The Gibb River Highway

I got back from 10days on the grr a fortnight ago and it was definitely quite.
All the stations were saying its yet to pick up
Only 2prangs we came accross were locals and the ambulance attending pranged as well just out of kunununurra with another local.
Bit of a myth the tourists cant handle the conditions

Hi Michael, we are heading up soon so your post is timely. I have been up each year for the past few years and understand your comments about drivers. We grizzle about it each year! We too are hoping to do the Munja track so hope it may be open all the way through by the time we get there. Out of curiosity, where else did you visit this trip?

We started our trip on the GRR at the beginning of May. Pretty quiet and the graders hadn't had a go at some sections. The road to Kalumburu was an absolute shocker and only open to Drysdale station but the track to the Mitchell Falls opened while we were there. It started to get a fair bit busier as we got to the El Expensive O end.
Yeah, it amazed me why some thought GRR stood for Gibb River Raceway especially the big 4WD tour coaches. We had just pulled out of the Kalumburu road and found that part was in very good condition so I actually got into 5th. All of a sudden these 2 headlights loomed up behind me out of my dust cloud and about level with my roof rack. I started to pull over and before I could get to the edge of the road this 4WD truck mounted tour bus barrelled past showering us with stones and dust. Had one or two coming the other way who didn't think they had to slow down either.
I had to avail myself of the services of Neville at Over the Range Tyre repairs when I punched holes in a couple of tyres getting to some of the gorges and waterfalls.
Now there is a bloke that saw an opportunity and went for it. Nice guy all the same.
Talked with the Mrs about whether we would do that trip again. Jury's still out on that one. Getting a bit crowded for our liking, but where else is not at this time of year. Maybe have to look at some out of season touring.

Cheers
Pop

Cheers
Pop

Been back a week after our trip up there.

I can't say I noticed any real aggressive drivers although perhaps the odd one approaching was a little fast. Most slowed down accordingly and exchanged the acknowledgement finger wave.

GRR was very good in most sections, except for about 30klms each side of Mt Barnett RH.
The lower (dirt) section of the Cape Leveque road up the Dampier Peninsula however was a shocker.

Came across a young French couple in a Britz Hilux at the Pentacost River Crossing who had two flat tyres. After a bit of thought I inflated the flat "spare" and chucked it into the River, (just the shallow edge). There was a puncture through the middle of the thread which I was able to plug for them and they happlily thanked us and crossed the river NE towards the bitumen before El Questro Station.
Interestingly, they could have had the flat "spare" fixed at Home Valley Station where they stayed the night before but thought they needed the permission of the Hire firm
They said they were also advised to run between 44-48psi???
This is too bloody high for the bitumen, let alone the dirt tracks. No wonder they had two punctures.
A nice couple though and even though it delayed us about 40 mins, it gives one a good feeling that you could help them out of a dire situation.

Also met member Ray M (Qld) at the crossing and caught up with him later in the day at Drysdale RS.

Overall, we traveled just over 10,000 k's and not a single puncture for us.
Geez, my 697 Bridgestone LT's are excellent.

We have spent many weeks on the GRR having lived in Kununurra for many years. It gets more that its share of urban cowboy types proving their macho-ness and bush driving skills in the shiny new hi-end 4WD's. We have met more than a few clowns with little idea and less sense. As well as some really nice people who worked hard to do the right thing - be that driving or camping and leaving a site pristine - i.e no toilet paper 'flowers' behind the nearest bush or rings of stones with the attendant piles of ash with a few tins and bottles added for good measure.

Regards John

Yep I have to agree, we were up there about the same time and was dumbfounded by the fact that as we saw another vehicle approaching, we slowed right down and pulled over to the left - they continued in the centre of the road showering us, indeeed one of them was a tour bus that thought I was waving friendily to them.

Just wondered if I turned around and followed them until they stopped then threw rocks at their car to see how they liked it :)

Kalumburu was closed for us too but opened about 4 days after we left King Edward River campground.

We did the "shortcut" from Derby to Cape Leveque and it was much better than the main drag even though we had to drive through a swamp, well we found out afterwards there was an unmarked diversion - too late.

cheers

I do not understand the logic of going on holiday and people rushing from town to town it cost a lot of money to get out and about why not go a lot slower and you will see a lot more and get better value for those hard earned $$

There is a little grave stone 60 ks out of Broken Hill on the Tibooburra

I wonder how many have speed past it and never noticed it