Heading to the world-famous Lake Argyle but not sure what to do there? Are you searching for camping options but not finding much at all?
Keep reading to find the answers to these questions… and so much more. Discover the incredible beauty of Lake Argyle, and reconnect with life through the unparalleled nature all around.
Where can you camp at Lake Argyle?
The long and the short of it is that there’s really only one place to camp at Lake Argyle, the Lake Argyle Discovery Park. But never fear, there’s plenty to see and do while you’re there.
Lake Argyle is also the gateway to the Ord River, where you can experience the Kimberley at its pristine best.
Lake Argyle Discovery Park
The Lake Argyle Discovery Park sits high above the edge of Lake Argyle and overlooks a tiny portion at the northern end of this huge Lake. It is the only caravan park and campground you will find at Lake Argyle, and there are no free rest-stops or campsites nearby.
The campground itself is a big, sprawling site set across a high ridge with stunning views in all directions. Just like any caravan park, the campsites are cosy and you’ll be close to your neighbours. There are lots of ‘sections’ and levels across the park, some more shady than others.
When I stayed there, I opted for a small and cheap site but did not realise how exposed it would be. I was allocated an unpowered site that was basically on a grass oval, with absolutely no trees near me. The outlook was stunning and I could see right across the gorge and the lake, but there just wasn’t any shade. Most of the shady sites are powered and slightly more expensive, but considering how hot it gets at all times of the year at Lake Argyle, the extra cost is worth it for the shade! Just ask at reception when you check in to see if they can allocate you a nice shady site.
The amenities at the Park were nice, with individual showers, coin operated laundries, camp kitchen and BBQs. Be sure to get into the showers in the early-morning or mid-afternoon straight after they’ve been cleaned – they can get very steamy and messy after the peak-hour shower rush.
Some other things to know about Lake Argyle Discovery Park:
- There’s a restaurant, bar, kiosk/store, and tour bookings desk – they’re all located at the reception building that you’ll pass when you enter.
- Fresh drinking water is available from all the taps across the site. The water comes straight out of the Lake Argyle dam. It tastes a little bit soil-like, although I never had any problems and didn’t get sick from it.
- Unpowered sites start at $40 per night.
- Powered sites start at $50 per night.
Other Accommodation Options at Lake Argyle
If you’re in need of some extra creature comforts during your long road-trip, Lake Argyle is the perfect place to relax in a little more luxury.
The Lake Argyle Discovery Park offers cabins of all kinds, ranging from a standard 3-person Studio Cabin for $299 per night, all the way up to a Deluxe Lakeview Cabin that sleeps 10 for $1,199 per night.
Can you free camp at Lake Argyle?
The short answer is no, you cannot free camp at Lake Argyle. There is one camping ground at Lake Argyle (run by Discovery Parks) that has a range of camping and accommodation options. There is nowhere else to stay at (or on the way to) Lake Argyle, unless you stay in Kununurra.
Day Pass to Lake Argyle Resort
If you just want to visit Lake Argyle for the day and go for a swim in the iconic infinity pool, you can purchase a visitor’s day-pass at the reception office. This will allow you to put your feet up and relax for the day, use the amenities, and enjoy the lovely shady grounds overlooking the picturesque lake.
The Fun Stuff – Lake Argyle Activities
The next part of this article will walk you through the huge range of activities you can get into while you’re visiting Lake Argyle. Whether you’re there for a day or a week, if you’re an adventurer or more laid-back, there’s something at Lake Argyle you will love.
Morning Yoga
When I visited Lake Argyle during the peak season in July, there were daily yoga classes being offered for guests. The yoga was a very relaxed affair, being set on the lawn under the shady frangipani trees. The class had the pleasure of overlooking the infinity pool and a sparkling Lake Argyle.
It was BYO towel or yoga mat and cost $10 cash, which was paid directly to the instructor. Even though the days were hot, there was just enough shade from the trees to stay cool-ish once the sun had fully risen.
It was the perfect way to set the tone for the day ahead, by spending an hour waking up in front of one of Australia’s most stunning landscapes.
Sunset Gigs and Guitar on the Lawn
The perfect bookend to a day that began with sunrise yoga on the lawn, was a sunset gig on the lawn. Over my few nights there in July there were two different people performing with the stunning sunset backdrop of Lake Argyle behind them. It was a beautiful calm way to end the day, and it really brought the place alive as the day transitioned to the evening.
When you arrive at the Park, ask reception if there are any activities or gigs going on while you’re there – you never know what might be happening!
Walking Trails
If you’re an adventurer, a birdwatcher, or just in need of some nature, there are plenty of walking trails to discover at Lake Argyle. There are tens of unmarked trails that cut chaotically through the bush there, but there are two really great marked trails that you can easily find.
