Towing a caravan on the Gibb River Road

by Steve
(Perth)

We are planning a trip from Darwin to Perth in July 2009 and have been told we could tow our 20ft full van with our Prado on the Gibb River Road. We would love some feedback from people to let us know if it is possible or just stay clear. We don't have the option of leaving the van somewhere either.

--
Related Reader Pages:
Off-Road Caravans on the Gibb River Road
Standard caravans on the Gibb River Road
Caravans On The Gibb River Road (Storage)
Our trip with a caravan down the Gibb (trip report)

Comments for Towing a caravan on the Gibb River Road

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 10, 2008
 Nothing is impossible, but...
by: Birgit

Hi Steve,

I don't know of any first hand experiences that I could share. Maybe others will chime in.

The general recommendation for the Gibb River Road is clear: no caravans.

I personally would also stay clear. (But then again, I wouldn't want to drag one of them around anywhere...)

Reponsible drivers do get tough off-road vans across without problems. Tough as in real, dedicated off-roaders. (Not every van called "off-road" is really meant for that sort of terrain.)

You don't say how sturdy your van is, if it is a dedicated off-road van or not (if it isn't don't take it), and you don't say where you want to go, so it's hard to say just how big the risk is. Is it possible? My motto in life is that nothing is impossible, but...

Do you like your caravan? Can it handle being knocked about? Does it matter to you if the fridge in it works or not? How good is the suspension? The overall workmanship? Your bush mechanic skills?

Your caravan may make it to the other end if the road has just been graded, but it may just as well fall apart on you. Depends on the van, the state of the road at the time (can't be predicted), and more than anything else on the speed. The bone jarring corrugations present the biggest challenge for most trailers and vans.

Keep in mind that "the Gibb River Road" is not the whole story. Most people talking about the Gibb River Road actually mean a trip to all the attractions along the Gibb River Road, and that includes hundreds of kilometres on narrow side tracks... Some of those will be more risky for a van than others (dips or creek crossings), and again the actual state at the time can't be predicted.

Also be wary of people telling you they've "done" the Gibb River Road and it would not be a problem for a van. The road may have been fine at the time. That is no guarantee that it will be fine when you get there.

Rather than asking if it is possible you need to assess what exactly your particular van and set up can handle, how well you could deal with things going wrong and if the resulting risk and hassle is worth it.

If you do take the van, drop your tyres and take it easy!
Aug 30, 2008
 Dont do it
by: Anonymous

Hi, just back from the Gibb. It was destroying 4x4s (incl Prados) suspension in particular. Towing anything on it is difficult, esp for the thing being towed, agree with the moderators comments, how much do you value your van? I can guarantee it won't be the same after the Gibb and will at least be up for a heap of repairs. I met people who left vans at Fitzroy Crossing or Kununurra and tented the Gibb, that's a better option than destroying your mobile home. I did see one van/road trailer that was being rattled to death, doors flapping about, not a pretty thing.
Nov 26, 2008
 Drive slower enjoy
by: chris

Been there, done that. My van is a Kimberley Karavan took 5 weeks. Really had fun. Did it SLOW, had no damage to car, van or wheels. Did not do any shockys. It's speed over rough road that kills shockys. People, drive slow, take your time. If you're a do it in 20 days man then take spare shockys for your car and don't take a trailer or van. The faster you drive, the more you shake. The shakes are faster and tend to do MORE DAMAGE. Drive slower, shake slower, and stop to let shockys cool down.

AND HAVE FUN!
Nov 26, 2008
 Campertrailer & Gibb River Road
by: Bob & Bub

Fully agree with going slow (60 km/hr average, 80 km/hr absolute maximum on the good sections). Tyre pressures 26 psi front, 28 psi rear on the Prado (Yokohama Geolanders) with 26 psi in the campertrailer (Bridgestone Dueller H/Ts) gave us a most enjoyable 9 nights on the Gibb River Road.

I still think there is an element of "luck" involved though. We had Iron Man shockys, an airbag under the back and carried 2x spare wheels. Have a look at Nev's pile of shredded tyres in his yard behind the Imintji store.

We had 9 weeks on the road ex Brisbane and certainly will be heading back to the Kimberly to spend a longer period next time. After the Australia movie is seen I am sure many others will do the same. Especially as a $ is worth a $ out there.
Nov 30, 2008
 Caravans on Gibb River Road
by: Ros & Darryl

My husband is a retired caravan builder & repairer & has been reading of people going on the Gibb River Road towing vans.

