End of February came in HEAVY with the rain - and if you’ve lived here long enough, you know it’s this kind of rain that really tickles our fancy. The loud-on-the-roof, can’t-hear-yourself-think, creek-crossing kind. The good stuff.
My two favourite parts of the wet season? They never change.
First - that legendary noticeboard moment after the very first drop of rain when someone, either genuinely hopeful or just stirring the pot, asks:
“Is Black Rock flowing?” Iconic.
Second - when Greg, the unofficial Mayor of Lake Argyle, starts delivering the lake level updates. To me, it’s like a live episode of Bridgerton. The suspense. The anticipation. Will it? Won’t it? Is it going to spill or not? The cliff-hangers keep my mind very happily occupied.
I honestly didn’t think it was possible to have three years in a row of Lake Argyle overflowing in abundance… but here we are. Once again watching the “impossible” spill over (literally).
Nonetheless, the wet is probably the best-kept local secret. The waterfalls switch on, the landscape glows,
and everything feels just a little bit wild. It’s always magic sharing it with friends, family and relatives - watching them try to process just how green Kununurra can actually get.
And somehow (which is crazy, by the way), we’re heading toward the end of another wet. Soon we’ll feel that switch in the air - that first proper breath of dry season. It’s hard to explain, but if you know, you know. Suddenly the mornings feel lighter, the sky feels bigger, and the group chats start filling with camping plans.
Which is why you should absolutely take this as your sign to check your camping gear. It’s always the little things you forget. I personally spent a solid year using a stick to hold up my swag before finally upgrading. Character building? Yes. Recommended? Not necessarily.
With all the exciting dry season activities around the corner, we’ve also got pre-event season warming up - Dam 2 Dam, the Lake Argyle Swim, the Ord Valley Muster. The weekends are about to get very full, very fast.
So stretch, hydrate, prep the esky, and mentally prepare yourself.
Dry season is loading.
Seb + Jess Kununurra Sun
COVER & INTRO PHOTOS BY EMMA MOSS
What's Inside This Edition
PAGES 6-7
Buckle Up and Boots On: Your Guide to Your First Rodeo
PAGES 18-19
Pilots of Kununurra - Life in the Kimberley Skies
PAGES 10-11
Danielle Walker Want's You to Heckle Her...
PAGES 24-25
Kimberley Creative: Bettrina Bundamurra
PAGES 14-15
Your Guide to Packing & Preparing for a Kimberley Adventure
PAGES 32-33
The Hottest 100 Things to do in the East Kimberley List
TO ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Sun acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands throughout the Kimberley and in particular the Miriwoong and Gajirrawoong people of Kununurra and surrounding areas where we live, work and welcome visitors from afar.
Kununurra
Captured in Kununurra
We want to see how you enjoy all the East Kimberley has to offer! Share your adventures with us by using #kununurrasun across Instagram to be featured.
@AMIE_SYLVIA
@DYLAN_MCKENNA98
@TOM_ZAUNMAYR
@KATCLARK
Team Kununurra Sun
CREATIVE DIRECTORS EDITORIAL
JESS BUCHAN & SEBASTIAN TASI
PHOTOGRAPHY & GRAPHIC DESIGN
JESS BUCHAN & SEBASTIAN TASI
@FRANZI.HAU
@WILLOWROOADVENTURES
JESS BUCHAN, SEBASTIAN TASI, DARCY MACCARTIE, NICOLE MUIR, EMMA MOSS, FAYTH BELL, MAGGIE MCINTYRE, CHLOE HAZEBROEK, JOJO BIDOIS
The paper we choose to print Kununurra Sun on has a positive impact on forests people and wildlife. FSC certified forests have to meet our rigorous standards. This means FSC certified forests are healthy, and benefit local communities as well as providing jobs for workers. FSC certification tracks the wood from the forest to the shelf. So when you see the FSC label on our magazine, you can be sure this paper came from responsible sources.
A Nod to Those Who Keep the Sun Shining
Kununurra Sun emerged with a vision to uplift, educate, and connect the Kununurra community.
We remain steadfast in this mission. We rely on businesses and organisations in the Kununurra region to help keep the Sun shining. We'd like to acknowledge our current sponsors and thank them for their continued support. If you'd like to become a sponsor of the Sun, please reach out to discuss collaboration opportunities. Let's follow the Sun, together.
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley (the Shire) is the northernmost local government area in Western Australia, extending from the Northern Territory border to the northern tip of WA.
It serves as the eastern gateway to the Kimberley and the northern gateway to Western Australia, encompassing the towns of Wyndham and Kununurra, along with numerous small Aboriginal communities, the largest being Kalumburu.
The Shire has been our number one supporter since the birth of the magazine, ensuring we are able to continue to shine light to all that our community has to offer.
SWEK.WA.GOV.AU
Job Pathways is a leading Aboriginal employment and community development organisation working across the Kimberley. With services spanning employment programs, training, economic development initiatives and encompassing Revive and Wayfinder programs, the organisation is dedicated to creating opportunities that are meaningful, sustainable and grounded in community. Each year, Job Pathways supports more than 2,000 people to build skills, access training and find work, while also backing local enterprises and cultural projects. From innovative programs like the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy and Halls Creek Women’s Hub to supporting grassroots community events, Job Pathways is proud to walk alongside people on their journey to employment and empowerment.
Job Pathways is a leading Aboriginal employment and community development organisation working across the Kimberley. With services spanning employment programs, training, economic development initiatives and encompassing Revive and Wayfinder programs, the organisation is dedicated to creating opportunities that are meaningful, sustainable and grounded in community. Each year, Job Pathways supports more than 2,000 people to build skills, access training and find work, while also backing local enterprises and cultural projects. From innovative programs like the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy and Halls Creek Women’s Hub to supporting grassroots community events, Job Pathways is proud to walk alongside people on their journey to employment and empowerment.
JOBPATHWAYS.ORG.AU
Tivan is progressing the Speewah Project, Australia’s largest vanadium resource, just outside Kununurra. With a strong focus on clean energy and regional development, Tivan is committed to becoming part of the East Kimberley community by supporting local jobs, listening to Traditional Owners, and building lasting partnerships.
They’re not just investing in minerals, they’re investing in people and place.
As a major sponsor of the Kununurra Sun, Tivan is helping keep this beloved community magazine running and free, ensuring it continues to shine a light on local stories, voices, and spirit.
Thank you, Tivan, for helping keep the sun shining in more ways than one!
TIVAN.COM.AU
A heartfelt thank you to Bishops Transport Kununurra for their continued support and commitment in helping bring Kununurra Sun to the community, your generosity keeps local stories shining bright.
BISHOPSTRANSPORT.COM.AU
So Its Your First Rodeo?
IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO A RODEO BEFORE, ESPECIALLY THE ONE THAT ROLLS INTO TOWN AS PART OF THE ORD VALLEY MUSTER, IT CAN FEEL LIKE STEPPING INTO A LANGUAGE YOU DON’T QUITE SPEAK YET.
Theres’s dust, there’s noise and the crowd buzzes with anticipation. The sound of hooves, cheers and country music roll across the arena, thick with energy and excitement. In the middle of it all, a cowboy or cowgirl takes a deep breath, grips the rope and swings onto a wild bull or a bucking horse – eight heart-pounding seconds of pure courage about to begin.
Yes, you’ll see saddle bronc and bull rides where eight seconds feels like a lifetime. You’ll watch barrel racers turn at full tilt with a precision that you didn’t know was possible. It’s fast, it’s technical, and it’s a genuine test of ability, luck, timing and grit. But it's not just big hats and bulls - what you’re really watching is community.
Rodeo in the North isn’t just a sporting event - it’s a meeting point. It’s where surrounding stations come
together, and ringers reunite after months apart, heading home through the wet season and back up north again for the dry. It’s where stories are swapped, and familiar faces mix with new ones, the pulse of the bush seems to beat a little stronger. The Ord Valley Muster Rodeo marks the beginning of both the rodeo and mustering seasons – a time when the North truly comes alive.
The Ord Valley Muster brings the whole region together in its own way, and the rodeo is one of its loudest, dustiest and most loved chapters. It sits alongside concerts, food events and everything else the Muster throws at us, but it carries that distinctly northern atmosphere you can’t really replicate anywhere else. If it’s your first rodeo, here’s what you need to know. Dress for dust, not Instagram. Arrive early for a good spot with a chair or picnic blanket. Plan to boogie once
WORDS AND PICTURES BY EMMA MOSS
Kununurra Sun
the music kicks in. And don’t be surprised if you leave with a new appreciation for just how skilled these competitors really are. There’s also a family-friendly section away from the bar, so everyone can enjoy the night their own way.
This year’s rodeo will be held at the Kununurra Rodeo Grounds as part of the Ord Valley Muster on 16 May, with buses running to make getting there and home easier. Whether you’re a first timer or someone who follows the Kimberley and NT circuit, it’s worth marking the date and showing up.
So yes, for some a rodeo is all about 8 seconds, but for most a rodeo captures the true heart of the Kimberley. It’s the kind of event where the red dirt sticks to your boots and the spirit of the people sticks to your heart.
It’s the grit and grace of the cowboys and cowgirls, their determination in the ring and their warmth outside of it. There’s a beauty here – raw, real and unforgettable and by the time the sun drops and the red ranges burn brighter, you’ll be able to say, ‘this isn’t my first rodeo’.
Four Years of Bringing the Sun
,
SEB & JESS
This April marks four years since the first edition of Kununurra Sun rolled out into the world.
