Female and single? Go for it! From Shark Bay to Kununurra and everywhere in between...

by Sandy Bell
(Shark Bay, WA)

Caveman at Tunnel Creek

We (my 8yo son and I) have just arrived home from 6 weeks on the road; starting from Shark Bay (WA) through Karijini NP, up to Kununurra via the Gibb River Rd, back to Broome via the highway, then out to Cape Leveque and back home.

What a WONDERFUL adventure we had!!
Living it up at Bell Gorge

Living it up at Bell Gorge

We travelled in a standard Prado 05 model, no roof racks, no added extras, standard tyres and had NO dramas at all - no shredded tyres, no nothing!!!

Camping at Windjana

Yes, the GRR was shockingly corrugated, and, yes, I honestly visualised the car falling apart panel by panel as we drove along, but it didn't!

Deep River Crossing

We took it easy, travelling at about 50 -60kms most of the way, had the tyres down to about 26 (standard 17" tyres) and just enjoyed the scenery.

At the end off the GRR I nearly cried, I was just so proud of myself - a single female with an 8yo boy had sucessfully driven the GRR and enjoyed every single minute!!! (except maybe the endless corrugations.....)

Galvans Gorge

So to any female who is not sure whether they can do it or not, GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!
Boab at sunset

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Female and single? Go for it! From Shark Bay to Kununurra and everywhere in between...

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You Go Girl :-)
by: Birgit

Congratulations, Sandy. You go girl!
So glad to hear you and your son had such a great adventure.
And thanks so much for coming back here to encourage other women to just do it!

(You wouldn't have a photo from the trip by any chance? Maybe one of you and your son?)

thanks
by: sandy

Thanks Birgit - your website and guide book definitley made things easier!!

Also, the "mateship" along the road is amazing, it's like a special little GGR club as you move from gorge to gorge, where you meet up with the same people, almost everyone looks out for each other and is there to help if needed. We had a flat battery one morning at Home Valley Station, and this gorgeous older couple ofered to charge the battery and watch the car all morning, whilst we were out doing a flight over the Bungle Bungles from there... :-)

We only had 9 days on the GRR, so obviously didn't see even close to everything, because those gorges we did stop at we wanted to really explore and enjoy, rather than rush through just so we could 'see everything'. The other spots will have to wait for the next trip up, and yes, there will definitley be another one.

I will post some photos shortly.
cheers, Sandy

Awesome Effort
by: Geoff

Hi Sandy & Son

Well done, what a great part of the world the Kimberley is

I'm sure your son will remember the trek with you forever

regards

Geoff

Inspiring
by: Anita Marshall

hi there - thanks for sharing your inspring story - i love travelling and I am single too. I have been to Broome many times on holidays on my own and thats fine - easy to meet people there as they are so friendly. I have thought about doing the Kununurra/Gibb River Road but was a bit hesitant in doing that on my own - you have inspired me.xx

Fabulous
by: Ivy

Thanks Sandy, I too am single female travelling. Great to see there are a few of us out there. I have a Toyota HiLux 2005 Adventure Camper (Ex Apollo rental). I went through Marble Bar, Broome and then up to Cape Leveque in April/May and would love to do the Gibb River Road but am not sure if the back on my vehicle would fall apart. Will have to do a bit of research. Glad to hear you had a fabulous time and that being single didn't stop you.

CONGRATULATIONS
by: Marie

You have given me the courage I need to do the same as I have also many fears about travelling alone. I am practising by flying with the cheap fares and staying at backpackers in many places in Oz and agree we women can do it as I have met many of them.
I agree with Geoff that your son will always treasure these times of adventure with you as probably the highlights of his childhood'
I believe "Face your fears and they will melt away"
good on you, Sandy

female and single -responses
by: sandy

Thanks everyone for the comments......

to geoff - yes you are right, my son will always remember this trip (and many others). He is still talking about so many things we saw on the way and now wants to head back up in the wet season to check out the different landscape etc.

to anita - dont be hesitant about travelling alone, there are so many people along the road (in peak season), that you will always have other people around....

to ivy - if your hilux made the cape leveque rd, it will probably be fine on the GRR. We travelled the cape leveque rd just after the july school holidays and some sections of corrugations were heaps worse than the GRR!

To maria - just go for it - you will love it!

happy travels everyone!

travels
by: Jane

HI Sandy, thats a great adventure Congratultions. I hve done ALOT of driving (and flying)around Australia often by myself. But now I have a 7 year old boy (only one) and a partner. So if you are travelling up this way (We are from Darwin these days but currently live in Broomeand would like to catch up or need some where to stay please contact me on my email, even now if you would like to. jakara@wildmail.com

I have never done the entire Gibb river due to having a dog. She is now 15.

Happy explorations and I too remember vividly at the age of 11 driving with my prents from Sydney via Vic SA and up the middle and train to Darwin in 1969. All was different then. No 4 wd and no big bridges over road. We returned via cental Qld and hd to stop at puddle to get water due broken radiatior till the next port of call ie Mt Isa.
I would love to hear more of your travels. I have done Kg via useless loop to darwin alone in an old station wagon. These types of trips are invaluable. Cheers jane

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Female and single? Go for it! From Shark Bay to Kununurra and everywhere in between...

Comments for Female and single? Go for it! From Shark Bay to Kununurra and everywhere in between...

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Female and single? Go for it! From Shark Bay to Kununurra and everywhere in between...