GIBB RIVER ROAD

No need to shout, we hear ya OK :-)
(Capitals on the web are shouting)

Did you search this site for info on the Gibb River Road?

Hi Pommy Lass,

Most people do the Gibb RR in the Aussie winter - about May to October. By then the river crossings are open but the country is starting to brown off, but the humidity is lower, tho' it's still quite warm. Lots of tourists about then.

When the graders have just been through the road can be excellent but after a bit of traffic it can deteriorate and become rocky and/or corrugated. We were there in '08 (see our blog) and the road was good. Some bits are even sealed. The roads leading off the GRR can be a bit rough but to see some of the best scenery you do really have to take at least some of the side trips. Probably the best is up to Mitchell Plateau and Falls, but the road in from the Kalumbaru Road can be VERY corrugated. The drive down to Mornington is also beautiful and Mornington is great.

There is a huge amount of info on the Kimberly on this site, so try some searches. Another very informative site ishere

If you have a chance to see at least some of the Kimberly I strongly recommend that you grab it with both hands - its a magic and beautiful place. Hopefully you will also be able to see the Bungle Bungles and the Ord River/Lake Argyle area as well. Have a great time. If you are fit you will not have any problems.

Cheers,

Val

PS Etiquette on this forum suggests the use of lower case - otherwise its interpreted as shouting!

In the dry season June thru to early october.
The road after they have graded it is good but deteriorates as the season progresses. You will have no trouble provided that your 4b is in good condition with at least AT tyres. There are many Places to camp and lots to see.
Pick up a how to travel the Gibb River Road from either Tourist info place at Derby or Kununurra.

Did not know about the use of capital letters, so thanks for putting me right. and thanks for your comments.

To date in the lower part of the kimberley the wet season has been a dismal failure,with very little rain.The east and north kimberley have had slightly better but still below par.Spoke to the owner of Mt.Elizabeth Stn. this morning,who drove in on a very dry Gibb Rvr.Rd.with the Barnett river the deepest crossing at knee deep.(point being he shouldnt be even able to get out of his place at this time of the year) If things dont improve rainwise then the earlier travellers get up the road the better,as things will dry up rapidly.With little wet season damage the graders will open up the road fairly quickly,so keep an eye on the road condition reports.even the Fitzroy River hasnt had mutch of a run yet.We live in hope and touch wood it rains before the season ends,other wise the Kimberley will look a bit sad this year.

Anne and Jo at Drysdale River Station have some general info on roads for that region.
The Gibb presents virtually no problems vehicle-access wise - high clearance in not a big issue - it's more the tyres - it can be very stony in places - mostly the eastern half. There is a couple of examples of the road surface on my site (roads page) here. Speedsters have the most problems on the Gibb, usually carving up their tyres and breaking suspension parts - taken quite sedately, all sorts of vehicles can happily make it along there. As said above, the best time to go is 'soon as the roads have dried out and been graded' - the locals can best tell you about that.

We went in during July. Beautiful. Couldn't believe how nice it was, hardly any flys or mozzies. I think we were very lucky.

But I can certainly recommend July.

I was given a tip last time I was there from one of the stations where we camped. When the grader goes through is when the risk is highest for getting staked by the sharp gibber. The rocks are jumbled and many land with a sharp end up. After the road has been in use a while it all settles down but dont count on not ruining a tyre just the same. Like they say, take it easy and enjoy the ride.

So they say.

I saw one vehicle with a shredded tyre and I found a badly cut sidewall on my vehicle after the event. fortunately I use the cheapest tyres.

Consider this. The most vulnerable tyre is the left rear. That is where I would put the old spare I carry.

Owen

For some excellent advice on the area in general and the Gibb River Road, try this website.

Kimberley Travel Guide