Gibb River Road

Stretching for 660 kilometres through the heart of the Kimberley, the Gibb River Road is one of Australia’s great outback adventures. This legendary route, originally a cattle-droving track, now offers intrepid travellers a raw and immersive experience of ancient gorges, plunging waterfalls, and vast cattle stations. The road is unsealed and demands a high-clearance 4WD, but the rewards are immense: swimming in crystal-clear waterholes, camping under star-packed skies, and encountering Indigenous rock art that tells stories tens of thousands of years old. This is a journey that connects you with the land’s deep past and its rugged present.

Highlights & What to See

• Windjana Gorge National Park: Walk among towering limestone walls and spot freshwater crocodiles basking on the banks. The gorge is a dramatic slice of the Devonian Reef system.
• Tunnel Creek National Park: Don a headlamp and wade through a 750-metre-long cave system, home to bats and ancient stalactites – the site of an Indigenous outlaw’s last stand.
• Bell Gorge: A spectacular tiered waterfall cascading into a deep pool, perfect for a refreshing swim. The short walk to the lookout offers breathtaking views.
• Emma Gorge: A rewarding hike leads to a secluded pool fed by a permanent waterfall. The water is cool and inviting after the Kimberley heat.
• El Questro Wilderness Park: A million-acre station offering everything from luxury accommodation to basic campsites. Soak in the thermal springs, explore the gorge, and try barramundi fishing.
• Manning Gorge: A popular spot with a stunning waterfall and large swimming hole. The nearby campground is a great base for exploring the surrounding escarpments.
• Indigenous Rock Art: At sites like Galvans Gorge and the Wandjina galleries near Mount Barnett, you can see ancient Wandjina and Gwion figures that are deeply significant to local Aboriginal people.

Suggested Time to Spend

To properly experience the Gibb River Road, allow at least 5 to 7 days one-way – more if you want to linger at gorges and do side trips like the Kalumburu Road to Mitchell Plateau. Most travellers drive from Derby to Kununurra (or vice versa), spending 2–3 nights at key stops such as Bell Gorge, El Questro, and Manning Gorge. The road is best tackled between May and September, when the weather is dry and the creeks are low. Plan to drive only 100–150 kilometres per day to leave time for walks, swims, and spontaneous detours.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Broome: Start or end your Kimberley adventure in this pearling town, famous for Cable Beach sunsets and the dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point.
• Kununurra: The eastern gateway to the Gibb, with Lake Argyle and the Ord River offering boat cruises and fishing charters.
• Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range): The iconic beehive domes are a 4WD-only destination that pairs brilliantly with the Gibb River Road; allow 2–3 days.
• Mitchell Falls: A multi-tiered waterfall accessed via a challenging 4WD track and a helicopter or a long hike – the ultimate remote Kimberley reward.
• Derby: The western starting point, known for its boab prison tree and massive king tides at the jetty.
• Horizontal Falls: A natural phenomenon in Talbot Bay where tidal currents create a waterfall effect; book a seaplane tour from Broome or Derby.

Please check official sources for current details.