Gibb River Road with a caravan

ozjill · Newbie

Gibb River Road with a caravan

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Firstly -

Welcome 02.jpg

Unfortunately, I have yet to do the Gibb River Road. However, it is one of the things I really want to do.

I am certain there others who will come along and give their first hand experiences and advice. In the meantime, perhaps these may assist - if you haven't found them previously ...

http://www.kimberleyaustraliaguide.com/gibb-river-road/towing-a-caravan-in-the-kimberley-and-gibb-river-road/

http://www.gibbriverroad.net/road-conditions.html

https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Documents/Driving%20the%20Gibb%20River%20Road%20and%20Other%20Roads%20in%20the%20Kimberley.RCN-D14%5E23538865.PDF

[edit: I posted a link to this thread in General Forum - it will get better coverage in there than tucked away in here]

Cheers - and I look forward to the information of others too - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 11th of January 2016 07:08:25 PM

elliemike · Guru

ozjill wrote:
Hi everybody, I am a new poster to this forum. We are considering driving the Gibb River Road next June/July and would welcome any advice/tips. Our rig is a Toyota Landcruiser 200 series, with a Sunland Patriot offroad van. This is our first big trip and we are very new to caravanning.
Thanks in advance

I was along the GRR in June/July last year, and also down to Mornington Wildlife Conservation Reserve. Broome to Kununurra and then onto Cairns most of it on the Dirt.

The road GRR was in good nick up to about 180 klm from the end of the dirt. When the Corrugations were Moderate to Severe. Most of the water crossings were bone dry. The Pentecost River was about 400 mm at the deepest.

Lots of traffic as this coincided with School Holidays as well. All sorts of Rigs going across there, at that time. Can't give you any advice on your van, other than I would be trying some shorter Dirt Roads first to shake it down. See how it handles a half day on a dirt road Dust ingression, Loose fittings, Fridge Packing, Microwave, Storage items will break if not stored properly. Think, eggs, oil, soy sauce, jam,beer, wine, all over the floor and fridge. It does happen. Then Dust on everything.

You must be prepared and know your rigs capabilities.

Other than all the Doom and Gloom I thought the GRR was pretty good (at that Time) and enjoyed the trip. Two Flat tyres needed replacing with new. I think the stone/gravel across there tends to be sharp judging by the cuts I got in the tread.

Lower your tyre pressures and drive to the conditions. Have Two spares for each vehicle. Fuel was no problem Never had to use my Spare fuel.

Regards

Mike

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We have driven the GRR and the road to Kalumburu many times.
The best advice is to expect it to be lousy and to drive accordingly, despite convincing yourself that it is not so bad, as you get used to it.
Impatience is the biggest trap. Allow plenty of time. There is lots to see and do. Your rig will be fine if it is all in good condition.
It is the most extraordinary part of Australia, but possibly the hardest to see.

Cheers,
Peter

ozjill · Newbie

Thankyou all for such quick responses.Thanks for the links rockylizard - I had looked at the Kimberley guide but not the others. Ellie mike and Peter n Margaret - thanks for the tips. All good sound advice and hearing from those that have been there, done that gives me more confidence that we can also experience this great adventure, with a little caution. Thanks again - maybe catch you on the road sometime!

Dunmowin · Guru

elliemike wrote:
ozjill wrote:
Hi everybody, I am a new poster to this forum. We are considering driving the Gibb River Road next June/July and would welcome any advice/tips. Our rig is a Toyota Landcruiser 200 series, with a Sunland Patriot offroad van. This is our first big trip and we are very new to caravanning.
Thanks in advance
I was along the GRR in June/July last year, and also down to Mornington Wildlife Conservation Reserve. Broome to Kununurra and then onto Cairns most of it on the Dirt.
The road GRR was in good nick up to about 180 klm from the end of the dirt. When the Corrugations were Moderate to Severe. Most of the water crossings were bone dry. The Pentecost River was about 400 mm at the deepest.
Lots of traffic as this coincided with School Holidays as well. All sorts of Rigs going across there, at that time. Can't give you any advice on your van, other than I would be trying some shorter Dirt Roads first to shake it down. See how it handles a half day on a dirt road Dust ingression, Loose fittings, Fridge Packing, Microwave, Storage items will break if not stored properly. Think, eggs, oil, soy sauce, jam,beer, wine, all over the floor and fridge. It does happen. Then Dust on everything.
You must be prepared and know your rigs capabilities.
Other than all the Doom and Gloom I thought the GRR was pretty good (at that Time) and enjoyed the trip. Two Flat tyres needed replacing with new. I think the stone/gravel across there tends to be sharp judging by the cuts I got in the tread.
Lower your tyre pressures and drive to the conditions. Have Two spares for each vehicle. Fuel was no problem Never had to use my Spare fuel.
Regards
Mike

Hello Ozjill. Welcome to our forum, and the world of caravanning.

I agree with all the posts here, especially Mike. We did the Gibb in May 2013, and literally followed the grader through. Conditions vary from year to year, so I can't comment other than our experience in 2013.

Couple of internal hints.

