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LOADED4X4.COM.AU
DESTINATIONS: KALUMBURU
drive into town with a beer in hand or
have alcohol visible, the police will
search your vehicle and confiscate
the lot. If you try and sell alcohol to
the locals, you’ll end up in the lock-up!
You are allowed to consume alcohol
at both McGowan’s Sunset Beach and
Honeymoon Bay beach camps north of
town, but again, discretion is expected.
Medical centre
Kalumburu has an excellent
medical centre - located across
the road from the main shops -
that is accessible after hours for
emergencies. This does not negate
the need to travel with your own wellstocked
first aid kit.
Art gallery
On the drive out of town, towards
the two coastal camps, there is a
rustic art gallery that’s also worth a
visit. You’ll have the opportunity to sit
down with the local Indigenous artists,
who’ll explain the stories behind their
paintings and Boab nut carvings.
Most of the artwork is for sale at very
reasonable prices.
World War 2
On the 27th September 1943,
around 20 Japanese bombers and
fighters strafed and bombed the
Image by Scott Airoldi
Image by Scott Airoldi
Image by Scott Airoldi
Above: WW2 bomber
wrecks can be found at
the Kalumburu Airport.
Some were recently
relocated to the Perth
War Memorial. Above
right: Honeymoon
Bay Fishing Charters
will take you fishing if
that’s your thing.
Image by Joy Davey
Kalumburu airport and mission buildings. Six people, including
four Indigenous children, were killed during the raid. The
Japanese also bombed the ‘secret’ Truscott airbase on the other
side of the peninsula to the west of Kalumburu. The Kalumburu
mission museum is the keeper of some fascinating pictures
and stories regarding the Japanese attacks on this area, and
you can still see bullet holes in the missions external walls.
The Kalumburu Airport area remains the home of a number of
bomber wrecks, with some recently being relocated to the Perth
War Memorial.
The ‘Washing Machine’
Just out of Kalumburu there are some lookouts that offer a
great view of where the majestic King Edward River’s fresh water
meets the coastal salt-water in a fast-flowing churning whirlpool;
affectionately known by the locals as the ‘washing machine’.
There is some great fishing to be had from the rocks in the
various gorges but be careful of the saltwater crocs – this is not
the place to take a dip!