2009 wet season in the Kimberley?

by Marc Baudet
(Bruz , FRANCE)

(Edit: Please also see the comments below for a 2010 update.)

A Broome based tour operator let me know that the Kimberley wet season could last longer this year and recommends to travel as late as possible in May. I already read your pocket guide and am absolutely amazed by the amount of information and links it offers!

I intend to download tomorrow (it is a bit too late in France by now to read it...) the complete Kimberley guide, but I have already a question: as my flight back to France from Perth is on 29 May, I intended to arrive in Broome on 8 May and travel with a rented 4WD campervan from 13/5 to 23/5 :

- Great Northern Highway first to Kununurra, in about 7 days
- Gibb River Road back to Broome, in 6 days

Sure, I know that the weather conditions are very unpredictable so long time before: but what is your feeling about that planning? The Great Northern Highway must remain opened even in case the Gibb is closed?

And what about beginning by Kununurra (direct from Perth), as you seem to suggest it is a quieter place than the too busy Broome?
I should be glad to have your opinion
Danke
Marc Baudet (France)

Comments for
2009 wet season in the Kimberley?

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Jan 05, 2009

Any wet season can last longer...
by: Birgit

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the kind words. Glad you find the free guide so useful. And good to see you understand that weather can't be predicted. It's amazing how few people do understand that!

Well, the Broome operator is right. The wet season could last longer. That's as true this year as it is every year :-). It could always last longer...

The weather bureau has indeed forecast a wetter than normal season. (You can predict that kind of thing from the ocean temperatures). But that still doesn't tell us when and where exactly the rain will fall, which path exactly the cyclones or monsoonal troughs will take, when the last one will move through... A couple of late cyclones on the west coast could even suck cloud and moisture away from the east Kimberley...

Bottom line, the road opening dates are as unpredictable as ever.

Yes, the highway will be open in May. It really only gets cut off during major rainy periods and cyclones.

Starting in Kununurra is not an option as you can't hire a 4WD campervan from here, only a standard 4WD. Broome is not too bad in early May, but do book all your accommodation in Broome ahead.

I think your schedule is good. You start on the highway and leave the Gibb River Road till last, that gives you the best chance to get across it. The Bungles track is the first to open, the Gibb next and the Kalumburu Road and the track up on the Mitchell Plateau last (can well be June).

If you arrive in Broome and it is obvious that the Durack or Pentecost River will not drop low enough to do the whole length of the Gibb River Road, you will still be able to see the western half of it and El Questro on the eastern side.

Whatever happens, it should be a great trip!

Jun 01, 2010

2010 Update
by: Birgit

I thought I'd update this thread with some observations.

The 2009 wet season did NOT last long at all. It was a good wet season with lots of rain, but it started very early (with the first cyclone hitting us early December) and it finished early (no substantial rains after February).

On the other hand the 2010 wet season was a rather dry one. It seemed to end very early again. And then, at a time when nobody expected it, after all the roads had opened already, it returned! During the second half of May it rained on and off, with same very heavy downpours, for a full two weeks.

The Gibb River Road remained open for the whole time for vehicles under 3T. The highway of course also stayed open as I indicated it would in my original answer. But all the national parks were closed.

So there you go... When it comes to our wet seasons, the only thing we can predict for sure is that they will again be unpredictable.

Apr 04, 2011

Road Conditions 2011 - Wet Season
by: robin

My partner and I will be traveling through your beautiful part of the country during the peak of July, August 2011 and we have heard the roads have been badly damaged by the continuing wet weather (as of April 4th).

Are road reports posted on your very valuable and informative website? Or what is the best way to find out while we are on the move?

Apr 07, 2011

Kimberley road conditions
by: Birgit

Hi Robin,

Please see this page. For most roads and tracks, wet season damage does not have much to do with road conditions in July/August. (This year may be different for some remote and low lying tracks in July.)

Roads get damaged every wet season (though not usually as bad as this year). And then, once they are dry enough, they get fixed.
The page also has a couple of links to road reports online. (Scroll down to the section about the start of the season.)

The best way to get accurate, current road reports is to make use of the comprehensive list of contacts and resources in the Appendix of Destination Kimberley and contact the people who are right there or who look after any roads or tracks (stations, national park rangers etc.), and to talk to other travelers on the road.

Aug 04, 2011

Kimberley/Gibb River road visit
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I am a female wanting to travel from U.K. in 2012 to Kimberley area and def want to include the iconic Gibb River Road.

Need to make a decision fairly soon as to what month in 2012 would be most likely to avoid significant rainfall - realize not "guarantees". Ideally would have liked to travel during our UK winter but realize that not possible access-wise for GRR.

Am I likely to be reasonably safe for mid-May or is it too early to tell for 2012. Any comments(sensible and polite please!) are welcomed.

Aug 16, 2011

Gibb River Road
by: Robin

My partner and myself traveled the Gibb Road about the end of May 2011. Great, fabulous trip. Because we have a 2 wheel drive Ford Hirise and towing a Jayco outback campervan, we observed all the dos and don'ts and never had a problem.

The road was being repaired in places on the west side of Mr Barnett Roadhouse and the workers were more than happy for us to follow their earth moving equipment through the worst sections.

I think the view from the hill just prior to crossing the Pentacost River (east side) looking east and west is one of the most memorable views we have ever seen. I highly recommend the trip even though we missed seeing a few highlights because of road and gorge closures.

There is always next time.

Aug 16, 2011

Gibb River Road, Thanks Robin
by: Anonymous

Thanks Robin for your info regarding your travels on GRR late May. I am beginning to wonder if my plans for early May 2012 are a bit premature and I should reschedule for late May.

Understand though that come mid June onwards Broome etc can get pretty crowded with Aussies coming from colder parts of their country for some warmth.

Again, it's down to what that weather is going to do and how long the next wet season will last ... all very unpredictable.

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