The Infamous Gibb River Road

Our dog friendly Gibb River Road adventure kicked off in July, and what an adventure it was! Initially, the plan was just to check out both ends of the road, but once we got started, we couldn’t resist taking on the full journey. Sometimes, the best trips are the ones you don’t over-plan.

Our first stop was Lennard River Free Camp, a fantastic, dog-friendly spot about 125km from Derby. If you don’t have an off-road van, no problem—the drive is all bitumen to get there. After parking up, we took a short 20-minute drive down a dirt road to Windjana Gorge. Big shoutout to our camp neighbors who offered to keep an eye on Penny while we went exploring.

Windjana Gorge was spectacular, but the real highlight was Evan’s first-ever crocodile sighting! As we walked along the gorge trail, we spotted several freshwater crocs basking on the riverbank. Seeing them up close in the wild was a pretty unforgettable experience for all of us, especially Evan!

For those not keen on taking their van off-road, Lennard River Free Camp is a great base to explore both Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, which is about 35km further along. We didn’t get to Tunnel Creek this time around since we didn’t want to leave Penny for too long, but it’s definitely on the list for next time.

If you want to camp closer to Windjana Gorge, there’s a paid campsite available, but no pets allowed since it’s part of a national park.

Pro tip: If you’re traveling with kids, remember to pack a floaty or pool noodle for swimming along the Gibb River Road.

Next up, we took a detour to Adcock Gorge, which is about 7km off the main road. This one’s a bit of an adventure to reach. The track is filled with deep ruts and rocky sections, and you won’t be going much faster than 15km/h! Whatever you do, don’t try to take a caravan down this road. There’s a clearing at the start where you can unhitch and park before heading further.

Once you reach the parking area, it’s a short 10-minute walk to the gorge. Depending on the water flow, you’ll either cross the creek via stepping stones or wade through it. A little scramble over the rocks will bring you to a peaceful pool at the back.

Adcock Gorge doesn’t get as many visitors as the more popular spots, which is exactly why we loved it. The tranquility of the place made it feel like our own little secret hideaway. Plus, dogs are allowed, which made it even better for us!

Galvans Gorge is an absolute must if you’re traveling the Gibb River Road. It’s one of the smaller gorges, and the walk to reach it is only about 20-25 minutes along a relatively flat trail. Even with a four-year-old in tow, the walk was manageable, with just a few rocky sections to navigate. Bonus points for being dog-friendly too!

Despite its size, Galvans Gorge is the perfect spot to stretch your legs and take a break from the drive. The stunning waterfall and peaceful atmosphere make it feel like a little slice of paradise in the heart of the Kimberley.

We stayed at Mt Barnett Station, which gives you access to Manning Gorge. Dogs are allowed along the beach to the left-hand side but not across the water crossing to the actual gorges. Be prepared to get wet. You will have to swim across and put your kiddos and bags in the blue buckets and push them over to the other side. As we had Penny, we opted not to go across to the gorge this time and were quite happy hanging around at the beach so Penny could enjoy it too. If you keep heading left when you walk down to the beach area, you will find some shallow water with easy access to the water.

If you want to experience El Questro but want to save some money on camp fees, you can head to the Pentecost River Free Camp and do day trips from there. It’s bitumen all the way from Kununurra to the Pentecost River crossing, where you can unhitch the van and tackle the dirt tracks to El Questro.

There are plenty of other great spots to camp along the Gibb River Road, and some of our favorites were:

• Lennard River Free Camp
• March Fly Glen Free Camp
• Mt Barnett Station (Manning Gorge)
• Top of the World Free Camp
• Gibb River Free Camp
• Pentecost River Free Camp (or Jackson Hill just behind the river)

Each of these campsites had its own unique vibe and offered a perfect spot to break up the drive and soak in the stunning Kimberley landscapes.

The Gibb River Road is an adventure, no doubt about it. It’s rugged and remote, and if you’re not prepared, it can be a challenge. We traveled with an off-road van, and having the independent suspension definitely made the journey smoother.

Can you do it in a semi-off-road van? Sure, people have, but the dirt roads in some sections will rattle everything, including your teeth! We saw quite a few broken-down vehicles and even abandoned caravans along the way. So, if you decide to tackle the Gibb, make sure to do regular maintenance checks on your van and vehicle. Trust me, a little extra prep can save you a lot of headaches down the track.

Well, this would depend on weather and how well prepared you are. We took 8 nights because we weren’t prepared for the last-minute decision to head the full length of the Gibb River Road. You could easily spend 2-3 weeks or more exploring the area. There are fuel stops along the way (Imjinity and Mt Barnett Station), and if you’re heading up towards Drysdale, you will find fuel there too. Be prepared to pay top dollar for the fuel and make sure you fill your jerry cans in case the next stop is out of fuel! We paid $2.90AUD per litre. You can buy extra supplies along the way. Imjinity has a basic store, and Mt Barnett Station has a full shop with everything you need. You will pay premium prices here due to location! For example, a pack of water was $30, but it’s to be expected because of the remote location. Mt Barnett Station also has free potable water.

If we could do it again, would we take the dog with us? While we got to see some great places, we did miss out on Bells Gorge, Mitchell Falls, Mannings Gorge, and the Emma Gorge and the El Questro walks. You may be able to find someone to dog-sit along the way and take turns with them.

Overall, the Gibb River Road is an adventure of a lifetime, and despite the rough patches, it’s one you don’t want to miss!