Gibb River Road

Once you’ve picked up your 4WD it’s time to get acquainted with a quick explore of Broome. Head out to Cable Beach, one of the most iconic Broome locations, famous for its 22 kilometres of sun-kissed white sand and turquoise water. Soak up this opportunity to get into the crystal clear Indian Ocean, hire some snorkel gear and explore the marine life, or stay dry and take a guided camel tour along the beach. On your way to Derby, stop in at the Pigeon Heritage Trail and learn about the Aboriginal tracker known as Pigeon, and once in Derby, make sure you visit the jetty to see some of the largest tidal movements in the southern hemisphere.

Where to stay - Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park.

Your Gibb River Road adventure begins in Derby - be sure to stock up on fuel, food and water supplies before leaving Derby as towns get sparser from here on in. The first 70 kilometres of the Gibb is sealed, then it's 4WD all the way until you hit bitumen not far from Kununurra.

The first must stop place is Windjana Gorge. Situated within the Napier Ranges – part of an ancient reef system formed around 350 million years ago, the sheer 100-metre walls will astound you as you discover the fossils of primaeval lifeforms that live within and cool pools that support an abundance of wildlife. There’s a great short 3.5-kilometre walking trail to soak it all up.

Next up is Tunnel Creek, Western Australia’s oldest caving system. You’ll need a minimum of an hour and a half to explore the 750-meter tunnel. Don’t forget to take a torch as the tunnel is unlit and wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.

Where to stay – Windjana Gorge Camp.

Leaving Windjana Gorge you’ll head into the Kimberley highlands and along the way will experience some real 4WDing action as you wind through the hills. First stop of the day is at Lennard Gorge for a short 30 minute morning walk to view the gorge and swim for those that are keen.

Continuing the drive will take you over the Leopold Ranges, arguably some of the most stunning views in all of Australia! Make sure you take time to really soak up this wonderful environment and take some pictures.

Next up is Bell Gorge, considered by many as one of the most spectacular attractions in the Kimberley. Think 100-meter cascading waterfall, inviting plunge pools to swim in and some stunning views from the top of the cliffs. It’s worth the drive itself just for these. For a real Aussie treat, you can camp under the clear night skies at Silent Grove campsite and wake up to perfect nature. Alternatively, Mount Hart Homestead provides more amenities.

Where to stay – Silent Grove campsite, Mount Hart Homestead.

On your way to Manning Gorge, the short bush walk at Galvans Gorge provides views of the spectacular granite outcrops interspersed by lily filled waterways and breaks up the journey really well.

Stop off at Mount Barnett Roadhouse to pay your entry and camping fees for Manning Gorge. Grab your spot at the Manning Gorge Campground and take the walks to Manning Gorge and waterfalls. The trip to the falls is an adventure in itself, as you’ll have to wade through streams and pull yourself across a waterway on a rope line in a small dingy. However once there you’ll find it’s worth the effort. Take a swim and relax in the plunge pool, explore the gorge climbing over the rocks and wading through the water or walk to the top of the waterfall. It’s big enough that you can happily spend hours exploring here.

Where to stay – Manning Gorge Campground.

Start off the day with Barnett River Gorge, a small but secluded gorge that has been "off the map" for years. It's a great place for a walk and an explore of a morning, or if you're feeling jaded setup camp and stay the day and night.

Next stop is Drysdale River Station. A haven in itself there’s plenty to explore here too, walks through the open woodlands and rainforests, or fish in the river just a minute from the campsite. Make sure you look up at the sky around sunset to see the sky glow a myriad of colours as the sun departs the day.

Where to stay – Drysdale River Station.

Spend a day exploring (if you have time), finish off those walks you didn’t get to do last night, and take a day to relax. Treat yourself to a unique view of the area with a scenic flight over the coastal canyons of the Prince Regent River, circle Mitchell Falls and get an eagle's eye view of the dramatic Kimberley coastline.

Spend the evening relaxing, soaking up the station that describes itself as an Australia outback mixture of a hotel, motel, farmstay B&B and roadhouse. True blue Aussie accommodation set on a working ranch to give you a taste of what real Aussie life is like here.

