Argyle Diamond Mine Fly/Drive from $670

Argyle Diamond Mine is the world’s largest supplier of diamonds, producing around 30 million carats each year from its operation in the rugged East Kimberley region of Western Australia. The company’s production accounts for approximately one quarter of the world’s natural diamond production. Argyle Diamonds are found in a range of colours, including white, champagne and pink. Argyle is the world’s primary source of rare pink diamonds, which have become the company’s signature stone. These tours are a joint venture between a Traditional Owner of the land, Slingair and Argyle Diamonds. Children under 12 are not permitted on site at the mine.

BUNGLE BUNGLE SCENIC AIR SAFARI AND ARGYLE DIAMOND MINE GROUND TOUR – Tour code X

Duration: Full day tour 9am to 3.30 pm approximately
Departs: Kununurra, year round
Price: Adult: $670
Departures from El Questro or Home Valley are available. Please enquire for prices

Combine the treasures of nature with the treasures of the earth in this fly/drive day tour. From Kununurra we fly past Lake Kununurra and over the Ord Irrigation Area before crossing the Carr Boyd Range, which holds back the waters of our inland sea, Lake Argyle. Enjoy aerial views of the Ord Dam and the full expanse of Lake Argyle. Fly past Lissadell Homestead, over the Osmand Range and on to Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungle massif. From an aircraft it is an imposing sight. The orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds, encased in a skin of silica and algae, are clearly visible from the air, as is a hidden world of gorges and pools, with fan palms clinging precariously to walls and crevices in the rocks. We spend around 20 minutes here, and then continue on, to land at the Argyle Diamond Mine. In flight commentary is provided. Enjoy a 3.5hour (approximately) guided ground tour of the mine site, commencing with a tasty and generous buffet lunch at the Staff Village. Visit the Village Store where souvenirs and Argyle Diamonds may be purchased, then drive through the processing plant and observe the mine’s open cut operations from a well-positioned viewing platform. A visit to the diamond and local history gallery is included.
Re-board your aeroplane to return to Kununurra via the Ord River Irrigation Area and Diversion Dam.

*For the ultimate day tour, include a Bungle Bungle helicopter flight with the tour above. See below for the tour description.

Tour code AC
Duration: Full day tour
Departs: Kununurra; Mon, Thurs & Sat, Apr to Oct – 8.30am
Price: Adult: $998
Departures from El Questro are available. Please enquire for prices.

We depart Kununurra and fly over Lake Argyle and on to the Bungle Bungle, landing to connect to a helicopter for a thrilling 30 minute close up look at the Purnululu National Park. View the hidden red rock gorges of the northwest tip, Piccaninny Gorge from end to end and the unique beehive formations that have contributed to the listing of the Bungle Bungle Range as a World Heritage area. Re-board your aeroplane for the flight over the Osmand Range, to the Argyle Diamond Mine, where we land to connect to the ground tour described above (Tour code X). After the ground tour, board your plane to return to Kununurra over the Carr Boyd range.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a buffet lunch at the staff village – experience the conditions of a mine worker first hand
• Visit the village store where Argyle souvenirs and Argyle diamond jewellery can be purchased
• Drive to the AK1 mine site and view the open cut pit from a purpose built viewing platform
• Tour the process plant and discover the technology and processes employed in diamond production
• View the diamond display gallery featuring over $1million  of Argyle Diamonds and jewellery.

SAFETY
Tour participants are to wear sturdy, fully enclosed shoes with low heels. Safety hat, vest and glasses will be provided.

SECURITY
All visitors to site are required to sign the Conditions of Entry to Designated Areas form. Argyle Diamonds security officers have the right to search any person or personal items on exiting the Designated Area.

CHILDREN
Argyle Diamonds regulations prohibit children under the age of 12 years from participating in our tours. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.