kimberley

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 15:29
ThreadID: 42524 Views:2512 Replies:5 FollowUps:2
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Hi -we plan to go to the Kimberley & hopefully along the Gibb river road in Apr/May. Any suggestions as 'what not to miss' or 'wouldn't bother'?!! And what are some cruises and flights to do? Any comments & suggestions re the trip greatly appreciated!
thanks Nari
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Reply By: Member - Jon W (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 18:07

Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 18:07
Nari,
A few suggestions:
- Broome and Cape Leveque (joyflight over the horizontal waterfall)
- Geike Gorge (from Fitzroy Crossing)
- Tunnel Creek
- Windjana Gorge
- Bell Gorge
- Dimond Gorge (from Old Mornington)
- Manning Gorge (from Mt Barnett Roadhouse)
- all the gorges around El Questro
- joyflight over Lake Argyle and the Bungles from Kununurra
- The Bungles
Depending on the wet season, some parts of the GRR may not be open in April.
We went in May of 2006 from W to E and it was just opening in front of us. Max depth of water was 700 mm at Durack and Pentecost Rivers.
Hope this helps,
Jon W
AnswerID: 222952

Follow Up By: Member - Jon W (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 18:27

Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 18:27
Another thought, diesel is plentiful on the GRR but ULP is scarce.
Jon W
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 at 10:01

Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 at 10:01
Jon,

The only place we found where ULP was not available was Imintji Store. It meant we had to go from Mt Barnett to Fitzroy Crossing via Mornington and Bell Gorge without a refill which we managed with jerrys in the gas guzzling 80.

Other than that we were able to get ULP everywhere we needed it.

Matt.
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 18:39

Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 18:39
Nari - we were in that region last August - of the places we went to (we didn't do all of them:
Tunnel Creek - well worth the stop - good sandals or shoes (not thongs) and a torch for each are musts - walking through a fair bit of water in the dark, but even the little kids don't get spooked - only the crumblies !
Bell Gorge - lovely gorge, but flogged under the feet of hoards of tourists - still worth the trip in but - road can be corrugated to hell - don't leave the arrival late - camping spots can get a bit tight there.
The Bungles were great - particularly Echidna Chasm - you could easily spend 2 nights +, bungling.
If you can afford an Argyle flight, it would be great I think - we only drove out there from Kun. - lovely spot though - doing both would not be a waste.
We did not go right up to the Mitchell Falls - the King Edward River camground was excellent - a great 'bush' place - safe swimming water too.
The scenic flight out of Drysale River Station was top shelf - 2 hours from $250 a seat (07 prices) - the M Falls, plus fabulous scenery along the coast - turquoise waters, white sandy bays and mangrove swamps - hard to forget - IMO, the flight makes the rough drive up to the M Falls questionable !
Have a good 'un !
AnswerID: 222964

Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 20:29

Tuesday, Feb 20, 2007 at 20:29
We did the Horizontal Falls out of Derby- brilliant also got to go fishing.
Anywhere along the Gibb is magical. Do the gorges. If coming from the Derby end stop the 1st night at Winjana Gorge great spot and good scenery. Camp host in attendance. Tunnel Creek good fun also. Take a good torch.
EQ is a good experience with some good gorges, tours not expensive or do your own thing.
Galvins Gorge on the Gibb is the easiest access. Be prepared to walk at least a Km or more to most.
I had no problem with ULP but I've got an Aux tank (200 litres all up).

Must do if possible the Mitchell Falls. Best spot on or off the road.

Crossing the major rivers should be ok late May early June (depending on whether there's be a late wet or not). The ABC does a daily GRR conditions update on the hour including river crossing depths. After 54 wet crossings whether floodway or river-stream we gave up counting.
Home Valley Stn is good for accom. Also Silent Grove (Bell Gorge).

If you've got time do the Bungle's well worth the side trip and spend at least 2 full days there.

Depending on which end you're starting from look at the dustiest car in the van park and pump them for info. Good chance they've just left the GRR.

If your vehicle doesn't have a snorkel consider getting one. Better for the dust and also a bit of insurance against water ingress.

Good luck and wish it was me again
Dunc
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AnswerID: 222995

Reply By: Member - Arkay (SA) - Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 at 09:45

Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 at 09:45
Heather wanted me to say that we went there about that time in 2001 and we had to wait an extra 3 days in Kununurra (going West) for the Pentecost and Durack rivers to drop low enough to get through, they were at 700mm, wide and fast & we didn't want to finish up with our 4WD and CT facing up or down river looking stupid. She wanted me to say that for her the very best part was a swim in Zebedee Springs on El Questro, and I tell you what, she doesn't get into bathers often these days. You have (had) to go to Zebedee between 6 am and noon as it is reserved for their potted bus tours at other times, or something equally stupid.
Around April/May the idea is that there is still some water in the creeks that later are dry, but not too much water. It was still B hot and B humid that time of year, especially of you are not yet acclimatised to it. Parrys Lagoon on way to Wyndham was good for a picnic too. Took the CT into Purnalulu (formerly Bungle Bungles) O.K. (some 300mm deep creek crossing but these were more dash-and-splash, not the wide crossings of Durak & Pentecost. Camped in the South Western section in Purnalulu Park and went to the gold coin night show, check with Ranger on way in. Took a chopper flight (they don't have doors - oops!)
We found Ron Moons booklet An Adventurers Guide to The Kimberley to be invaluable. Available from Expolroz. Enjoy!
AnswerID: 223097

Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 at 10:38

Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007 at 10:38
Heaps of info here already. We did GRR last year. Mitchell Falls is fantastic. Camp at King Edward River on way in or out (or both as we did). Easily the best camp area in the Kimberley. Some great aboriginal rock art in the area as well. This area is well worth the effort.

If you do Cape Leveque, don't miss Middle Lagoon. Lovely camp spot. Some of the aboriginal communities in the area are also worth a visit. One Arm Point hatchery, Beagel Bay church, Lombadina - just a nice community and nice people.
At Cape Leveque do the low tide walk around the point. Great rock formations - take your camera. It is possible to camp at Middle Lagoon and do Cape Leveque as a day trip. We found Middle Lagoon a much more pleasant camp spot than Cape Leveque.

Galvan's Gorge is often overlooked. Beautiful spot and very easy (and pretty) walk. But no camping.

I also support the Horizontal waterfalls trip. Make sure you go when the falls are running well. We did a full day trip, lunch, fishing etc. Quite expensive, but we we very glad we did it.

I'd recommend 2 nights camp at Bungle Bungles minimum. Even then you will be busy to do it all. All the walks are worth doing and are very different. Certainly not a case of 'seen one seen them all'. There are 2 camp grounds. We spent a night in each.

My recommendation on Geikie Gorge is get there early and do the cruise or don't bother. It is not a gorge that you can walk and ejnoy like many others.

I also recommend El Questro. If you are self sufficient, a private camp spot by the river is the way to go, but there are no facilities at these sites. Chamberlain Gorge cruise is a must.

Kununurra is a lovely town. The lower Ord cruise and the Lake Argyle cruises are good. A walk in Mirima National Park (very close to town) is also worth while and can be done in a couple of hours. If you walk in it's free. If you drive in there is a fee.

The only 'don't bother' that comes to mind is Barn Hill. Oh and Geikie Gorge if you don't do the cruise.

I recommend Jan Holland's book 'Priceless Camp Sites in the North of WA'.

The Kimberley is easily our favourite trip so far. Take your time and enjoy it.

Norm C

AnswerID: 223109

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