Gibb River Road

from Kununurra to Broome

The first section in Western Australia and the most remote. The Gibb River Road is a landmark in these parts and, apart from a few roadhouses, deserted.

from Kununurra to Broome

Once in Western Australia it is time to stock up on the last of the groceries as they can be quite expensive between here and Broome, if available at all.
  • Kununurra

    The eastern gateway to the Kimberley. Near Kununurra lies Lake Argyle, the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere and a magnet for water sports enthusiasts. To the south lies Purnululu National Park with the Bungle Bungle Range, a colorful collection of rocks shaped like enormous bee nests. I was there last time, so I'll probably skip it this time.

  • Wyndham

    About 105 kilometers northwest of Kununurra lies Wyndham. This is where five rivers flow into Cambridge Gulf. This Five Rivers Lookout is apparently a place where you can see fantastic sunsets.

  • Gibb River Road

    About 80 kilometers outside Kununurra, the Gibb River Road begins. This road seems to be a bit of a nemesis for me, but while previous attempts were hampered by early rain and very poor roads, this time I really intend to complete the entire route. The Gibb River Road originally began as a route for cattle to Derby and Wyndham, from where they were transported onward by boat. These days, it's primarily a tourist route that can be very busy, especially during the peak season (April/May to August). While it used to be entirely unpaved, large sections are now paved, which certainly improves comfort but makes it a bit less adventurous. Probably fine for me!

  • Mitchell Falls

    A significant detour along the route is the road to Mitchell Falls and Mitchell River National Park. It's about 250 kilometers from the turnoff on the Gibb River Road, and it will likely take a full day to get there (and a day back, of course). Although the falls are more spectacular at the end of the rainy season, it's probably still more than worth it when I'm there. We'll see.

  • Gorges

    There are many gorges along the Gibb River Road that are well worth a visit. I definitely want to visit the Manning River, Bell Creek, and Lennard River gorges.

  • Windjana & Tunnel Creek

    At the end of the Gibb River Road lie the national parks of Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Both parks are must-sees on my list, and Windjana Gorge, in particular, has made such a lasting impression on me that this will be my third visit.

At the end of the Gibb River Road it is approximately another 6 kilometres to Derby and from there another 200 kilometers to Broome.
If all goes well, I'll have about 10 days on the Gibb River Road, and it'll be nice to be back in civilization for a bit. After that, I'll head towards Port Hedland.

Katherine - Arnhem Land Broome - Port Hedland