Gibb River Road and Gorges

The Gibb River Road is a former cattle route that stretches almost 660 kilometres through the heart of the Kimberley and winds its way through a breathtaking landscape, filled with beautiful gorges, crystal clear rock pools, magnificent rivers, spectacular ranges, and age-old rock formations.

There is a rich Aboriginal history with the infamous Jandamarra (also known as Pigeon), a young Aboriginal freedom fighter, who fought his battle in Tunnel Creek and also evaded police in Windjana Gorge. Read more. There are also remarkable stories of explorers, courageous cattle barons and early settlers, and of course the true, genuine characters of the Australian outback.

Driving distances – from Broome to Derby is 221km
– from Broome to Fitzroy Crossing is 396km
– from Broome to Kununurra is 1012km
– Broome to Windjana Gorge is a 4.5 hour drive or 358 km.

The Gibb River Road is closed during most of the wet season .. click here to get latest update from the Main Roads website.

For a more detailed map, visit Hema Nomad Map. or the Derby Visitor Centres Map

The Boab Prison Tree

Before you take off for the Gibb River Road just 7 kilometers outside Derby is the Boab Prison tree .. definitely worth a look.  The massive ancient Boab Prison Tree is believed to be around 1,500 years old and is an incredible 14 metres in circumference. With its hollow centre and door cut into its side, the Boab Prison Tree was once used by early police patrols as a staging point for prisoners being walked into Derby. Read more & gallery

The Gibb River Road

The gorges with their beautiful timelessness and crystal clear rock pools are the main reasons travelers abide over 600 kilometers of dust, sharp rocks and corrugations of phenomenal proportions. Most, if not all of these places are inaccessible during the wet season, December – February.  Starting from the turn off from the Great Northern Highway just outside Derby I will list the attractions going North .. don’t be fooled by the first 80 kms of sealed road!

Windjana Gorge

Windjana Gorge is approx 120 kms along the Gibb River Road and is an easy 10 minute walk into the Gorge.   Three and a half kilometres long, the Lennard River flows through majestic cliffs and like most gorges, a feeling of great ancientness is felt. There are shaded white sandy beaches but unfortunately these are occupied by freshwater crocodiles which are relatively harmless, unless you are bitten by one! But for the most part, they completely ignore you unless threatened. I have seen some tourists poking them with sticks. Windjana Gorge is a national park and unpowered camping is available.

Tunnel Creek

36kms south-east of Windjana Gorge, a water-worn tunnel lies beneath the limestone of the Napier Range. Part of the 350 million year old Devonian Reef system, you can walk 750 metres through the tunnel to the other side of Napier Range, wading through several permanent freshwater pools and watching for bats and the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Take a torch, wear old sneakers and be prepared to get wet.

Lennard Gorge

Lennard Gorge is one of the least visited Gorges. Situated along an 8km access road, 4WD only, a challenging walk no marked path, but if you head towards the right you will eventually get to a ledge overlooking the gorge and the falls (very dramatic views).  A British backpacker fell to his death in 2009 whilst taking photographs, so be careful. If you stick more to the left you can get to the top of the falls where it is possible to access the water for a swim. There are no camping grounds here as it is part of the King Leopold Range Conservation Park but Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge has accommodation and camping, 50 km off the main road.

Mount Hart

Mt Hart is located in the heart of the King Leopold Range Conservation Park, 50km along a 4WD road, off the Gibb River Road. Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge is a ten-acre oasis of tropical gardens situated alongside the majestic Barker River. Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge offers comfortable, and stylish outback accommodation in two traditional ‘Kimberley-style’ heritage homesteads, as well as camping facilities.
Relax and experience the strong sense of aboriginal and pastoral history, whilst enjoying warm bush hospitality, and gourmet country cuisine. The magnificent Mt Matthew, Annie and Yellow-man Gorges are only short drives away from the homesteads. Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge Website

Bell Gorge

Bell Gorge is located 30 kilometres off the Gibb River Road some 245 kilometres north-east of Derby within the rugged King Leopold Range National Park. Wet season rains see great volumes of water cascading down a series of waterfalls and Bells Gorge is one of the only accessible waterfalls which continues to flow all year round. One of the most picturesque gorges of the West Kimberley where swimming, photography, bushwalking and bird watching can be enjoyed. Two campsites managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management are nearby. Access to Bell Gorge Falls are reached via a one-kilometre path from the car park.

Dimond Gorge/Sir John Gorge

Rugged and remote Dimond Gorge is one of the most spectacular gorges along the Gibb River Road. The 40-kilometre gorge was carved out by the mighty Fitzroy River which cuts through the King Leopold Range. Tucked away at the end of Dimond Gorge is a beautiful waterfall. The road into Dimond Gorge is also very spectacular with great photo opportunities of some very ancient boabs and spectacular ranges and escarpments.
Sir John Gorge is a massive gorge set within the majestic King Leopold Range. You can make your way up to the 4 pools, 3 of which you can paddle along in a canoe. You have to be lucky though as there is only one canoe and being the only one makes for a pretty special experience. Paddles and a lunch hamper are available at the reception. You may even be extra lucky and spot the short-eared rock wallabies that live in the cliffs along the second pool. Sipping champagne at sunset amidst the changing colours of Sir John Gorge is an unforgettable experience.

