The articles, trip reports and reader questions in this section will tell you everything you need to know. In the end i sat down and put together this free resource, to help people who are thinking about a trip into this region. At the cemetery one of jandamarras victims, police constable william richardson, is. Gibb river road travel western australia, australia lonely planet. Imintji store has just reopened 4 weeks ago on 11 may 2016 plus a new campground nearby has opened and is run by the manager of the store. Includes free 62 page bonus booklet with selfdrive itineraries and a free 21 page companion booklet for dog owners. The gibb river road australia pentecost river crossing. Its generally not possible to easily cross the 700mm deep ord river at ivanhoe crossing so take the highway a few kilometres until the parry creek road turnoff. Gibb river road 3 leaving our great camp on the manning river was tough but hey there will be more great spots, i am sure. Aug 16, 20 the gibb river road had been quite busy relatively speaking and we had seen about 6 or so of genghiss ilk still resplendent in the company livery. The kimberley is a long way from anywhere including perth but its well worth the long drive. Apr 23, 2018 duncan hwy to kununurra, gibb river road east to west, gorges, waterfalls and river crossings. Driving the gibb river road main roads western australia. My wife and i are planning to spend about 3 weeks in july 2016 exploring the gibb river road.
Gibb river road journey pics submitted by outdoinit on thu, 20718 15. You should refer to specialist 4wd publications for further information. Gibb river road kimberley region 2020 all you need to. Created in the 1960s as a cattle road, the gibb river road is a 650 km. The many gorges and waterfalls scattered along the gibb river road are the reason this is one of australias iconic adventure road trips. The campground sits below the towering cliffs of the gorge and is very scenic. Be aware that the gibb river road and its status belongs to 2 different shires. A gibb river road trip also involves countless side tracks and private roads, all of which add several hundred kilometres to the journey. We want to hire a 4 wheel drive, picking up in broome and dropping off in kununurra. The gibb river road is an epic drive from derby to kununurra through the kimberley region of western australia. Bear in mind this isnt just any caravan, and just as well. May is early in the season and usually still quite wet.
The road used to be so remote and difficult to cross that you needed a fully equipped four wheel drive, be self sufficient with water and food and not dare to travel it alone. Birdwood downs station is a 5000 acre working cattle and pastoral station. You can explore the kimberley just like a local and you most certainly can drive the gibb river road. The headwaters of the river rise between the caroline and gibb ranges. From here, take a scenic flight from may to august over the prince regent river and mitchell falls. Its full of some of the countrys most beautiful gorges, waterholes and scenery, and only those daring to venture of the bitumen into these savannah lands will be able to witness and enjoy. It is a highlight on a kimberley tour to be swimming in crystal clear water, hot water springs and standing underneath cascading waterfalls. It is your responsibility road safety is your responsibility. After leaving charnley river it is 43kms back to the gibb river road we continue on the gibb, stopping at imintji store. Destination kimberley is the only kimberley guide youll ever need whether its the secret free camping spot at the little waterfall that only the locals know, the ecobungalows at the gibb river road cattle station that you wont find online, because the owners prefer it that way, the newly opened bush camp on the dampier peninsula, whose indigenous owners have been. Nov 24, 2014 a 10 minute video of conditions driving down the gibb river road and the kalumburu road in the kimberley during august 2014. Gibb river road from broome to darwin western australia. Attraction gibb river road tourism western australia.
The gibb river road australia po box 5001 bedford west, wa 6052 ph. The gibb river road is an infamous offroad track that winds its way through western australias beautiful kimberley region between derby and kununurra. We share inspiration and information to help you find your next. The gibb river road travels some 700 kms through the central kimberley plateau from king sound at derby to the cambridge gulf at wyndham. While passing through the napier range, look out for a rock formation that looks remarkably like queen victoria in profile at the 128km mark. The crossing is a concrete causeway over the ord river, north of kununurra, originally part of the main road through to wyndham. The road is a former cattle route that stretches in an eastwest direction almost 660 kilometres 410 mi through the kimberley between the towns of derby and the kununurra and wyndham junction of the great northern highway. Travel the gibb river road in your own vehicle and with your own personal travel guide, and learn all about the regions history, flora and fauna, camping and accommodation locations, attractions, points of interest, trip preparation tips, and more.
Helicopter flights are also available from the campground to mitchell plateau. A part of the napier range reaching north from the gibb river road, queen victorias head is a rock formation that has an eerily similar appearance to its royal namesake. The gibb river road kimberley, western australia, kununurra, western australia. The gibb river road a kimberley adventure guide for self. Tour information kimberley safari tours gibb river road. This video is about crossing the gibb river road in a four wheel drive camper. Choose to visit, relax and swim at galvans gorge, manning gorge or adcock gorge. This guide provides you with the basic information you will need to reduce your road risks whilst travelling the gibb river road and other unsealed roads in the kimberley.
