Gibb River Road

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 18:36
ThreadID: 21749 Views:2208 Replies:5 FollowUps:8
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I know its different every year but say in a typical year(try this one)how many river crossings would you encounter along this road at the end of May.When we went up the Cape a couple of years ago , I could name each creek as we got to it but barring the Penticost,I dont know many others along the GRR.Im hoping for lots!! as this was 1/2 the fun up Cape York.
By the way,5 weeks and we're off(and counting)
Cheers Nick
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Reply By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 19:06

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 19:06
end of april 03 gibb was 2wd territory with ankle deep crossings all along. Mitchell falls was a different storys with 700mm at King Edward. grr is hardly the test of man or machine anymore (only tyres) like it sounds you are chasing
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Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:10

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:10
700mm sounds like fun,shame there's not a few more along the way.Not sure if were going to drive into Mitchell Falls or fly over it from Drysdale.
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Follow Up By: Paul & Tracy - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 23:23

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 23:23
We were there in July last year and there were no challenging river crossings on the GRR. Pentecost was about 300mm and Durack less. King Edward was the most challenging up the Kalumburu track at about 400mm mainly due to rocky nature of the ford where the others are generally concrete crossings. Better crossings on track into Purnululu (aka Bungle Bungles) - 2-3 hrs to do 55km.

Thoroughly recommend flight into Mitchell Falls - track shaking everything to bits I could deal with, the idiots in hired 4WD's at 100-120km/h suddenly appearing around blind corners on single lane stretches another matter altogether! Added bonus of flying is it gives you extra time to lie on the banks of Miners Pool on the Drysdale river. Don't miss Honeymoon Bay at Kalumburu.
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Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 19:17

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 19:17
How about looking at a map of the Kimberley. This will give you a clue.
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Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:18

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:18
Yeah I was looking at that before I asked the question and there are thousands of creek/river crossing along the way.Was just wondering how many actually have water in them and how deep.On the telegraph track with creek crossing after creek crossing,well it sort of got me addicted to wanting to cross lots of deep(ish) water ,after all thats half the fun of 4WD'ing.
By the way,your heading across the Gary Junction Hwy soon arnt you ? when do you leave as we plan to go across it,up the Wapet trk and then onto the GRR.
See Ya Nick
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Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:30

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:30
Hi Nick

As far as I can recall we crossed only three rivers with water in them in late June. Pentecost, Drysdale and King Edward(on way to Mitchell Falls).

Going to be on the Gary Junction Road around 22 to 25th of this month. Two weeks before we leave. Got the truck packed already :o) SWMBO is threatening to bring more stuff!. Would liked to have left the roof rack at home as it makes a big difference in fuel consumption.
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Reply By: Member - David 0- Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 20:30

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 20:30
I will be there about the same time but 700mm is the limit for me in a petrol without a snorkel. I'd rather it a bit drier.
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Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:21

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:21
Gday David O,which way are you heading along the GRR?
We hope to start about the 21st from Derby,may see you about somewhere.
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Follow Up By: Member - David 0- Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 14:55

Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 14:55
East to west, 24th or 25th May
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Reply By: Member - Melissa - Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 23:05

Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 23:05
Nick,

I think the answer to your question would vary from year to year depending on seasonal conditions. We're heading along the GRR in late May/June. I was speaking with the Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Info Centre only a couple of days ago and they tell me that some parts of the GRR are quite dry and currently passable to local traffic whilst other sections remain closed and are unlikely to open until May. In particular, the Mitchell Plateau and sections of the GRR were severly affected by Cyclone Ingrid and associated rainfall. They don't expect the GRR to be open to through traffic until the beginning of May. They also told me that the Main Roads Dpt in the Kimberley region are the best people to speak to for the most up-to-date and specific road condition report. Might be worth your while to give them a call.

:o) Melissa
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Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 19:23

Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 19:23
Thanks Melissa,may see you about up there,we'll be there about the same time.
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Reply By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 04:08

Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 04:08
Yes it is very different every year, impossible to predict in fact. If it doesn't rain any more the GR road is expected to be open by mid April. MRD predicting about 12 th at present. They are grading from both ends now and were almost to the Pentacost from the Kununurra end 2 days ago.
If it doesn't rain anymore you will have low water crossings on the GR road as they are already low now. The GR road is closed due to the cyclone damage to road round ELQ and Home Valley not due to depth of water. Except for the over 400 mm in one day that the ELQ area got, in general in a lot of the Kimberely it has had a small wet season.
The Mitchell plateau missed most of the rain from the cyclone but quite a lot fell around the King Edward crossing, nothing like the coast near Kalumburu or ELQ got though. The shire plans to inspect our road shortly and then we will know what the story is further North. At present i think it will only be a matter of how soon the grader can get through rather than depth of water. May be a different story thru to Kalumburu, it may be wetter up that end as Theda Station got 360 mm and Kalumburu got more again.
We have had the odd year with heavy rain early April BUT if it has finished we are in for a pretty dry year.
We have been away and just got home so I'll post this as new as well in case others are interested.
cheers, Anne
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Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 13:41

Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 13:41
Thanks Anne,nice to talk to you again.Hopefully will see you in early June,only 4 weeks,5 days and10.5 hrs till we head off.
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