Gibb River / Kalumburu Roads

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 10, 2005 at 22:23

ThreadID: 21935 Views:2552 Replies:12 FollowUps:9

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Anne from Drysdale River Station

Hi All,
As some of you will already have heard the Gibb River Road was opened all the way through a few days ago. No real deep water to worry about.
The graders are coming tomorrow Monday 11 th to start work on the Kalumburu Road. I gather that it may then only be a few days (perhaps late in the week) until it is open as far as us. When they open it all the way to the Mitchell Falls depends I guess on how long the grading work takes, but personally I can't see it being any more than one to two weeks max after they start our road.
This is not a comment from Main roads or the Shire just my thoughts.
If no further rain the King Edward River will be crossable so (with care for rocks) won't be a problem.
The season is upon us. All we need now is for the delivery truck to be allowed in, otherwise it will be a dry bar, (shock - horror) not to mention no stock in the shop! Been 6 months since the last supply run, so looking forward to all new stock.
The only thing that could change things re the road is a heavy late rain but that's only a chance. Just had a look at the last 8 years records and what fell in each April.
1998 = 108 mm, 2000=98mm, 2002= 22mm & 2003=77mm. The other 4 years were either nothing or as good as nothing.
Have just had a couple of cooler nights but then today was hot and brewing thunderheads again this arvo.
The intention to charge to cross the King Edward River has again raised its head, despite not happening as planed last season. Lots of people are against it as one thing to which no one objects is to charge for providing a service, camp facilities or viewing Rock Art etc. Another altogether IF it's a charge just to drive through a 'public' road. So all in all will be interesting to see what happens next.
cheers, Anne

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Reply By: Member - Martin- Sunday, Apr 10, 2005 at 22:38

Sunday, Apr 10, 2005 at 22:38

Hi Anne

My wife and our two year old will be heading along the Gibb River in early June, towing our camper trailer we are planning on stopping at Drysdale River Station for at least a couple of days, hopefully will get to fly over the Mitchell Falls, we are really looking forward to the trip and have two weeks to spend roaming around the Gibb River area. The bar looks inviting i can see a few coldie going down when we get there.

See you soon,

Martin and Samantha

AnswerID: 106064

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:13

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:13

Make sure you don't put 2 ton to much junk in your trailer, or beware we could well be welding it up for you!
cheers Anne

FollowupID: 363285

Reply By: sav - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 00:50

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 00:50

Thanks for the posts Anne.
Likewise we will be calling past about mid-June.
The roads I can handle - a dry bar I cannot !!! (keep us posted...)

Sav.

AnswerID: 106080

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:17

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:17

Even worse, every Chef we have had would definitely leave as well !
Better get the truck before he get here.
cheers Anne

FollowupID: 363287

Reply By: peterll - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 06:54

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 06:54

Now that is an interesting discussion around the neighbourhood I bet. A charge for travelling over or across a public road. Mind you there are such things as toll roads and even private toll roads.

Do you charge and lower income from those tourists who do not wish to pay or does one charge to supplement income ?

Tough question.

Again, thank you Anne for keeping us who enjoy wandering around up to date with conditions in the most wonderful place in Australia. We are leaving on Tuesday for the annual wander so who knows, you may just need extra supplies in the fridge ;)

AnswerID: 106089

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:35

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:35

Toll roads are normally because some HUGE amount of money was spent ( tunnel or some such) that will have a large benefit to people willing to pay the toll for use of that .
The private roads that have a charge are also in my experience privately built and maintained, just another service, equivalent to providing a campground or anything.
The question arises is it fair to charge to pass through a normal public road that has had public money ( Aussie tax money) spent on it. The public has already paid for the construction and or maintenance of all normal roads with their road / fuel etc tax dollars. Mind you we should have highways (without toll ) everywhere if all the $ did go to the intended purpose.
Yes I see that some will chose not to pay, therefore not to go.
This is not something I feel is good for the area. Fair to charge no matter what you provide, but if you provide nothing beyond what would have been there anyway,most people's backs go up about it.
cheers, Anne

FollowupID: 363289

Reply By: Member - Alan- Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 10:38

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 10:38

Thanks for the update info. Anne. The cook and I will be up there in mid June and look forward to checking out Drysdale RS.
If your bars dry, my 60 ltr. Engel won't be!
Cheers.
Alan.

