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

Comments for
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

At least you are out there
by: Mike

I have enjoyed traveling the outback and showing the country to my son (now 30) but unfortunately his partner, job and new house now restrict his time. My own wife hates camping so now I sit and read the fabulous trips that other people do and regret every minute that I am not spending in the great outdoors. I think you are lucky that you are single and can do as you please, travel wherever you like and please yourself what you do. Good on you for having a go!

Can I do it on my own
by: Jayne

Great for you girl.

Just a question, I am 70 yrs of age and have a little year 2000 Hyundai.
Travelling on my own, do you think I would be safe to travel from W.A to Darwin going up to Broome first, then onto Queensland & back to N.S.W. where I am living at the moment.

Reply to Jayne
by: sandy

Hi Jayne

I'm sure you will be fine... there are so many people travelling solo these days!
Just use common sense, be alert, let someone know where you plan to be every few days and make sure your car is safe and roadworthy. I also had a CB radio and PLB in the car.
I'm not sure about your little vehicle, but I'm guessing you will be sticking to main roads... Also, you mention you are 70 years "young" - be mindful that medical centres can be far and few between if needed.
There is just so much to see and do around Oz, i'm sure you will have a wonderful time.
Good luck,
Sandy

Well done you!
by: Sarah

Hey, what an inspiring lady you are - well done! Too many of us are afraid to just go for it. I wish you many more adventures!

Good on you Sandy
by: Kathy

CONGRATULATIONS Sandy well done I am a single mother with three children and I started taking them on driving holidays two years ago not as far as you have gone but we do get around SA where we live and my childern think Im wonder woman at first I felt like a fish out of water but the more we take off the better it gets.

Girls on the GRR
by: Anonymous

I did the Gibb over 10 days with a girlfriend in 2009 and there was only one other car we saw of only women. everyone should just go and get into it, its not as hard as people would have you think and an absolutely fantastic experience. Of course you need to know a bit about 4WD but thats all. Let down your tyres and let down your hair for a good time!

Great stuff Sandy!
by: Rachael

Sandy, I'm so thrilled to hear what a great time you and your son had traveling the GRR. It does leave a whole lot of memories traveling along there and doing/experiencing so many things along the way. I traveled along there with 3 friends in 1999 and it was life-changing. Before I knew it I had left Sydney and was working in Darwin. These days I'm back down south (Melb.).

It's really fantastic I've found your story tonight 'cos I'm thinking about traveling another part of country up there: Broome to Cape Leveque and back and wondering whether I could handle doing it on my own. I've read a couple of references to that road in this blog and it seems the road might be a little worse. You've put my mind at rest about what vehicle I could take.

I'd be hiring from Darwin. Does anyone have any comments about a motor home versus a 4WD type vehicle? Great to hear the camaraderie is well and truly alive still up there.

It was wonderful to read your experience traveling on the GRR.

Motor Home Vs 4x4
by: Tomo of Derby

Hi Rachael

My choice is 4x4 UTE, you can carry plenty of supplies and camping gear( water and food is expensive out there). Set up a base camp and still have the use of vehicle during the day saves time breaking camp every day and you will have more time to do the culture vulture bit.

You will love it.Have fun!
Rachael

Never too old
by: Tanya

Dear Sandy and Jayne,

Your son will grow up with a wealth of wonderful memories and experiences to rely on. And so will you.

At the young age of 60 (in 2002) my mother purchased a Toyota 4 runner, and headed north to Cape York. In her mid 60?s she headed south to Moonta, up the middle over to Broome and back to QLD via the GRR and Lawn Hill. She did this on her own. Like Birgit she had a lot of support, ?Your too old. What if something goes wrong??

I thought it was great. My only concerns was she knew nothing about 4wdriving or cars. But like you, Sandy, when a problem occurred an angel in a dirty vehicle would appear and help out. I think she was in Kununurra for longer than expected due to a broken steering arm, courtesy of the GRR.

My Mum passed away at the young age of 68, cancer. She was proud of herself for her accomplishment, especially as so many doubted her. Until the end she had her pictures of her trips floating across her computer screen. So many of the people she met traveling emailed condolences, she had obviously meet some wonderful adventures like herself. It is a pity she never wrote it down.

So Jayne go for it. You will amaze yourself, have a great adventure and meet some wonderful people.

Good Luck to all intrepid adventurers!

To Tanya and Rachael - re single and female
by: sandy

Tanya, what a wonderful story of your mum and her accomplishments! Its so true that memories of such trips remain so very special and I hope my son will grow up with great memories of tripping around our great country! Tanya, your mum's trip obviously held a special place in her heart - how lucky that she didn't take on any of the negative comments such as you're too old!

Rachael, traveling from Brrome to Cape Leveque is an awesome trip especially if you check out some of the smaller communities along the way. I traveled that road not long after the July school holidays and admittedly it was a pretty average road at that time, but still really manageable! If you are hiring a vehicle, I would definitely go for a 4wd and tent so that you can set up a base and do day trips. Have a fantastic time - I'm jealous :-)

Fifty and Fabulous NEW
by: Catherine

I'm turning 50 this year and I'm planning to fly to Kununurra, hire a vehicle and drive to Broome on the GRR...sometime late winter. I have 2 kids- 11 and 14 years- and I have just spent the last 8 months having treatment for breast cancer...need to get going on the planning...
If amyone can recommend car hire companies who do a good price I would appreciate that.
Cheers...

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