Kimberley and Pilbara this winter

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 22:38
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Looking for the 'mustn't miss' places, and best out of the way camping spots (preferably big rig accessible).

We have been to Karijini and Millstream-Chichester in the Pilbara, seen Broome as a sleepy village and now an overcrowded metropolis, and experienced the tides at Derby, but have seen very little else of the Kimberley.

What did you enjoy the most?

Motherhen
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Reply By: Member - Syd R (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 22:59

Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 at 22:59
Don't miss Wittenoon Gorge and Charnley atation in the Kimberly
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Follow Up By: Member - vivien C (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 08:14

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 08:14
Motherhen,

Charnley River Station was one of our favourite places too. We spent a peaceful afternoon at Dillie Gorge and had it all to ourselves. There are other drives and gorges to visit on the property as well if you have the time to spend a few days. The campground is large and there was only one other couple camped there.

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:19

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:19
Thanks Syd and Viv - sound like worth going. Do you have to pay for access to the station tracks? Do you need to contact the station first?

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Follow Up By: Member - vivien C (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:12

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:12
Hello Motherhen,

www.charnleyriverstation.com.au


I think it was about $20-25 for a couple but it did include entry to all gorges, pools, falls, tracks etc on the property as well as hot showers and large campground. Best of all was the fact that we were almost the only ones there.

Viv
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:27

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:27
Thanks Viv - that's what we would like - not too many people there.

Mh
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Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 00:04

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 00:04
Carawine gorge and skull springs.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:21

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:21
Thanks Barnesy - Is this region big rig accessible?

Mh
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Follow Up By: Member - vivien C (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:02

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 20:02
Motherhen,

You should have no trouble getting into Carawine Gorge except for the deep, loose river stone closer to the river. There's plenty of room there and it's a really pretty place for a camp.

Skull Springs Road is an interesting drive with plenty of spots to camp. We didn't get into Skull Springs..one of those things we'll have to go back for!!

Viv
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Reply By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 01:53

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 01:53
Have a look at some of the photo's on profile
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:24

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:24
Thanks Squizzy. I love you eye for animals. Not all your photos have titles - are they the places you locals keep secret?

Mh
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Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 08:43

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 08:43
G'day Motherhen,

We have great memories of Kalumburu. No - this is not a trick reply and yest I do want to know how you go on the "road" in. I have previously stated that I would be prepared to give it a go but all so much nicer to hear that someone else has gone before.

Seriously though it is a nice place to go and spend a few weeks if you like fishing or if the better half likes fishing. Plus you could pop past Drysdale and say hello to Anne on the way through.

Kind regards

Theo
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:18

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:18
Hi Theo

I have spoken to a number of caravaners have made it to Kalumburu, including some with BTs. It is a long way taking it slow to get to the coast, so we will decide whether to go when we get there. Those who have been say it is well worth the drive.Mitchell Falls is a definite in our plans. Some people leave their vans at Drysdale and do day trips to Mitchell Falls and Kalumburu. All options for us to consider.


Mh
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Reply By: uneekwahn - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 10:47

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 10:47
Motherhen,

My wife and I did two months in the Kimberley last year for our honeymoon.

I can strongly recommend Cape Leveque (~220km north of Broome) and also Barred Creek (On the same road to Cape Leveque, but only ~40km from Broome).

http://perth4x4.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12972&page=9 There are some photos on there of the entire trip and a bit of a blurb I wrote about the places.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Jason.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:26

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:26
Thanks Jason - I love trip photos, but couldn't find my way to yours from the link.

Mh
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Follow Up By: uneekwahn - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:46

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:46
Mh,

Looks like you've got to sign up to view the pictures. I'll see if I can put them on my own website some time after the long weekend and you can view them there.

Jason.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:54

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 14:54
I'll look forward to hearing from you with link when you get them up on your website. Thanks, Mh
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Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 15:00

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 15:00
G'Day Motherhen

No problems with your rig size for Carawine or Skull Springs. Unfortunately Carawine has been half flattened from the big floods two seasons ago (or maybe 3 now.... time goes). A very lovely spot but now misses the ancient and majestic trees as they were

The best camping spot to visit Mitchell Falls is over the King Edward on the right (actually second right is better than first right). Smaller vehicles than yours crosed it whilst we were there (petrol Prado no snorkel.... Hilux etc.... an F250 shorted out and was burnt out xing the KIng Edward but they tiell me that vehicle was a factory lemon from the start)

We spent 5 days on that camp last year, hard to leave and just did a day trip into the falls from there.......best option I believe

As for the road conditions etc....Kalumburu and the GRR for that matter it is simply a case of if you are behind or in front of the graders for the season and early or late into the area and if it rains again...we had a dream run last year to the falls turn off and others had it less so cause of the rain before and after (we were in and out mid may to end of May). Can never say for sure depends season by season and grader timing as to how your luck falls

Your rig could aso get into Telegraph Pool with ease and spend some time there (near the mouth of the Fitzroy)

Regards

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 22:50

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 22:50
Thanks for the tips Bungarra.

Mh
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Reply By: westskip - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 21:57

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 21:57
Hi Motherhen

We were in the Kimberley in 2006 and did a trip down the Duncan Road from Kununurra to Halls Creek. Magnificent - lots of great camp spots along the creeks and rivers,some really top notch country especially around Nicholson Station and best of all only saw two vehicles in two days. Good gravel road and while we didn't take the van would have no problems towing our 16' Jayco.

John & Helen
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 22:33

Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 at 22:33
Thaks John & Helen. What month were you there? Sounds inviting. So many different roads to choose from once we get to the NW.

Mh
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Follow Up By: westskip - Thursday, Mar 20, 2008 at 21:24

Thursday, Mar 20, 2008 at 21:24
Hi again Motherhen

We were in Kununurra in August 2006. Left the van with our son in Kununurra and just took the vehicle. As I said great camping and don't forget a couple of flick rods. Plenty of grunter in the creeks.
One night camped on the Negri River then into Halls Creek before a couple of nights at the Bungle Bungle. A great 5 days.

John & Helen
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Reply By: dizzy - Friday, Mar 21, 2008 at 22:24

Friday, Mar 21, 2008 at 22:24
Hi Motherhen

Was behind Marble Bar September early October last year
Skull Springs and Running Waters now all rocks through the big wet. Recovering very slowly.
Drive in but would not recommend taking a caravan into those two spots at present.
When we were there a lot of the roads were closed through unseasonal rains.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Friday, Mar 21, 2008 at 22:59

Friday, Mar 21, 2008 at 22:59
Thanks Dizzy

Mh
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