Gibb River Road

Western Australia

Gibb River RoadCutting a rugged path through the Kimberley, the Gibb River Road 4WD track takes you completely away from civilisation and through some of our most beautiful and remote outback with unforgettable adventures along the way.

The legendary Gibb River Road Top Trail is an icon of outback adventure through the heart of the Kimberley in Western Australia’s North West. The moderate 660-kilometre dirt track passes through remote station country with magnificent scenery and plenty of opportunities to get out of your vehicle to discover one of the many freshwater gorges. The Gibb, as it is affectionately known, was built for droving cattle from Wyndham to Derby. Today it caters for a steady stream of four-wheel-drive vehicles. Trail signage varies as the area remains privately owned by cattle stations and Aboriginal communities. Every station has a range of beautiful rivers and gorges including El Questro Station – Chamberlain and Emma Gorges, Mount Barnett Station – Manning Gorge Waterfall Walk, King Leopold Conservation Park – Bell Gorge, Gibb River Station – Barnett River Gorge and Mornington Wilderness Park – Diamond Gorge. Beware of the fresh and saltwater crocodiles. The estuarine crocs inhabit the rivers that meet the sea such as the Durack and Pentecost, whilst the freshwater variety in-habit the likes of the Manning and Barnett.

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Things to do

Stay at the Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge

Located just off the Gibb River Road in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge is close to some of the Kimberley's most beautiful gorges. Situated close to the Gibb River Road and the Imintji Aboriginal community, the Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge is a unique Indigenous-owned site and affords magnificent views of the escarpment. Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge offers 24 tented cabins with twin beds, en suites and private decks. During your stay you'll enjoy delicious home-style meals. The licensed lodge stocks a range of wine and beer available for purchase to complement the tantalising food. Enjoy freshly prepared three-course dinners served with tea or coffee. Start each day with home-style hot breakfasts, while lunches are available on request (additional cost). With easy access to Bell, Galvans and Barnett River gorges, and close to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge is a perfect base for exploring the Western Kimberley. Imintji Store is located near the lodge and stocks basic supplies, including fuel. Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge is available exclusively through APT.

Stay at El Questro Station

El Questro sprawls over 700,000 acres and is one of the world's most unique holiday destinations, providing a truly Australian holiday experience. El Questro Station sits in the heart of the El Questro property with stunning views of the rugged landscape and ancient boab trees. Go Barramundi fishing, set out on a horse trek or explore remote areas by a helicopter that only a lucky few have ever seen. A day spent with a local Ranger will introduce you to a variety of animals, birds and maybe even a saltwater crocodile! El Questro Station boasts a range of Riverview and Gardenview rooms which are conveniently located next to the Steakhouse Restaurant and the Swinging Arm Bar and are only a short stroll away from a peaceful swimming hole. The campground provides a combination of powered and non-powered sites – with several fully fitted-out tents for guests wishing to enjoy the fun of camping without needing to pitch a tent.

Explore Windjana Gorge National Park

Windjana Gorge National Park in the Kimberley region offers stunning bushwalking through the outback wilderness. Rated as one of the most beautiful of all the gorges in this frontier region, Windjana is rich in vegetation and wildlife. The walls of Windjana Gorge rise from the floodplain of Lennard River, reaching 100 metres high in places. Take a dip in refreshing permanent water-holes and feel the power of Mother Nature which carved out the gorge over hundreds of millions of years. A three-and-a-half kilometre easy walking trail winds through the gorge – you’ll see primeval life-forms fossilised within the gorge walls. Keep an eye out for birds, fruit bats and freshwater crocodiles. Windjana Gorge National Park is about a two-hour drive from Derby and is best visited during the mild weather conditions between May and September. Camping in Western Australia's natural areas is a special experience. Selected campgrounds from across the state are now bookable online for a trial period. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Visit Tunnel Creek National Park

A visit to the Tunnel Creek National Park is a truly unique experience that you must include on your Kimberley itinerary. It is close to Windjana Gorge, allowing you to see both landmarks in one day. Tunnel Creek contains Western Australia’s oldest cave system. Walkthrough the 750-metre tunnel which takes you from one side of the Napier Range to the other. Look out for the many bats, fish and freshwater crocodiles that live in the cave. You will get to see little waterfalls coming over the ledges on the sides and huge stalactites dangling from the ceilings. It is not far off the beaten track, and you don’t need a four-wheel-drive to get there, but you do need a torch! The Tunnel Creek National Park is halfway between Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. Allow at least two hours to get there from either direction. Flights run between Perth and Broome, Derby or Kununurra. Drive yourself or join one of the many fantastic overland tour groups visiting the area. Entry is restricted during the wet season. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Explore the Mitchell River National Park

