Dogs on the Gibb River Road

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 16:52
ThreadID: 91298 Views:3187 Replies:7 FollowUps:15
This Thread has been Archived
Hi Fellow Aussie Adventurers :)

I am looking for some advice only from pet owners.
I have asked questions on here about dogs before and been ridiculed for taking a pet traveling, so im just after some positive information - not an argument.

We are traveling around Australia with our dog (Ridgeback). We have been on the road for 12 months now and having a ball. Had a few restrictions with a dog, but nothing we havent been able to handle.
We're heading up to the Gibb River Road in July this year.

Has anyone travelled the Gibb with a dog? Where did you stay? Were there any problems to look out for? Are there restrictions?
Especially with Mitchell Falls - Can we get to these with a dog - or is there means to be able to leave her tied up somewhere (ie. trailer/car)

I dont want her in a kennel because we dont want to back track, she has also never been in one.

Would really appreciate some advice only from doggy travellers.

Thank you :)
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: The Explorer - Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 17:29

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 17:29
Hi

No dogs allowed to Mitchell Falls as its within a national park (most, if not all national parks in WA don't allow dogs).

Pets in Parks

Cheers
Greg

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Moderator

AnswerID: 475327

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 07:58

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 07:58
Thanks Greg. Do u know if u can camp outside the NP and do a day trip in?
Cheers :)
0
FollowupID: 750318

Follow Up By: The Explorer - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 12:16

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 12:16
Hi

Sorry - cant help much. There is an established camp site at King Edward River crossing - not sure if dogs are allowed. It is however about a 2.5 to 3 hr drive from here to Mitchell Falls and then a 3hr return walk to the falls themselves...so you are looking at over 9 hours without other activities. No idea if you are allowed to camp along the track (or maybe just park up outside of park boundary)...though leaving a dog unattended for even 3 hours out there maybe frowned upon.

Cheers
Greg
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Moderator

0
FollowupID: 750342

Follow Up By: AlanTH - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 16:37

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 16:37
If you do decide to walk to the falls don't forget ear plugs to drown out the constant noise of the helicopters.
Back and forth they go at 100 bucks each way per person, all day long.
AlanTH.
0
FollowupID: 750360

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 08:46

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 08:46
Thanks Alan for the advice! Will do.
Would love to get a helicopter flight but a lil pricey...
0
FollowupID: 750414

Follow Up By: Leroy - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 15:46

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 15:46
The $100 is definitely worth it as the views are spectacular. My kids still talk about it.

Leroy
0
FollowupID: 750451

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 16:12

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 16:12
There are a few very scenic and special places where, due to remoteness, the effort it takes to get there etc, its worth paying a bit more to see what really are spectacular places. Lets face it the $100 or so for your helicopter ride is a tiny fraction of what it cost you to get to the Mitchell Falls. You may never go back there so why not make the most of the opportunities while you are there.

The Mitchell Falls, Horizontal Waterfall and Lake Eyre flight are in that special category for me.

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 750453

Reply By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 17:42

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 17:42
I am not a dog owner however I am a pet owner and understand.

I just checked our Kimberley photos.

Mitchell River National Park sign and the Mitchell Falls turnoff sign shows dogs are not allowed at Mitchell Falls camping area and Surveyors Pool.

Dog are allowed at Ganthaume Point, Broome but on a leash.

No dogs Tunnel Creek National Park.


All the above are from photos we took during our Kimberley trip in 2009. Sorry I cannot elaborate any further.

Phil

PS We aren't all that bad are we!!
AnswerID: 475331

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:01

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:01
Thanks Phil. I will have a good look through all those.

Most of 'you' have great advice. Unfortunately there is jut always a couple who just argue or disagree with everything- they are the ones I can be bothered with.

Cheers :)
0
FollowupID: 750319

Reply By: Brian Purdue - Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 18:02

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 18:02
Is it worth the possibility (probability?) of picking up a bait?
AnswerID: 475336

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:04

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:04
That's why I'm asking the questions. Don't want to miss out on anything because of her.
Not worried about the baits, she is trained very well plus rarely off a lead unless we're sure it's safe.
0
FollowupID: 750320

Reply By: Mick O - Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 19:56

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012 at 19:56
With feral baiting programs and the likes, there's a certain amount of risk involved. A bit of research on the net turns up a lot of info. This site was particularly handy;

Pets on the Gibb River Road

A good response here;

Gibb River Road with dogs

and a forum search got good results as well;

Travelling the Gibb/kimberley with dogs

Happy reading,

Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 475352

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:07

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:07
Thanks for that mick, will have a look through them.
0
FollowupID: 750321

Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 01:35

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 01:35
A notice came through at work last week from DEC warning that they are/have baited the National Parks with 1080 & similar
Dunc
Make sure you give back more than you take

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 475379

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:10

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 08:10
Thanks. We never let her off lead in NP or where we know baits are.
Although she is pretty good and doesn't eat strange food (trained well)
It's always good to know the areas of baits.

