A journey along the Gibb River Road four wheel drive route is one of the last true outback adventures. Originally constructed in the 1960s to transport stock from surrounding cattle stations, it stretches some 660km from King Sound in Derby to Wyndham.
Travel on the Gibb River Road can be restricted during the wet season (around November to April). Flooding and road closures are common and access to the gorges is often limited or not possible. Sidetracks into Gorges are often closed even if the Gibb River Road is open. Please stay informed, be safe on the roads, and obey the road closure notices.
View a map from Main Roads showing which sections of the Gibb River Road are sealed.
Highlights include Bandilngan Windjana Gorge, Dimalurru Tunnel Creek, Lennard Gorge, Dalmanyi Bell Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Manning Gorge, Drysdale River Station, Balanggarra Home Valley Station and El Questro Wilderness Park.
Mt Hart Homestead/Wilderness Lodge – offering unique accommodation or camping 49km off the Gibb, Mt Hart historically was the first cattle station “over the range”. History as well as access to Mount Matthew and Annie Gorge is a great reason to detour off the Gibb.
Charnley River Station (Charnley River Wilderness Camp is CLOSED to public visitation for the 2022 season)– originally known as “Beverley Springs”, it was the first property to accommodate tourists along the Gibb River Rd. Now managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy as a sanctuary with some area still set aside to run cattle. Charnley is located 1.5 hours or 43km north of the Gibb River Road, 5 hours or 320km from Derby and 7 hours or 540km from Broome
Galvans Gorge – a beautiful little gorge with easy access just 1 kilometre off the road. A delightful spot for a refreshing swim. Galvans Gorge is a good stop off on the journey between Dalmanyi Bell Gorge and Mt Barnett Roadhouse/Manning Gorge.
Mt Elizabeth Station – Mt Elizabeth Station is about as close to the heart of the Kimberley region in Western Australia as you can get. Located roughly half way between Kununurra and Derby on the iconic Gibb River Road, Mt Elizabeth is a half-million acre, fully operational cattle station that also welcomes guests. Offering camping, dinner, bed and breakfast options within a genuine outback setting is what Mt Elizabeth is famous for. Please ensure accommodation bookings are made in advance as we book out quickly during the season.
Ellenbrae Station – Only 5km off the Gibb, Ellenbrae Station is famous for its Devonshire teas in the beautiful gardens of the homestead with camping and accommodation available.
Balangarra Home Valley is not opening for 2022 season
Diggers Rest Station is not opening for 2022 season
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary is not opening for 2022 season
Honeymoon Bay/Kalumburu is not opening for 2022 season
Please have a read about towing a caravan if you need more information about towing in the Kimberley or caravan storage options for the Gibb River Road journey.
For information on emergency, bushfire, floods and general safety while travelling, please click here.
Below (in the black section) are the road condition updates from the Shire of Wyndham / East Kimberley and Shire of Derby / West Kimberley.
The Shire of Wyndham / East Kimberley provides a list of current known road conditions and closures in the region. This list is updated frequently during major weather events and on an as-needed basis at other times.
Report #2215 Issued 9th May 2022 at 0800hrs
The Shire of Derby / West Kimberley also provides a road condition report. Please be advised that this advice is only updated when conditions have changed.
Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Road Condition Report - 26th April 2022 - 1400
Manning Gorge has access from Mt Barnett Roadhouse and the campground is along the banks of the lovely Manning River. Great swimming here or walk one hour to the Upper Manning Falls. The Kupungari Aboriginal Community at Mt Barnett welcome visitors and maintains the camping area there.
UPDATE: Bookings are not required for camping at Manning Gorge. Passes for Camping and Day use are available for purchase at the Mount Barnett Roadhouse on arrival. For fuel, food and supplies the roadhouse is open Mon-Fri: 8am-3pm, Saturday: 8am-1pm Sunday: 8am-1pm.
How to get to Manning Gorge
Manning Gorge is located in Mt Barnett Station on the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Vehicle access is dependent on weather, with Manning Gorge most accessible during the months of May through to October.
Manning Gorge is 306km from Derby (to the west) and 398km from Kununurra (to the east).
Drive: From Mt Barnett Roadhouse, the access road to Manning Gorge is approximately 7km
Entrance Fees: Entrance fees are payable at the Mt Barnett Roadhouse.
Stay: The camping area at Manning Gorge offers basic facilities. No bookings are taken for the campsite. Travellers can pay their fees at the roadhouse during opening hours or to the campsite caretakers after hours.
