Fitzroy Crossing to Derby via Tunnel Creek

Interesting, we have been putting the finishing touches to this trek note which will be released in this week's newsletter. Generally the track is not as rough as the Gibb River Road. I would probably rate it similar to the Oodnadatta Track.

when we travelled it last year that track, the part between GRR and Windjana (especially between tunnel creek and Windjana) , was as bad as any of the GRR parts and Iwould not recommend an on-road van

that was twelve months ago though

Hi Tom, Like Pixie, we were there 12 months ago, and went from Derby to Fitzroy on the bitumen, then back to the Leopold Downs road for Tunnel Creek and Windjana. We then continued NE along the GRR so did not do the bit towards Derby.

It was getting dark when we left Fitzroy, so didn't stop to let tyres down when we turned onto the Leopold Downs Road as it was only 10 kms to our camp. We lost a spotlight Fell out of its case), and cordial escaped out of a new bottle and somehow found its way out of the cupboard and all over the caravan floor, together with stuff we had left on the seats. It tooks me several full floor washes to get rid of the sticky mess.

I don't know what type of on-road van you have, but would recommend leaving it in Derby and taking a tent.

The whole trip through the Kimberley was wonderful. I hope you can take a tent and do the whole of the GRR.

Motherhen

We found it quite good in 06 and not an issue in my view for careful use with an on road van - but as others have said above, it all depends on traffic volumes, weather and maintenance cycles. The eastern half of the Gibb was quite good in 08 - smooth as silk in places - at worst, sandy corrugations in the main with smaller gravel. And as you say, lower speeds (and softer tyres) can make a huge difference to such travel....... Pic or two of the Gibb surfaces on my site.......http://users.picknowl.com.au/~darian/

We did the trip out from Derby to Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge a few weeks ago. The Gibb River road section was extremely smooth - no corrugations at all. The roads out to the Tunnel Creek and Winjana Gorge were a bit rougher but not too bad.

We did not do the section from Fitzroy Crossing but were told it was rougher with some dry creek crossings.