Put rubber band around toilet roll and paper towel. You will see why if you don't
We place our top drawer (cutlery) under the bed, with a towel or similar over it, the cavity over the next drawer, we place a cushion. This stops utilities bouncing around.
Ensure your fridge is packed so that nothing moves around. I use a 4 ltr wine cask as packing (preferable full, but empty will do the trick) Having said that, in that area, you will not be able to buy 4 ltr casks, so you may have to make do with 2 x 2s. We have two pins that we insert at the front of the fridge/freezer to ensure the door does not come open. It has not happened to us, but we have heard of it happening.
We never have had any issues with eggs, but always keep them in their egg carton. Put a rubber band around for extra security
Like Mike said, CHECK ALL BOTTLES IN FRIDGE AND PANTRY to ensure lids are secure.
If you travel with Long Life milk or similar products, do not allow them to rub against anything hard (wrap them up). They tend to chafe and then leak. Beer cans will also chafe, so keep an eye on them. (cans are better than bottles for storage of rubbish along this road)
Most of these tips are now second nature, after being on the road for 4 1/2 years, if you start from day one, you won't forget

Other:

The Pentecost is tidal. We stayed at Home Valley for a couple of days before we crossed and went down to the crossing to watch what other drivers do. Take note of their route. When we crossed, there was a hole on the eastern end on the left as you drive from the west, but that may have changed. Find out when low tide is and cross at that time. The water only came up to our running boards on our patrol the morning we crossed.
Not sure if Imitiji Roadhouse has re-opened yet. Other wise the only other fuel is at Mt Barnett Roadhouse. Imitji was cheapest, but I believe it closed down last year. Don't be too shocked at the price of fuel.
Your rig should be fine on the Gibb, but your experience probably needs a bit of work. Take the rig off road close to home, or anywhere you can get experience of potholes, corrugations and dust (or all three at the same time) and see how you handle the adventure - and the rig.

All the best with your planning.

ozjill · Newbie

Thanks for your handy tips dunmowin. I will attempt to take all precautions as advised from the start so, as you indicated, it will become second nature.
Your öther" information is well appreciated and although I have some trepidation about the GRR I think with the wealth of information available through this forum I feel at least a little prepared!

Thanks fellow travellers for all your advice and support.

Regards

Jill

Dunmowin · Guru

Dunmowin wrote:
Hello Ozjill. Welcome to our forum, and the world of caravanning.
I agree with all the posts here, especially Mike. We did the Gibb in May 2013, and literally followed the grader through. Conditions vary from year to year, so I can't comment other than our experience in 2013.
Couple of internal hints.
Put rubber band around toilet roll and paper towel. You will see why if you don't

Just wanted to say "Do as I say, not as I do!" Result "no rubber band" on a non corrugated, bitumen road. smile

Ronaldjd · Member

Hi , stay in touch we will be travelling thru their with our van in May this year also Crusier 200 series an large van .

hokianga · Senior Member

Hi, just wondering if the original poster realises there is a Road Conditions section of this forum? May get more views/answers there? Good Luck!

grangesand · Newbie

This will probably stir the possums....but here goes

Gibb River Rd & gorges etc etc. GRR is great at each end, but seriously. a waste of time through the middle. A red gorge is a red gorge, once you've seen 1 or 2 the corrugations just bluuuurrrr your memories..!! It's like visiting tooooo many castles n cathedrals.

Area is very dry, limited rain over past 2-3 yrs has left waterfalls dry to extremely bereft of gravity challenging aqua.

From our experience in July-Aug 2015 you can save yourself a degree of pain by assessing the following options.

Definitely do GRR's eastern end out to El Questro, including EMMA Gorge, (sealed road) make sure you enjoy that area to the max; Emma Grg & surrounds tick all the boxes and represents the Kimberly superbly...very cold & refreshing pool water too. Go out to the Pentecost X-ing, maybe do Home Valley Stn for an excellent 'bush' camping experience. (4.5 star Trip advisor rating too !!!)

Return to Kununurra;
Fly over Bungle Bungles, also do a Timor sea day flight along northern coast, lunch at Kalumburu Mission; You will view King George Sound & Mitchell Falls Gorges, superb geology......if lucky there maybe water falling...alternatively check locally before driving xxx kms on GRR's very rough roads, only to be disappointed with no waterfall.
$1800 for 2 persons in flights is far more economical than replacing say 2 tyres + vehicle & van damage or as we saw twice, failure to proceed - ie. van suspension LOSS; where u can pick a $ number for a flat bed truck to haul yr rig back to Kununurra + the repairs.
Shop at Coles for 4c discount dockets to use later on at Fitzroy X-ing or Halls Ck.

Head south, ON BITUMEN HIGHWAY, to Bungle Bungles; camp at the highway road side camping ground, maybe take bus out to the Bungle Bungles. ( the road out is VERY rough -- only 4x4 access allowed). Make it a day trip unless you swag/tent/camp out there.

Halls Ck, interesting local history & scenery,well stocked supermarket, informative tourist office .

Fitzroy X-ing ; ditto all of the above + Geikie Gorge & a boat trip. Shell servo accepts Coles discount dockets.

Western end; Take formed dirt road to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel creek, walk and enjoy superb scenery; good camping grounds & facilities.

Continue on, finishing at Derby; lots of history & options, worth 2-3 days there. Derby Wharf Cafe is a MUST do - several times.

This itinerary provides ;
** reasonable overall compromise for the "we've been there factor"
** enhanced risk mitigation & rig conservation
** excellent Kimberley scenery, with an opportunity to view the gorges in perspective to the overall Kimberley terrain.
** The Timor Sea is a dazzling aqua blue, contrasting the deep red/brown/orange rock hues....wonderful.

Happy travels whatever you choose