Gibb River Road

Waz


Did the GRR in early May a couple of years ago without a problem towing a camper trailer.

Know plenty of people who have towed caravans across the GRR.

Go slow and take it easy and you shouldn't have a problem.

Graders start on the road at the end of the wet and the road is in very good condition after it is graded. Check re road conditions before you do the trip in case the wet ends late.



Tjilpi

We did the GRR, Mitchell Plateau, Cape Leveque etc area in July / August 2006 with an off road CT. No problem at all. We did come across two others with what they though were off road CTs that had failed in a big way. One was on Kalumburu Road and the other on Mitchell Plateau.

These roads vary a great deal over their length and at different times of the year. At their best, they are as smooth as a bitumen road. At their worst, they are very rough indead. The key is good preparation, then drive to the conditions. Knock about 10 PSI out of your tires, then adjust speed to conditions. Sometimes there is no alternative, but to reduces speed to 15KPH and take your time. But generally, we found that we could average around 70KPH most of the time on these roads.

I'm not familiar with the Expanda, but if it is built for off road, you should be fine. Another thing to consider is dust. We had no problem with dust getting into the camper, but some people find it to be an absolute nightmare. Once again a matter of the right set up and preparation.

I'll second Norm's comment - when up there 2 years back, the Gibb was not bad at all, but that means nothing for 08 of course. With the right spares in hand, and taking it very easy, there is no need to expect drama. Observations suggested to our group that vehicle design and loadings play a part, but the driver's habits have the biggest influence on how the trip goes. Allowing time to take it really easy where required will bring rewards.

The biggest issue at that time of year is the depth and flow of the Pentecost River. This will determine if you can go all the way or have to stop / turn around. Before leaving you should check the levels.

Hi Waz
GRR was closed for most of its length for most of April 2007. In early May it opened. The Pentecost was at a full 95cm with good cross flow, the Durack was about 70cm and slow. Later in May the road was closed again due to rain.

Cheers
Chris

Waz,
whatever the condition of the Gibb is now, next month or last year is not relevant to the condition when you want to go.
If that sounds like I'm being "ruff" on you they are the facts.

The Gib gets graded (as required) during the year, and it's a great drive at 80 or 90 Kph but if you go the week before it gets graded *******.

Better to ask at either end during the week before you are going to drive it to actually get the condition at that time and if it's 'off' you can then make an informed decision to deviate to the highway for some of the way as it's a great drive even when corrugated.

I've driven it 3 times, once was a **** nightmare, the other two were like a bowling green, well not exactly but was cruising at 90 Kph.
Mainey...

Hi Waz,

Go and get the Kedron Caravans Kimberley DVD and you can see how bad the roads get. There is footage in there of the dash of a 100 Series falling apart (radio pops out) on the corrugations of the GRR. Caravan held up but it was an offroad one (oh except for the wheel carrier/bumber on the back which fell off and was never recovered).

They do grade the roads at athe end of the wet (as mentioned), when damaged after rains and when they expect the hoards to come through. Contact the shire responsible and find out when they plan to grade and coincide you trip accordingly. Speed is a factor as well as tyre pressures so as long as you are in no rush you should be right.

Be mindful though that only the main roads are maintained so a lot of side roads to the best parts of the Kimberley's are rarely touched but this is how it should be in my opinion.

Regards
David

HI Waz

I've already commented on the river crossings and saw some other comments about side trips. I agree with them - best part of 'doing' the GRR is the side trips. Even though the GRR was open, the side trips to Winjana, Lennard, Bells and others were still closed following the wet season. They opened momentarily in May - ie a couple of weeks and were then again closed due to rain.

This is a stunning piece of country. We simply holed up in various places and waited for the openings. Also talk to locals who will help where they can - eg ring the ranger to get new info

We travelled in opposite direction to you and actually drove into Derby for supplies and then back out to get a second taste.

Best regards

Chris

There are conflicting stories because the conditions change depending on if the wet was early, late, big or small and when the track was last graded. People are not being wrong or unhelpful. They just can't predict what the GRR will be like latter in the year. No one can. It may not even be open! We always have plan B when we go early in the season. When we did the GRR we had the trip in two parts. Part one was the GRR and part 2 was Broome and environs. Plan B just did GRR after Broome. We also had plan C which moved away from the general area to the Pilbra. We were prepared to ditch that if required. We were lucky and did the trip in our intended order though some crossings were deep. The wash was running up the bonnet a few times and we did a bit of floating for a short distance, fortunately the river was not flowing.

Basically all you can do is go and hope for the best then play it by ear. If the road is really rough you may end up crawling along. If things are bad it may take days to do a few hundred kms. You need to be prepared to ditch the itinerary if things go pear shaped. Pushing to get somewhere on day x is foolhardy.

Steve