If you do go out to explore and hike, be aware that it gets extremely hot at Lake Argyle, even in the winter months – and some of the trails are not shaded at all.
When hiking, bring at least 3 litres of water per person and plan to leave before sunrise to beat the heat of the day. When I walked one of the trails in July, I was shocked at how hot it was by 9am.
Ord River Gorge Lookout
The Ord River Gorge Lookout trail is the easiest of the walking trails at Lake Argyle, and starts on the opposite side of the campground (across the road). The trail is 1.2km return and takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete, it is considered an easy walk.
If you need some guidance finding the start of the trail, check out the route on AllTrails.
Lake Argyle Bluff Lookout Walk
The Lake Argyle Bluff Lookout Walk is a moderately difficult, 5.3km out-and-back hike. It’s a little bit more adventurous and offers some seclusion from the busy campground. The trail usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Most of the trail is rocky and gently undulating, and there is spiky spinifex everywhere. The best way to protect against the spiky grasses is to wear long pants!
There is no shade most of the way, except for the first part of the trail which is nicely wooded and shady. Once you hit the rocky outcrops on the other side of the headland, it’s completely exposed and there is absolutely no shade at the end of the trail.
You can find the start of the trail on the pool-side of the campground, just below the ‘upper lawn’ area behind the pool. The trail is relatively easy to follow most of the way, although there were some white markers painted on rocks that got a bit confusing. The trail follows the headland around Lake Argyle, so it’s hard to get too lost out there.
When I set out on the hike I didn’t think it would be particularly difficult, but what I didn’t realise was how tough it would be in the heat. I left at a time I thought was early enough, by about 7am, but by 9am the sun was beating down on me and it was incredibly hot. If you plan to do this hike, no matter what time of year, it’s best to leave just before sunrise – and at least well before 7am!
Downloading a backup map from AllTrails is a great way to help if you do get a little bit misguided by the rock markers along the way.
If you don’t want the adventure to end, you can also take a detour off the trail to check out the Durack Homestead. You will see a sign about two-thirds of the way along the walking trail that points toward the Homestead. You will also be able to see straight across to the building from the trail, so keep an eye out for it as you walk.
Durack Homestead
The Durack Homestead is a special piece of Lake Argyle’s history, with many stories to share and lives lived inside its walls.
The Homestead was built in 1895 by the Durack family and, incredibly, it still stands today. The crazy part is that it used to sit at the bottom of Lake Argyle… before the Lake was dammed and filled with water. The building was completely dismantled by hand, brick by brick, and re-built where it sits now. It is 15km away from its original location and was rebuilt so that the stories and history could live on.
In 1979, the Homestead was turned into a museum, and now you can learn all about the immigrants who settled there, pastoral life on the land and the construction of Lake Argyle Dam. If you’re in need of a mid-hike pick-me-up there’s also a souvenir and coffee shop onsite.
There are two ways to get to Durack Homestead – hiking or driving. The drive-in entry gate is just a few hundred metres before the entrance to the Lake Argyle caravan park. Entry to the museum costs $5 per adult and it is open daily from 8am to 4pm (from 1 April to 30 September each year).
Sunset over the famous infinity pool
If you’ve heard of Lake Argyle then there’s a good chance you’ve seen the infamous Lake Arglye Infinity Pool in a photo. Although it seems like a bit of a gimmick, watching the sunset over Lake Argyle from a pool that feels like it drops off the edge of the earth is a pretty unique experience.
The pool itself isn’t huge, but the number of guests at the caravan park usually is. It’ll be busy there no matter what time of day or year you go. The upside to the hive of activity at the pool is that it offers a great opportunity to meet other travellers and share some stories about your favourite places in the region. You never know what hidden gems other travellers might share with you!
Swimming Pontoon
Just below the Infinity Pool there’s a steep track that takes you down to the swimming pontoon. This is a more basic way to connect with nature and gives you the chance to enjoy the water at your own pace.
While I laid on the pontoon to get some lovely midday sun, I really enjoyed meeting some adventurous individuals and bonding over our love of nature and adventure. We chatted about our solo travels around the region, always in search of unique experiences and connection with people and places.
Can You Swim in Lake Argyle?
Yes, you certainly can swim in Lake Argyle. The water in July was beautifully cold and refreshing, and there was a bit of weedy undergrowth below the water level. It was nothing like the infinity pool, but it was fun to float around and relax with only a few other swimmers. Some people had SUPs and inflatables in the water to float around on too.
The best way to enjoy your trip down to the pontoon is to bring plenty of water and a snack. There are a few shady trees you can hide under to stay cool after you go for a swim. The walk back up the hill is steep and sweaty – you’ll be wanting another swim by the time you get back to the top.
