wheelchair in the kimberley?

Nari
I was thinking a wheelchair would get stuck in sand etc. So I don’t know if it’s any help or not but as part of my work I need to get to inspect reserves, tracks, travel over shallow creeks, sometimes in steep areas, mainly in urban areas though. Found the best solution is a scooter. Just wondered whether that might be an option for you, mounted on the back of a 4wd perhaps. You don’t have to raise a leg over it like you do a bike / motorbike, Up to 50cc don’t need a m/cycle license. Has an electric starter. You can walk it over rough terrain, crawl at walking pace etc. Limited in rocky terrain but otherwise its efficient, fun and reliable. What ever you do get out there and enjoy yourself. Cheers JD

Hi Nari,

A wheelchair would be OK to use around campsites but I doubt that it would be useable elsewhere. I haven't been everywhere but can tell you that the path into Bell's Gorge is covered in large ankle-turning rocks, Manning Gorge is a cross country hike, though there is a nice Billabong at the campsite and you would be OK around there. Mitchell Falls you could fly in and out from the car-park by helicoptor and not much walking would be needed. You would be OK camping at King Edward River.

I'll leave it to others to comment on other places, we went to the Bungle-Bungles but to be honest I can't remember the detail of what the ground was like - I suspect that you could get into some places and not others.

Have fun

Nick

Hi Nari, if you've got someone to push the chair it might be an idea but it will be limited. Even if it just conserves a bit of steam on the pathways so you can hop out and get around the tricky bits with your stick. For walking I use the type of light weight aluminium crutch that has the grey plastic elbow brace which is like a 4x4 compared to a normal walking stick.

Whatever you decide I don't think much will stop you by the sounds of it. Have a great trip!

Yes, I don't think there would be many places in the Kimberley that would be suitable for a wheelchair - but probably worth the investment (how much do they cost?) for other areas on the way, especially if it will increase the areas you can get to and make it more comfortable.

Go for it.

Cheers
Greg

PS: Warning: don't head "outback" without fitting split rims and cross plys to the wheelchair first though :)

Hi Nari. My wife & I did the In July 06 particually the Gibbriver rd & the mitchel plateau.A wheelchair may get you to the toilet at some of the campgrounds most don't even have showers . There are certainly plenty of flights available albeit pretty expensive.Don't miss the horizontal falls from Derby was one of our highlights. I can't recall the company now that we flew with but they had a 10 seater float plane & landed on the water & put us in a high speed boat & wnt back & forth through the falls .We booked with them direct a bit cheaper than going through the tourist bureau .
The reason I say a wheelchair will be no use to you as I had a fall in December & was confined to a Wheelchair until a fortnight ago & I know where they will & will not go.
Don't let me put you off going though & if you want more info let me know & I can possibly Email you direct. We did see &talked to a couple of people on walking sticks. All the best.
Cheers Bungarra

Nari an awfull lot of the gorges and waterfall tracks are rock strewn and a bit of a bugger to walk even if you're able bodied. In the Bungles and many of the gorges/falls etc along the Gibb that the tour guides went we often saw them with quite aged and inferm people who still made it into and out of the gorges. Mind you when we were at EQ there were 6 injuries in one day at Emma Gorge.

From memory also the dunnies at Mitchell falls had only steps up and no ramps.

If you've got room for a chair get it and use it when you can. Otherwise just take it nice and slow and have plenty of rests.