Alex H replied:

G'day Andrew,
I did the Gibb in July 2000. It took me 8 days from Derby to Kununurra, which included visiting every gorge, but not camping at each one. Some days we'd visit a gorge in the morning and get to another in the afternoon, where we'd camp. This 8 day trip included the trip up to Mitchell Falls. We camped at the King Edward River the night before, drove in the next day, hiked to the falls, took a chopper back to camp, and stayed the night there. Drove out as far as Drysdale River Station the next day.
There should be no problems towing your van on the Gibb, and as far as getting into the gorges & Mitchell Falls goes your boys will have no problems with the walk.
14 days would be plenty, I would think - I was not towing, and the road was pretty good except for the section around Jacks Waterhole, and I was cruising at abot 80-90 most of the time. Hope this Helps.
Cheers,
Alex.

matty replied:

Hi Andrew, 14 days would give you plenty of time to see the sites along the Gibb, allowing you to set camp at a few places for a couple of days each, eg Silent Grove, Manning Gorge and El Questro. Get yourself a copy of "The Kimberley an adventurers guide" by R&V Moon. Do you intend on going to Kalumburu. If you rush through the Gibb you tend to become "gorged out", so if you can slow things down and take your time I'm sure you'll have a better memory of each place and a better time. My opinion on what not to miss is Zebedee hot springs for a morning wake up followed by a walk to the end of El Questro gorge, but there is so much to choose from, you sort of come back home planning your next trip up there.

lucky you

mat

Member - John replied:

Andy,

14 days would be plenty and if you are wise you will try to camp for two nights in row at the same place to give the kids a break from travelling. Old Mornington Camp is a good place to do that (south of GRR on Mt House Rd).

Try to come earlier in the dry season (May-June) rather than July-Aug to avoid the crowds. More water about early on too.

The GRR is actually in pretty fair nick these days but remains a trap for those who speed and overload. The most common vehicle failures on the GRR are trailer and vehicle suspensions, mostly due to excess speed and overloading.

You will find the Cape Levique Rd north of Broome far more challenging than the GRR. I know all my hardest drives have been on the Cape Levique Rd, not the GRR.

You can do the GRR end to end in about 10-12 hrs driving time, speeds between 60-80kph.

JohnS
Derby,WA

Jeff (Beddo) replied:

14 days should be heaps - I was there in Aug & Sept last year - temps at night great with only one or two nights required jeans and a jacket but during the days it became hot enough not to be able to walk around midday. Earlier than this you will get the occasional frost but the daytime temps will be more suitable.
Every car runs on the corrugations different on the GRR we ran at 90Km most of the time and with 35 in the tyres we did not have a problem (packed light though as I could still use my rear view mirror). From ElQuestro we drove north along the Karunjie & King River 4WD Track to Wyndam - this was a great track with a bit more 4WD type sections (GRR was just a long dusty corrrrugatttedd road). Mitchell falls was rough with corrugations and Cape Leveque and Middle Lagoon north of Broome were fantastic spots with some great sand driving and good fishing (I was told - I don't fish), we saw heaps of whales and it was interesting seeing red sand dunes near the coast. Bungle Bungle were tops and this track was probably the roughest of our whole trip (though it was not difficult). Anyway from Sydney to Broome and back we did it in 9 weeks and travelling 16 000Km. Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

Andy replied:

Thanks everyone for the great input.

cheers

Andrew

Coops (Pilbara) replied:

14 days will not be plenty (sorry everyone) but will certainly suffice for your first trip.

Do not miss Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Old Mornington Bushcamp, Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs @ El Questro, Mitchell Plateau & Kalumburu (try to see Father Anscar at the mission if at all possible).
Van will be no problems but check for loose fittings, nuts & bolts etc after Mitchell Plateau trek.Allyn
Where to next ?

Peter Guy replied:

Andy if you go to the Mitchell Falls be sure to go a little further north to Surveyers Pool. We thought this was the best place. it is fantastic. There are water falls and in parts warm thermal springs.The track in was rough but we got through even towing the camper trailer. Just take it slowly!! The chopper pilots at the falls tell you that the track is impassable-probably wanting you to fly in their choppers!!
It is a bit of a hike from the small camping area and the track can be difficult to follow.