Back in April 2022, the whole thing started with a pretty simple idea: our community has great stories, and someone should probably be telling them.
There was no big corporate plan, no five-year strategy, and definitely no guarantee the whole thing would still be around four years later. It was more of a “let’s give it a crack and see what happens” type situation.
Recently we also received some exciting news. Kununurra Sun has been nominated in the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards for Community Purpose. By the time this issue hits the shelves, there’s a good
chance the winners will already be announced.
Either way, we’re incredibly grateful - and a big thank you to whoever nominated us. We truly appreciate it.
As part of the nomination process we had to answer a whole bunch of questions and sit down with judges Viv, Luke and Healema to talk about the magazine. And in doing that, we found ourselves reflecting on the last four years.
Which raised an important question:
Where on earth did that time go?
Kununurra Sun started out as a bit of a baby idea… and somewhere along the way it’s grown into a bit of a beast of its own.
The Idea Was Pretty Simple
Anyone who lives in Kununurra knows this place is full of great people doing interesting things.
There are volunteers running community programs, artists creating amazing work, sporting clubs keeping half the town busy on weekends, small businesses working hard, and everyday locals quietly doing good things that deserve recognition.
But for a long time, many of those stories didn’t get much airtime. So Kununurra Sun set out to do something pretty straightforward: tell the stories of the people who make this place what it is.
Nothing fancy. Just honest storytelling about life in the East Kimberley.
The Early Days Were… Educational
Looking back at the early editions is a bit like looking at old school photos. You’re proud of them… but also slightly relieved you’ve improved since then.
There were late nights putting pages together, design files doing mysterious things, and the occasional mild panic when someone realised the print deadline was tomorrow.
At least once, someone definitely said: “Hang on… does anyone here actually know how magazines work?” Turns out the answer was mostly no. But somehow the first issue got printed.
Then another.
Then another.
And slowly, the magazine started to find its feet.
The Best Bit: The People
Across the last four years, 14 volunteer writers, photographers and creatives have contributed their time and talents to Kununurra Sun.
Some love writing. Some love photography. Some simply know everyone in town and have a natural radar for a good story.
Between them they’ve covered community events, local legends, businesses, artists, sport and everything in between.
Without those contributors, Kununurra Sun simply wouldn’t exist. It’s always been a proper community effort.
The “Hey I Know Them!” Moment
You can always tell when a community magazine is doing its job. Someone opens a copy. They flip through a few pages. And suddenly you hear:
“Hey, I know them!” or “That’s my neighbour!” or sometimes “I went to school with them!”
Those little moments are exactly what the magazine was meant to create - a reflection of the people who live here.
A Magazine That Gets Around
Over the years we’ve also learned something about magazines in the Kimberley.
They travel.
Copies of Kununurra Sun have turned up in cafés, workshops, waiting rooms, gloveboxes, fishing boats and the occasional very dusty ute. Some have made their way across stations. Others have headed down the highway with travellers.
At this point we’re fairly confident the magazine could survive red dust, spilled coffee and the occasional enthusiastic page-turner.
Which feels like a very Kimberley level of durability.
Four Years Later
So here we are. Four years since that first issue landed around town in April 2022.
A magazine that started as a small idea has grown into something much bigger - a network of contributors, supporters, businesses and readers who all play a role in telling the story of the East Kimberley.
And while the EKCCI nomination is a proud moment, the real highlight of the journey has been something much simpler.
The stories. The people. The community.
Turns out Kununurra has plenty of great stories after all. We’re just lucky enough to help tell them.
Danielle Walker Wants You to Heckle Her
WORDS BY JESS BUCHAN
BUT ON ONE CONDITION - SAY IT WITH CONFIDENCE AND CONVICTION. BECAUSE ACCORDING TO DANIELLE, THERE’S NOTHING WORSE THAN A HECKLER WHO MUMBLES.
TAKING TO THE ORD VALLEY MUSTER STAGE THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE DANIELLE’S SECOND VISIT TO THE REGION AND ONE THAT SHE’S VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO. WE SAT DOWN WITH DANIELLE TO CHAT ABOUT HER UPCOMING TRIP, HOW SHE GOT HER START IN COMEDY AND WHAT HER FAMILY THINKS ABOUT BECOMING REGULAR MATERIAL IN HER STAND-UP.
Growing up in northern Queensland, Danielle is no stranger to life in the bush. She tells us about the adventures she had, exploring the creeks and bushland around home and experiencing the sort of adventures city kids rarely get. She speaks fondly of her Grandad, and joining him with all sorts of escapades, including helping him eradicate the occasional feral pig.
Comedy isn’t the most conventional career path, but Danielle says the signs were there early. Her Scouts friends and cousins were among the first to notice her quick wit and sense of humour. But her time on stage came a little later, partly because there weren’t many places to try stand-up in Townsville, and partly
because she once thought pursuing comedy felt a little self-indulgent.
Reflecting on those early days, Danielle says she wouldn’t give her younger self any advice because ‘she needed to figure it out all by herself’. She jokes that she probably has a touch of oppositional defiance - meaning her younger self would likely have done the exact opposite of any advice anyway.
And figuring it out herself seems to have worked out just fine. Danielle went on to win the RAW Comedy National Grand Final at the 2016 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Australia’s most prestigious open mic comedy competition, launching her into the national spotlight.
FB: Balanced by Tahnee Jade
Since then she has continued to cement her reputation on stage, picking up further awards and building herself into a household name.
Today, Danielle has gone from the quiet life of far north Queensland, to now performing on stages across Australia and also gracing our television screens as well. From winning the first season of Taskmaster Australia, beating out comedy legends such as Julia Morris and Luke McGregor, to testing her spelling abilities on Guy Montgomery’s Spelling Bee and being thrown into the improv chaos of Thank God You’re Here, audiences have fallen in love with her hilariously unique outlook on Australian life.
She’s even been nominated for a Silver Logie for Best Comedy Actress in 2024 for her performance as Marigold Brewer in ABC’s comedy series Gold Diggers.
Her unique style of comedy (she calls it strange - we call it hilarious) is a fresh and authentic voice for the Australian comedy scene. She balances delicately on the line of hilariously off-beat, sweetly nostalgic and downright endearing. Her stories of her friends and family, especially her Grandad, give us an insight to her life and its wacky and whimsical characters.
As she tells her stories, you’re often led down a winding garden path, wondering where you’ll end up that lands with a punchline you never quite see coming.
When asked how she approaches her family about using them as content, Danielle said her Grandad has given her free rein to say anything she wants about him. Often her jokes including him are verbatim exactly because he has a very specific
cadence she’s obsessed with. Other times, she uses drawing to plot out her punchlines, visualising the story in pictures before coming up with the final gag.
Her specific style of humour reacts differently depending on the audience. She says city crowds often react with shock at the absurdity of her childhood stories, while country audiences tend to nod along and say, “Yepthat’s exactly how it is.”
When asked if she’s ever lost control of a crowd, Danielle doesn’t recall a specific time, but remembers her last visit to Kununurra when an audience member rudely interrupted her set.
An Elephant Beetle.
She says she was mid-story when the pesky beetle flew smack bang into the middle of her forehead, creating an audible bang through the microphone and sending the crowd into fits of laughter.
While she isn’t often heckled, Danielle admits that night the Elephant Beetle probably got a bigger laugh than she did.
For her upcoming visit to Kununurra, Danielle says she’s keen to experience more of the Ord Valley Muster, including heading to the rodeo to watch the barrel racing.
And if a heckler does decide to test their luck this time around, she has just one request - say it loud and clear enough for everyone to hear.
Unless you’re an Elephant Beetle. In that case, there will be bug spray on hand.
You can buy a ticket to the Comedy Show via www.ordvalleymuster.com.au
Your Guide to Packing & Preparing for a Kimberley Adventure
ADVENTURING IN THE KIMBERLEY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST EXPERIENCES YOU CAN HAVE, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE GENUINELY DANGEROUS. WE HAVE HEARD OF TOO MANY INCIDENTS OVER OUR TIME UP HERE AND HAVE ALWAYS TRIED OUR BEST TO BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING WHILE OUT BUSH. THE KIMBERLEY DOES NOT CARE HOW EXPERIENCED YOU ARE OR HOW MANY TIMES YOU HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. UNDERESTIMATE IT AND THINGS CAN TURN VERY QUICKLY. GO PREPARED AND YOU WILL HAVE THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME.
Whether it is dry season with temperatures in the mid-thirties, or wet season with flash flooding and extreme humidity, you always need to pack the right gear and prepare properly. If you are organised, it takes only a few minutes to pack properly.
Check the Weather Check the forecast for the full duration of your trip before you leave. 35 degrees on the day you planned your longest hike? 50mm of rain forecast while you are out bush? Know what is ahead and pack accordingly or postpone until conditions are more suitable.
Tell Someone Your Plan This is the single most important thing you can do. Leave a detailed trip plan with someone you trust at home. Not just a vague "going hiking near Wyndham", you need to note the specific track, your vehicle description and registration, where you are camping each night, and a hard return time so they know when to raise the alarm. Stick to that plan. If your plans change, contact that person via satellite phone with an updated itinerary and estimated return. Deviating without communicating has cost lives up here.
Register with DBCA The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has a free Trip Intentions form available on the Explore Parks WA website. Fill it out and leave it with a trusted person at home: a friend, family member or the police, so they have everything they need to raise the alarm if you don't return. Some remote parks also have selfregistration stations on site. Also confirm you have the necessary permits before heading out on certain tracks or into national parks.
