Guide · Kimberley drives ·
Gibb River Road: planning the Kimberley drive
Gibb River Road is a dirt track of about 660 km through the heart of the Kimberley in Western Australia, and you can drive it from about May to October. It links Derby on the west coast with Kununurra and Wyndham in the east. You need a high clearance four wheel drive and a plan for fuel. This guide covers when the road is open, what to drive, which gorges to see and how long to allow.
Sources for this section: Kimberley Australia travel guide, The Gibb River Road, and Gibb River Road conditions; Wikipedia, Gibb River Road.
When the road is open
The wet season closes the road. It usually runs from November to March, and floods cut the track and the river crossings. Main Roads Western Australia reports on closures. In April 2006, late heavy rain meant most of the road stayed shut over Easter, and Main Roads said it might not open until early May. The Derby Visitors Centre was inundated with questions about when it would open.
The main tourist season runs from about May to October. If you plan to go in April or early May, or during the wet, check conditions first. Main Roads Western Australia publishes regional road conditions online, and the Derby Visitors Centre fields calls about openings. Do not rely on a fixed opening date, because rain can delay it every year.
Sources for this section: ABC News, Road opening delay frustrates locals, 13 April 2006; Kimberley Australia travel guide, Gibb River Road conditions; Wikipedia, Gibb River Road (wet season and delayed openings).
What vehicle you need
Take a four wheel drive with high clearance. Most of the road is a wide, fairly smooth dirt track. The western half is in good shape, some parts are sealed, and the steep range crossings are now sealed. Some creek crossings have concrete. The eastern half is rougher.
The two big problems are corrugations and dust. The Kimberley Australia guide says most drivers never need the four wheel drive gear itself, but you do need the clearance for the rougher side tracks to the gorges. Later in the dry season, some side tracks get easier. Slow down on corrugations, because that is all they ask of you.
Our own advice is to carry a full size spare tyre and know how to change it. The road is busy in season, so help is usually not far away. Supplies, tyre and mechanical repairs are available at several points. Even so, you are responsible for your own water, food and repairs.
Sources for this section: Kimberley Australia travel guide, Gibb River Road conditions; Wikipedia, Gibb River Road. The spare tyre advice is our own.
Fuel stops
Fuel is not a big problem, but plan it. There are two main roadhouses on the road itself. Imintji Roadhouse sells diesel only. Petrol is harder to find, so petrol cars should carry extra.
| Leg | Distance |
|---|---|
| Derby to Imintji Roadhouse (diesel only) | 227 km |
| Imintji Roadhouse to Mt Barnett Roadhouse | 78 km |
| Mt Barnett Roadhouse to Kununurra | 407 km |
| Mt Barnett Roadhouse to El Questro Station, then Kununurra | 337 km, then 102 km |
Side trips add many kilometres. Going to Bell Gorge from Derby and on to Imintji is 285 km, not 227 km. A detour to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek adds about 110 km more. If you plan to explore, carry a jerry can or two.
Sources for this section: Kimberley Australia travel guide, Gibb River Road distances and fuel availability.
The main gorges
The gorges are the reason most people make the drive. The waterfalls are strongest early in the dry season. The pools stay deep and good for swimming all season. Here are the main ones, from Derby towards Kununurra.
- Lennard Gorge: an 8 km four wheel drive only track, then a hard walk with no marked path.
- Bell Gorge: about 30 km off the road on a four wheel drive only track. It is the most famous gorge. Silent Grove campground is 19 km in, and in 2008 camping cost $10 a person. The ten bush sites along Bell Creek are given out by tag from 7 am each day.
- Adcock Gorge: about 5 km off the road on a rocky track, then a short walk to a green pool. No camping.
- Galvans Gorge: the easiest gorge. Park beside the road and walk about 1 km. It is always busy.
- Manning Gorge: reached from Mt Barnett Roadhouse, where you pay an access fee that includes camping. It was $12.50 in 2006. Expect a long, hot walk and a creek crossing.
Many cattle stations also have gorges that only guests can visit. Barnett River Gorges has the one free bush camp on the road, but the track in is very rough.
Sources for this section: Kimberley Australia travel guide, Kimberley gorges.
How many days to allow
This part is our own estimate, not an official figure. Derby to Kununurra by the fuel stops adds up to about 710 km by road. Slow driving, corrugations and side tracks use up the day fast. Five days is a tight plan if you want three or four gorges and some time to swim. Seven days is more relaxed, and more still if you add Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek or the Mitchell Plateau track.
Book campsites and accommodation ahead where you can, as campgrounds fill early in the season. Arrive early to get a good spot. Tell someone your route, and carry plenty of drinking water.
Sources for this section: Kimberley Australia travel guide, Gibb River Road distances and fuel availability, and Gibb River Road conditions. The day estimates are our own.
Sources
- Kimberley Australia travel guide, The Gibb River Road: web.archive.org capture, December 2008
- Kimberley Australia travel guide, Gibb River Road conditions: web.archive.org capture, December 2008
- Kimberley Australia travel guide, Kimberley gorges: web.archive.org capture, March 2009
- Kimberley Australia travel guide, Gibb River Road distances: web.archive.org capture, March 2009
- ABC News, Road opening delay frustrates locals: abc.net.au story of 13 April 2006, web.archive.org copy
- Wikipedia, Gibb River Road: en.wikipedia.org, revision of 2 March 2009