The Gibb River Road, Western Australia
Route Description From Kununurra To Derby
The Gibb River Road in Western Australia is supposed to be more scenic if you drive it from east to west.
This page outlines that trip from Kununurra/Wyndham in the East Kimberley to Derby on the west coast.
You can look up the distances between the different attractions, campgrounds, Gibb River Road accommodation, fuel supply points etc.
Does the direction make a big difference?
I don't think it really matters. The attraction of the Gibb River Road is not the drive itself. People go up there to go camping and hiking and swimming at all the wonderful gorges along the way.
I wouldn't worry about the direction. Do whatever fits in best with your other Kimberley travel plans.
The route overview for the other direction is here: Gibb River Road, WA, from west to east.
NEW: if you want a comprehensive and detailed guide to the Gibb River Road (and northern Western Australia/the Kimberley) that answers ALL your questions, check out the printable Kimberley Travel Guide.
Drive From Kununurra/Wyndham To Derby
Along The Gibb River Road, Western Australia
| km |
Comments (D: diesel available, U: unleaded) |
| 0 | The turn-off for the Gibb River Road is 48 km from Wyndham (north of the intersection) or 53 km from Kununurra (south). We start counting from the turn-off. |
| 23 | Emma Gorge turn-off. Belongs to El Questro which is a huge tourism operation (more below). Accommodation, no camping. Entry fee applies. |
| 33 D U |
El Questro Station turn-off. The main township is located 16 km from the turn-off. Aimed at the high end market but offers facilites for all budgets and has some great tours, cruises, hikes and gorges. General store, diesel, unleaded, accommodation, steakhouse, bar, camping. |
| 57 | Pentecost River Crossing. Very scenic location. This is one of the rivers that can be rather exciting to cross early in the season or stop you from going further. Beware, this is serious crocodile country. |
| 66 | Home Valley Station. Accommodation, camping and tours. Very recent largish tourism development, beautiful location, excellent chef. |
| 125 | (Jack's Waterhole. Now closed. Access through Home Valley Station.) |
| 153 | Durack River crossing. This one can also be exciting at the beginning of the season. |
| 174 | Ellenbrae Station turn-off. A working cattle station that welcomes visitors, offering camping and basic bungalows. |
| 244 | Kalumburu Road turn-off. Turn here to get to Kalumburu or to the Mitchell Plateau. (Drysdale River Station is 60 km from the turn-off and is the next place to get diesel or unleaded.) |
| 315 | Mt Elizabeth Station turn-off. Located 30 km from the main road. Working cattle station offering accommodation, camping and meals. Dogs welcome. |
| 325 | Barnett River Gorges turn-off. This was one of the precious few places along the Gibb River Rd. where free bush camping was available. Alas, no more... No camping. Dogs allowed. |
| 354 D U |
Mt. Barnett Roadhouse. One of the two main roadhouses on the Gibb. Fuel (unleaded and diesel), drinking water, ice, toilets, showers, laundry, small store and take-aways. |
| 354 | Manning Gorge and campground turn-off. Manning Gorge is owned by Mt. Barnett Station. The 7 km access track starts at roadhouse. A fee is charged for entry and includes the use of the camping facilities. Dogs ok. |
| 368 | Galvans Gorge. No camping. Dogs allowed. |
| 387 | Adcock Gorge turn-off. No camping. Dogs allowed. |
| 403 | Charnley River Station turn-off. Located 42 km off the main road. Working cattle station offering acommodation, camping, meals. Dogs welcome. |
| 407 | Mornington Wilderness Camp turn-off. Accommodation, camping, restaurant, bar and access to several gorges. The camp is 90 km from the turn-off. |
| 432 D |
Imintji Store. This is the second main roadhouse on the Gibb. Diesel fuel only, general goods, gas bottle refills and ice. You can get hot food or an ice-cream, and the mechanic can patch your tyre and do repairs on your vehicle. |
| 440 | Bell Gorge and Silent Grove turn-off. Bell Gorge in the King Leopold Range Conservation Park is probably the best known attraction along the Gibb River Road. CALM operates two campgrounds here. One is for bush campers, the other one has the usual facilities. Gets very busy during peak season. |
| 463 | Lennard Gorge turn-off. No camping. Part of the King Leopold Range Conservation Park. |
| 470 | Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge turn-off. Located 50 km off the main road inside King Leopold Range Conservation Park. Accommodation with full board. Since 2008 also camping. |
| 535 | Lennard River Bridge and Lennard River Bridge Snack Stop. Nice veranda overlooking the Lennard River and Bridge, good wildlife viewing. |
| 535 | Tunnel Creek Road turn-off. Turn left here to visit Windjana Gorge National Park (20 km from junction) and Tunnel Creek National Park (55 km from junction). |
| 580 | The last part of the Gibb River Road is sealed. The bitumen starts here. |
| 643 | Birdwood Downs Station. Working cattle station offering camping, accommodation, tours and trail rides. |
| 654 | Once you reach the Northern Highway you are only five kilometres outside Derby (659 km). Turn right and you are back in civilization as you know it. |
Gibb River Road, Western Australia, main page
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