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 750323

Follow Up By: zenonie - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 14:41

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 14:41
If the baits are relatively fresh, it only takes a sniff of one to kill your dog. I have lost a working cattle dog this way. Not nice. Cheers.
0
FollowupID: 750353

Follow Up By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 16:13

Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at 16:13
Further to my comments yesterday below is the contents of the flier from DEC

Under the wildlife recovery program Western Shield,
the Department of Environment and Conservation
(DEC) carries out 1080 fox and feral cat baiting
operations on nearly 3.9 million hectares of land it
manages. The program is working to bring native animals back from
the brink of extinction by controlling introduced predators such as
the European red fox and feral cat. As a result of baiting, two native
mammal species (quenda and tammar wallaby) have been removed
from the state’s threatened species list since the start of Western Shield.
In addition, populations of many more native animal species have
increased or continue to persist in baited areas under Western Shield.
Continuation of baiting will allow us to reintroduce species such as
boodies, bilbies and numbats to areas of their former range. The baiting
operations extend from Karratha in the north, through the forests of the
south-west to areas east of Esperance.

1080 is poisonous to humans and will kill domestic cats and dogs.

Pet owners please be aware that all State forest and most national parks
and nature reserves are baited four or more times a year and must be
considered dangerous areas for pet dogs and cats at all times. Pets are
not allowed in national parks. If visiting these conservation areas it is
advised that you leave your pets at home.

Pet owners are also asked to remain vigilant in preventing pets from
entering baited areas. 1080 sausage baits are made of meat and are
extremely attractive to dogs in particular, who can detect the baits from
many metres away. The baits will tempt both well-trained dogs and
fussy eaters. If you suspect your pet has taken a bait, induce vomiting
and immediately seek veterinary attention.

Neighbours, please be aware that it is legal for DEC or other neighbours
to bait as close as five metres from your boundary and as close as 150
metres from your dwelling. Pets can travel these distances very quickly.

Public notices are placed in state and local newspapers and all baited
areas are signposted—please observe 1080 warning signs. Maps of baited
areas can be viewed on DEC’s website at www.dec.wa.gov.au/westernshield.

For information please contact your local DEC office or visit
www.dec.wa.gov.au.

WESTERN AUSTRALIATHE GOVERNMENT
OF
20110255-1211-2M
Dunc
Make sure you give back more than you take

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 750357

Follow Up By: zenonie - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 06:56

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 06:56
They really are fair dinkum in WA! Baiting is not allowed so close to dwellings in Qld.
Cheers zenonie
www.kilcowera.com.au
0
FollowupID: 750411

Reply By: KevinE - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 08:51

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 08:51
Hi, we did the Gibb in August; you'll love it!

Unfortunately though, none of the camp grounds allow dogs & most of the gorges & places of interest are in a NP, so no dogs there either. No dogs at Home Valley, no dogs at El Q

There are places to bush camp with your dog everywhere, but.......................... :( you'd have to leave your friend tied up out there at a bush camp while you went sightseeing & I can't see that as an option really.

Cheers,

Kevin.
AnswerID: 475471

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 09:19

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 09:19
Thanks Kevin!
I have the camps 6 book and thought I saw camping spots in there that allow dogs. I might have to look again.
Appreciate your advice.
Cheers
0
FollowupID: 750419

Reply By: 87 - Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 23:12

Friday, Jan 20, 2012 at 23:12
Hi
WE take our dog everywhere with us including on to the Gibb River Road when we did it 3 years ago. However after driving 150km in we came to the quick decision that taking the dog was a bad decision as most of the places were in national parks with free camping almost non existant. We backtracked to Derby and left the dog there at an adequate kennel where he survived two weeks. I would not reccomend taking dogs on this road. We left our van in Broome and tented going to Mitchell falls and then return before going to Kunnanurra (calling in to the Bungles leaving the dog at at the then free campimg spot before the turnoff to the park.) We left the dog at a kennel in Kunnanurra and did the trip down to El questro and Home Valley before picking him up and contiuuing on our way.
Ken
AnswerID: 475554

Follow Up By: myaussieadventure - Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 at 00:12

Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 at 00:12
Hi ken,
Thanks so mUch for this. Appreciate ur advice.
Sounds like we may need to do the same. Do you know the kennel you left your dog at? Might have to do some research.
We have a caravan too which we will have to leave somewhere.

It's a shame we can't take our dogs into so many places.
We had a lOT of advice not to take our dog up cape York last year but we did and had a ball with her. I appreciate some advice from someone who does travel with their dog.
Cheers :)
0
FollowupID: 750488

Sponsored Links