Thursday, Apr 03, 2003 at 21:17
Hi Doug. We did the Gibb, and Kalumbaru last Christmas in my Jackaroo TD Auto. A few comments you might be interested in. (We didn't tow a trailer). We came across a couple from Brissy on our way to the
Kimberley (on the Gulf Track), with a hired "off road camper". They lost a wheel (cotter pin came out and wheel nut came off). This caused them no end of trouble, so I would suggest you take the spares described above, as
well as a spare wheel (stub axle) nut and cotter pin. Stop regularly and do a walk around of the vehicle and trailer (it is good to stretch your legs and gives a good break from the corrugations).The Gibb can change character from week to week. We found it very good. The Kalumbaru Rd was ok on the way north, but coming south it was a shocker. When we were there it was taking people three hours to drive the last 13km in to
Mitchell Falls so we gave that a miss. Drive very carefully on the corrugations and slow down
well before any corners. The rear end of the vehicle tends to want to overtake the front end if you are going too fast over corrugations on a corner. (The staff at
Drysdale River Station said that only three weeks into the tourist season, there were six roll-overs already, one while I was there). I camped at
Honeymoon Bay, north of Kalumbaru (permit required), and this was a magic spot. The
King Edward river was also great (some good aboriginal artwork there). If you feel the urge, the scenic flight from
Drysdale River Station, over the Prince Regent River, Bonaparte Archepelego,
Mitchell Falls and return is fantastic.
As the others above have stated, slow and steady is the way to go. I'm sure you will have a great time. For your info we did 21,500km in 3 months, including the Strzelecki,
Birdsville,
Oodnadatta and Gulf Tracks,
Gibb River and Kalumbaru Roads, Tanami Track,
Chambers Pillar (worst road of the trip) and the
Simpson Desert. Let me know if I can give you any more help. (Wish I was going again, Love the
Cooper Creek area.)
AnswerID:
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