Where to stay – Drysdale River Station.

Jumping back onto the Gibb River Road, you’ll head towards Home Valley Station. Think classic Australian cattle ranch, and you’ve got Home Valley. Sitting at the foot of the magnificent Cockburn Range, the three million acre outback oasis provides you with the opportunity to see (and participate) in the main occupation around here – cattle farming. Don’t be thinking dairy farming or similar, think cowboys and stockmen going out on a cattle muster. Can't envision it? Well, you can go with them to experience it first-hand.

Take a wander through the gorges and ranges that can be found in the station on the signposted trails and take a swim in one of the idyllic plunge pools or try your hand at fishing for Barramundi in some of Australia’s top fishing spots. Make sure you’re back in time for the guided tour to see the sunset over the Cockburn Ranges though!

Where to stay – Home Valley Station.

Ride out with the stockmen on an authentic cattle muster – guaranteed an experience you won’t be able to forget. Or take a scenic horse riding tour exploring the Cockburn Range, venturing through the gorges and ranges to inviting plunge pools for a swim. You can lead a horse to water at Home Valley Station and it’d be rude not to have a swim while you’re there.

Where to stay – Home Valley Station.

On your way to El Questro, stop at the viewing spot and take in the expansive views of over the Cockburn Ranges and Pentecost River, and for those keen take a short walk to explore.

The El Questro Wilderness Park, located deep in the heart of the Kimberley extends to over one million acres. An ideal location to spend a day or two exploring. The perfect way to enjoy this on your first night is to jump on a sunset cruise to Chamberlain Gorge to experience the magical deep red of the rocks contrasted against the vibrant sky and moon.

Where to stay – El Questro Wilderness Park Campground.

If you have time, it’s well worth taking a day more to explore this place. For the adventurous, you can saddle up on either a horse or a 4WD tour to explore the park. For those more inclined to rest relax and enjoy the serenity, visit the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs, located under a canopy of prehistoric rainforest or Livistona and pandanus palms. You can easily spend a half day here just relaxing and soaking up the surroundings. And if you do get itchy feet, there’s plenty of short walks such as Emma Gorge to get the blood pumping.

Where to stay – El Questro Wilderness Park Campground.

The final leg of the Gibb River Road adventure takes you to Kununurra. Spend a morning visiting the Aboriginal art galleries to soak up a little culture. For the afternoon jump on board a cruise and explore Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the southern hemisphere (21 times larger than the Sydney Harbour). Complete with its own waterways and little islands, a cruise will get you up close with the amazing array of birds, wallabies, crocodiles and fish that live around here.

A little side trip but well worth doing if you have time is to visit the Bungle Bungle Ranges. A World Heritage listed location, the black sandstone domes rise 300 meters from the grass-covered planes. A scenic guided flight leaves from Kununurra and affords you the best way to see them. Otherwise, if you’re heading back to Broome on the Great Northern Highway, you’ll pass the turnoff at about 2.5 hours into your journey where you can head in and explore them up close.

From Kununurra, you’ve got two main options. Head back to Broome on the Great Northern Highway (about a 10-hour drive) and stop off along the way the Bungle Bungles, Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing. If you’re looking to break this into two days then a good place to stopover is Fitzroy Crossing where you can take the time to explore Geikie gorge.

Alternatively, you can continue the adventure into the Northern Territory and onto Darwin on the Victoria Highway. Highlights you’ll find along the way are Timber Creek, Katherine & Nitmiluk National Park, Litchfield National Park and the world famous and World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

Access to the Gibb River Road is between May and October only. The rainy season brings flooding between September and May and makes some of the roads impassable.

The Gibb River Road is largely unsealed. Some experience of driving on unsealed roads is recommended, and drivers should take necessary precautions to ensure a safe journey.

Between Kununurra and Derby, there are only two places where you can buy basic food supplies – Mount Barnett Roadhouse and Imintji Roadhouse. They also supply fuel and tyre repair assistance.

Beware of saltwater crocodiles inhabiting river estuaries such as the Durack and Pentecost.