Marble Bar to newman

What kind of set up do you have ? Are you interested in seeing the sights or having a smooth drive ?
Via Nullagine is a good dirt road and there is plenty of interest to see along the way .

We did Marble Bar to Newman via Nullagine in July 2005 - were pleasantly surprised with the scenery - road was quite good - we were at the Capricorn Roadhouse for lunch - there was a fair amount of work being done on the road
Need to know that there is a length limit on the Tom Price Railway Road - also when we were there in 2004 much of it was very rough between Tom Price and the Roebourne/Wittenoom Road - don't know what it is like from Millsteam towards the coast

I went to Broome for christmas just gone and went via Nullagine and Marble Bar to save a bit of travelling time. I sat comfortably on about 90-100 clicks most the way. I travelled with my wife who was 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time and very apprehinsive about how rough the road might be. About 50kms from Marble Bar she suggested that we travel back this way as it was a smoother ride for her than the bitumen was.

If your out that way I would do the Carawine Gorge - Skull Springs - Running Waters loop from Marble Bar and back out to Nullagine then head to Newman as it is great countryside out there. Is best to get in touch with local authorities to find out the road conditions at the time of travel though as conditions change depending on rain etc.

Cheers Matt.

Hi Jinki,

What dates are you looking to be in the area? I will be there start of August travelling the same route.

Cheers

Glenn

Most of the roads in that area are quite o.k. but be very carefull if you are travelling at night as there is a lot of wildlife on the road and there have been some nasty accidents especially South of Newman

Hi Jinki,

We travelled the Marble Bar - Newman Rd last May then returned 7 weeks later via the Carrawine Gorge/Running Waters/Skull Springs loop from Marble Bar to Nullagine and then onto Newman. MB-Nullagine Rd was in tip top condition as it is regularly maintained. Lovely scenery as you pass through the very eastern extremity of the Chichester Ranges. We were in a GU Patrol with a campertrailer.

The loop out to Carrawine Gorge etc was also in good condition. Rippon Hills Rd is sealed all the way to where it connects with the Telfer Rd, but there was roadworks in progress when we passed to extend the bitumen even further, certainly at least to the Carrawine Gorge T/O. Check with Newman Shire offices before hand for latest update. The Skull Springs Road which basically takes you back west to Nullagine is regularly graded but is unformed, winding and lots of dips at the eastern end but no problem at all.

Access track into Running Waters off Skull Springs Rd is slow, rocky and rough with a few steep, but dry gullies to traverse, definitely low range. No problem for us even with the camper but could be a bit intimidating to the less experienced. As you drop down towards the Davis River the track deteriorates on account of cyclone damage back in 2004. We took the CT right in and camped at the edge of the thermal pool but you'll come to a clearing as you enter the treeline. I recommend that you walk in from here and have a look before driving further down (only about 300-400m). Access tracks to Carrawine Gorge and Skull Springs good with excellent camping at both places. Also lovely camping at Dooleen Gap north of Marble Bar beside the Coongan River just off the Pt Headland Road.

We found this whole east Pilbara region fantastic. Great scenery, as yet not too well known, remote, freedom to camp rarely found elsewhere in Aust and IMHO is poised to be the next BIG 4WD distination. I loved it a can't wait to go back so take your time and enjoy yourselves.

:o) Melissa

Hi Jinki,

We travelled the Marble Bar - Newman Rd last May then returned 7 weeks later via the Carrawine Gorge/Running Waters/Skull Springs loop from Marble Bar to Nullagine and then onto Newman. MB-Nullagine Rd was in tip top condition as it is regularly maintained. Lovely scenery as you pass through the very eastern extremity of the Chichester Ranges. We were in a GU Patrol with a campertrailer.

The loop out to Carrawine Gorge etc was also in good condition. Rippon Hills Rd is sealed all the way to where it connects with the Telfer Rd, but there was roadworks in progress when we passed to extend the bitumen even further, certainly at least to the Carrawine Gorge T/O. Check with Newman Shire offices before hand for latest update. The Skull Springs Road which basically takes you back west to Nullagine is regularly graded but is unformed, winding and lots of dips at the eastern end but no problem at all.

Access track into Running Waters off Skull Springs Rd is slow, rocky and rough with a few steep, but dry gullies to traverse, definitely low range. No problem for us even with the camper but could be a bit intimidating to the less experienced. As you drop down towards the Davis River the track deteriorates on account of cyclone damage back in 2004. We took the CT right in and camped at the edge of the thermal pool but you'll come to a clearing as you enter the treeline. I recommend that you walk in from here and have a look before driving further down (only about 300-400m). Access tracks to Carrawine Gorge and Skull Springs good with excellent camping at both places. Also lovely camping at Dooleen Gap north of Marble Bar beside the Coongan River just off the Pt Headland Road.

We found this whole east Pilbara region fantastic. Great scenery, as yet not too well known, remote, freedom to camp rarely found elsewhere in Aust and IMHO is poised to be the next BIG 4WD distination. I loved it a can't wait to go back so take your time and enjoy yourselves.

:o) Melissa