Satellite Phone Mobile coverage in the Kimberley is essentially non-existent once you leave Kununurra
WORDS & PHOTOS BY FAYTH BELL
or Halls Creek. A satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB) is not optional, it is essential. Test your satellite phone before leaving and make sure your PLB is registered properly.
Snake Bite Bandages The Kimberley is home to some of Australia's most venomous snakes, including the Taipan, King Brown (Mulga Snake) and Death Adder. Snake activity is highest between October and April, but they can be encountered any time of year. Every person in your group should carry at least two pressure immobilisation bandages in their pack, not in the car, with them always. If someone is bitten, call Triple Zero immediately and lie the patient down. Keep them as calm and still as possible: movement speeds up venom absorption. Apply a firm elasticised roller bandage directly over the bite site first, then apply a second bandage starting from just above the fingers or toes and work upward along the entire limb as far as you can reach. The bandage should be tight - you should not be able to slide a finger underneath. Splint the limb to prevent movement. Write down the time of the bite and when the bandage was applied and mark the bite location on the outside of the bandage with a pen if you know where it is. Do not wash the bite site. Stay with the patient and do not remove the bandages until they are in medical care.
Correct Footwear Always wear closed shoes or hiking boots in rocky terrain. Watch where you put your hands
when climbing. Wear shoes when walking around camp at night and shake them out every morning before putting them on.
Clothing Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions. A long sleeve shirt (Columbia PFG my personal favourite), quality sunscreen, a wide brim hat, long hiking pants and gaiters. In the Kimberley sun, covered skin is always better than exposed skin, and gaiters add a useful layer of protection against spinifex, sharp rocks and snakes around the lower legs.
Water, Heat and Hydration In the Kimberley heat, plan for up to one litre of water per hour of hiking. Carry more than you think you need. Dehydration impairs judgement before you even realise it is happening. Start long hikes at first light and aim to be back in the shade by late morning, then resume in the late afternoon. Heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, which is a medical emergency. Signs include confusion, hot dry skin, and loss of consciousness. Move the person into shade, cool them with water and seek emergency help immediately. Electrolytes are worth carrying, one or two a day on big days out makes a real difference.
Water Crossings If it is flooded, forget it. Moving water travels faster than it looks and carries debris you cannot always see. Vehicles are swept away in crossings that looked manageable from the bank.
People drown in thigh deep moving water, and you cannot know whether crocodiles have been displaced into that system. No destination is worth it. Wait at the bank, crossings can drop as fast as they rise.
Flash Flooding One of the most underrated risks in the Kimberley. A storm 100 kilometres away can turn a dry creek into a raging torrent in under an hour with no warning where you are standing. Never camp in a creek bed or gorge floor, especially in the wet season. Check BOM whenever you have access/watch the sky in every direction.
Crocodiles Freshwater crocodiles are generally not dangerous unless provoked. Saltwater crocodiles can be found well inland, they are just as at home in freshwater as in the ocean, particularly after wet season flooding. Before entering any water in the Kimberley, check local knowledge and signage. When in doubt, do not get in. It really is that simple.
First Aid Do a course before you go. St John WA runs courses in Kununurra, and a Remote Area First Aid certification is well worth doing for anyone spending serious time out here. Carry a first aid kit on every adventure. Before heading out, make sure you know of any medical conditions, allergies or medications within your group. If anyone carries an EpiPen, make sure more than one person knows where it is and how to use it.
Vehicle Preparation Many Kimberley emergencies begin as vehicle breakdowns in remote areas. Carry a spare tyre (ideally two), a tyre repair kit, basic tools, jumper cables or a jump pack, a high lift jack, a snatch strap, extra fuel beyond what you calculate you need, and enough food and water to last several days if you get stuck. If you regularly adventure solo or in a single vehicle, a winch is one of the best investments you can
make.
If you break down in a remote area, stay with your vehicle. A vehicle is vastly easier to spot from the air than a person on foot. Deploy your PLB and wait. People have died walking for help when rescue was hours away from finding their car.
With all of this in mind, get out there and soak it up. The Kimberley is wild, beautiful and unlike anywhere else on earth. Respect it, prepare for it and it will give you memories that last a lifetime. Be safe out there.
I am not a medical professional. Everything here is drawn from my own research, personal experience adventuring in the Kimberley, and what I have learned through first aid courses. It is a starting point, not a substitute for proper training. Do a first aid course, talk to locals who know the country, and always take official advice from the relevant authorities seriously. Stay safe out there.
Are you a not-for-profit organisation or school on a mission to help your community thrive? We’re offering grants of up to $10,000 to kick-start projects that support and empower people and communities in the Kimberley.
Applications open Monday 9 March and close Friday 17 April 2026. Learn more about the grants and how to apply at:
www.watercorporation.com.au/kcgrants
Kununurra Sun
Oh Hot Dam! This Might Be Your Jam
WORDS BY DARCY MACCARTIE
Anddddd we’re back – Dam 2 Dam is coming in hot for 2026. The event which kicks off the silly season in Kununurra is just around the corner and is promising to be better than ever. This year 35 teams from WA, NT and SA are making the trip for Australia’s longest tinny race. For those who are new to town, D2D started 45 years ago with a bunch of mates racing down the Ord River, enjoying a beer or two.
All these years later the race is still thriving, with a total of six classes competitors can enter. These are 15hp, 25hp, 30hp standard, 30hp super standard, 30hp modified and Mini Jet. Don’t worry if this doesn’t mean much to you right now, on the day, listen out as the commentator calls them in, and you’ll get the gist!
There are two people per team, one steering and the other navigating at the front of the boat. The fastest competitors on the river will reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, dodging rocks, trees, rapids and reeds on their way down! The Ord is no mean feat, and competitors will have to rely on skill and wit to avoid all the river has to throw at them. On the home stretch, fans will be treated to the boats coming into Ski Beach, with competitors jumping out of their tinnies and racing to the finishing line on foot – drama in and out of the water! It’s great spectating either from the Ski Club or, if you’re lucky enough to have a boat, find a nice spot well before the race starts and park up on the river.
After the race the Ski Club will be hosting the after party which, to put it bluntly, will be unreal! This year Kununurra’s very own Josh Melville will be playing live acoustic, along with the Icon Band from Darwin and Papa and the Bears with a DJ set to round the night out. The food trucks will be there to have your dinner sorted, the bar is open from 11am, and with the tunes pumping, it’ll be a seriously good night. It’s a great social occasion for all ages, kids included, so bring the family down! Buses will run from 10pm back into town and Lakeside, so your lift is sorted.
Tickets will be available online only and are just $10 with kids under 12 free. The champagne cruise will be running also, and those tickets for that won’t last long, so get in quick!
Hopefully, this will get you pumped up for what will be a great day out in the best town in the Kimberley. For all the latest, visit the Kununurra Ski Club website or Facebook page. There’s all the information about the day, and whilst entrance tickets to the race are sold out, it might be a reminder to find a tinny, give it a fancy name, spray it a funky colour and tune up an old outboard in time to hit the water – if you’ve got a year to do it, so no excuses!
Also, a big thank you to the Ski Club committee who are organising this year’s race, it couldn’t happen without the people on the ground doing the hard work.
Pilots of Kununurra
INTERVIEWED BY DARCY MACCARTIE
The Kimberley is a vast place, with over 150 communities and 6 major towns it’s no mean feat getting around, especially in the wet! Enter the world of aviation, where Cessna 210’s and the like are the lifeline to these places. Transporting people, goods, mail and even pets far and wide between. To make this all happen are the people on the ground (and off) from the engineers, operations coordinators through to the pilots. There’s no doubt it takes a whole crew of people to get a plane off the ground but in this article, we showcase some of the pilots who call this unique place home. I asked them five questions to sum up their Kimberley flying experience
REBECCA BARRON
How long have you been flying in Kununurra for?
I started with Aviair in 2024 and worked on the ground for about 6 months, then moved into a flying role from there. First in the Airvan GA-8, then onto the C208B Cessna Caravan.
What’s your favourite route in Kimberley and or season to fly?
It is always beautiful around the Kimberley. But right as it’s 'snapped' into the dry, the best route to be flying is to the Bungle Bungle, the landscape transforms into a green haven and there’s so many waterfalls flowing.
If you could pick one plane to fly for the rest of your career, what would it be?
The Grumman Mallard, there’s only a handful of the old seaplanes still operating. We’re actually quite lucky to have a few flying around the Kimberley with fishing charters and pearl farming etc. Hearing them on the radio always brings a smile to my face.
Any crazy Kimberley plane stories?
Last year a few F-18’s from the RAAF were conducting training exercises between Lake Argyle and the Bungle Bungle. They were along our flight path at a similar altitude, so we were flying around with them which was pretty awesome.
What would say to someone wanting to get job flying in the Kimberley?
I would say if you like the great outdoors, good people and don’t mind the odd thunderstorm then you’ll love it too. Flying around the Kimberley is such a privilege that not many people get to experience, so if you get the opportunity, I would grab it with both hands!
SAM STEWART
How long have you been flying in Kununurra for?
I started flying in the Kimberley in 2023, this is the start of my fourth year and 3rd wet season.
What’s your favourite route in Kimberley and or season to fly?
Flying from Kununurra to Home Valley Station in the wet season you get to see all the water falls on the Cockburn Ranges that you can only ever see up close from the air. The King George Falls in the wet is also incredible.