From the junction of the gibb with the derby highway its 119km to the turnoff to the first gibb river road side trip. The gibb river road runs through the heart of the kimberley region in far north western australia and remains one of the iconic roads to travel on within australia. Tonights accommodation is one of newer facilities along the gibb river road. The gibb river road offers a unique opportunity to experience the real outback australian lifestyle. Gibb river road tours enquire today best of the kimberley. Tonights dinner is included with the tour and is an ideal venue to mix with fellow travellers as well as local characters. Gibb river road is the ultimate australian road trip. On your kimberley safari tour there are daily opportunities for swimming along the gibb river road, cape leveque, mitchell falls etc. Those travelling at the start of the dry season april 1 october 31 may still face several large water crossings at swollen river and creek beds, suitable for 4wd only. Love the challenge of does rough roads and bush living. Whilst driving the gibb river road it is important to drive to the conditions which for the most part, means taking it slowly in an effort to safely avoid the number one puncture villain the gibbs infamous sharp rocks as well as avoiding the abundance of wildlife and cattle that gather near the roads edge at dusk and dawn.
Road conditions change in the kimberley and especially on the gibb river road. The gibb river road campgrounds happy campers australia. The outback scenery along the gibb river road consists of many ranges, gorges, waterfalls, rock formations and rivers, a very memorable sightseeing experience from the derby entrance to the gibb river road, in the west kimberley, the first point of interest is windjana gorge which is 141km drive and easily accessible. Selfdriving the gibb river road is not as difficult as it used to be. Just after leaving mt barnett roadhouse we came to a section of the road with conditions that i just do not like, give me dust, give me corrugations, but rocks that have been purposefully laid as screenings to create a road surface is not good on tyres or. It was originally constructed in the 1960s to transport cattle from outlying stations to the ports of derby and wyndham. Gibb river road aussie specialist program tourism australia.
Its only a short distance from mount hart to horseshoeshaped galvans gorge, the most accessible gorge along the gibb river road. Gibb river road a journey along the gibb river road is one of the last aussie outback adventures. The gibb river road australia po box 5001 bedford west. Depart bell gorge and head towards mount elizabeth along the gibb river road at whatever time of the day suits. Our guide to the kimberleys gibb river road outback yarns. Gibb river road selfdrive itinerary suggestions gibb. The moderate 660 kilometre dirt track passes through remote station country with magnificent scenery and plenty of opportunities to get out of your vehicle to discover one of the many fresh water gorges. Once the opening grade is complete and the road is open, the graders slowly work their way along its entirety. Since the start of the ord irrigation project in the 1960s, the river now flows all year round, making the crossing impassable. Gibb river road self drive along the gibb river road from broome or darwin has to be in a 4wd wagon, 4wd camper etc if your hiring a self drive 4 wheel drive hire from either broome in western australia or darwin in northern territory companies such as australia4wheel drive rentals offer you a choice of 4wd poptop campers for 2 persons or a landcruiser with a roof top tent that.
Flights run for two hours and can seat five passengers in each aircraft. Turn off the gibb river road to explore the spectacular mitchell plateau in the kimberleys northwest. Offering camping, accommodation, meals, tours and horse trail rides. The gibb maybe open but also check the roads leading off the gibb to all the gorges. The turnoff to the gibb river rd is just a 6 kilometres southeast of derby. The gibb river road had been quite busy relatively speaking and we had seen about 6 or so of genghiss ilk still resplendent in the company livery. Cathedral gorge situated with purnululu national park in the bungle bungle ranges, cathedral gorge is an aweinspiring natural amphitheatre of red rock that can be reached by.
Oct, 2019 western australia, kimberley, gibb river road. It spans some sixhundred and seventy kilometres from derby to the junction of the great northern highway between wyndham and kununurra in western australia. Windjana gorge 20km off the gibb and tunnel creek a further 35km. Allow at least two nights at mitchell falls campground. The back road from kununurra to wyndham on parry creek road via is gravelly at the start but gets easier as you go. Tourists travelling the gibb river road should be aware the road is inaccessible during the wet season november 1 march 31 and therefore closed. Stay at drysdale river station, 171 kilometres 106 miles from manning gorge. The owners of this website shall not be held responsible for any damage, injury or death that you may experience during any trip on or off the gibb river. Includes the kalumburu route, mitchell falls, tunnel creek, windjana gorge, as well as advice on food, accommodation and preparation.
We source only known reputable industry specialists. Since the start of the ord irrigation project in the 1960s, the river now flows all year round, making the crossing impassable during the wet season when the river level is higher. Broome to darwin drive itinerary via the gibb river road. Gibb river road in the kimberleys in western australia. Walk from the mt barnett campground, which sits next to the tranquil pools of lower manning gorge. This wasnt our first trip down the iconic gibb river road, but its a bit different with a caravan and a small dog.
