Member - Terry replied:

Hi Revs
Friends of mine did the Gibb River road via your route last year in August, said it was great but very dry.
We're going back with them early may next year which should be at the end of the wet season. But who knows with nature, if the wet season last longer than normal it should be interesting
Cheers
Terry
PS : want to insert pic. of vechicle, could someone tell me how

Member - Cocka replied:

SWMBO and I did an 8 week trip up that way in July/Aug this year & the water effects were starting to look a bit slow. Waterfalls were running but not spectacular & I heard that a few weeks later a few had stopped. +'s & -'s You can get to see everything without worry, swimming is safe (not in croc areas), camps are dry, fishing's a bit ordinary (seasonal). With a lot of the falls running full you would be restricted in accessing areas across the water. Tunnel Creek was knee deep when we went through (good) but if it was over your head then give it a miss. Mitchell Plateau falls we were able to walk across at the top then to a point from where you can look up the 3 falls (I always thought that famous photo was a helicopter shot, it's not, I was there) You could take a helicopter from the car park that would drop you on the other side.
When we go back it will be at the end of the wet as it will be a different dimension, but we are glad we did it the way we did.
Stay in contact with Derby tourist office: http://www.wt.com.au/~derbytb/index2.html
they have good info on the GRR. Only problem with going early is that you never know when the GRR will reopen, you could hang around down south waiting.
Also a must to do from Derby is the flight & boat trip to/on the Horizontal water fall, just fantastic (book early).
Also book your camping at Kooljamin at the top of Cape Levique and don't be in a hurry to leave, G...'s country. I could rave forever.
I have a diary if your interested send me your email address. It's a good story.Carpe Diem

Member -BJ (Sydney) replied:

Revs , Go in may it has cooled down abit & the rest of the pask has not arrived yet, June, July queue up for camping spot in Broome, 1 out 1 in. Regards Bob
Where to next

Member - Alan replied:

Hi Revs

We were up that way this year from mid April (Easter) through to the beginning of June (back in Perth at work (Yuk!) 3rd June). All roads that we wanted to use were open , they were a mixture of good and bad (bad being corrugated) but very dusty . Most creeks were flowing and water falls falling which in my mind was great - I don't think it would be as enjoyable if the creeks were only pools and water falls not falling. It would be disappointing to go all the way into the Mitchell Falls to find them not falling .
The deepest water crossing we encountered was approx 600mm crossing the King Edward going into the Mitchell Falls, we were warned that the Penticost could be a problem however it was only 200mm max .(Low tide ?? -not sure if its tidal at the crossing)
It willl depend on how wet the wet was but I would tend to go in May rather than August - when I save up all my pennies and go back it will be May/June.
For the five weeks we spent in the Kimberleys day time temps were 28c - 34c whilst nights were balmy- cool towards the end of our stay.

Have a good trip

Regards

Alan

Willem replied:

Revs,

Try an make it late May. Best time to do the Top End and you should miss the crowds. Tunnel Creek could be a problem to swim if the water goes over your head. All in all magical country. Just take it easy and think before you cross a deeper water crossing. Of course it depends on the WET. Normally the last rains fall around the middle of April. We went there in the 1980's and unseasonal rain at the end of June made everything for our trip in July spectacular. Saw 5 other vehicles in our time there. Got permission to drive up to King George Falls east of Kalumburu. Had 14 punctures in 2 weeks on the GRR and the Kimberley...must admit though I had inferior tyres on the Suzuki. Enjoy........

Cheers,

Willem

Always going somewhere

Member - Phil [Sunshine Coast] replied:

Giday Revs
May's the go, having done the 'Top End' in Aug.jus gone we flagged the Kimberly
as it was too dusty & dry, the spots that we were told to see & camp at were past their best, so we put off the rest ot the trip til May 05. I would love to spend a wet in that area, or the Top End, the locals say it is totally different & beautiful,[May have to send the missus home to Kiwiland for three months for that one!!!]
Have a great trip ,might seeya up there.
Phil