If you could pick one plane to fly for the rest of your career, what would it be?
Probably the Kingair it’s small enough to fly single pilot but has great equipment and avionics, also has performance to fly internationally from the top end to PNG etc.
Any crazy Kimberley plane stories?
In my first year trying to get to the Mitchell Plateau marginal weather made me land at Kalumburu and spend the night. There was no accommodation available, so I slept at the police station, and they gave me food from a Salvation Army donation box.
What would say to someone wanting to get job flying in the
Kimberley?
Try to network and make connections with people in the General Aviation industry. Aviation is very word of mouth so having someone of a known quantity to vouch for you goes a long way.
RHYS BAGGAN
How long have you been flying in Kununurra for?
Two years in May.
What’s your favourite route in Kimberley and or season to fly?
The mail runs where we deliver mail to different stations around the Kimberley, we’re treated to coastal views and waterfalls and sometimes get eggs and freshly baked scones to enjoy on the flight back home.
If you could pick one plane to fly for the rest of your career, what would it be?
The mighty Cessna Caravan of course!
Any crazy Kimberley plane stories?
Come and ask me at the pub for the best stories.
What would say to someone wanting to get job flying in the Kimberley?
Just do it! You’ll experience some of the best flying in your career, sweat from places you didn’t know you could sweat from and make lifelong mates along the way.
MATILDA SANDELL
How long have you been flying in Kununurra for?
I’ve been lucky enough to be flying around the Kimberley for 2 years.
What’s your favourite route in Kimberley and or season to fly?
I think flying to Faraway Bay is pretty spectacular. You fly over the Cockburn Ranges, the Cambridge Gulf and across the North Kimberley, with a quick detour past the twin King George Falls. The approach is special too—over the ocean, waterfalls at both ends, finishing on a classic Kimberley red dirt runway. The dry season is easier and cooler, but I love seeing the waterfalls from the air in the wet.
If you could pick one plane to fly for the rest of your career, what would it be?
I like to compensate for my height in plane size, I’d love to fly an A380! So, if I could only choose one, it would be that one.
Any crazy Kimberley plane stories?
I think some of the craziest stuff actually happens on the ground (thank goodness for that!). Like flying a family into a community, then hopping on a 12-seater bus into town by yourself. On the way back it gets flagged down and suddenly about 30 people pile on—at one point a man in a wheelchair was basically crowd-surfed onto the bus. Or landing on a runway and, seconds later, watching a couple of bulls fighting right behind the plane.
What would say to someone wanting to get job flying in the Kimberley?
It can be a tough and isolating place starting your first job, but don’t take it for granted. I feel incredibly lucky my job has given me these experiences - people spend thousands to explore the Kimberley, and I’ve been paid to do it. I’d also suggest joining local social clubs like Kununurra Runners, social squash or Knit and Natter. It’s a great way to make friends. And finally - be prepared to be drenched in sweat for about three quarters of your life up here… you do get used to it!
CHRIS MAGNAY
How long have you been flying in Kununurra for? Been around longer than most pilots, I think I’m up to 23 years in 2026!
What’s your favourite route in Kimberley and or season to fly?
I don’t get to fly the scenic routes too often these days but flying along the coast between the Berkeley and King George Rivers is just amazing. I love flying in the wet season, it can be challenging but it’s much more scenic - the country comes alive with greenery and waterfalls.
If you could pick one plane to fly for the rest of your career, what would it be?
I’ve been flying the PC12 for the last 6 years, amazing plane and I love it. The Cessna 210 was the first aircraft I got to fly around the Kimberley (and get paid for it too) so I have a real soft spot for it.
Any crazy Kimberley plane stories?
There are a few stories I could tell, but one of the wildest was back when we could wear shorts to fly. I’d just taken off on a scenic flight in a Cessna 206 and about 100 feet up opened an overhead air vent - when a massive huntsman spider fell out and landed on my knee. We both panicked. The spider ran for cover - straight into my shorts. A scuffle with shouting and stomping followed until I finally squished it. I then calmly looked out the window and started talking about the Diversion Dam like nothing had happened. I’ve got no idea what the passengers thought.
What would say to someone wanting to get job flying in the Kimberley?
It’s amazing, hot and hard work though. I’ve loved it and while I’m a bit unusual that I stayed here I’ve been lucky to work with many amazing people who work all over the world in airlines, and they all look back at their time in the Kimberley as a highlight of their careers.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY PETRA MARTINCIC
Dogs of the Kimberley
WORDS & PHOTOS BY EMMA MOSS
People often imagine the Kimberley as being full of tough working dogs running cattle all day in the dust and heat. It’s an easy picture to build in your head if you’ve never spent much time up here.
The reality is a bit more nuanced. Some stations absolutely run dogs and do it very well, especially in cooler parts of the day or at certain times of year. You’ll still see sharp kelpies, solid cattle dogs, and seriously capable animals doing what they’re bred to do. But the heat plays a big role in how often and how long dogs can safely work, so they’re not always as common or as constantly deployed as people might expect.
That doesn’t mean dogs aren’t part of daily life though.
Alongside the working dogs are the camp dogs, station mascots, loyal travel companions, and quiet supervisors
of everything that happens around the yards, workshop and kitchen. They follow kids around like shadows, keep a watchful eye on their surroundings, and are often the first to notice when something doesn’t belong, including snakes that wander a little too close to home.
They know the sound of a ute long before you see it. They claim the best patch of shade without negotiation. They appear instantly when an esky opens. They take their creek swims seriously. They’re additional family members, loyal companions, and remarkably efficient at turning up whenever food is involved.
These photos are a small snapshot of the dogs that quietly weave themselves into life across the Kimberley. Whether they’re working, watching, or simply keeping people company, they’re part of what makes this place feel like home.
A Trip Down the Old River Station Homestead
DID YOU KNOW 10KM AS THE CROW FLIES FROM THE NT BORDER IN WA STANDS AN OLD STATION HOMESTEAD? NEITHER DID WE UNTIL A FRIEND MENTIONED IT IN PASSING, WORTH A LOOK IF YOU’RE HEADING OUT THAT WAY AND WE THOUGHT, WHY NOT. SO, WE PACKED UP THE CAR, SET UP CAMP ALONG THE ORD RIVER AND WENT DRIVING THROUGH OLD FENCED PADDOCKS, LOOKING FOR WHAT REMAINED.
Standing there, staring at those walls, we were looking at history. And the more I read about the station once I got back from camp, the more fascinating it got.
The heritage listed site sits right on the Duncan Highway, just after the Forrest River crossing heading north. Easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. No signs and no other tourists. Just pale stone walls in the shade of ancient boabs.
The homestead is built of local stone and whitewashed, with wide verandahs sheltering the walls beneath a
canopy of corrugated iron roofing that honestly looks like it gave way only just a few years ago. It was a practical choice, iron would’ve been easily transportable and does the best job of keeping the heat off. Standing inside what remains of those walls, it really is a beautiful example of people reading the landscape and building accordingly. Every decision was obviously made to work with the environment and to live as comfortably as possible through both the wet and the dry season.
Construction of the Homestead ran from 1884 to 1890. The station was established in 1884 by Nat Buchanan,
a pastoralist and explorer, and holds the distinction of being the first station ever established in the East Kimberley. Which I found wild, I had never heard of it! Yet we all know Lake Argyle, El Questro and the Durack name. But this station and the Buchanan name came first.
Buchanan had driven 4,000 head of cattle all the way from Richmond in Western Queensland across largely unmapped country to get here, one of the great droving feats in Australian history. When he arrived at the Ord, the East Kimberley pastoral era began. The Durack family followed shortly after, having driven their own cattle over 4,800 kilometres from Queensland in a journey that took two and a half years.
What makes Buchanan’s achievement at the Ord even more remarkable is that it wasn’t his first time opening a station. He had already established Wave Hill Station on the Northern Territory’s Victoria River and was the first European to take large numbers of cattle across the Barkly Tablelands. By the time he reached the Kimberley, he was arguably the most experienced drover in Australia, and yet most Australians have never heard of him
There is also a small cemetery nearby. People who came to the edge of the known world and never left.
Writer Tom Ronan visited in 1968 and wrote about the graves in Walkabout magazine, noting every headstone marked someone whose story deserved to be told. Standing there yourself, it's hard to disagree. The homestead was heritage listed in 1989 and remains on the WA State Heritage Register, recognised for its historical significance as the East Kimberley's first pastoral station and as a fine example of architecture built entirely in response to its environment.
All that history, sitting right there on the side of the Duncan Highway. Free to visit. Almost entirely unmarked. Worth the detour.
Want to read more? These books bring the history of the Old Ord River Station and the East Kimberley to life: In the Tracks of Old Bluey by Bobbie Buchanan: a biography of Nat Buchanan himself, the man who established Ord River Station and drove 4,000 head of cattle across unmapped country to get here. Read this first.
Kings in Grass Castles by Mary Durack: the definitive account of the Durack family's epic cattle drive from Queensland to the Ord River. Reads like a novel but every word of it is true.
Bettrina Bundamurra
KIMBERLEY CREATIVE
Bettrina Bundamarra, better known as BB, is a talented young artist currently developing her work through the Emama Nguda program in Derby.
Originally from Kalumburu in the East Kimberley, BB grew up surrounded by family, culture and country. Time spent hunting and fishing with relatives and learning from elders shaped much of her early life, and creativity was always close by.