Mornington Wilderness Camp

Mornington Wilderness Camp is about 100 kilometres off the Gibb River Road and its a 40 minute drive to Dimond Gorge. Owned and managed by the non-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Mornington Wilderness Camp provides a comfortable base from which to explore this remarkable sanctuary. It is a naturalist’s paradise, providing refuge for over 200 species of birds and a diverse range of other wildlife. All proceeds from the Wilderness Camp are dedicated to the conservation of wildlife in the Kimberley. Open to visitors between April and November. Popular activities include canoeing down Dimond Gorge and swimming and exploring Sir John Gorge. Before dinner, enjoy a glass of champagne as you watch the sun set over the stunning Central Kimberley ranges.
You can enjoy stylish full accommodation in luxury safari tents or pitch your own tent at the large and shady campground along Annie Creek. The restaurant serves great food, wine and hearty picnic hampers. Website

Adcock Gorge

Adcock Gorge is about 5 km off the Gibb River Road, along a very rocky 4WD track. The walk is very short and takes you along and across a shady lily pond.  The three walls of this gorge exceed thirty metres in some places.  A small waterfall cascades down over rock benches into a small pool beside what is believed to be an Aboriginal burial ground.  Unfortunately camping is not permitted as it is cattle station land and there are no amenities..

Galvans Gorge

This horseshoe-shaped gorge lies less than 1km off the road and therefore can be quite busy. There is a rope in one of the trees to swing on and jump and the falls are big enough to sit on the rocks underneath and get a back massage. Right next to the main pool is a fine specimen of a Wandjina painting, proving that Galvans Gorge has been a popular place to visit for thousands of years. No camping here either. A fascinating and as yet not understood geological features in Australia, Spider Crater.

Barnett River Gorge

This gorge is located 3 kms from the Gibb River Road, keep to the right, you will pass bays for lunch stops or camping, then a solid rock plateau, turn hard left after the dip to a big Boab tree which marks the beginning of the gorge walk, stone cairns keep you on the track. On the left is the first set of markers which will bring you to a nicer swimming part of the gorge with sandy beaches and clear deep pools.

El Questro Station

50 kilometers off the Gibb River Road, El Questro Station offers something for everyone whether it be camping or high end luxury. Accommodation ranges from the exclusive Homestead with six luxurious suites overlooking the river, to Emma Gorge Resort with superior safari style tented cabins, to the Station with Family Bungalows and opportunities to camp with others, or on a remote stretch of river. It covers an area of 421,000 square kilometres, that’s five times the size of Tasmania, 1.7 times the size of the United Kingdom and 10 times the size of Switzerland. It has some great tours, cruises, hikes and gorges. Check out their website for more information. Website for El Questro Station

Purnululu National Park

Not part of the Gibb River Road but definitely worth mentioning if “Going North”.  The Bungle Bungles remain one of the most amazing places I have visited.  A scenic flight is the best way to gain a perspective of its massive size but a drive in .. is an adventure in itself. The access road is only 55 km long but takes some 3 hours to travel in reasonable conditions.

Purnululu National Park or the Bungle Bungle Ranges was discovered by white men only in the 1980s.  Visible from the air but without tracks or trails, it took the pioneering ingenuity of an East Kimberley family man, a spotter plane that threw sacks of flour to mark the most accessible route and lots of patience and a four wheel drive vehicle to find a reasonable and safe entry into the wonders of the Bungle Bungle Range. This is not to say that the Kija Aboriginal people, who lived in the area for over 20,000 years, didn’t know their way around.

There are 2 camping grounds, Walardi and Kurrajong. Make sure you bring everything you need, even drinking water, as the facilities are pretty basic.  We camped there in July and there was a total fire ban, so as soon as the sun went down, we dove into our tents and sleeping bags as it was absolutely freezing.  Still getting up early and doing the trails is great as it can get pretty hot in the middle of the day.  You don’t have to do it rough any more these days either.  There are many tourist organisations that offer safari style tented camps, hot showers, crisp linen and delicious meals .. for a price!

The best time to visit in my opinion, is not long after the wet has finished, late April or early to mid May, there is still some water left in the gorges and rock pools which can provide a refreshing dip. It doesn’t take long for the pools to dry up and the water becomes stagnant. The vegetation is still green and the acacias and grevilleas are in flower. Mid June to mid August is the peak tourist season as the weather is at its coolest. By the time the wet season comes around again, the only way to see the Bungle Bungle Ranges is with a scenic flight.