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If you want to experience driving in the real outback, then take a trip along the (in)famous 650 km-long Gibb River Road. If you are heading between Broome and Darwin or vice-versa between May and October, a worthwhile and adventurous route for those with a 4-wheel drive is to take some of the journey via the Gibb River Road. Nerve-shattering corrugations and endless clouds of red dust aside, the road leads you past some of the most recently 'discovered' (by white-man, that is), awe-inspiring landforms of Australia, including magnificent waterfalls, gorges, swimming holes and rock formations as well as striking ancient Aboriginal rock-art sites. Originally made in the 1970s to allow pastoral farmers to drive herds of cattle from their remote stations to coastal ports, the surrounding area of the Gibb River Road is home to several different Aboriginal language groups. |
What to see Windjana Gorge - a 350 million year old Devonian reef rising out of the Lennard Rivera and forming a spectacular gorge. Take a walk and look out for the abundant wildlife including fresh-water crocodiles. Camping is available. Tunnel Creek - the oldest cave system in Australia; a creek flowing through a carved-out tunnel in the Napier Range. Take a walk through the tunnel and look out for rock art on the ceilings. It was the hideout for the famous Aboriginal 'outlaw', Jandamarra, before he was killed by police in 1897. You will need a torch and suitable shoes to wade through the knee-high water. Look out for bats, herons and water goanna, and be aware that there are sometimes freshwater crocodiles in the creek. Bell Gorge - a spectacular series of cascading waterfalls plunging into the water below. A great spot for swimming, wildlife-watching and hiking. Camping is available in two camp sites. Manning River Gorge - a nice spot to relax and swim or fish. Camping and supplies are available at Mount Barnett Roadhouse nearby. El Questro Wilderness Park - a must-see million acre reserve which includes spectacular scenery or waterfalls, thermal springs, oases, palm forests and rock art sites. Visitors can take a horse trek, boat trips, go fishing, hiking or swimming. Numerous species of plant and animals abound. Rather more of a luxurious feel to it that any other place along the Gibb River Road but accommodation is still available for a budget of any size from its campsite to a luxury homestead. Emma Gorge - a cool and shady gorge with several refreshing waterholes to take a dip in. The Emma Gorge Resort offers facilities in similar style to El Questro. If you want a taste rather that doing the whole length of the Gibb River Road, then travelling West to East, you could drop in at Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek before heading back onto the bitumen of the Great Northern Highway. Or from East to West, stop in at Emma Gorge, El Questro and Manning Gorge. |
A couple of hours drive from the Gibb River Road, do not miss the stunning Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) - east of Halls Creek along the Great Northern Highway. Accessible only by 4WD (if you don't have one, go with a tour) - it is not to be missed. |
Accommodation Camping is only allowed at designated sites. Accommodation is also offered at roadhouses and some stations en route. It is sensible to plan where you are going to stay and book ahead as some areas are very popular. |
Preparation A trip up the Gibb River Road requires some careful preparation, especially for those adventurers wanting to do the full length. Breakdowns and accidents occur frequently, usually due to inexperience and lack of preparation, so be prepared. A high-clearance 4WD is recommended, however the first and last stretches of the road (depending in which direction you look at it) are smoother and less corrugated and so a few of the sites may be accessible by 2WD (check at the Derby or Kununurra Visitors' Centre for advice and road condition updates). |
Supplies There are several roadhouses and stores offering mechanical repair and fuel supplies, however, take at least one jerry can of spare fuel and two spare tyres with a good tyre repair kit with you. Drinking water is available en-route but always have at least 10 litres per person spare just in case. Permits Before you make any side-trips into private land, make sure you ask permission. A permit is needed for entry into any Aboriginal Land (get this from one of the visitors' centres before you set off on the Gibb River Road). Campfires must not be within 3 metres of vegetation. There are periodic bans so check the rules and take a gas stove if necessary. Driving Don't overtake unless you can clearly see ahead and stay out of the way of roadtrains. If in doubt, stay back and enjoy the scenery; it is not worth a head-on collision or burst tyres. Driving after dusk is a no-no due to the high amount of wandering stock on the road. If you need to cross a river, bare in mind that if the river is too fast-flowing to walk through then it is probably too fast flowing for your vehicle. The number one method of avoiding ripped tyres and nasty accidents is to take it easy, keep it slow and don't try to exceed the capabilities of yourself or your vehicle. |
4-Wheel Adventures: The Gibb River Road |
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