BB comes from the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal tribes, and the country between Kalumburu and Derby is where she feels most connected. As a young girl she spent a lot of time
drawing and painting, learning by watching family members and experimenting with her own ideas.
Art also runs strongly through her family. BB’s grandmother, Betty Bundamurra, who recently passed away, was a highly respected and widely recognised Kimberley artist. Growing up around her grandmother’s work helped inspire BB’s own creative path and encouraged her to keep developing her skills.
Her talent showed early on, and while still at school she went on to win the Shinju Art Festival, giving her confidence to continue exploring her art.
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Through the Emama Nguda program in Derby, BB has been building on those early skills and experimenting with new mediums. Recently, she has been focusing on drawing and turning those designs into screen prints for clothing, with her artwork now appearing on shirts and shorts. She has also started creating kids’ clothing featuring Kimberley animals, and is building up stock with the aim of attending the markets later this year.
The Emama Nguda program is a government-funded initiative that supports local artists by providing a space, mentoring and resources to help develop their work. The goal is to give artists a platform to grow their profiles, explore new techniques and eventually create opportunities to generate income through their art.
BB has been working closely with mentor Ciaran, who has been involved with the program for nearly ten years. An artist himself, Ciaran works across drawing, painting and screen printing, and has been helping guide BB as she experiments with turning her artwork into wearable designs.
While building her collection, BB has also found the perfect model for some of her creations — her two year old daughter Tattiannah, known as Tati.
With strong cultural roots, artistic influence from family and support through the Emama Nguda program, BB is continuing to grow her confidence and explore new ways to share her creativity with the community.
REGION’S FAVOURITE PLACES, EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS — VOTED BY LOCALS FROM HIDDEN SWIMMING HOLES TO ICONIC OUTBACK EVENTS, THE EAST KIMBERLEY IS PACKED WITH UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES. WE ASKED READERS AND LOCALS TO VOTE FOR THEIR FAVOURITE THINGS TO SEE AND DO ACROSS THE REGION, AND THE RESULTS ARE IN. FROM BREATHTAKING LOOKOUTS TO LEGENDARY FESTIVALS, HERE ARE THE 100 MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN THE EAST KIMBERLEY, RANKED BY THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW IT BEST.
THE TOP 10
1. Kelly’s Knob
The most iconic lookout in Kununurra. A short climb rewards visitors with sweeping sunset views over Lake Kununurra and the Ord River valley.
2. Ord Valley Muster
The Kimberley’s biggest celebration of music, food and culture. Each year the festival draws thousands for unforgettable nights under the stars.
3. Elephant Rock
This dramatic rock formation on Lake Kununurra looks like something from another world and has become a favourite local swim spot.
4. El Questro Station
A Kimberley icon offering everything from luxury stays to rugged gorges and natural hot springs.
5. Lake Argyle Islands
Camping at one of the hundreds of islands scattered across Lake Argyle is one of the region’s is a local favourite.
6. Pentecost River
The famous river crossing on the Gibb River Road with the Cockburn Range rising in the background - one of the Kimberley’s most photographed landscapes.
7. Sunset at the PumpHouse
Few places match the atmosphere of sunset drinks overlooking Lake Kununurra at this historic building turned restaurant.
8 . Kununurra Rodeo
Dust, adrenaline and classic outback spirit - one of the town’s biggest and most loved events.
9. Purnululu National Park
Home to the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungles, one of Australia’s most extraordinary landscapes.
10. Lake Argyle Boat Tour
A spectacular way to explore Australia’s largest freshwater lake and its abundant wildlife.
THE COUNTDOWN
11–20
Barra Bash
Molly Springs
Spillway / The Plug
Kununurra Races
Mirima National Park
Lake Kununurra Boat Cruise
Five Rivers Lookout
Cape Domett
Walk through Mirima
Middle Springs
Molly Springs (#12)
An easy to access cool spring-fed swimming hole is one of the Kimberley’s most refreshing escapes.
21–40
Secret Springs
Kununurra Agricultural Show
Home Valley Station
Puma Hill / Sunset Hill
Lake Argyle Lookout
Lake Argyle Swim
Fishing for Barra
Emma Gorge
Ivanhoe Crossing
BBQ Hill (Packsaddle)
Whitegum Markets
Zebedee Springs
Lake Argyle
Ski Beach
Hiking in Purnululu
Dam 2 Dam
Black Rock Falls
Lake Kununurra
Second Sandy Beach
Emma Gorge (#28)
A scenic hike through towering red cliffs leads to a cool plunge pool beneath a waterfall - one of the Kimberley’s most photographed spots.
41–60
Buttons Crossing
Harry’s Hole
Taste of the Kimberley
Gourmet Camp Oven Experience
Local Rum at the Hoochery
Wuggubun
ANZAC Hill
Skull Rock
Herbies
Twin Tubs
Celebrity Tree Park
Digger’s Rest Station
Lake Argyle Infinity Pool
KNQ Pride
Champagne Falls
Helicopter Experience
El Questro Gorge
Brancos Lookout
Pigeon Hole Lookout
Pannikin Bay
The Hoochery (#45)
Australia’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery is a must-visit for tasting locally made spirits and learning about the region’s colourful history.
61–80
EKFL Grand Final
Karunjie Track
Scenic Airplane Flight
Overnight Canoe Trip
Black Tie Fundraiser
The Grotto
Amalia Gorge
Kununurra Speedway
Kununurra Picture Gardens
Boogie at the Kununurra Hotel
Bird Watching at Marlgu
Christmas Markets
Marlgu Billabong
Kimberley Writers Festival
50 Falls
Homestead Falls
Swim Beach
Blak Tapas Café
Twilight Markets
Picking up a copy of the Kununurra Sun
Kununurra Picture Gardens (#69) Watching a movie under the stars at this historic outdoor cinema is a uniquely Kimberley experience.
81–100
Thompson Springs
Brown Water Classic
Fern Pool
Doon Doon Roadhouse
Visit the Art Galleries
Violet Valley
Kununurra Half Marathon
Kununurra Adventurer Run
Kangaroo Haven
Revolver Falls
Pelican Rock
Subway Pizza
Scones at El Questro
Waringarri Cultural Centre
Dinner at Sporties
King George Falls
Prison Tree Boab
Dragon Boat Marathon
Historical Museum
Maggie’s Valley
This Is Your Sign to be Social this Season
WORDS BY CHLOE HAZEBROEK
Social Season Starts Now! Your guide to all the groups in town where you can meet and mingle with like-minded company.
I am personally very excited for the shift to the time of year where we can start dreaming about drier dirt roads and taking our best fits’ out of the cupboard to plan for a more-packed calendar to come. The transition to cooler weather also marks the time of year when our small-town’s social groups start to either come out of a short hibernation period or start up full-steam ahead in anticipation of fresh faces beginning to roll in. What better way to embrace the building buzz than by getting out in your community to connect, share and belong in social spaces created by people with interests just like yours?
East Kimberley Community Choir
The East Kimberley Community Choir sing together! Based in Kununurra, participants also travel from Wyndham for weekly meeting, currently on Mondays
from 6-7pm at East Kimberley College (Primary Music Room). In 2026, the choir has 3 Seasons of Song planned. Season One culminates in our performance at Horizon Power’s Party in the Park, as part of the 2026 Ord Valley Muster. Season 2 will be from June to October and Season 3 will be on Christmas songs. There is no requirement to know how to read sheet music and there are no auditions. Performing is optional and everyone (including high-school students) are welcomed to join wherever they’re at and share in the benefits of singing in a group. To find out more, get in touch via ekchoir@gmail.com, their Facebook Page or call Lex on 0414 933 225.
Knit & Natter
This group of social knitters and crocheters meets on Sunday mornings at 10am in the Hotel Kununurra dining room. Everyone is encouraged to bring their crafts and chat over a tea or coffee, usually until 2pm (but longer if they wish). There is no cost involved and no obligation to chat, but a knowledge of knitting/crotchet or the desire to learn is essential!
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
To get involved, contact Marian on 0427 386 623 or message the Kununurra Knit and Natter Facebook page.
Kunner Runner
Essentially, Kunner Runner enables running enthusiasts to explore the beautiful trails in and around Kununurra every Sunday. They’re eager to venture to more remote areas of the East Kimberley so confidence in bush walking and trail running is recommended before coming along. In addition, runners should be selfsufficient and bring their own water, first aid supplies and phones. While there are no fees to run, the friendly group usually finish up with a chat and coffee at each’s own expense at one of the town’s cafés. To find this week’s run, message them via Instagram @ kunnerrunner.
Kununurra Field Naturalists Club
The Kununurra Field Naturalists Club is a group that operates both on and offline to share stories and experience the rich biodiversity of Kununurra and surrounding hotspots, akin to similar groups also run in Broome and Darwin. The open Facebook group provides a platform for people to engage over what they have seen in nature and encourage people to join social outings (usually on the weekend) to explore places such as Parry’s Lagoon, Butterfly Cave and Mirima. Whether people enjoy birdwatching, observing other fauna, or taking in the diverse amount of flora in our area, the group is accessible to anyone with an interest in nature of some description. More walks will be arranged with the dry season fast approaching – so keep an eye on the Facebook page for announcements.
