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.
View a map from Main Roads showing which sections of the Gibb River Road are sealed. Before you head off, familiarise yourself with what to expect and plan for any potential issues, so that you can safely enjoy this incredible experience.
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.
Travel on the Gibb River Road can be restricted during the wet season (usually around November through to April). Flooding and road closures are common and access to gorges is often limited or not possible. Side-tracks 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.
Seasonal opening and closing dates across the Gibb can vary at short notice based on local conditions, weather and roads. If travelling close to the start or end of dry season, always call a local visitor centre or contact the place you plan to visit directly to confirm they are open before you travel.
For your safety and out of respect for Traditional Owners, please do not attempt to access closed parks.
Balanggarra Home Valley Station
Closed for the 2023 season.
Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park
Remained closed in 2023 due to flood damage. Updates and park alerts here.
Birdwood Downs Station
Closed for the 2023 season.
Usually open from April to September*. Bookings are advised June-August especially.
Bungle Bungle Caravan Park & Tour Co.
including the caravan park and the 4WD bus tours are not open or operating in 2023.
Charnley River Station
Closed – 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.
Charnley River Wilderness Camp
CLOSED to public visitation due to extensive damage caused by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie.
Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park
CLOSED including the boat tours remained closed throughout 2023 due to cyclone Ellie.
Diggers Rest Station
Closed for the 2023 season.
Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park
Closed for the 2023 season.
Drysdale River Station
DRYSDALE RIVER ROADHOUSE, KALUMBURU ROAD
Now CLOSED for the wet season. Gate will be locked, so please be aware that no fuel will be available. Road permitting all services will open again 1st May 2024.
Dulundi (Silent Grove) campground and Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge)
Closed for the 2023 season.
Ellenbrae Station
Closed for the 2023 season.
El Questro
Incl. Emma Gorge Resort, The Station and Emma Gorge Walk
Closed for the 2023 season. Opening expected in May 2024*.
Imintji Campground
Closed for the 2023 season.
Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary
CLOSED
Following the assessment of flood damage to Mornington Wilderness Camp, the sanctuary remained closed to visitors in 2023.
Manning Gorge Campground and Day Access:
Manning Falls Hike is closed and Manning Gorge Campground is also closed.
Mitchell River National Park and Campground
High clearance 4WDs access only due to road conditions.
Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC) has introduced the Uunguu Visitor Pass for all visitors accessing exclusive possession native title lands by road, air and coast. Purchase your Uunguu Visitor Passes here.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will no longer be charging visitor entry fees to Mitchell River National Park.
Camping fees at the national park campground will still apply.
Munurru Campground and Mitchell River National Park is closed for the 2023 season.
Miluwindi Conservation Park including Lennard Gorge
Closed for the 2023 season.
Mt Elizabeth Station Stays – 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. Note: Usually open May to September (dependent on weather conditions).
Closed for the 2023 season.
Mt Hart 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.
Closed for the 2023 season.
Walarra Mindi (Mt Hart)
Closed for the 2023 season.
Purnululu National Park
High clearance 4WDs access only due to washouts and high-water levels in creek crossings.
Dual-axle caravans and trailers are not permitted. VIEW ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT ACCESS HERE
Closed for the 2023 season.
Violet Valley Campground Secluded campsites sit in a natural bush setting on the banks of the Bow River, just 36km from the entrance to World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park.
Closed for the 2023 season.
* Seasonal opening and closing dates across the Gibb can vary at short notice based on local conditions, weather and roads.
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For the latest information about park closures and related works visit: https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au/
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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. Please drive to road conditions and allow more travel time to ensure your safety.
For information on emergency, bushfire, floods and general safety while travelling, please click here.
Below (in the black section) are the road condition update links from the Shire of Wyndham / East Kimberley and Shire of Derby / West Kimberley.
Main Roads Western Australia have a dedicated website page with all of the information, media releases and latest updates for the Kimberley Flood Response.
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.
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: For Dulundi (Silent Grove) campground updates, please check the Parks Alerts page here.
Take extra caution and drive slowly to road conditions, Bell Gorge road is single lane in some sections. High clearance 4WDs access only. Campground bookings are essential.
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).
Lennard River Gorge - 3km (return) walk from the parking area to the lookout where the falls can be viewed. Details here
The Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge/ Walarra Mindi (Mount Hart) Homestead is located in the heart of the Wunaamin Conservation Park. Aquatic plants fill pools in creeks and rivers, providing cool relief from the starkness of the harsh escarpment. Head out on remote tracks and you’ll discover the region is sprinkled with waterholes, idyllic fishing spots and secluded gorges. They offer plenty of unpowered campsites, limited accommodation (safari tents & homestead rooms), delicious bar meals, alcoholic beverages to catch stunning Kimberley sunsets, ice to keep your esky food cold and plenty of diesel.
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.
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 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 (via 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.
For updates about Tunnel Creek and Windjana National Park check the Parks Alerts page here.
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.
Emma Gorge Resort, The Station and Emma Gorge Walk are closed for the 2023 season. Opening in May 2024.
Photos: Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs, and Emma Gorge Resort
GIBB RIVER ROAD - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM EAST TO WEST!
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