The turn off is about 165 km after the kalumburu road intersection, or 256 km from derby. Derby for the west and wyndham for the east kimberley. The swimmer was dedicated, but guests have had plenty of dramas getting there along the boulderstrewn, potholed gibb river road. Whether he had seen enough of the gibb riverkalumburu roads during his service, or was dismayed at the thought of more time fishing, matters not but when we came to drop the popup top genghis. Our gibb river road selfdrive itinerary suggestionsebook makes sure you get to visit as many refreshing waterholes, impressive waterfalls, ancient aboriginal sacred sites, thrilling river crossings, beautiful savannah vistas and breathtaking mountain ranges as possible to see and experience. Or, you can say yes to adventure, stock up the 4wd with spare tyres and a puncture repair kit, and brave the gibb river road. Jul 11, 2016 check the road conditions and closures. The gibb river road in western australia back in the old days was initially constructed as a beef road to transport cattle from the surrounding stations to the ports of derby and wyndham. Sep 07, 2017 theres two ways you can do the broome to darwin drive. They have had their driest wet season in many years, so even this early in the season lots of the creek crossings are dry. As a proudly australian, family owned specialist travel agent businesscompany, we strive to exceed your expectations with our experienced service and friendly team of rob and marg whilst keeping prices as cheap as we can. Hello, is anyone aware of a guide book for the gibb river road. As they say in these parts get off the bitumen, and experience the true kimberley.
Penecost river crossing gibb river road in the kimberleys in. The gibb river is a river in the kimberley region of northern western australia. The gibb river road is a road in the kimberley region of western australia. Nov 28, 2017 a travellers highlights and tips for driving the gibb river road, one of australias most incredible outback road trips. Or sit under the waterfall and look up at the boab trees clinging to. Charnley river station, also a working cattle station, is located 42 km off the gibb river road. Gibb river road, manning gorge waterfall, mount barnett station, western australia. Bluey travel 10 day kimberley highlights self drive. The road to camp is 20km off the gibb river road and a similar standard to the gibb.
A travellers highlights and tips for driving the gibb river road, one of australias most incredible outback road trips. The gibb river road is a 660 km track right through the wild heart of the kimberley and is one of the kimberleys main attractions. You will cross the gibb river and as with all river crossings, it is best to keep a slow steady momentum and follow the makers in the river beds. A booklet on the trail can be obtained from the visitor centre. Towing a caravan in the kimberley and gibb river road. This is one of the last true winderness adventures in a land where the age of the rocks is 350 million years old. The gibb river road a kimberley adventure guide for self drivers. The webs most popular guide to the gibb river road. The river flows in a northerly direction until merging with the drysdale river, of which it is a tributary. Your departure time will depend on what time you want to arrive at mount elizabeth and which of the stunning attractions you want to explore along the way.
Rains can wash it out, the river crossings can be deep, the road may have just been graded or it could be full of corrugations. We chose the sunland patriot because we knew that destinations like the gibb were part of our dream travel itinerary. From here the walking track winds you past aboriginal. After over four months on the road, our hema nomad explorers made it to the beginning of australias greatest adventure drive. The first fish might be a sooty grunter, get a lot of them in fresh water pools. Probably a camper but accommodation along the way is another. We drove the gibb river road in may 2019, from kununurra in the east to derby in the west. Bluey travel 7 day gibb river road self drive package. These will tell you which parts of the road are open, and whether there are any restrictions such as vehicle type or weight. This was the very first station along the gibb river road to offer accommodation to tourists. Have done the gibb river trip a couple of times and one trip up to kalumburu, every time its been to quick. The gibb river is a river in the kimberley region of northern western australia the headwaters of the river rise between the caroline and gibb ranges. Your essential travel guide and general information for the gibb river road.
You access the gibb river road from the great northern highway. Well, it is a travel guide book, but with focus on the information that you need before you leave home it has all the information that you need in the early stages of planning a big trip, all the answers to questions that my readers kept asking me and that you will be asking yourself sooner or later. The gibb river road is the 4wd option of the 2 main routes crossing the kimberley from east to west or vice versa and provides access to the numerous gorges that are the main highlight. Ones via the highway, which has some nice stops but is a little bit bland. The gibb river road kimberley, western australia home.
Kimberley 4wd tracks discover what is like to drive the iconic gibb river road as well as a multitude of side tracks and roads that will allow you to. First hand, practical information about the kimberley region is hard to find. Kimberley tour featuring bungle bungles, gibb river road. Duncan hwy to kununurra, gibb river road east to west, gorges, waterfalls and river crossings. Search online for current best prices and a get a detailed quote. The gibb river road is an unsealed track in the kimberley region of australia understand. If you get a kick out of doing things differently, or you just enjoy discovering the undiscovered, the gibb river road is the right aussie driving route for you and your road trip buddies. So naturally, ever since i started this website, i have been receiving many questions. Gibb river road, a legendary 4wd track in australia. The amenities are exactly the same set up as silent grove campground as they are both national park. The whole road is now the responsibility of main roads wa and improvements to creek crossings and jump ups are being made every year. There are gibb river road conditions signs at major access points. The legendary gibb river road top trail is an icon of outback adventure through the heart of the kimberley in western australias north west.
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