Dalmanyi Bell Gorge is one of the Gibbs most spectacular gorges and a must see. It has a deep swimming hole at the base of the 100m high falls. Water cascades from the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges increase after the rain of the wet season. During the dry season, this popular location allows visitors to swim and enjoy this beautiful location. Dalmanyi Bell Gorge is about 11km to the north-west of this campsite.
Location: Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park
Accessible: usually between May through to October
Car Park: 30km along Silent Grove Road (need 4WD)
Camping: Camping at Dulundi (Silent Grove) can be booked online (no powered sites) or Imintji (check in at the Imintji Store, no need to book ahead).
UPDATE: Parks & Wildlife are opening Dulundi (Silent Grove) campground on Friday 13th May 2022
The information below is from the Department of Parks and Wildlife:
At the head of the Dulundi (Silent Grove) Valley, Bell Creek drops 150 metres into a gorge to form a waterfall that cascades over the layered sandstone rocks and continues north-west to join the Isdell River. The base of the falls form a deep pool surrounded by ledges and sheltered by rocky walls that is a superb spot for swimming. If this popular site is too busy for your liking, you can also explore upstream.
Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) Walk Trail
2 km walk from the car park at Bell Gorge to a section of the creek just above the falls with spectacular views of the gorge and waterfall. Steep and rocky in sections.
Wunaamin Miliwundi ranges (previously King Leopold Ranges) has been divided into two parks: Miluwindi Conservation Park (Bunuba country at the southern section of the Gibb River Road) and Wunaamin Conservation Park (Wilinggin country, land of the Ngarinyin people, at the northern section of the Gibb River Road).
The Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge/ Walarra mindi (Mount Hart) Homestead is located in the heart of the Wunaamin Conservation Park.
Photo credits: Tourism Western Australia and Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge
Danggu Geikie Gorge was carved by the Fitzroy River through part of an ancient limestone barrier reef which snakes across the west Kimberley. It was laid down in an ancient sea that covered a large part of the Kimberley in Devonian times, some 350 million years ago. Read more information from Parks and Wildlife here.
Danggu Geikie Gorge Boat Tour
Daily: May to October
Danggu Geikie Gorge
$50 adult (16 years and over), $35 concession, $14 child (6-15 years), $110 family (2 adults, 2 children). No fee for children 5 years and under.
Danggu Geike Gorge boat tours take place from May to October and give an insight into the wildlife and geology of the gorge. Birdlife abounds and you may see white-bellied sea eagle or even a rare purple-crowned fairy-wren. Freshwater crocodiles sun themselves in full view on river banks and exposed rocks.
BOOK ONLINE (Parks and Wildlife Service WA)
Cultural boat tours are guided by Bunuba Aboriginal people whose connection to this land goes back to the Dreamtime. Tours depart at various times. Tickets must be booked with the Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre on (08) 9191 5355.
Download the Danggu Geikie Gorge visitor guide (1.7MB)
Photos: Geikie Gorge, Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Tourism Western Australia
The first gorge turnoff you will come to along the Gibb River Road will take you to the 375 million-year-old Devonian Reef Gorge of Bandilngan Windjana Gorge some 145kms from Derby. Carved by the Lennard River, Bandilngan Windjana Gorge is over three kilometres long with 300 metre-high walls. Freshwater crocodiles can be seen sunning themselves on the banks.
The area is of great cultural importance to the local Bunuba people who once lived there, and was the base for Jandamurra, the Indigenous outlaw who led an armed rebellion against European settlers in the 1890s. Lovely camping spot and great place to watch the sunset as the colours reflect on the cliffs of the gorge.
A four-wheel-drive is recommended to access the park. The park is closed during the wet season as the roads are inaccessible.
Download the visitor guide for Bandilngan Windjana Gorge National Park produced by DPAW.
UPDATE: Parks & Wildlife are opening Tunnel Creek and Windjana National Park and campground on Friday 13th May 2022
Photos: Bandilngan Windjana Gorge National Park, off the Gibb River Road
El Questro Wilderness Park is a million acres of pure, rugged beauty it began its life as a pastoral lease in 1903. The landscape offers outstanding diversity - from rugged sandstone ranges and broad tidal flats, to rainforest pockets, gorges and permanent waterfalls. El Questro Wilderness Park is a unique place, where you'll feel a sense of adventure at every turn. The Station is the base of most tours and offers camping and accommodation. Emma Gorge Resort gives access to the beautiful Emma Gorge and accommodation.
Photos: Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs, and Emma Gorge Resort
The Cockburn Ranges, in the East Kimberley, rise 600m above the surrounding plains. They form an iconic view (especially on sunset!) that has become synonymous with travelling the Gibb River Road. Located between El Questro and Balanggarra Home Valley, the range is a sandstone escarpment.
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