What makes ord river unique

Damming the Ord in for irrigated cultivation was no immediate success with crops and markets failing and freight costs being prohibitive.

The house has been dismantled, stone-by-stone, and reassembled a short distance from the dam and openned to tourists. With its natural tropical beauty, pristine water, unique environment, wondrous wildlife and birdsong, the Ord River has to rank as high as anything we have seen anywhere on the globe. About Advertising Distribution Contact. Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help.

Private Policy. Password recovery. Have a Go News. News All Community Opinion. Is it trash or is it treasure? Local auctioneer gives his…. As it Happened: beyond the stories — an about face on…. Liz looks at life, love and getting older. Delving into a new tourist attraction… the Horsepower Highway. Bungle Bungle Ranges — the world heritage site — a must…. All Aged Care Fitness Research. Then the withdrawal of commonwealth subsidies made the already expensive crop unprofitable and it was abandoned.

Neither were other early products economically viable , causing some early farmers to leave the region. Tobacco failed due to an emerging negative community attitude towards smoking and tobacco use.

Rice crops were regularly attacked and consumed by large numbers of native Australian magpie geese. Sugar was then trialled again in the s, making money before prices collapsed.

With the end of sugar, chickpeas were planted out in broadacre fields fed by the long, straight canals full of Ord River water. Between and , hectares of land around the Ord River were cleared of remnant vegetation to grow a wide range of new crops. On the back of extensive research and development in agricultural technology, several new crops were identified as being suitable with appropriate management. These included high-value horticultural and seed crops, some specialty pharmaceutical crops, sugar cane, sandalwood, GM cotton, and grains.

The grain has been used in intensive feedlots to satisfy the growing demand for animal protein in South-East Asia. More than 50 crops are now grown in the area, including sandalwood, melons, mangoes, citrus, sugarcane, sorghum, chickpeas, pumpkins, chia, and much more, proving the irrigation efforts to have been a successful endeavour. The operation of the Diversion Dam and Ord River Dam has moderated the natural flow cycle of the river to such an extent that a new ecosystem has evolved along the lower Ord.

It now possesses many characteristics of a river from the Wet Tropics, with dry season flows higher than the natural level and reduced flood frequency,. This has created a protected wetland area known as the Ord River Floodplain. Recognised as an internationally important wetland area, it contains numerous mangrove forests, lagoons, creeks, flats, and extensive floodplains that support saltwater crocodiles and many water birds.

Birds found in the region include magpie geese, Australian bustards, wandering whistling-ducks, Australian pelicans, black swans, egrets, and wedge-tailed eagles. The river is also home to several forms of fish — including barramundi, southern saratoga, archer fish, forktail catfish, mouth almighty, long tom, bony bream and sleepy cod. El Questro offers a variety of accommodation, from tented cabins to luxury suites in the old El Questro homestead. The next day, we take a short journey into Kununurra and surrounds where we embark on a half day tour of the Ord River and Lake Argyle via boat, returning to Kununurra just after a colourful east Kimberley sunset.

We have the privilege of viewing Aboriginal rock art believed to be among the oldest works of art in the world. We also learn about the tragic impacts of colonisation at the Boab Prison Tree. Our tour ends in Broome, giving you the opportunity to explore Cable Beach, Roebuck Bay and Gantheaume Point, and delve into the fascinating history of this pearling town before you get back to daily life, wherever that might be.

Odyssey Traveller has been serving world travellers since Our tours are designed especially for mature and senior travellers. We move in small groups, and are led by tour guides chosen especially for their local knowledge. Contact us to find our more information about our tour of the Kimberley, or our Australia outback tours. For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link. Escorted small group tour of the Kimberley.

Amazing landscapes intertwined with Aboriginal communities resident more than 45, years. Small group tour touring most of the Australian territory, travelling through the outback and visiting many of the famous sights as well as off the beaten track locations, giving you the opportunity the explore and meet our people in the most remote locations and far north Kakadu and the Kimberley. Small group air charter tour of the Kimberley and Pilbara for senior and mature couples and single travellers.

Senior and mature couples and solo travellers remain curious but often informed about the role Aboriginal art plays in the indigenous community and the various styles. This article seeks to provide a platform for this collection of small group tours of upto 15 people into the Australian outback where often Aboriginal art styles are encountered.

Article about Alexander Forrest, a cattleman who made a difference in the Kimberley. Forms part of a small group tour for mature and senior travellers into Outback Australia for couples and solo travellers.

Broome an introduction. Brome is the beginning and end of the Kimberley small group tour offered by Odyssey in the dry season. With its own history read on to learn more about this coastal frontier town. For mature and senior travellers this is a great tour examining all aspects of the Kimberley from the indigenous community, the landscapes and the wildlife.

Designed for couples and the solo traveller. Self-contained travellers can stay in the campgrou The longest daily river cruise in Australia - spectacular scenery, curious wildlife and amazing bird life.

Travel Planner [ 0 ]. Book your accommodation and tours in Kununurra. Book online Read more.