Essentials list for Kimberley trek

by Peter
(Perth, WA)

Giday Birgit. Thanks for your website and book "Destination Kimberley". I've been using them as well as other resources for a couple of years now to get ready for my long service leave trip to the Kimberley. My wife and I hope to take our two youngest girls 13 and 16 this June.

We own a Diesel Prado 202 and we've purchased an off road camper (Cub Escape) and hope to tour through Karijini and Purnululu on our way to explore the Gibb River Road and the Mitchell Plateau. The following list offers suggestions as to what I propose may be "Essentials" and "Non essential but helpful" items to take.

I would appreciate your thoughts on whether there is anything on this list of "essentials" that is over the top or that you think is missing.

Regards Peter Smit

Essentials list for a Kimberley trek
(Visiting Purnululu, Gibb River Road and Mitchell Plateau)

1. Essential 4x4 recovery gear:

Snatch strap and recovery points on vehicle.
D shackles to attach snatch strap.
Shovel.
Tow rope.
Tubeless tyre repair kit.
12 volt compressor or tyre pump.
Leather gloves.

2. Other Essentials:

Adequate water and food supply.
UHF Radio.
Roof rack.
2 Spare wheels and good quality tyres.
Fire Extinguisher.
Flat wooden plank or similar for jacking.
Tool Kit spanner and socket set to suit the vehicle.
Electrical (zip) ties.
Gaffer tape.
Insulation tape.
Tie wire.
First Aid kit.

2a) Spare items for vehicle:

6 spare wheel nuts.
Spare Oil.
Spare fuses.
Spare engine hoses.

3. Non essential but helpful items:

12 volt fridge/ freezer.
12-240v inverter to charge batteries for electronic devices.
Maxtrax � self recovery tracks (for beach driving or bull dusk bogs).
Roof rack dust proof bag.
Compass or GPS.

4. Unnecessary items. (Assuming we're travelling June and July)

Snorkel.
Satphone.
Hand Winch.

Comments for
Essentials list for Kimberley trek

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Kimberley trip essentials
by: Birgit

Hi Peter, that looks very good!
You are certainly better equipped than I am. (But my carelessness will bite me on the... you know, one day.)

I don't consider a UHF radio essential but many of my readers do. I know everybody who has one thinks everyone should get one. It does make roads more secure when you can tell someone that you are about to overtake them etc., but I wouldn't call it essential. I never had one and don't intend to get one.

Ooops, I never carry any of your essential vehicle spares. Shocking, ey? All good to have for sure and don't take up much room or weigh much, so definitely good to take.

I agree the fridge is a nice to have, not essential. That's what dry and canned food is there for. But again I know many of my readers disagree and consider it essential.

Same for the roof rack. That varies, depending on travel style, passenger number, car size.

The maxtrax seem overkill to me, but then again I don't know what exactly you're up to south of Broome, or how far off the track you'll go on the Dampier Peninsula. Or elsewhere. I find just dropping the tyres right down is good enough for any sand I've encountered.
I guess that makes them helpful but not needed, just as you say.

One thing I would not want to be without is a snorkel. See what the weather does. If the wet finishes late you may well need one in some crossings in early June. (Though come to think of it, the crossings that I am thinking of are all over east in the NT.)
I also really like the snorkel for all the dust on the Gibb.
It's not essential, especially if things dry up early, but I'd upgrade it to "non essential but helpful".

Otherwise, I can't think of anything that's missing. With your camping gear you'll have a torch to shine under the car or bonnet if needed, that leaves only tooth brush, dunny paper, can opener and cork screw :-).

Thanks for sharing! It's an excellent list.

Thanks
by: Peter

Thanks Birgit,
Your local knowledge is great to learn from. Thanks also for the tip about the snorkel.
Peter.

Other items to consider for your kit
by: Melinda

Dont forget torches and batteries! We also carry replacement fluids - coolant concentrate and oils. We do have spare belts and selected hoses too, but thus far have not needed those!

Also, the UHF is very handy for travellers/ tourists since they arent as knowledgeable of the environment Birgit, so if they get in strife there is an effective way to contact someone. I wouldnt ever suggest travelling in the outback without one.

An alternative to Maxtrax is to cut the walls off a bread crate.....

We are tackling the Gibb and Kalumburu Roads in July so we may meet you along the way.

Essentials
by: Birgit

Thanks, Melinda.
I knew every UHF user would disagree about the UHF :-).
I actually do agree with your comment. UHF is very handy, as you say.
Just in my opinion not essential for this particular trip. The Gibb River Road is not exactly a deserted area any more, not in June. It's also not exactly flat, so your reach will often be limited.
But then again, if I owned one I might also agree that it is essential. I am sure my opinion is coloured by my own (lack of) experience.

UHF
by: John

To buck the trend, I have a UHF but don't put it in the essential category.

Why? It depends on what you're doing. If travelling with friends, I wouldn't be without it. You can chat down the road, relocate each other as you separate in towns, arrange the next comfort stop, etc. Apart from the fixed one in the truck I also carry a couple of hand helds. These are handy if you go for a walk. Like my wife will often go for an early morning walk solo and grabs a hand held as a security blanket. Then she wakes me up extolling the beauty of the sunrise over the beach at Cape Leveque! I've also had fascinating chats with local residents who have broken in as I've been chatting to travel companions on the highway.

As for emergency communications, UHF really doesn't cut it. As Birgit said, range is too limited. I've had 20km plus on the Gib when trying to locate a friend who'd travelled ahead to an indeterminite campsite. But if you're much more than that off the main track, making contact with anyone will be unlikely.

If you expect to be in such situations, HF and satellite phones are your friends. Each has pros and conns. Briefly, HF gives access to a long range network and the likelihood of contacting help within the region. Satellite phones cost more in calls but that's a non-issue in an emergency. Unfortunately, they cannot broadcast for local help so you end up calling someone in a big city - like the RAC or the emergency services. You can call home though. Both HF and sat-phone have somewhat comparable hardware costs.

For the record, I carry a sat-phone. I chose that for its portability as my business can take me to the back blocks of Asia and Pacific islands. The phone is easy to stick in hand luggage.

Hope that helps put a perspective on things for people.

John

UHF essential or not
by: Birgit

Thanks a bunch for your input, John! Appreciate the voice of experience, and also the detail. Your comments will be very helpful for anyone trying to decide whether they should get one or not.

epirb
by: nellie

Hi All
I'm travelling alone to the Kimberley starting in April. Have travelled much of Australia on my own.
I just carry a epirb on me at all the times, just in case of emergencies.
Family know I will call them only in towns a few days between, just to let them know I'm safe.
A radio or sat etc is not very helpful if you fall somewhere and break a leg :)
Makes hubby feel a lot better knowing I have this on me also.
Many people take farrrrr to much stuff they never use.
Just take the essentials, much better.
See you along the way
Cheers, Nellie

Which kind of satphone?
by: Ulli-M

Dear Kimberley Fans,

What kind of satphone is recommended in the north western part of Australia - the perfect Iridium or the less expensive Thuraya?

Is Thuraya working in this area?

Greetings from Germany - and from the Kimberleys in June 2011!
Ulli

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