Gibb River Road
The Kimberley
The Gibb River Road is a mainly unsealed route between Derby and Kununurra. Originally created to allow transport of cattle from the many stations in the area, today it is popular with visitors looking for adventure through spectacular scenery.
The 700km 4WD route with its great river crossings, stunning gorges and dramatic terrain is accessible only in the Dry (roughly April - September). Check the Main Road Western Australia website for updates.
If you don't want to drive the Gibb River Road yourself, there are organised tours you can join.
Gorges on the Gibb River Road
Windjana Gorge
Created from a 350 million year old Devonian reef, Windjana Gorge is home to a very large population of fresh water crocodiles who can be seen sunning themselves all the way along the bank. In the dry the gorge is a series of pools and sandy banks. The 100 metre high reef is embedded with fossils which are visible in some parts.
According to Aboriginal legend the Rainbow Serpent carved Windjana Gorge to let the waters flow through the area and ensure a source of food for them.
Tunnel Creek
Carved into the Napier Range by Tunnel Creek for over 20 million years, the gorge is accessible via Windjana Gorge and the Gibb River Road as well as from the Great Northern Highway (where 4WD is not required).
You can walk the length of the natural tunnel, which is about 750m. Expect to get wet here as you will need to wade across water at points and you will also need a decent torch as it gets dark. At the entrance to the tunnel you can also see some aboriginal artwork.
Bell Gorge
Bell Gorge is located in the King Leopold Range Conservation Park and is a beautiful spot for picnicing and swimming with its series of waterfalls and pools. The walk from the carpark is a little rocky and steep to start with but becomes easier and the scenery at the end makes it a worthwhile trip.
There are 2 campgrounds on offer in the King Leopold National Park - the main one is Silent Grove, which is a pretty area about 10km from Bell gorge. You can also stay along Bell Creek, however there are only 10 spots here and you need to get a tag from Silent Grove.
Lennard Gorge
Lennard River Gorge is a beautiful swimming hole that is shaded throughout the day by the tall cliffs that surround it. Walking to the gorge from the carpark you will first come across a ledge at the top of the waterfall affording amazing views down to the gorge. The walk down to the swimming hole is steep, marked only by cairns and can be tricky - take care.
Adcock Gorge
With small ferns and lilies lining the edges of the water and a cascading waterfall, Adcock Gorge is a pretty if somewhat overlooked waterhole. It is only 5km form the Gibb River Road and requires only a short walk to get there.
Galvans Gorge
Galvans Gorge is a minor but beautiful water hole that is less than a 1km walk from the Gibb River Road. The shaded gorge has a waterfall and is a nice place to cool off with a swim.
Manning Gorge
On a track 7kms from the Mount Barnett Roadhouse is a picturesque campground that leads to the Manning Gorge and falls. It's a good hour's walk (2km)that can be rough and hot but well worth it for the scenery and the swimming holes at the end.
Emma Gorge
Residing on the famous El Questro station, Emma Gorge offers a rewarding walk along the riverbank to a permanent waterhole with fern covered cliffs and a waterfall. Emma Gorge is a fairly short walk from the Resort but it can get quite hot so an earlier start is recommended.
El Questro Gorge
As the name suggests this gorge is on the El Questro Station. After a fairly easy and cool walk through tall palms the track seemingly comes to a stop at pool with large boulders blocking the way. This is actually only half way and from here you can either amble back the way you came or swim across the pool and continue up for a more challenging but spectacular climb to the start of the gorge where there are great views.
Outback Stations on the Gibb River Road
Birdwood Downs Station
16kms from Derby on the Gibb River Road you will find Birdwood Downs Station. This 5000 acre property houses the Kimberley School of horsemanship. Here you can go on trail rides and tours, and they also offer accommodation in their savannah bungalows.
Charnley River Station
The Charnley River Station is 44km off the Gibb River Road about 260km from Derby. It is a family owned and run cattle station with access to beautiful gorges. They offer self-guided 4WD trips, bush walking trails, swimming and accommodation.
Mt Elizabeth Station
Offering homestead accommodation, camping and meals, the Mt Elizabeth Station is located about 379km from Derby.
Drysdale River Station
Located 59kms from the Gibb River Road up the Kulumburu road, Drysdale River Station offers fuel (last stop for those travelling up to Mitchell Plateau and Kulumburu), accommodation, camping and delicious meals. If you don't have the time to continue up to Mitchell Falls, you can take a scenic flight from Drysdale instead.
Ellenbrae Station
Ellenbrae Station welcomes day trippers with a cup of tea and freshly made scones in some beautiful surrounds. They also have accommodation for those wishing to stay longer.
Home Valley Station
With a great restaurant, licensed bar, swimming pool and a range of accommodation, the recently opened Home Valley Station is a lovely spot to stay. It is a working cattle station that offers visitors barramundi fishing in the nearby Pentecost River, horse-riding, 4WD tours and more. The station is part of some spectacular landscapes including gorges, rivers, springs and lagoons. Home Valley Station is owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation, and in addition to tourism, it provides training programs for aboriginals.
The station is about 114km from Kununurra (or 591kms from Derby).
El Questro Station
At 1 million acres the El Questro Station is probably the best known station in The Kimberley. You need a park permit to visit El Questro, but there are some beautiful gorges and springs to visit here that make the permit a worthwhile investment, even for day visitors. You can also do a cruise on the Chamberlain Gorge, go horse-riding, bushwalking and go on a 4WD tour. A range of accommodation is available for all types of budgets.
El Questro Station is 106kms from Kununurra (or 649kms from Derby).
Supplies on the Gibb River Road (Kununurra to Derby)
Mt Elizabeth Station
Mt Elizabeth Station offers meals, accommodation and a public phone.
My Elizabeth Station is 394kms from Kununurra or 379kms from Derby (including the 30km access road)
Mt Barnett Roadhouse
Mt Barnett Roadhouse offers fuel, mechanical repairs, public phone, a general store and hot snacks.
Mt Barnett Roadhouse is 360kms from Kununurra or 300kms from Derby.
Imintji Store
Imintji store offers diesel fuel, mechanical repairs and a general store.
Imintji Store is open most days from 7am-5pm, and is 437kms from Kununurra or 223kms (or 2.5 hrs) from Derby
Lennard River Bridge Snack Stop
Lennard River Bridge Snack Stop has a small store with take-away pies, ice-creams and other snacks. You can sit outside and watch the crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the Lennard River.
Lennard River Bridge Snack Stop is located just after the Lennard River Bridge, just before the turnoff to Windjana Gorge (or just after if you are travelling from Derby).