Canoe and the Gibb River Road Gorges

Can you paddle really fast ---

"The first thing we saw after stepping out of the Toyota Landcruiser at El Questro was a crocodile…" - quote from someones blog

Mandrake

Mark,
PLEASE consider CROCS!. Not a good idea to canoe in crock country, IMHO.
El Questro used to object to any boats except those hired from them in Chamberland Gorge. That was a while back and it has changd hands since then, AND it is crock territory from memory.

Home Valley (the Penticost) is SERIOUS croc country and not that pretty there (tidal).

Mornington is safer, but they hire canoes in Dimond Gorge. Not sure what their policy is now. Dimond is reat spot to canoe for the day.
Not sure about Bell, don't think the distance would warrant it.

The big opportunity is between the Diversion Dam at Kununurra and the Ord dam in the upper Ord. It is a 65km trip through the gorges and is stunning. Worth taking it just for that. The downstream only (due to the current) trip is a comfortable 3 days. Drive to the waters edge at each end, but you will need a relay vehicle, (or maybe a tourist bus) to get back to the start.
There are hire places in Kununurra that offer all the services that you would need and plastic canadians, but they charge.

There have been a few serious adventurers canoe the Drysdale River from the Kulumburu Road to the ocean, but this is a SERIOUS expedition that would take a year or more to plan, and there are crocs again in the lower reaches, below the falls.

Cheers,
PeterOKA196 Motorhome

bah crocs - first thing everyone says

most of the waterways off of GRR are considered croc free such as Winjana gorge (maybe not quite on the gib) i used mine there and at manning gorge - didnt go to EQ and bell gorge was still closed. I used it more in the territory but definitly take it - you will use it.

By all means take the canoe and you will save some $ instead of hireing [ Mornington widerness camp canoe hire was $90 for the 3 of us in 1 canoe last July ] but would not take it if you need to unload from c/trailer at every set up , is better to have on vehicle roof , Mornington campsites are still a 20/30min drive away from the Gorges .

Hi Mark,

We used our inflatable tandem sit-on-top on several occasions in the Gibb region including Diamond Gorge and Cadjeput, both near Mornington camp. It was very beautiful there. At Bell Gorge we also paddled from our creekside camp but it's only a short stretch of water. Kununurra was also a great place for paddling as was King Edward River but only about 1km.

We were requested by the ranger at Windjana Gorge not to put the inflatable in there as it scares the crocs (freshwater - we do not worry about them but respect them and keep our distance) and they disappeared for many days after someone had paddled there. That was in 2003 so I don't know if things have changed. I must say that the freshies there are BIG.

Check for croc safety with knowledgeable people at every place. Some folk are very gung ho.

Thanks to everyone for their comments and advice. Yes we are croc aware in a big way, having lived in NQ.
Will now weigh up pros and cons and decide if it is worth the canoe this trip, particularly as we are not spending much time at Kununurra this trip.
Thanks again