Mobile phone coverage in Kimberlies

Was there in 2001. Optus GSM only worked in Kununurra and Broome. Maybe better now ?

If you're with Telstra mobile, check this out for coverage maps:
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobilenet/network/mapsview.cfm

Also depends whether you're on cdma or gsm - different maps for each.

Don't expect too much coverage anywhere on the GRR, Mitchell Plat or Bungles. There are, however public phones at places like Kulumburu, Bell's Gorge, Mt Barnett, and several other places. You will need to use your Telecard, or buy a pre-paid card, as a lot of the public phones do not take cash.
Happy travelling
Gerry

forget it !
Sign up for a Telstra card that bills back to your home number as there's a couple of public phones along the way (not coin operated).
Other than that there's a few payphones at Iminitji Store, Kalumburu, Mt Barnett Roadhouse, Drysdale Station & El Questro.

I hate to say it ... but there is only ONE region called he "KIMBERLEY" - ie NO "Kimberlies"
If you like the place, please use it's name. ;-)

Use your mobile phone as a voicemail collecting device when you are in one of the six Kimberley towns and call home if you wish. Mobile coverage (Telstra) is good for about 25km out of the 6 main towns. It works NO WHERE ELSE. Optus and Vodafone are even more deaf. In the Kimberley there are no traffic lights, mobile phones are very unimportant and no one drinks cafe latte!

EPIRB's are a worthy addition to your kit when away from the towns in the Kimberley. The RFDS, Police and Emergency Services are excellent and very well co-ordinated (and free north of the 26th parallel). If you have a serious motor accident or medical emergency they will generally have you out of anywhere in the Kimberley into a hospital a couple of hours after you hit the EPIRB. Even down to Perth in 6 hours. Honestly, in many ways the service is better than country NSW, SA & Vic.

Suggest you carry the EPIRB in the passenger or drivers door pockets. If you have a rollover and cannot get out of the vehicle having the EPIRB within arms reach could be a life saver.

Strongly recommend at least one member of your party has a current senior first aid certificate and a comprehensive first aid kit.

Aside from that ... who needs a mobile phone in the Kimberley ??

JohnS
Derby, WA

Thank you everyone for your responses , helpful information and commentary.
Need to maintain contact despite remoteness due to family illness -- have now decided to hire sat. phone.
Don't drink lattes or have Range Rover and no need to play stock market.
Kimberley in a Toyota 4WD ute will be interesting for us but nowhere near as challenging or uncomfortable as travel on foot in many distant lands.
Thanks again for responses.