The Eastern Kimberly Region
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 20:40
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135980
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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)
Hi All....
Are you planning a trip to the Eastern Kimberly region in your future travels?
Do you like getting away from the usual tourist hoards and be out by yourself?
Travel a great road with no or very little traffic?
Do you love to hit the dirt and see some unreal country?
If you answered YES to any of the above, I have the perfect road for you to travel.
If you click on this link
The Duncan Road this is the perfect road to travel during the dry season.
When Fiona and I were in the Eastern
Kimberley and travelled it back in August, once we left Sawpit Gorge, we only saw 3 other vehicles while we were travelling the Duncan Road...2 vehicles being station vehicles traveling between stations and one other solo traveller with caravan in tow heading south.
Packed full of ever changing scenery and terrain, this road will reward you and if you are like me, plan to travel it again when we are back in the
Kimberley.
Happy Planning.
Stephen
Reply By: Idler Chris - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:12
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:12
Hi Stephen,
Great write up. I did the Duncan Road in 2007 and your blog brought back many memories. I remember camping on the
Negri river a beautiful spot.
Chris
AnswerID:
615527
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:18
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:18
Hi Chris
The
Negri River looked a great place to
camp, but unfortunately it was a little early in the day.
From what I posted, can you tell many changes in the 10 years since you drove it?
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886548
Follow Up By: Idler Chris - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:28
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:28
Funny you should ask that. I looked for my photo's to see if I could notice any changes but I cannot find them. I will have to delve into my backup's to see if I can find them. Bit hard to tell if many changes as it was so long ago.
Palm Springs is a great place and it does not look like it has changed much. Brought a new D-Max yesterday so trip planning for 2018 is on the back burner at the moment. When I get around to it the Duncan road just might feature.
Chris
FollowupID:
886550
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 22:08
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 22:08
Hi again Chris
You will find then, they must be in a very safe place.
Well done on the new new D Max, it should not take you long to get it ready knowing you.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886554
Reply By: Mick O - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:12
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:12
Errrr Stephen, where are the photos of sawpit gorge please.
Enjoyed the Duncan but went through it all too quickly.
Palm Springs Creek was another pleasant spot that comes to mind.
Palm Springs - Duncan Road
| ''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message |
AnswerID:
615528
Follow Up By: Mick O - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:14
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:14
Disregard, silly me. Didn't register the blog link....DOH! Great write up as usual.
Cheers
Mick
| ''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message |
FollowupID:
886546
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:21
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 21:21
Hi Mick
You are forgiven.....lol
Palm Sprinds is a top little spot indeed and there were two guys camping there on push bikes.
We stopped there for a while and just took in the ambiance that it holds.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886549
Reply By: Member - JOHN C16 - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 23:11
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 23:11
Another great spot on the Duncan Road is
Marella Gorge. There are several upper and lower pools as well as the main gorge. I camped there in July 2014.
Marella Gorge is on private property and unfortunately has been closed to the public since 2016. This is discussed in Thread 132601. It may still be worthwhile telephoning
Flora Valley Homestead on 08 9168 8920 to seek permission to visit.
Upper pools
Lower pool
Lower pool
Marella Gorge
Marella Gorge
AnswerID:
615529
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 23:22
Thursday, Dec 14, 2017 at 23:22
Hi John
We had heard great reports about
Marella Gorge and when we made enquiries at the
Halls Creek VIC they said it was closed permanently and they no longer allow anyone into the area which is a real shame. From what we were told, it was thankless campers leaving a mess and the station got sick of cleaning up the rubbish left behind.
Thanks for sharing your great photos.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886555
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 00:07
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 00:07
Yes, we gained permission to
camp at
Marella Gorge in 2008, and spent a day exploring.
Soon after that, Flora Station said public access is no longer allowed and asked me not to list this as a
campsite on Australia So Much to See.
FollowupID:
886578
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 18:37
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 18:37
Hi Motherhen
You are very lucky to have visited the Gorge, as when I asked, they said gates are now living locked and they no longer allow anyone there.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886607
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 23:13
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 23:13
Yes we were lucky Stephen. I don't know when they ceased allowing visitors, as it was in 2003 when I had dialogue with them about no further access.
FollowupID:
886612
Reply By: Malcom M - Friday, Dec 15, 2017 at 06:23
Friday, Dec 15, 2017 at 06:23
Excellent write up Stephen.
AnswerID:
615531
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Dec 15, 2017 at 07:23
Friday, Dec 15, 2017 at 07:23
Hi Malcolm
That's for taking the time to read it.
It is a great drive and I hope it might encourage more people to drive it.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886558
Reply By: the_fitzroys - Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 23:24
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 23:24
Thanks for this, Stephen. We're planning a trip in May and this sounds perfect.
Lou
AnswerID:
615578
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 23:36
Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 at 23:36
Hi Lou
It is a fantadtic drive and will enjoy it.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
886614