Argyle Homestead Museum

Kings in Grass Castles

Stone by stone, the Argyle Homestead was moved from its original site,now under the waters of the ‘top dam’ on the Ord River, to its current home on the edge of Lake Argyle. It was the former home of ‘Patsy’ Durack, one of the first people to bring cattle overland from Queensland, to stock the first speculative leases in the Kimberley, in 1884. With shady verandahs and cool interiors, this welcoming museum, complete with tea and muffins, maps the Durack’s epic journey and the genealogy of this pioneering and talented family. Its diverse collection of original objects, saved from the homestead, along with photographs and period objects, interpret life on a remote pastoral lease in the 1890s. The story of the flooding of the original homestead is highlighted with images of Operation Noah, that brought naturalist Harry Butler to the Kimberley to rescue stranded animals.

Address:

Lake Argyle Road
Lake Argyle WA 6743
Australia

Opening Hours
April to September, 7 days 8am - 4pm
Kings In Grass Castles - the Duracks

Every station has its own cattle brand, and great effort was made by managers to brand their cattle to outwit the rogue rustlers of the area. 7PD was the brand that Patsy Durack brought to the...

Little black box

As robust as the man himself, the box camera - with its handsome cover, thought to be made by Kimberley Durack - survived the heat, tropical storms, floods and the rigours of a cattleman's life in one...

A leather legacy

When the centre of government administration lies 3000 km to the south, it was important to keep your legal documents and land titles safe. This satchel was made for MP Durack by an Argyle Saddler in...

More North West collections

‘We do art and tell the story.’

Bringing desert and river artists together, Mangkaja has been the base for people such as Butcher Cherrel, Daisy Andrews, Tommy May, Mervyn Street, Sonia Kurrarra, Cory Surprise, John Prince Siddon...

Karratha's local history

Located in the stunning Red Earth Arts Precinct built in 2018 that incorporates a public library, a dual-purpose theatre/cinema,rehearsal spaces and exhibition areas, the City of Karratha Local...

Pilbara artists and much more

Located in the Red Earth Arts Precinct a state-of-the-art performance and art centre that was built in 2018, the City of Karratha’s impressive art collection comprises many of the acquisitive prize...

Plenty of gold still here

Gold fever hit Marble Bar in the 1890s but the rocky hills and alluvial creeks hold much more that gold. Situated 9 kilometres from Marble Bar, adjacent to the old Comet gold mine, this gem of a...

While you're in the area

Filter
The Spillway
Attraction
The Spillway
Birdwatchers will be thrilled at the large selection of water birds that...
Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle, WA 6743
Crocodile Ridge
Attraction
Crocodile Ridge
Crocodile Ridge, at Lake Argyle was so named due to the uncanny...
via Lake Argyle Road, Kununurra, WA 6743
Argyle Homestead Museum
Attraction
Argyle Homestead Museum
The Argyle Homestead Museum offers a fascinating insight into the lives of...
Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle, WA 6743
Lake Argyle Resort and Holiday Park
Accommodation
Lake Argyle Resort and Holiday Park
In the far north of Western Australia in the remote East Kimberley region...
Lot 525 Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle, WA 6743