Gibb River Road and Kimberly

David
You should be aiming for about a month along Gibb River Road.
If you're stuck with just 7 days then check these places out at the very least
Bell Gorge (the absolute best gorge on GRR), Lennard Gorge (no good for Dad though as it's mountain goat territory), El Questro & Emma Gorge (skip EQ & buy a postcard if pushed for time), Old Mornington Bush Camp & Drysdale River Station. With more time available don't miss Mitchell Plateau & Honeymoon Bay in Kalumburu for the fishing (these will add at least 4 days to your trip).

Hope this helps and send me a member message for further info.
Give me a while as I'm between houses at present and all gear is in storage.

Hi David,

If 7 to 10 days is what you've got, then don't be put off by people telling you that you need a month etc. In an ideal world we would all have all the time we need!

There is plenty you can see and enjoy on the GRR in that time. I agree that Bell's Gorge is beautiful. If you arrive at the camping area early enough in the day, you take a tag from the board which gives you a camping spot which is yours alone. We were lucky enough to get a spot from which we could access the water in isolation. We fed the many tortoises which abound here and swam to our hearts content. I think the campspot was "Wattle Grove" from memory. The walk to Bells Gorge is taxing, it will depend whether your father is a fit 70 year old or not.

However, Manning Gorge, Jack's Waterhole and El Questro are also beautiful spots to camp and not a lot of walking is needed to access the beautiful scenery. There is also a spot called Galvin Gorge (just before Manning Gorge if you are coming from the West Coast) where we swam totally alone for a couple of hours. If you swim across the waterhole and look up you can see aboriginal art on the upwards side of the rocks. As you are a photographer, I would certainly go to El Questro - Zebedee Hot Springs, the Turquoise Pool at Emma Gorge as well as the Droplet Falls make wonderful photographic memories. The day trip to Explosion Gorge was also memorable.

Leave the trip to the north until you have more time. We loved the Kimberley.

Regards,
Lynn

I agree the remarks about Lennard Gorge. However, I think it is so special it would be worth the effort of the challenging drive and climb to get there. At 70, unless he has a particular disability, he should cope. I can send photo if you are interested.

Whats the petrol purchasing situation like at the moment along the GRR?

Gidday,Been to the Kimberley twice and still havent seen all of it.The first time to EQ it was free to get in the next time $35 just to get in the gate and camp fees on top of that.There are some beautiful spots in there that I want to see so in 530 days when I retire we will go back towing the offroad van and looking forward to it.
Seeya Locallaw

Hi David,

Lucky you!! We went along the Gibb River Road last August, and we both want to go again. I have a feeling that it would take a lifetime to explore it all - so I'll tell you where we went and why. I should preface this with saying that I'm not particularly fit and a very keen amateur photographer.

Windjana Gorge - fascinating place full of freshwater crocs. It is part of an old Devonian Reef and is quite spectacular.
Tunnel Creek (only a short diversion off the Gibb River Road) - its not often you get to walk along a creek bed through the cliffs, see masses of bats and come out at a little oasis at the other end. It is also very photogenic.
Bells Gorge - can't say any more than anyone else, except to encourage you to get a tag and camp by the river.
Galvans Gorge - this is a little gorge about 1km walk from the main road. It is an exquisitely beautiful little microclimate, full of flowers and birds. Shouldn't be missed. My photos weren't fantastic from here, but thats my fault I think.
Drysdale River Station and Mitchell Falls if you've got time (its worth making time actually) - incredible different microclimates on the walk in the Mitchell Falls. some fascinating aboriginal art, beautiful pools and spectacular falls. All worth taking photos of.
El Questro - expensive but worth the visit. We stayed in one of the private campsites down by the Pentecost River which was magic. The boat trip on Chambers Gorge and a look at the Bradshaw aboriginal art is well worth it. There are also some very good 4wd tracks. Lots of photos here - scenic, flowers and living creatures.
We'll see the other gorges next time. I think you can probably become 'gorged' out if you tried to see them all on one trip.
Have a great time
Anni

Lot's of good info on where to stay and what to see.

I was there in July 2003 and have to be the worlds worst fisherman. Couldn't catch a barra to save myself (without a local guide), but afew hard bodied lures and some advice from the locals on where to fish and pulled in quite afew Sooty Grunters. Not bad eating when cooked over an open fire.

David,

This is all good advice - I would strongly recommend making time to get in to Mitchell falls. The rosk art near the King Edward river crossing and on the way in to Mitchell falls is some of the best around, and is still largely accessable.

There are choppers flying from the camping ground all the time - last year there were four operating out of there in July. Most of the guidebooks tell you to carry cash, but all of the money spending opportunities accept credit cards now.

Some of our pics from the trip last year are at se,/a>

I'm sure you will have a great time - allow as much as you can!

Cheers,
Pete

David O,
your post didn't say what month you will be going. This may be the most important aspect of your trip in terms of what you plan. E.g. a trip out to Mitchell Falls may well be worth top of the list posting, but depending on what time you are going to be up there and the timing of the wet (or when it finally ends) you may or may not be ale to do it. Keep an eye on the track conditions reports on this site and perhaps take a look at Drysdale River Station site www.drysdaleriver.com.au. We began our trip on the GRR at the beginning of May last year and at that time it was touch and go as to whether Bells Falls would be open when we were to be there and onlt a hand full of campers were crossing the 800mm deep King Edward River a couple of weeks later, and then again about a month later. Apart from this matter of timing which doesn't seem to have been raised (unless I have missed something) I agree whole heartidly with previous posts.
Happy camping,
Mike.

Dave,
If you're pushed for time and your dad wants to do some barra fishing, I recommend you pay for a guide. I went with one other guest, and a guide from El Questro. Short drive from the campsite and launched the tinnie in the Pentacost river. Got quite a few Barra, catch and release most but kept one. Chef cooked up some lovelly fillets at the restaurant that night.
Sent a photo to my work mates with the caption "Greetings from The Top End" - nothing else. Really p#%%ed them off.
You'll need to check the dates for the season.

The best time of year for me is May. I realise that this can be a problem some years, but thats the time that suits me best. Living in the tropics as I do, I know that FEb / March is peak rainfall and as such creeks may still be up in May but not much I can do about it.

Hi David I went on an organised 10 day trip through the Kimberley/Gibb River road last year. On the trip was an 80 year old man who made all the walks except for the end of El Questro Gorge. A visit to Bell Gorge is a must and also up to the mitchell Plateau. You can hike in to the falls, we spent all afternoon swimming and relaxing and then helicoptered out for about $60 and then you get a true perspective of the magnificance of the falls that you can't get from the ground. Another great place to stay is Home Valley station. It has a lot of atmosphere in the bar and was our first shower along the way after 6 days so a great treat. We camped under a beautiful boab tree and stayed up watching the sun set/ the moon rise and the sun rise again beautiful! Emma Gorge with the droplet falls and turquoise pool is spectacular also. Have a fantastic trip we had a ball!!! Carreen