Kununurra
Neighbourhood House
Kununurra Neighbourhood House hosts a range of weekly programs to support social and emotional wellbeing. From family support programs, such as Parent and Baby (Monday 9am-12pm) and More Than a Playgroup (Tuesday 8.30am-10.30am) to Young at Heart for over 55s to connect over a cup of tea (Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm). Neighbourhood House also cater for like-minded hobbyists through Stitches and Yarns (Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm) and provide the meeting point for some of the social groups in town listed in this article. To contact Kununurra Neighbourhood House to find out more about their social programs, email mail@ kununurra.org or call 08 9168 1615.
Kununurra Patchwork & Sewing Group
Kununurra Patchwork and Sewing meet on the second Saturday of each month from 9am-3pm at the Kununurra Commercial Laundry. They are a lovely bunch of people with a range of levels of skill in each discipline - who love learning and sharing their crafts with one another. Everything is done with fabric and thread - cross stitch, hand sewing, mending, embroidery, dressmaking, patchwork, applique and quilting. Each session costs $10 and tools are BYO, though the group does have basic communal items (iron, cutting mats and rulers) as well as tea/coffee and lunch. Some people come for an hour, some come all day. Some come to chat and get inspiration and advice, some come with problems and the group solves them! Get in touch via their Facebook group or simply join them at their next session.
Kununurra Social Sisters
Social art sessions, Sunday brunches, sunset walks and workshops that ranging from how to read tarot or properly enjoy tea are just some of the activities run by Kununurra Social Sisters. From monthly drop-in book club with the library, to skill-sharing workshops through the Neighbourhood House Community Shed program, KSS creates spaces for connection with all different people – no event is ever the same and there is no commitment to keep coming back. Whether you’re in town for the long-term or casually passing through – KSS welcomes anyone and everyone to join an event. Find them on Facebook or Instagram for what’s coming up.
Monsoon Nights Bellydancers
Monsoon Nights is a community group that promotes Middle Eastern/North African/Greek/Turkish music and dance throughout the East Kimberley. They provide a safe space for people to try something different, meet new people and dance. Classes run with the school terms, every Wednesday at 6pm evening at the Neighbourhood House Community Room for $10 per class or $70 per term. Everyone is welcome and classes are suitable for all levels, no experience required. Contact their Facebook page for more details on how to sign up!
Ord Valley Branch of the CWA
The Ord Valley Branch of the Country Women’s Association is more than a social group of passionate ladies who enjoy baking and crafts. They’re part of a movement for social change in support of women in our local community. From hosting fundraisers for womens’ charities, to advocating for womens’ interests, their members from all walks of life and backgrounds use their wealth of experience to support women in our regional town and beyond. Memberships are available for women of any age and the CWA meets every third Tuesday of the month at Neighbourhood House. To get in touch, visit their Facebook page or email ordvalleycwa@gmail.com
Wild Brumbies
The Wild Brumbies are a spirited group of people who love to step in line to all music - country, western and beyond. Welcoming to line dancers of any level, they meet for classes at Neighbourhood House Community Room on Thursdays from 5.30pm-6.30pm and Sundays from 4.30pm-5.30pm, costing only $10pp. The group also perform at functions around town including the Saturday Markets and entertain at private events too, promoting the many benefits of the dance - from increased stability to social connection! Feel ready to kick up your heels and have a blast? Contact wildbrumbyld@outlook.com or Jenny on 0420 886 524.
Kununurra Sun
WOLFE CREEK CRATER
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
BOOK REVIEW
The Funeral Crashers
written by Jonanna Nell reviewed by Mel Moore
While the combination of funerals, old folk and romance might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I highly recommend giving The Funeral Crashers a go.
Main characters Grace Cavendish and Martin Pottenger, two strangers drawn together in unusual circumstances, are both struggling with their own personal, past losses while trying to navigate their current lives.
For Grace, life is lonely, and she is searching for friendship and purpose after suffering a bereavement. Will she find a friend at All Souls church where she volunteers, or will connection come through Hudson, the 8- year-old boy she meets while tending the local nature reserve?
Martin, a recently retired professor, is still carrying a burden of grief and guilt after the loss of a loved one many years ago. At the same time, he is plotting a new romance while dealing with his eccentric, nonagenarian mother. Martin’s mother – hilariously planning her own extravagant funeral – has recently come to live with him, and the dynamics of this relationship provide entertaining moments as Martin, a lifelong bachelor, learns to live with his mother (again) and the truths she has never shared.
Grace and Martin bond over their mutual love of singing, and this common interest leads them to unlikely places, together. Ultimately, it is through the death of others that Grace and Martin may just find life.
The funeral crashers is a humorous, poignant yet uplifting, tender-hearted tale about finding your people in the most unexpected places.
So, why not pop on the kettle, find a cosy corner of the couch and indulge in a bit of sweetness?
Council Decision - February Council Meeting COUNCIL CONNECT
Compulsory Voting & Election Terms
Council resolved to retain the current biennial half-spill election model, where half of councillors are elected every two years, and to continue with voluntary voting in Local Government elections.
Council does not support moving to full four-year “full spill” elections or introducing compulsory voting at this stage. Key considerations include maintaining governance continuity, reducing the risk of full Council turnover, and avoiding potential increases in administrative and election costs.
Council will provide this position to WALGA and will only reconsider its stance if formal State Government proposals are released and transparent cost modelling demonstrates financial neutrality or benefit.
Proposed Preliminary Tree Planting
Council noted the availability of 66 Northern Kurrajong (Brachychiton diversifolius) trees from the Gelganyem Group and endorsed the species in principle for future street planting in Kununurra and Wyndham, subject to adoption of the upcoming Tree Planting Policy.
The native species is well suited to local conditions and will enhance shade, amenity and biodiversity. Trees will be secured now, with planting planned for January 2027 to ensure optimal establishment. Locations will be confirmed prior to planting, focusing on areas of high community benefit and low vandalism risk.
Economic Development Strategy 2026-2036
Council unanimously adopted the Economic Development Strategy (EDS) 2026–2036, setting a 10-year plan to guide economic growth, liveability and investment in the Shire.
The Strategy aligns with the Strategic Community Plan and focuses on leadership, housing, workforce development, business growth, infrastructure and vibrant town centres. It responds to state and national policy settings and was shaped by extensive community and stakeholder consultation.
While there are no immediate financial commitments, future initiatives will be considered through normal budgeting processes. The Strategy will be reviewed in five years and supported by an adaptable action plan.
Wyndham Pool Shade Sail Replacement
Council approved a $380,000 allocation in the 2026/27 budget, funded from the Capital Works Reserve, to complete installation of a five-bay retractable shade sail system at the Wyndham Memorial Swimming Pool.
The original shade structure was removed due to storm damage and safety concerns. A retractable system is considered safer and more suitable for cyclone conditions, allowing flexibility during wet and dry seasons. Previous grant funding was unavailable, leaving a shortfall. The upgrade will restore much-needed shade and is scheduled for completion before the 2026/27 wet season.
Recreation & Events Strategy 2025
Council unanimously endorsed the Recreation and Events Strategy 2025 as a guiding document for planning and delivering sport, recreation and event facilities across the Shire.
The Strategy responds to ageing infrastructure, growing event demand and community feedback, identifying priorities such as improved amenities, shared multi-use facilities and better event support infrastructure. It outlines key actions over the next five years, including master planning for major precincts and facility upgrades.
The Strategy aims to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen community connections and support economic growth and tourism through wellplanned, sustainable and inclusive recreational spaces.
Independent Potable Water Quality Audit
Council resolved to commission independent potable water testing at 10 locations in Kununurra and five in Wyndham to address community concerns about water safety.
Testing will include standard microbiological and chemical analysis, with results reported within 90 days and compared to national guidelines.
Council also directed the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee to investigate risks related to water and drainage infrastructure and impacts on liveability and economic development.
7NEWS Top Tourism Town Awards Submission
We recently teamed up with the Kununurra Visitor Centre on a project entering the 7NEWS Top Tourism Town Awards.
The awards celebrate towns across Western Australia that show a strong commitment to growing tourism and attracting visitors, and we’re proud to showcase what makes Kununurra so special. For our submission, we focused on the Visiting Friends and Family (VFR) demographic to promote our beautiful region in the shoulder seasons.
Videographers Nathan Dyer and Donny Imberlong brought our submission to life across three days of filming in Kununurra and Lake Argyle.
A huge thank you to Discovery Parks Kununurra and Lake Argyle, Artlandish, Blak Tapas and the PumpHouse for being part of the project. And an extra big thanks to Steve McEvoy for skippering on Lake Kununurra and making sure our models were always in the right place at the right time.
Public voting opens Thursday 2 April and runs until Friday 1 May 2026. Be sure to cast your vote for our amazing town and help us reach the national stage!
A Fairly Good Way to Giveback with FairGame
WORDS BY SHANNON THORLEY
Got a Couple of Hours on a Monday? FairGame is Looking for You!
If you’re looking for a way to get involved in the Kununurra community, support local young people, and finally prove you still have what it takes on the dodgeball court, FairGame might have just the thing.
So… what is FairGame?
FairGame is a charity that works with communities across Western Australia to encourage healthy, active lifestyles. They run fun games and health activities for kids and collect and redistribute preloved sporting equipment so more young people can access the benefits of sport.
In the Kimberley and Pilbara, FairGame currently runs hubs in Kununurra, Broome and South Hedland, delivering free programs that help kids stay active, build confidence and connect with others.
What happens in Kununurra?
Every Monday during school term from 4–6 pm, FairGame runs its Game On! Afterschool Program at PCYC Kununurra.
The sessions are packed with active games that get kids moving, laughing and working together. It’s all about having fun while building confidence and teamwork skills.
