Mornington Wilderness Camp on the GRR

We'll be on the GRR in late August and will be going to Old Mornington too. We went there in 1997 when it was just getting started but from what you read on the website it's definitely got better and we thought it was good back then.

We canoed on Dimond Gorge and had it all to ourselves...just beautiful. I'm really looking forward to going back and visiting Chamberlain Gorge etc.

Site Link

I hope the link works.

Have a great trip

Best wishes

Viv

Hi Nomad,

We were there last year (see our Kimberley blog for more detail) and visited Mornington, enjoyed it very much. There is a radio at the turn off from GRR so you can call ahead to check that they have vacant sites. The drive in is very scenic and the road was good. The campsites are spread along a creek, no fires but good showers and flushing toilets.
We canoed on Dimond Gorge - very windy day so it was a bit scary for novices like us, and its quite a clamber over rocks to get down to the water.
The area is very scenic and there is good swimming at the other gorges and the roads around the various places are quite good, though their signage was a bit minimal.
I would rate is it a GRR must see - allow 3 days to take it all in.
Cheers,

Well worth it! Run by the Aust Wildlife Conservancy, it has lots to offer, tho you can spend a fair bit there if you allow yourself, even camping. Was there last year for my second visit. Sir John Gorge is excellent, Dimond Gorge is a must to paddle, and the 20km drive from Old Mornington to Dimond Gorge is a very scenic trip in itself. 2-man canoes will cost you about $60/day; on our first trip, we took our own inflatable craft and saved. There are loads of walks. You can get very nice meals at their lic. restaurant, but again a bit pricey. Some nights, they run wildlife lectures which are excellent. A phone call will get you up to date on what's on offer.
Not sure if it's still avail, but as an extra on the way in, Moll Gorge, on Mt House Station is also an excellent camp stop, but you have to book with Mt House, and for a fee, you get exclusive use of the gorge. Absolutely no facilities, but total wilderness and serenity on a magnificent gorge on the Hann River. Last time we stopped there, we paddled about 5km up the gorge in the inflatable, portering across rocks occasionally. You'd need to ring ahead, as they were heavily booked when we last stayed.
cheers,
Gerry

If you enjoy walking/hiking there are some nice gorges to see, but you won't see much if you don't get out of the car. Call the station from the radio booth at the t/o and they'll tell you if there are any places available otherwise you'll waste the trip in. Better still, call in advance to make a booking by phone if you know when you'll be going past - we got roused on for just rocking up to the radio booth and expecting a vacancy.

We didn't use the canoes because we didn't want to spend that sort of money there - we just enjoyed the walks. You are not allowed campfires there - I remember the young lady behind the counter almost in tears at the thought of a runaway campfire "I just don't know what would become of all the animals..." Hee hee, I can give you a few clues what *might* happen! ;)

Seriously, we thought it was worth the trip, but then my brother can never drive past something without going there to see for himself what it's like - curiosity is his weakness I think!

Thanks to all that replied.
I flew over the place in 2006 from Fitzroy Crossing and from the air it looked magnificent. And from what you all have said it is well worth the trip in.
I was up that way last year but they were booked out. Might have to give them a ring, but i hate pre booking anything as it puts you on a schedule to be there on that day and i hate that.
Cheers

We are heading across the same area in about 4 weeks. We have made enquiries with Mornington and intend to spend a couple of days there en route to Broome. Be aware that if you are camping, you cannot book sites. It is a matter of ringing from the phone at the GRR road turnoff, checking in and booking for dinner at the restaurant if you intend to be in there for a meal. By all reports from friends who have been there, it is well worth the stay.
Cheers
Mark