Are there Crocodiles in Lake Argyle?
Be aware that freshwater, and sometimes saltwater crocodiles reside in Lake Argyle. All up there are about 35,000 freshwater crocodiles in Lake Argyle, but the Lake is absolutely huge (1000km2). That’s 35 crocs per square kilometre, or about 1 for every 3 square metres – more than enough room to share. Freshies typically only eat insects and small fish and are not aggressive.
The being said, a little awareness goes a long way when swimming in the top end of Australia. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t go in the water if you’ve seen a croc nearby. Even though freshwater crocs are typically not aggressive, they can get startled and react just like you and I can.
Take a Lake Argyle Boat Tour
Going on a Lake Argyle Boat Tour is the perfect way to get a true feel for the massive size of Lake Argyle. If you treat yourself to a sunset cruise, you will get afternoon tea followed by drinks in the Lake – they’ll throw you a pool noodle and pour you a glass of wine while you take a refreshing dip.
Lunch cruises are available too, with excellent history and Lake Argyle trivia shared by the skipper of the boat. You can book a cruise through Lake Argyle Discovery Park, or you could check out the incredible cruises that Lake Argyle Cruises offer.
Just make sure that you bring a jacket on the sunset cruise – it can get very cold out on the Lake once the sun has gone down.
If you have your heart set on a cruise and are only staying a short time, I would advise to pre-book your cruise. I was non-committal about a boat cruise which was lucky for me, because when I arrived all the cruises were booked out for the next week.
Water Fun
There are endless water-based activities you can do at Lake Argyle. From paddle boarding to kayaking, water skiing, swimming and sailing, the options for an adventurous day on the Lake are limitless. You could hire a ‘BBQ Pontoon’ from Lake Argyle Cruises, pack the sausages, grab a canoe, and make a day of it!
You can also rent small boats, kayaks, SUPs and canoes from Lake Argyle Cruises.
Are There Fish at Lake Argyle?
If you’re an avid fisher and plan to get out on Lake Argyle, you will be delighted to discover just how many different species of freshwater fish live there. Recreational fishing is permitted in Lake Argyle, and you can catch silver cobbler, sooty grunter, barramundi, catfish, archer fish, long tom and herring.
Silver cobbler are abundant because Lake Argyle supports WA’s only commercial freshwater fishery – for silver cobbler and catfish. Barramundi stocks are low but are currently being improved with the help of WA Government funding, you might be lucky to catch one while you’re there.
Keep in mind that just like any boat fishing in Western Australia, you will need a WA Fishing Licence to catch fish at Lake Argyle.
Mountain Biking
An unexpected but popular activity at Lake Argyle is mountain biking. The Rotary Lake Argyle Mountain Bike Track is a 5km loop that’s sure to challenge and delight. It was built completely by volunteers and traverses the rocky, steep, sometimes sandy, and picturesque terrain around Lake Argyle. It’s a one-way loop that starts and ends at the entrance gate to Durack Homestead.
Weather
No matter what time of year you visit Lake Argyle, you can expect the weather to be hot and humid. When I visited in July, the days were very hot and sunny, well into the 30s. If you’re out on the Lake or hiking, there won’t be much shade to hide from the sun.
There are also plenty of mosquitos at Lake Argyle, so pack your bug repellent! Make sure you bring lots of water when you’re hiking or out on a boat or kayak. Wear sunscreen and protect your skin with long sleeve clothing.
Best time of year to visit Lake Argyle
The best time of year to visit Lake Argyle really is any time outside of the wet season. During the wet season much of the Kimberley area becomes inaccessible, and most tourist hot spots close entirely.
However, Lake Argyle Discovery Park does actually stay open during the wet season, and those who visit during this time say the wildlife and landscape are absolutely spectacular to witness.
Very late-season rains in 2023 have caused mass flooding in the region and destroyed the Fitzroy Crossing Bridge, making Lake Argyle difficult to access from the Western Australia side. Some main roads in the area are currently being re-built, but the Lake Argyle Discovery Park remains open.
Is Lake Argyle really worth stopping for?
Lake Argyle is absolutely worth a stop for a night or two. The spectacular landscape is home to a huge array of wildlife, and the sunsets and sunrises can’t be compared with anywhere else on earth.
Although the glitz and glamour of Lake Argyle Discovery Park and the famous infinity pool will be impossible to ignore, all you have to do to have a truly magical experience at Lake Argyle is dig a little deeper.
If you spend some time walking through nature, canoeing on the Lake and taking in the quiet moments, you will find that the land has so much to offer.
I’ll never forget the moment I fell in love with Lake Argyle and the Ord River – it was during a 2-day canoeing adventure with a complete stranger. We connected with the land around us in the most special way and made a lifelong bond with each other.