At the end of the session, everyone helps cook and share a healthy evening meal. The kids get involved in preparing the food, learning some kitchen skills and chatting together after a busy afternoon of games.
What would I actually be doing?
Volunteers help make the sessions run smoothly. You might jump into the games, encourage the kids, or help where needed.
And if you’ve secretly been waiting for an excuse to play dodgeball again, this could be your moment.
Things can get surprisingly competitive once the adults join in — although the kids are usually quick to remind everyone who’s really in charge.
If running around isn’t your thing, you can also help with the cooking side of the session, supporting the kids as they prepare the shared meal.
There are also occasional outreach trips about once a term, where the FairGame team heads out to nearby communities like Warmun and Wyndham to run special Game On! sessions.
Who would this suit?
FairGame volunteers are a mix of locals and young adults living in town for work placements or short stays. You don’t need special skills or sporting talent.
FairGame is simply looking for people who:
• Enjoy being part of a team
• Bring energy and a positive attitude
• Are happy to try something new
It’s a great opportunity if you enjoy working with kids, sports and fitness, or learning more about different cultures and communities. Most importantly, volunteers need to be respectful, open-minded and keen to learn while contributing something positive to the community.
Do I have to commit to a whole term?
Nope. While it’s great when volunteers can come regularly and get to know the kids, there’s flexibility. Coming each week is ideal, but if you miss a session here and there - or can only come every second weekthat’s absolutely fine.
How do I get involved?
It’s easy. Check out our website https://fairgame.org.au/ or just email info@fairgame.org.au
Include a short note about yourself, what you’re doing in town and how long you might be living in the area. Your email will then be passed on to the local Project Officer, who will get in touch.
Before joining sessions, volunteers will need a Working With Children Check and a National Police Certificate.
Game On! Afterschool Program
PCYC Kununurra
Mondays during school term | 4–6 pm
If you’ve got a couple of hours free on a Monday and want to be part of something fun, active and community-focused, FairGame would love to hear from you.
No Pool? No Problems
WORDS BY JESS BUCHAN
YOU CAN TAKE THE WATER OUT OF THE POOL, BUT YOU CAN’T KEEP THE CROCS OUT OF THE WATER.
Before the sun rises over Kununurra, members of the Kununurra Crocs Swim Club are already gathering at Ski Beach.
They stretch on the riverbank, watching the first light creep over the water before diving in and heading out past the reeds (and sometimes, the odd freshie) to start their morning kilometres.
With the town pool closed for redevelopment, the club has turned the East Kimberley itself into their training ground. In a place surrounded by water, they have found plenty of alternate ways to dive in.
For many club members, the annual Lake Argyle Swim is the motivation behind the kilometres they swim and the even greater kilometres they travel to train.
On Wednesdays and Friday mornings, keen swimmers gather at Ski Beach for open water sessions before work. Saturday mornings mean an early drive to Wyndham, where swimming between the lane ropes is a forgotten luxury. Then on Sunday mornings, it’s out
to Lake Argyle, where I can personally vouch for the spectacular views that make the early alarm worthwhile. All up, some members are travelling up to 600 kilometres a week just to keep swimming.
Of course, training outdoors in the Kimberley comes with its challenges.
Between fluctuating river levels, wild wet season weather, road closures and the occasional croc sighting, keeping the club afloat has been no small feat.
At the start of 2024, a small group of determined swimmers sat down on a picnic bench to work out how to keep the Kununurra Crocs Swim Club alive. With the town pool poised to close for redevelopment and the club also dealing with personal tragedies within the community, the future looked uncertain.
Stepping up as president was Ben Broady, who admits he was quite literally thrown in the deep end.
His first experience coaching young swimmers quickly changed everything.
“I was totally enamoured by the little kids,” he said. That moment set him on a new path.
Kununurra Sun
During the uncertain months that followed, the club credits the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley for supporting the group wherever possible, providing a lifeguard for swimming sessions before the pool closed, assisting with fees and offering extended hours at the Wyndham pool on weekends.
Even with the new Aquatic Centre redevelopment underway, Broady says the Shire has continued to include the swim club in discussions around the project, right down to the finer details like pace clocks and lane markings.
The club also received strong support from the wider community.
The Kununurra Water Ski Club generously donated keys to the swim club, giving them free access to Ski Beach for training sessions. Toward the end of last year, Wunan opened up the pool at the Youth Hostel so the club could run swimming lessons for kids in Term 4, while the Cambridge Hotel Kununurra also offered its pool for a training session.
What began as four swimmers around a picnic table has since grown into a committee of 15 long-term locals, all dedicated to keeping the club moving forward.
And there’s plenty to look forward to.
When the new Aquatic Centre opens in June, the community will gain a new 50-metre pool (complete with both heating and cooling, we might add!). Even
before it opens, Kununurra is already attracting attention from across the swimming world.
The Northern Territory Swimming Association is looking at running clinics and training camps in town, opening the door for future interstate competitions.
Then, on April 28, professional ultra-marathon swimmer Andy Donaldson will attempt to break the world record for the 55-kilometre swim from Lake Argyle to the Kununurra Dam Wall, a record currently held by Simone Blaser.
Donaldson is no stranger to extreme challenges. The multiple world record holder has completed the world’s seven toughest ocean swims in record time, while also setting records across the English Channel, Manhattan Island and Cook Strait.
But perhaps the most unexpected outcome of the pool closure has been the change in culture within the Crocs themselves.
Time out of the pool has given the club space to develop its coaches, strengthen its administration and start planning for the future.
As Broady puts it, “It’s given us time to dream.” And if the last year has proven anything, it’s that the Crocs will find a way to keep swimming.
Anyone interested in joining the club can reach out to the Kununurra Crocs Swim Club on Facebook to get involved.
For Club, For Country, For Ingrid Harvey.
THIS YEAR, THE ORD RIVER MAGPIES WOMEN'S TEAM WILL BE WEARING A SPECIAL NEW GUERNSEY, DESIGNED BY MOLLY DARBY AND MARY DAVIES.
This guernsey is more than a uniform. It represents our connection to the Ord River and to the beautiful Miriwoong country on which we stand and play. It is a testament to our resilience and a bold declaration of our team’s spirit.
Because the team carries the name of the Ord River, the designers wanted the guernsey to truly reflect that identity. Flowing across the jumper is the mighty Ord River itself - a reminder of the land and water that bring our community together.
On the top right sits a symbol representing women. Surrounding it are stars, each one symbolising an individual player reflected in the water. Every star shines with its own brilliance, just as every player contributes in her own way. Together they represent the strength of the women in our team and our commitment to the wider community, strong as the river and bright as the Kimberley night sky.
The Boab tree also features prominently, always standing tall as a symbol of strength and endurance in
the Kimberley landscape. Within the centre of the Boab are the dates 1952–2024, honouring Ingrid Harvey - a woman whose love for the Magpies and unwavering dedication to the club was felt by so many over many years.
Like the Boab, Ingrid had deep roots in the community. She supported players, families and volunteers alike, and her presence around the club became part of its heart. The values she lived - resilience, commitment and a deep love of the game - helped shape the culture of the Magpies.
To wear this guernsey is to carry a piece of her spirit onto the field. It is a reminder that we do not play only for ourselves, but for those who built the club before us and those who stand beside us now. Ingrid’s legacy lives on in every training session, every match and every act of teamwork.
This guernsey tells a story of the Ord River, of Miriwoong country, of community, and of a club brought together by shared pride and respect. For the players, it is not just something they wear on game day. It is a connection to place, to people, and to the enduring spirit of the Ord River Magpies.
Canines of Kununurra
WE'RE DOG PEOPLE HERE AT KUNUNURRA SUN. REACH OUT TO US TO GET YOUR 4 LEGGED FRIEND FEATURED!
NAME Moose
AGE: 6 years young
BREED: Sausage Dog
WHAT’S YOUR JOB IN THE HOUSEHOLD?
My job is to make sure everyone is loved and greeted with enthusiasm. I take this role very seriously.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE KUNUNURRA HANGOUT?
Anywhere I can sit and watch the world go by.
FAVOURITE ACTIVITY?
Dragging the hose around the yard and chasing the water. Sometimes even inside if Mum isn’t paying attention.
WHAT’S YOUR WEIRDEST HOBBY?
I’m very passionate about hoses and sprinklers and will follow them anywhere.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST SCANDALOUS SNACK THEFT?
Stealing undies from the laundry and taking them to my bed like prized possessions.
NAME Mabel
AGE: 6 years young
BREED: Sausage Dog
WHAT’S YOUR JOB IN THE HOUSEHOLD?
I don’t have a job. My household exists to serve me.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE KUNUNURRA HANGOUT?
Wherever there are the most lizards to chase.
FAVOURITE ACTIVITY?
Running full speed around the bush with my big dog friends chasing lizards and kangaroos. If Mum loved me enough, she would buy me my own cattle station.
WHAT’S YOUR WEIRDEST HOBBY?
Climbing trees to get to lizards.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST SCANDALOUS SNACK THEFT?
After running away for three days, I ate an old splintery kangaroo bone on the road which ended up poking out through my throat. It cost Mum a lot of money at the vet.
NAME Merle
AGE: 7 month old
BREED: Blue Heeler cross from KANE
WHAT’S YOUR JOB IN THE HOUSEHOLD?
I’m the guard dog and personal protector. I’m never more than about 50 metres away from Mum.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE KUNUNURRA HANGOUT?
