Gibb River Road.

Hi Graeme

We found camping in the DEC run camps sites worthwhile to get an early start to walk to the falls/gorge before it got too hot. They are well run, have toilets, and a couple of them had cold (water quite warm during day) showers. Camping at any of the previously popular places that don't have toilets has been prohibited. You will find some gravel pits, but in contrast to our usual choices, we did not investigate these and stayed at the designated camps grounds. It does get busy come July.

As far a i know, the Old Karunjie Road s still open, but the return loop along the King River is definitely closed.

Enjoy your travels.

Motherhen

Hi Graeme,

Good luck on your adventure. We did the GRR last June and whilst there are plenty of spots to camp, I have been informed camping has been restricted to designated areas with facilities. An informative site is the www.KimberleyAustralia.com site. We were probably travelling a bit earlier than the 20th June, and probably a few weeks in front of the crowds. We enjoyed our stay at Drysdale River Station with hot showers, the most remotest bar in Australia and good restaurant (try the KBB Kimberley Beef Burger!). Whilst I understand your need to get away from the crowds there are some great people to be met by staying at the stations. Unfortunately we didn't go up to Mitchell Plateau or Port Warrender as the water was quite deep at the time. We did venture up to Kalumburu and even though the road said closed we met some local Teacher's that had just come down it from Kalumburu, local advice is great! Suggestion regarding Karunjie road is to seek advice when you are up there, as local knowledge is probably your best source of information and advice. Enjoy your trip!

Sorry Graeme, One word of warning if camping in non-designated camping area's - this is BURNING OFF season on the GRR, quite a few people were caught unaware's last year and had to make a run for it!

Also, Graeme, a "Road Closed" is a legal status, NOT an indication of a road's usability.
The fine (last I heard) for using a "closed" road was $1000 per wheel. Locals and employees can get special permits to travel "closed" roads.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

well we have just reached the end of the road and are here at Fitzroy Crossing. It was in pretty good nick and we chased a grader for some of it. Fuel was $1.96 at El questro $2.20 at Drysdale and $ 1.94 at imintji ( a top little store) Both Here and Halls Creek are now "dry communities with limited amounts of light beer available. As for the Karunjie Track We enquired at Wyndham as to its status and was advised it was open. It was worth doing very early in the morning and took about 4 hours to get to the Pentecost crossing and was a little knarly towards the end. As we were towing campers we got bogged in the sand at th ened but got out ok. At el questro they advised as being closed and teh landholder is pushing this. We got a top photo of False Mount cockburn early.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30433165&l=4749c9e1c7&id=1250845064

I notice the people from the "camps australia book are camped here also.

Cheers

Bit OT but we returned from out 6 week NE vic to Kimberley trip last Thurs and found all tracks etc in very good shape with most freshly graded. River crossings were a doddle including the Pentacost, King Edward and Durack.
The only track that may cause an issue is the Back road from Beagle Bay to Derby. Towards the Derby end there were multiple water crossings with the first being 200 - 250 meters wide. I rolled the dice and went though (solo) and it was a white knucke affair. I was always watching to see which tree I may need to get the crocs to help me winch too!! I'll get the video up soon! Pleny of left foot breaking. Thank god the Patrol has an excellent LSD. Didn't walk for fear of crocs but could see the grass popping up through the water so estimated depth. Waded in a little and ground felt sandy but solid. But was faced with 3 other crossings that were 100-150 metres or morewide!!
I chatted to the caravan park owner in Derby and he said there had been rain and they are also Tidal and I estimated we were crossing at almost high tide. So just a word of caution.
The road to Kalumbaru was being graded with some big washouts but most were filled in by the time we came back down.
We were so early the Drysdale River Station hadn't had their beer delivery yet so hard to have a drink at the remotest bar in Oz hehe.
But the highlight of the trip was the chopper ride back from Mitchell Pateau. The kids loved it!! But what a view.

Cheers,
Leroy