Gibb River Road in Subaru Forester

by Ali
(Brisbane)

Subaru Forester

TNT magazine just had an article about a couple of backpackers who did the Gibb River Road in a VW Combi. I'm planning to do it this July (I'll have 3 weeks), and my car is a Subaru Forester. Do I really need to trade it in for a "real" 4wd?
ali
PS You're site and e-book is fantastic!

Photo by Nadia308

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Gibb River Road in Subaru Forester

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by: Birgit

Hi Ali,
Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated :-).

Well, it depends what you want to see.

The Gibb River Road itself will not be a problem at all in July. July is certainly your best bet if you want to go in a car like your Subaru.

The very best places, like Mornington Sanctuary or the Mitchell Plateau, may be out of your reach. Not sure.

Where exactly the limit is can never be predicted exactly. The creek crossings look different every year. It is not the 4WD you need (unless it is very sandy). It is usually enough space underneath your car!

When you get here, just get in touch with people at the places you want to see (rangers, the nearest roadhouse etc.) and ask them about the current conditions. They'll be able to tell you.

It also always depends on the driver. The recommendations I give in the book will see even totally inexperienced overseas visitors through. But anybody who for example has grown up in Oz and driven old paddock bombs through the bush all their life, can go nearly anywhere in a 2WD.

The Subaru wouldn't be my vehicle of choice in this area, because sooner or later I would come up against a situation where I'd have to say, nope, I'd rather not risk it in this car. And I hate that.

But if that's the car I had, I'd just give it a go and see how far I get. You should be able to see most things.

Good luck,
B.

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Submitted by: Birgit

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Hi Ali, Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated :-). Well, it depends what you want to see. The Gibb River Road itself will not be a problem at all in July. July is certainly your best bet if you want to go in a car like your Subaru. The very best places, like Mornington Sanctuary or the Mitchell Plateau, may be out of your reach. Not sure. Where exactly the limit is can never be predicted exactly. The creek crossings look different every year. It is not the 4WD you need (unless it is very sandy). It is usually enough space underneath your car! When you get here, just get in touch with people at the places you want to see (rangers, the nearest roadhouse etc.) and ask them about the current conditions. They'll be able to tell you. It also always depends on the driver. The recommendations I give in the book will see even totally inexperienced overseas visitors through. But anybody who for example has grown up in Oz and driven old paddock bombs through the bush all their life, can go nearly anywhere in a 2WD. The Subaru wouldn't be my vehicle of choice in this area, because sooner or later I would come up against a situation where I'd have to say, nope, I'd rather not risk it in this car. And I hate that. But if that's the car I had, I'd just give it a go and see how far I get. You should be able to see most things. Good luck, B.

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Subaru and trailer-van
by: Mike

Very interesting conversation, as I had a similar question about a Subaru Outback - I presume the same answers apply. A further question is about a
trailer-van. We are thinking of using the Subaru to tow a light trailer-van, within the Subaru towing capacity. Is the Gibb River Rd, and similar roads in the Top End, do-able with this rig? Would you recommend a heavy-duty trailer?

We also thought about taking a tent as well, maybe leaving the van somewhere at times in order to explore rougher roads with Subaru and tent.

We're relatively new to this caper, though we have used the Subaru and tent to access quiet fishing spots in Victoria. With rapidly rising fuel prices and emissions considerations, the lighter Subaru seems a good option. But I guess this restricts you in terms on where you can go. How much are you restricted?

The more we hear about that country up there, the more we're itching to get at it!

by: Birgit

What exactly is a trailer-van?

I wouldn't recommend to take a light van on the Gibb River Road. It'll just fall apart on you. Even dedicated off-road vans, even the camper trailers can have trouble with our roads. The suspension is a weak point on many of them, but there are lots of other things that just rattle apart as well, depending on the workmanship. You need something that can take a beating.

Oh, and no vans are allowed on the road into the Bungles!

Without the van I don't think you would be all that restricted. But it always depends on the time of the year, on what you want to do and on the driver.

I just returned from a couple of weeks in the NT, and also called into Kakadu while there. The track to Jim Jim Falls for example is borderline, and the manager of the campground told me that people get stuck there 3 or 4 times a week in their little X-Trails and Rav4s and similar vehicles (sandy stretches with deep ruts). And that's only the ones he hears about, the tip of the iceberg :-). Most of them would just get pulled out by the next car. But many also get through just fine.

On the other hand I saw an X-Trail go through a 700mm deep crossing in Litchfield on the southern access track. Madness without a snorkle... Drank a lot of water but they made it.

Anyway, if you have that choice, an offroad camper trailer is less limiting than any kind of van.

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Submitted by: Birgit

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What exactly is a trailer-van? I wouldn't recommend to take a light van on the Gibb River Road. It'll just fall apart on you. Even dedicated off-road vans, even the camper trailers can have trouble with our roads. The suspension is a weak point on many of them, but there are lots of other things that just rattle apart as well, depending on the workmanship. You need something that can take a beating. Oh, and no vans are allowed on the road into the Bungles! Without the van I don't think you would be all that restricted. But it always depends on the time of the year, on what you want to do and on the driver. I just returned from a couple of weeks in the NT, and also called into Kakadu while there. The track to Jim Jim Falls for example is borderline, and the manager of the campground told me that people get stuck there 3 or 4 times a week in their little X-Trails and Rav4s and similar vehicles (sandy stretches with deep ruts). And that's only the ones he hears about, the tip of the iceberg :-). Most of them would just get pulled out by the next car. But many also get through just fine. On the other hand I saw an X-Trail go through a 700mm deep crossing in Litchfield on the southern access track. Madness without a snorkle... Drank a lot of water but they made it. Anyway, if you have that choice, an offroad camper trailer is less limiting than any kind of van.

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go with the subaru
by: paul

we took our forester to the centre last june/july with no problems. we visited a lot of places including chambers pillar and palm valley, via the oodnadatta track and the mereenie loop. i fitted a few plates to the vulnerable areas under the car, such as the leading edge of the fuel tank etc before we left. i also agree that towing anything on roads such as these can leave yourself open to problems. we have heard of many breakdowns with camper trailers being taken on roads such as these.

Forester protection
by: Dave

Hi Paul via Birgit,
You said you had fitted plates under the Forester and I think it is vital since the flimsy plastic sump guard !!! is a no-no. I researched a company SubaruXtreme who do accessories for the Subaru range but their sump guard is cast aluminium and expensive. Do you have any details on your mods please particularly for the tank protection, something I overlooked. Hope to do the GRR next year early, perhaps may have to wait in Broome until it opens. Thanks to Birgit for putting this all together, what a great public service.
Cheers, Dave
PS Can provide contact details if you wish.

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Gibb River Road in Subaru Forester

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Gibb River Road in Subaru Forester