Swimming at Lily Lagoon.
FAVOURITE ACTIVITY?
Anything that involves getting love and attention.
WHAT’S YOUR WEIRDEST HOBBY?
Squeezing through the cat door to come inside, even though I’m fully grown.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST SCANDALOUS SNACK THEFT?
I’m actually pretty well behaved… unless you count stealing extra pats and attention whenever possible.
MOOSE
MABEL
MERLE
Dink Responsibly: The Pickleball Effect.
WORDS BY JOJO BIDOIS
THE BIG DILL IN SPORT THAT’S QUICKLY TAKEN OVER THE COURTS — AND NOW KUNUNURRA.
“Picklers battling it out from the kitchen” is a phrase you are more likely to associate with MasterChef Australia or The Bear, but in this case, nobody’s reducing balsamic - they’re busy dinking for the win.
Those familiar with pickleball will tell you that this kitchen is not for cooking… it’s for dominance. Pickleball is the newest adaptation of all your favourite racquet sports mixing tennis, table-tennis and badminton into its own crossbred, little combo. It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a paddle — similar to a giant table tennis bat — and a perforated plastic ball that pops when you slap it across the net.
Rules of Pickleball
• Boundary rules and serving patterns are predominantly the same as tennis and badminton.
• Scoring is similar to badminton, in which you can only win points on your serve.
• The first two shots (serve and return) must bounce before a volley (a shot that is hit before bouncing) can be played.
• A volley cannot be played within the area closest to the net, called “the kitchen.”
• Serves must be underarm and struck from below the waist.
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
For the committed fans, it is a well-known fact that pickleball is the fastest growing physical sport in the world, and Australia has well and truly jumped on the bandwagon, with 25,000 listed members and 400 registered clubs as of 2026. Queensland has been the hotbed for participation since its inception in Australia, but NSW, Victoria and WA have all caught on. There are even efforts being pushed through for International Olympic Committee recognition and potential inclusion at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Not bad for a sport that started in someone’s backyard, alongside a cocker-spaniel named Pickles. That’s right… it's his ball.
The riffraff between picklers and tennis players is the newest cultural divide of reformist vs. traditionalist values, as the new-age sport’s growth has the establishment in a bit of a pickle. Legendary tennis players like Andre Agassi and Kim Clijsters — who have transitioned into pickleball — insist the two sports can, and should, coexist.
Tennis has historically held the racquet sports niche to itself, so when the new guy rocks up with his paddle and pickle balls; booking out all the courts, some resentment seems valid. But all that pent up energy
doesn’t seem to hold much weight for too long. Pickleball can act as both a gentle introduction into tennis, kind of like a gateway sport — but also a welcoming alternative for those stepping away from the demanding physical load required to play the country-club classic.
Leisure centres around Australia have embraced the sport quickly, and largely because of its inclusivity. The low physical barrier for entry makes it ideal for the young, the old, and everyone in between. Its shorter game style allows players to rotate partners often, meet more people, and have a good old time laughing and missing the ball.
Tennis players who move between the two sports note that they continue to sharpen their hand-eye skills, make smarter choices with shot placement, and develop quicker reflexes. For the o.g’s that were forced out of the game against their will, pickleball has opened the door again and reignited that competitive spark.
If you find yourself anywhere on the spectrum between ‘tennis purist’ and ‘questioning pickler,’ get yourself down to the Kununurra Leisure Centre for a crack. Dropin sessions run Thursday evenings from 5pm to 7pm or Saturday mornings from 9:30am to midday. No aprons necessary.
ARIES
(MARCH 21 – APRIL 19)
Love planet Venus pays a visit to your sign in March, bringing your fire sign connections of pleasure and new priorities in the romance sphere. However loved up you might be, Aries, it’s important to protect your energy, consider connections before committing and keep time for self-care (yes, that means assessing that social calendar before you say yes to seeing everyone you’ve missed over the wet season)! Prior to the Sun’s entry into your sign on March 21, focus on letting go of old habits so when your sign’s time to shine arrives, nothing will be holding you back.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 – MAY 20)
Take a step back to trust your instincts in terms of your social life in March, Taurus. Think of your energy as Lake Argyle – socialising should leave you healthily filled, not drained. In reflecting on your inner world and networks, you’ll end the month with good feelings about yourself and your friendships. In April, capitalise on these vibes by spending more time in your community. Experience a shift to your natural grounded state – particularly in your environment and financials, when Uranus departs your sign after 7 years on April 25.
GEMINI
(MAY 21 – JUNE 20)
Making those career changes is on your mind in March, Gemini, with the Pisces New Moon on March 18th amplifying your ambition and opening doors in your work life. Balance the hustle with what makes you happy into April, including valuable time with friends and finishing projects you left behind in 2025 (think that art piece or book for tackling on a rainy day). Uranus enters your sign on April 25, prompting progress and reinvention within yourself and in the outside world, so be prepared for some shakes in the foundations of your self-understanding.
CANCER
(JUNE 21 – JULY 22)
Jupiter in your house of travel, exploration and experience will be lit up in March, Cancer. If you haven’t already been out camping or chasing waterfalls, it is a good time to now. Later in the month, you feel self-confident and positive, bringing rewards when Mercury retrograde ends on the 20th, particularly in your career or public life. In April, your positive outlook makes it possible to build or repair relationships with business associates and supports a passionate period in mid-April when Venus enters your communication sector.
LEO (JULY 23 – AUGUST 22)
Sharing is caring in March for you, Leo. You’ll be assessing your shared assets, finances and projects this month and looking for new opportunities to partner and pool resources, whether that be a multi-person overnight hike or a simple potluck with friends. While you’re in a state of flow for most of the month, the New Moon on March 18 prompts a return to rest and reflection before a heightened time of learning and focus on lifestyle in April (hello, new skill or sport) - the perfect time to plan and practice what you need to continue walking the path to your highest self.
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22)
Harmony is your theme for March, Virgo – and how fitting as Harmony Week later in the month aligns with the end of Mercury retrograde which may have clouded you with hesitation in the past few weeks. The March 18th New Moon will spark imagination, spiritual connections and soul relationships that have you seeing people in a new light. While March brings you heart-healing, April welcomes action-oriented change in your professional life – for which those connections formed earlier will be an asset. Wanting to use your organisation skills to arrange a work event or social occasion? April is your month to do just that.
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22)
Take a deep breath in nature and nurture your health and wellness, Libra. You’ve been getting back to roots and routine lately, but your inner social butterfly is flapping with the idea of more mingling planned for later in the month. Mercury retrograde has prompted practicality and personal reflection for most of March, but after the 20th your energy is uplifted, boosting your connections and positive attitudes toward love, creativity and romance. Hold onto this enthusiasm as you escape somewhere new in late-April when Uranus enters your ninth house of travel on the 25th and all our roads have (hopefully!) reopened.
SCORPIO
(OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21)
Water sign season has heightened your self-expression in your fifth house of hobbies, recreation and leisure in early March, Scorpio. A playful you is particularly evident from mid to lateMarch as during Mercury retrograde, you’ve been discovering ways to reconnect with activities that nourish your spirit (yay to book clubs, BBQs and boat days). Later in the month, practical
affairs and health take centre stage – reminding you to watch for burnout and sunburn alike (or taking your social sports too seriously). In April, wisdom prevails in your financial and health sectors while the workout you gave your inner child in March will serve you well in your career when Aries season arrives.
SAGITTARIUS
(NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21)
Anchoring and centring is calling to you in March, Sagittarius. Family matters are preoccupying you for the first part of the month and you can feel good about your personal life, knowing you are taking time to process all the feelings that have risen in Pisces season. Relationships continue to strengthen through April as you’ve honed your ability to connect and communicate with honesty. You’re as cool as a lemonade on a warm day, Sagittarius – but remember to keep yourself calm and collected to not overwhelm yourself with engagements. Do this and you will feel freedom in your interpersonal life when Uranus enters Gemini on April 25th.
CAPRICORN
(DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19)
A sense of tension will shroud the start of your March, Capricorn, but with patience, you’ll release what drains you by the middle of the month. You possess more clarity on what revives and relaxes you, be it a swim in a spring or taking time to enjoy your coffee, which sets you up well for later in the month when you return to your hard-working self. Invest in your friends in March and your loved ones will be a source of inspiration and support for you in April – perhaps in your health and wellbeing sector, which will be in the spotlight when Uranus moves on April 25th.
AQUARIUS
(JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18)
Mutable moons in March encourage you to be flexible in your thinking in all areas of your life, Aquarius. The New Moon in Pisces on the 18th in particular, prompts a release of your fixedsign resistance to change. If you feel the chaos is too much, try floating in water or feeling how it is to walk amid the abundant flora of our region. In April, a sense of steady momentum eases lingering unpredictability and you’ll once again find yourself in a comfortable cycle in your relationships, career and finances. Coupled with Uranus’s transition to your creativity sector on April 25th, this marks a powerful time for realising unique forms of expression in art and your communication style.
PISCES
(FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20)
March is your month Pisces. Happy Birthday! Blowing out your candles and making a wish must’ve worked because your dreams are falling into place. However, you know that reward does not come without consistent effort, so you’re tapping into your personal power to be productive while also staying creative or returning to a cherished pastime. When Aries season comes around on March 19th, you’re on a roll to experience monetary growth and maintain your charisma to create the changes you’ve wished for in your life – remember to stay patient as the universe’s magic works for you.
