu Dreamtime Park, visitors can marvel at a collection of towering statues depicting an Aboriginal family, along with a dingo and kangaroo. A short walk away is the Wyndham Picture Gardens Outdoor Cinema, a classic outback cinema that features deck chairs, a small screen, and an enclosed projector booth. With its nostalgic atmosphere, the cinema is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Distance from Perth: 2,210 km NE of Perth
Population: 745
Postcode: 6740
Founded: 1886