Explore the Stunning East Kimberley at WA’s Ord Valley Muster – Here Are the Festival’s Must-Do Events

Over the last two decades, the Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster has become a major drawcard for the town of Kununurra/Goonoonoorrang. Set in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia – with its rugged mountain ranges, red deserts and towering cliffs – the annual event is beloved by locals and attracts visitors from all over the country. This year’s 10-day festival boasts another stellar line-up of experiences, kicking off on May 16.

“There’s a real sense of pride around the Muster,” says festival chair Sophie Cooke. “This sense of ownership and pride of, ‘This is our town, and this is what we’ve got to offer, come and see’.”

The program this year features many night-time events, allowing visitors to explore the region during the day, while having something to look forward to in the evening. Take an air tour above the rock formations of Purnululu National Park; hop on a cruise of one of the East Kimberley’s many waterways (like Lake Kununurra); go for a sunset swim in Lake Argyle; hike up to see the cascading Mitchell Falls; or take in panoramic views atop Kelly’s Knob, before heading off to your Ord Valley Muster events.

With so much happening, how do you decide what to book and check out? We sat down with Cooke to hear about her picks of the top six events you don’t want to miss.

Horizon Power Party in the Park

Starting the festival on May 16, this family-friendly event takes over Celebrity Park with live acts, workshops and displays. The community showcase includes performances from the Kununurra Community Choir, the East Kimberley College Orchestra, the East Kimberley College Orchestra and Girls from Oz. “I absolutely love Party in the Park,” says Cooke. “It’s a free event and it’s very community-focused.

“It’s very interactive as well. There are a thousand kids running around and it’s a really happy atmosphere.”

The Nexus Airlines Kimberley Moon Experience

Every year, the festival’s pinnacle event is the Kimberley Moon Experience , a musical extravaganza held on the closing weekend. This year’s concert is headlined by globally renowned Aussie pop-rock favourites Lime Cordiale, singer-songwriter powerhouse Thelma Plum, and former Hunters & Collectors frontman Mark Seymour with his band the Undertow.

“The Kimberley Moon experience is just a belter,” says Cooke. “It’s an open-air concert in the middle of the outback, but with [multiple experiences] as part of it.” Those experiences include a general admission area with a family-friendly picnic zone, the over-18 Muster Bar, and the glamourous Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner.

Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner

Speaking of, this dinner is an unforgettable way to watch the Kimberley Moon Experience if you want to dance and dine in style. “You can go to the black-tie gala dinner in your finery, sit down, and watch the concert,” says Cooke. “Which is really lovely, especially somewhere so unique.”

The all-inclusive evening starts with drinks and canapés on arrival, before a sit-down dinner under the stars. Afterwards, you’ll spend the rest of the evening enjoying the live entertainment onstage.

Art in the Park

Highlighting the vibrant colours of Country, this open-air gallery showcases the works of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists from across the region. Wander through the park and view one-of-a-kind artworks, vivid photography and cultural expressions and storytelling.

“It’s a real emerging event, it’s gaining momentum,” says Cooke. “It’s a platform where artists from around the East Kimberley can showcase their works all together, which is really unique.”

El Questro Cultural Full Day Tour

Experience the best of this wilderness park and cattle station with a special, all-day experience on May 22. The morning starts bright and early with a cultural cruise along the Chamberlain River, guided by the traditional owners of El Questro Station, the Ngarinyin people. After the cruise, you’ll enjoy a bush tucker-inspired lunch, before moving to Injiid Marlabu Calls Us, a two-hour journey taking you into the heart of Ngarinyin culture.

Watch ancient healing rituals, hear captivating generational tales and learn about the station’s ancestral heritage. “It’s an immersive Indigenous experience, so that in itself is quite unique to find up here,” Cooke says. “We’re really delighted to be able to offer something of this calibre on the program.”

Art, Culture & Cuisine

If you can’t make it to the all-day tour, there’s also an afternoon bush tucker experience on May 21. Presented by the Waringarri Aboriginal Arts Centre and Blak Tapas, this cultural journey begins with a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony led by Miriwoong Elders.
You’ll then travel to The Ruins, a natural amphitheatre in Mirima National Park, to enjoy sunset tastings of authentic bush foods and native-inspired canapés, infused with the flavours of Indigenous Australia. It’s a rare opportunity to learn about the Miriwoong people’s practice of gathering bush tucker, and gain a deeper understanding of their food and culture, passed down for thousands of years.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.