For outback scenery and Aboriginal culture, Mitchell River National Park in the rugged Kimberley region is among the best in Australia. Spectacular landscapes including the Mitchell Plateau and the thundering Mitchell Falls. A bushwalking track leads to the falls where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. Take a plane or chopper ride over the falls to feel their majestic power. The Mitchell Plateau abounds in wildlife and plants. There’s rainforest, open woodlands of gum trees, and watercourses lined by pandanus palms and paperbark trees. The Mitchell River National Park is also home to another beautiful terrain including Merton Falls, Surveyors Pool, Mitchell and King Edward Rivers. The area is home to many ancient rock art sites, most of which have remained untouched for thousands of years. There are basic camping facilities throughout the park. Access is by four-wheel drive only from the Gibb River Road between Derby and Wyndham and may be limited during the wet season. Camping in Western Australia's natural areas is a special experience. Selected campgrounds from across the state are now bookable online for a trial period. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park

See stunning gorges and camp out under the stars at Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park off the Gibb River Road in Western Australia's Kimberley region. Explore Bell and Lennard Gorges which are among the most magnificent gorges in the Kimberley. The folded rock formations of these and other gorges were millions of years in the making. Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park is some of the most inaccessible country in Australia and ideal for a four-wheel driving outback adventure. The park covers nearly 400,000 hectares of sandstone mountains, palm groves and huge granite outcrops. The formidable Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges reach almost 1,000 metres in height. Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park is home to rare plant and animal species and is a haven for birds. Camp at Bell Creek or at Silent Grove. Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge is within the conservation park and has camping facilities as well as catered accommodation. Camping in Western Australia's natural areas is a special experience. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Join Kimberley Wild Expeditions

Best Major Tour Operator Award Winner for 2018 and 2019, Kimberley Wild Expeditions operate some of the best day tours and extended Kimberley adventures out of Broome. Exploring the Kimberley with small, diverse groups in custom-built, comfortable four-wheel-drive vehicles, travellers enjoy local expertise and their real passion for this beautiful corner of Australia. Kimberley Wild guides enjoy meeting travellers from all over the world and are keen to share their experience of the Kimberley, visiting the well-known highlights and revealing some of its many secrets. Their strong relationship with Aboriginal people and communities will also provide you with unforgettable cultural experiences. Exclusive to Kimberley Wild Expeditions, their Bungle Bungles Safari Camp is the only private camp in Purnululu National Park to boast views of the Bungles Massif, allowing travellers to enjoy the idyllic outback landscape while relaxing in the comfort of their eco-safari tents. Kimberley Wild understands that quality meals are essential to a great tour so they provide delicious, healthy meals, featuring fresh ingredients, gourmet salads and local Kimberley flavours. Join Kimberley Wild Expeditions if you want a real, memorable Kimberley experience.

Indulge at El Questro Homestead

The luxurious El Questro Homestead sits in an exclusive oasis in Western Australia's rugged Kimberley landscape. Perched on a clifftop featuring magnificent panoramic views of the Chamberlain Gorge and river systems from sunrise to sunset. El Questro Homestead hosts a maximum of 18 guests, offering a relaxing experience and is a truly unique location to fully appreciate and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the Kimberley. Guests enjoy understated luxury with air-conditioned rooms featuring modern bathrooms and furnishings, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Overlook the magnificent region from the air with their scenic helicopter tours over El Questro’s gorge and river systems. Spend some time on the water with a guided boat tour or take one out yourself and relax along the river as you cast a line out for the Barramundi. Book a table for two on a private cliff-top, take a gourmet picnic to a pristine rock pool or share a bottle of champagne by a cascading waterfall. El Questro Homestead's ever-changing menu of contemporary cuisine and wine is served to guests in the setting of their choice.

Swim at Bell Gorge

Beautiful Bell Gorge, with its stunning waterfall, bushwalking and birdwatching, lies within the Kimberley's rugged Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park. During the wet season great volumes of water cascade down the waterfall, making it the perfect place for a refreshing swim. Make sure you bring your camera as Bell Gorge is one of the most picturesque and scenic gorges in the Kimberley. The folded rock formations were millions of years in the making. You can go camping not far from the gorge - this is pristine wilderness at its best. There's a one-kilometre path from the campground and carpark to the gorge. Bell Gorge is about an hour's drive off the Gibb River Road four-wheel drive track east of Derby. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au.

Kimberley Outback Tours

Kimberley Outback Tours offer unforgettable multi-day and short tours through the stunning Australian Kimberley and the West Coast. These tours are ideal for those travellers that wish to explore the Kimberley and the West Coast with tours departing from Broome and Perth. The Kimberley has been rated by Lonely Planet as the second best tourism region in the World. Kimberley Outback Tours also offer shorter tours that may suit those visiting the region for a winter break away from the southern winter and wish to share a short adventure. Kimberley Outback Tours offers tours in the rugged outback, without the need to rough it. All tours are accommodated with en-suites most nights. All meals, tours and National Park fees are included. Kimberley Outback Tours also offers tours out of Perth, touring the West Coast to Broome.

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