AnswerID: 106117

Reply By: Member - David 0- Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 11:05

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 11:05

Great news. We will be travelling through there in May. Look forward to lots of great photos

AnswerID: 106121

Reply By: Graham & Ann - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 11:18

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 11:18

Thanks for the update Ann, we'll see you around 12th June.

AnswerID: 106123

Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 15:55

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 15:55

Hi Anne,

Appreciate the update, won't be there till August though and hope to see you then. These reports and the getting ready to travel (3 months on the road) makes the wait bearable. Only 3 moths to go.

You mentioned the graders going to Mitchell Falls t/o, do they continue on to Kalumburu?

Kind regards

AnswerID: 106161

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 02:33

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 02:33

Yes if it is dry enough they normally do. the plateau track is a different job with different funding so yes the Shire normally just does the whole Kalumburu road first.
cheers, Anne

FollowupID: 363495

Reply By: hanson - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 19:56

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 19:56

Hi Anne,
passed thru last year day the Kalumburu Rd was opened. We took 5 cartons f mixed red and white from our vineyard at Margaret Riverand came home with abt 4 bottles, do u need a couple?
regards Ric

AnswerID: 106216

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:11

Monday, Apr 11, 2005 at 23:11

Notice you don't say how long it took you to polish of the almost 5 ctns !
No wonder I sold so few bottles of wine at the start of last year, you must have been supplying everyone !!!! lol
cheers, Anne

FollowupID: 363284

Reply By: Member - David 0- Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 12:11

Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 12:11

G'Day Anne,

Been looking through your website. I must try one of those Burgers. My friends told me all about them.

I am planning a trip as we speak, and it has gone from a one vehicle trip to a three vehicle trip. Could you tell me what ULP prices are there at the moment?

David O

AnswerID: 106336

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 02:39

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 02:39

Sorry bit of an unknown as need to see what the new truck load will cost when it arrives , haven't bought any for 6 months, not open yet. So much more expensive to get it out here as the freight is real large. Depends if fuel keeps going up, at present looks like will be the most expensive we have seen. I could see it around $1.60. Scarry isn't it !
cheers, Anne

FollowupID: 363496

Follow Up By: Member - David 0- Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 06:50

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 06:50

It sure is scary. We think we are doing it tough here in on the east coast!
Oh well there goes the budget.

FollowupID: 363499

Reply By: DD64 - Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 20:53

Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005 at 20:53

Will be up there late June on our first extended trip. Already earmarked Drysdale for a stop. Two families 4 adults & five kids. Is there any need to book & if so how far in advance?

AnswerID: 106428

Follow Up By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 02:42

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 02:42

Have you looked at our web site yet ?
http://www.drysdaleriver.com.au
Well worth a look lots of general travel info and you will see on the camping page that no we don't take camping bookings and why not.
cheers, Anne

FollowupID: 363497

Reply By: DD64 - Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 07:20

Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 at 07:20

Yes I had checked this out about a year ago -this trip has been a long time in the making. Just making sure nothing has changed & some sites aren't updated regularly. Yes I agree it has some excellent info & thanks very much for the updates, I & obviously many others appreciate your local knowledge.

AnswerID: 106474

Reply By: Johannes - Wednesday, May 04, 2005 at 02:18

Wednesday, May 04, 2005 at 02:18

DearAnne

I have planned my trip to go to the kimberly's within 2 weeks. Will it be possible to go to the Mitchell Falls?
Tomorrow I will check you site because I realy have to go home my dinner is ready. I hope I can go to the Mitchell Falls and I will make a stop at your station.

Regards
Johannes
From Holland

AnswerID: 109558