Driving through the heart of the Kimberley in the north west of Western Australia is the Gibb River Road, one of Australia’s last wilderness frontiers. The road was originally built as a cattle route, stretching 660 kilometres between the town of Derby and the Kununurra and Wyndham junction. Typically the Gibb River Road is flooded during the monsoon season from November through to March, and is generally not driveable during this period with the rivers flooding and the creeks overflowing. Although some people do attempt to travel the Gibb River Road in a 2WD vehicle, a 4WD is recommended as the track is rough and there are plenty of rivers and creeks to cross.

Driving through the Gibb River Road is an amazing experience, you will come across spectacular ranges, stunning gorges with inviting waterholes to refresh you from the drive, intriguing boab trees and beautiful waterfalls. The river crossings are exciting and by the time you have finished you will be an old hac at getting through them. You will be awe inspired by the sheer size of the stations, where it seems anything under one million acres is classified as small, watch out for the cattle though as they roam freely across the roads. Even when the sun goes down The Kimberley Region is a stunning place as the sky lights up with a billion stars.

To tackle the Gibb River Road you do not require 4WD experience, don’t forget your sense of adventure though. Don’t travel the road ill-prepared as it is a remote area of Australia, always ensure your vehicle is in good working order, the spare tyre is in good condition and you have plenty of food, water and of course fuel. There are stations and roadhouses along the road that sell fuel and supplies, and most can do minor repairs on your vehicle or repair your flat tyre. Don’t take for granted though the remoteness of the area, this is an adventure trip with very few luxuries along the way, plenty of flies and dust, and the roads are rough.

If you are not planning on being self reliant along the Gibb River Road then plan ahead as there are limited accommodation options. Some of the stations that welcome tourists do have motel style accommodation for hire, do book ahead though to ensure they have a room for you when you arrive. If you are after luxury style accommodation then on the eastern side of the Gibb River Road, not too far from Kununurra are El Questro and Home Valley Stations. They are both working cattle stations, offering a range of accommodation options from camping up to luxury rooms, and both have a good offering of tours to see the stunning countryside on their properties.

If your time is limited and you want to experience the Australian Outback, then the Gibb River Road is the perfect option. Take in Broome for a day or two to unwind before hitting the Gibb River Road. Then take your time driving along the road, giving yourself a few days to really experience the stunning countryside, before heading back to Broome via the Great Northern Highway. Of course if you do not wish to drive yourself, lookout for the many specialised tours that will do the driving for you, giving you more time to stare out the window at this spectacular place. To avoid disappointment, book your tour early as they are a popular way to see the Kimberley Region.

Author Bio: The Gibb River Road article was brought to you by Lyndon Sparrow: Australian Outback Travel Guide

Category: Travel
Keywords: gibb river road, outback travel, the kimberley