Cape Leveque to Derby

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 14:46

ThreadID: 108244 Views:4225 Replies:6 FollowUps:4

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Member - Chris_K

Hi Folks

We are heading up to the Kimberley shortly and would like to know if Cape Leveque to Derby is possible in a day. Driving a troopie, so happy to take what looks like a "short cut" heading east from Beagle Bay and through to Bedunburra. We will be heading up to Cape Leveque from Broome - and it looks a fair bit quicker than backtracking?

Cheers

Chris

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Reply By: The Explorer - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 15:38

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 15:38

Hello

I am planning on taking that "short cut" in early July (in 100 series) so will be interested in hearing what the current status is. Hadn't bothered asking for condition update myself as I was not anticipating any issues. In 1998 I drove it no problems in a Rav 4, so even if it has deteriorated in some way can't see a problem, but you never know I suppose.

Cheers
Greg

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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AnswerID: 534340

Follow Up By: Member - Laurie K (WA) - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 15:53

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 15:53

That road was fine when we filmed it in 2011. A bit sandy in a couple of spots. There are gates to negotiate toward the end of the track as you cross station country. What is your schedule? You should spend some time travelling up the West coast from Willie Creek Pearl farm to James Price Point and beyond.. You will need to come back to the main road, but well worth the effort.

Cheers
Laurie

FollowupID: 817939

Follow Up By: Member - eighty matey - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:15

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:15

We drove the track through the Fraser River Track in 2012.
We passed two or three vehicles on the track.
One section about 10 kms long is fairly soft sand but easily driven with the right tyre pressures.
The bushes come in close, so watch your mirrors and aerials.

I rather do that track than head back down the Cape Leveque Road to the bitumen.

I'd recommend buying Laurie's DVD before you go. You won't see him flipping fourbys or tackling crocodiles but you will see a detailed travel documentary of the area.

As Laurie suggested, we spent a night north of James Price Point near Coulomb Pt. We had the place to ourselves and the sunset we had is unforgettable.

Coulomb Pt sunset

Hoo roo,
Steve

FollowupID: 817993

Reply By: Gary.L - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 15:50

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 15:50

From Cape Leveque to Derby can be done in a day. Taking a leisurely drive, the Kooljaman to Broome (115km bitumen and 85km of dirt) is 3 hours, followed by a 2 ½ hour drive (230km) to Derby.

AnswerID: 534341

Reply By: cookie1 - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 18:22

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 18:22

I have just done that trip and the "shortcut between Derby and Cape Leveque is a good drive but beware, there is a swamp in a section of the track, but it does appear that there may be a alternate work around track of the swamp that wasn't evident at the start - we were picking out the wet grass for quite a while.

The trees are quite tight and somewhat overgrown so tuck in your mirrors, the sandy section is a little tricky but select the right gear and the right tyre pressures and you'll be fine.

It was a much more scenic route than the main drag which is very corrugated

HTH

cheers

AnswerID: 534354

Reply By: Member - Chris_K - Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:51

Saturday, Jun 14, 2014 at 22:51

Hi All

Thanks for all the info much appreciated... sounds like an interesting little "diversion"!

Chris

AnswerID: 534379

Reply By: slave - Monday, Jun 16, 2014 at 19:26

Monday, Jun 16, 2014 at 19:26

We are planning on doing this road on Wednesday so I will try and remember to get back on here when we get to Derby and let you know what condition the track is in.

Mrs S

AnswerID: 534497

Follow Up By: Member - Chris_K - Monday, Jun 16, 2014 at 19:27

Monday, Jun 16, 2014 at 19:27

That would be brilliant - thanks!

FollowupID: 818136

Reply By: slave - Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 at 21:51

Thursday, Jun 19, 2014 at 21:51

We did this today. It was in better condition than the Cape Leveque road when we did that three weeks ago. The east west section was quite narrow and had a number of sections where a caravan had knocked the bark off branches that were over hanging the track. There were a number of sandy sections, one where we got bogged and we weren't the first either. After that we used the side track that was off in the bush on the south side of the road as the sandy section appeared to be quite long. Once the track headed south it was much easier. Drive to the conditions and it's okay, but it's not a quick short cut.

AnswerID: 534653