“You’ve got to try it before you recommend it to clients.”
It’s sage advice and you know us travel agents, always ready to take one for the team.
In early May, my dedication to my craft (umm, honest) led me to what might be the East Kimberley’s best-kept culinary secret: the Gourmet Camp Oven Experience in Kununurra.
Spoiler alert: genuinely impressed.
The evening began with a 10 minute bus transfer from Kununurra after some hotel pickups (Kununurra is tiny – it doesn’t take long to do the rounds).
Usually these transfers are simply a means to an end, but our host Josh (more on him soon) had thought of everything, right down to the perfectly curated soundtrack that set the mood for our outback adventure.
“This bit of the track is a bit bumpy” he said before Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust“ started up. I swear he timed every bump in the road to the beat.
Josh Melville, consummate host, gourmet chef and all round entertainer
The camp comes alive once the sun is down
The dining location is spectacular – a clearing nestled among native trees, with gorgeous views across the landscape: a quintessential Kimberley panorama.
The communal table was set beneath the open sky, lanterns glowing in anticipation of sunset. A crackling fire pit stood ready, and the unmistakable silhouette of camp ovens promised good things to come. Everything was meticulously arranged, yet it felt authentic.
What immediately struck me was the atmosphere. This wasn’t just dinner – it was theatre. Josh Melville, our host, is not only an award winning chef but an entertainer as well. Originally from New Zealand, Josh has a quirky Aussie Antipodean humor that makes strangers feel like old friends.
Each course arrived with a story: where the ingredients came from, why they were prepared this particular way, how they connected to the landscape around us.
I’m not usually one for deserts but……..
or book an appointment to speak to a Kimberley cruise expert at a time of your choosing.
Then there was the food! Prior to settling down, Josh proudly showed us his camp ovens so that we could see the preparations.
There were four courses – each one genuinely mouth watering! We started with a wild barramundi entree, followed by a beautiful pork belly main course.
And don’t worry! Josh can cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dietary requirements.
As the last light faded from the sky, the experience shifted again. The vast Kimberley revealed its treasury of stars, impossibly bright and numerous away from town lights. By now we were all relaxed and the conversation around the table flowed easily – like we hadn’t met just hours before.
And the multi-talented Josh then grabbed his guitar and serenaded us through the main course!
The evening was paced perfectly— unhurried but never dragging.
A chandelier; essential part of any outback dining experience!
For our clients planning a Kimberley expedition cruise incorporating Kununurra, this experience makes for an ideal pre- or post-cruise addition.
In my work, I’ve been privileged to experience some extraordinary things including a fair few remote dining options and many “special” tourism experiences. It takes something truly exceptional to surprise me these days.
The Gourmet Camp Oven Experience did just that!!!
For anyone visiting Kununurra, whether as part of a broader Kimberley adventure or as a destination in itself, we can now personally recommend adding this evening to your itinerary. Just make sure to come hungry, both for food and for stories. You’ll get plenty of both.
The Gourmet Camp Oven experience operates in the Kimberley dry season – from mid April to mid September. The cost in 2025 is $220 per person.
This includes pick up/drop off from Kununurra hotels and campsites, and a drink on arrival.
Wine and beer is available to purchase or BYO in an esky!
Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan are all catered for.
Duration: approximately 3 hours.
Want to add the Gourmet Camp Oven Experience to your Kimberley adventure? Contact our team to incorporate this unforgettable evening into your itinerary.
Or complete this booking form and we can arrange it for you.
Includes the top nine questions travellers ask and our honest answers to them, plus a pre-trip checklist.
It’s the perfect starting point for initial research.
Kimberley cruises are not one size fits all — there are many different ships each offering their own special elements.
We would love to help you. You’re invited to book a FREE 30-Minute Kimberley Cruise Planning Session to have all you questions answered, without the “hard sell” everyone hates.
With almost twenty years of experience in booking Kimberley cruises we have great relationships with many of the most popular cruise vessels. Why does that matter to you?
It means we have been able to negotiate some great free inclusions with several of the best cruise vessels including free flights, free tours, and free accommodation in Darwin or Broome.
I’m an expert in small ship cruising in the Kimberley and have completed four cruises on different vessels along this spectacular coastline. Cruises in the Kimberley are not one size fits all. There are different ships and itineraries, each offering their own special elements.
If you would like to have a chat with me about Kimberley cruising at a time that suits you book in a call.
