NEWS & EVENTS with JAWA Off Road Campers
A Great Northern Highway road trip is a bucket list item for camping enthusiasts, travelling through some of the most secluded and remote outback landscapes. But for those keen to make a detour for an off road Kimberley adventure, Gibb River Road is well worth the effort. Here’s what you need to know.
The Great Northern Highway in Western Australia is an astonishing 3,195 kilometres long, making it Australia’s longest highway. It takes the intrepid traveller from Perth all the way to Wyndham, WA’s northernmost port located in the Kimberley region.
Detour at Derby To Travel Gibb River Road
If you’re on Great Northern Highway heading towards WA’s far north, you’ll want to get off at Derby Hwy and follow this until you reach the turn-off for Gibb River Road. Derby is about 200km north of Broome. The Gibb is 660 kms long and will take you from Derby to Kununurra (effectively going diagonally through the corner of Western Australia). You can get back onto Great Northern Hwy in Kununurra to travel back towards Perth.
Once a dirt track, the Gibb is now a two-lane gravel road with the occasional sealed section and river crossings. Road conditions can be unpredictable, prone to flooding, and seriously bumpy in parts, so this route should only be attempted in a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. The Gibb River Road is also part of The Big Lap.
Travelling from Derby to Kununurra can be done in around 19 hours but the whole point of taking this iconic outback drive is to experience the wild beauty of the Kimberley. For the most unforgettable trip, give yourself two weeks.
The Best Time to Travel the Gibb River Road
Gibb River Road is typically accessible from April to October each year, but conditions can change, leading to abrupt closures. Check closures before you go.
Aim to go early in the dry season – May or June. Roads are more likely to be open (and in better condition), and peak season means most services are fully operational. It’s also the best time to travel through the many gorges, waterfalls and rivers if you want to see them flowing in all their glory.
Planning Your Off Road Kimberley Adventure
Familiarise yourself with fuel stops along the Gibb River Road – Derby, Imintji Store, Mt Barnett Roadhouse, El Questro and Kununurra – and plan accordingly.
- Stock up on food and drinking water in Derby.
- Bring jerry cans with extra fuel.
- Check up-to-date road conditions here.
- Adjust tyre pressure for 4WD conditions.
- Take a personal locator beacon (PLB).
- Arrange visitor passes and permits.
- Double-check that your camper can handle 4WD tracks.
Must-See Stops Along The Gibb
The Kimberley is known for its wildly beautiful national parks, many of which are home to breathtaking gorges, picturesque waterfalls, freshwater swimming holes, ancient Aboriginal rock art, boab trees, and dramatic landscapes that can only be found in the Aussie Outback.
Please note: The weather can be extreme in these parts and some parks are only open during the dry season. Additionally, visitor passes may be required. Purchase these ahead of time here.
National Parks
- Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park
- Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park
- The Mitchell River National Park
Gorges and Swimming Holes
- Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge)
- Adcock Gorge
- Galvans Gorge
- Manning Gorge
- Emma Gorge at El Questro
Kimberley Rock Art
The Kimberley is home to an abundance of ancient Aboriginal rock art, some of it thought to be more than 12,000 years old. It’s mind-blowing to think about and well worth taking the time to experience in person. There are two major styles of rock art in the region, Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) figures and Wandjina rock art.
Photo by Robyn Jay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by TimJN1, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rock art can be seen along the bushwalk tracks leading to Adcock Gorge, Manning Gorge, and Galvans Gorge. These sites are of extreme cultural significance to the traditional owners and custodians of the land so please be respectful.
Other Considerations
Respecting Culture
As you travel along the Gibb, you’ll be passing through the traditional lands of multiple Kimberley peoples, including the Njikena, Bunuba, Ongkomi, Ngarinyin, Gedija, Worrorra and Wunumbal language groups. Many of the places tourists love to visit are of deep cultural significance to Aboriginal people so being a considerate and respectful visitor is important. As all good campers know, to observe, enjoy and leave behind no trace of your presence is the key.
Tips For Crossing Rivers Safely
Travelling the Gibb means dealing with river crossings. Be prepared.
- Assess the river, evaluating the depth, current and flow, hazards, and condition.
- Pull over and watch other vehicles crossing to get an idea of the depth and whether there are any big rocks to deal with.
- DO NOT attempt to walk across first as part of your assessment. You’re in croc country!
- Don’t forget to engage 4WD and slightly deflate the tyres. Doing this will provide more traction.
- Keeping the revs steady, maintain a slow, consistent pace through the river.
- Once you’ve crossed, dry the brakes by lightly tapping them.
- If you have doubts or aren’t confident, then simply do not cross.
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JAWA Off Road Campers is a 100% owned and operated Australian company based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland. With the significant growth in our brand over the last few years, we have recently branched out and opened a new showroom and service centre in Sydney NSW, so even more Aussie
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