Lake Argyle – Overview & Things to See and Do
Overview:
72 kilometres by sealed road from Kununurra.Lake Argyle is a 1,000 square kilometre inland sea. The lake was formed when the Ord River was dammed in June 1972 at a cost of $22 million. It has since developed its own eco systems and native flora and fauna abound.
The dam wall is 99 m high and 318 m long. Lake Argyle has a normal capacity of over 10. 7 million cubic metres (18 times the volume of Sydney Harbour) and a surface area of 980 sq. km. In flood, the dam can hold nearly 35,000 million cubic metres and extends over an area of more than 2000 sq. km. 250 species of birds , colonies of rock wallabies and a large number of species of fish inhabit the area.
Things to See and Do
Sightseeing and photography Magnificent scenery from the dam wall and nearby lookouts.
Boat Cruises: Magnificent scenery and wildlife can be seen by taking a boat cruise. Combination boat tours of the Ord River and Lake Argyle are also on offer.
Accommodation: Accommodation and caravan park is available at Lake Argyle.
Argyle Downs Museum: One of the oldest homesteads in the area, Argyle Downs, established by the Durack family, would have been submerged when the lake filled, so it was moved to its present position and has become a museum.