Aluminum framed & sheeted caravans are pop riveted together & even though the van LOOKS like it travels fine on the corrugated roads, pop rivets will shear off & allow the frame & sheeting to be separated - this won't show up until later in the vans life.
Jan 14, 2009
 Travelling the Gibb River Road
by: Chris

Hubby and I are planning to see Kimberleys and WA from July to September Leaving Brisbane and heading to Kimberleys first.
1. Are there places to leave caravan at Kununurra for week or so 2. What accommodation on Gibb River Road? Thinking of sleeping in back of Pathfinder and eating at Stations is this OK?
3. How much extras do we carry diesel, tyres etc
4. cash or credit cards 5. mossies and bug repellent
6. clothes? 7. is CB recommend or next G phone 8. will the pathfinder 2008 TI 4x4 be suitable

Jan 14, 2009
 Please stick to questions about caravans on the Gibb
by: Birgit

Hi Chris,
Your barrage of questions is mostly off topic, the conversation here is about towing caravans on the Gibb. Sorry, I'm not usually that short in my answers, but this needs to stay on topic or it becomes too difficult for people to find information on the site. See my comments below the list.

1. Yes, some caravan parks in Kununurra offer storage.
2. Look under accommodation in the GRR section
3. Look under need to know in the GRR section, also covered in the free guide and the full guide
4. See free guide
5. See full guide and existing questions
6. See full guide and existing questions
7. See full guide and existing questions
8. Depends what exactly you want to do. Most likely more than sufficient.

Have a look through the existing information on the website (the site search helps you dig up what you need) and download and read the free Kimberley guide. If you then have specific questions left, feel free to add them to a relevant existing question or to ask them here. I'll answer best as I can or direct you to existing answers.
Jul 04, 2009
 We made it
by: Pam and JD

We have just completed the Gibb River Rd. with a Toyota Prado and a brand new Lotus Trooper caravan, both went like a dream. We lowered the tyre pressure in all tyres and drove to the conditions. I'm so glad we did it, I have experiences that will stay with me forever, the scenery, the peace, the gorges and most of all the people we met along the way, travellers, workers and locals were all friendly and more than helpful with information and advice. Our lives have been changed by this trip...
Aug 12, 2009
 Message to Pam and JD
by: Ron Millard

After reading the comments below I would like to talk to Pam and JD about their Lotus Trooper caravan.
If anyone knows them or Pam and JD read this comment, could you please contact me at rbmillard@telstra.com
Regards,
Ron Millard
Aug 26, 2009
 Gibb River Road
by: Gerard

Completed the Gibb River Road with a Eco Tourer, only damage was done to the electric brakes and the microwave, everything else was OK. Loved it and will recommend it to anyone. Just make sure your van is a tough off roader.
Nov 19, 2009
 Gibb
by: Geoff

Just finished the Gibb. Lots of people take their caravans - the main part of the road is OK. I personally wouldn't take a caravan as there are too many "side" trips to do. If you stay at Parry's Farm Caravan Park you can "store" your van there for FREE. (I stayed there for a few days but left my van in Kunnunurra - storage $5 per day)
Nov 19, 2009
 Standard vs. off-road vans
by: Birgit

Hi Geoff,
You don't mean to say that people are routinely taking standard vans, are you?
Because that's not happening and those vans would just fall apart.

The vans you see on the Gibb are off-roaders.
I assume that's what you meant. I just want to make sure that any readers who don't know this site or the Kimberley are not mislead into believing they could tow any old van along the Gibb.
Dec 08, 2009
 Pam and JD
by: Geoff

I met up with Pam and JD at Parry's Farm Caravan Park near Wyndham.
They had just completed the Gibb with their new Lotus off road van. They had NO trouble really. (they said)
I had just ordered the same Lotus Van so it was good to hear - the van is still being built and still coming??????
Just for interest you can leave your vans at Parry's Farm for nix if you stay there beforehand.
It is also a very quiet place to stay close to Parry's Laggon, Diggers Rest (of Australia movie fame)and Wyndham.
If you read this Pam and JD.... I have lost your email address....Geoff
Jan 26, 2010
 Phoenix Caravan on the Gibb
by: Marie and Wally

We are planning to drive the Gibb River Road from Kununurra commencing middle of May 2010 and would like to know if anyone has done the drive towing a Phoenix Nomad caravan. If so how did it perform?
Feb 06, 2010
 Doing the Gibb in July 2010
by: Greg

My wife and I are doing the Gibb in July 2010 in a Triton ute towing a Jayco Penguin Off-Roader, has anyone got any suggestions, or has done the Gibb in similar? Thanks
Mar 03, 2010
 Jayco on the GRR
by: GB

Hi I travelled the Gibb River Road in 08 with an 04 OB Eagle. You will need to do some prep at home prior to leaving to minimise the damage but it will handle the conditions. Lower tyre pressure and don't drive fast. Mine went to Mitchell Falls and all the detours, Bungles, Cape Leveque etc. Enjoy the Kimberley, it is truly an amazing part of the world.
P.S.: Take some good walking shoes and get out and walk, you will be rewarded with a fantastic rock pool/gorge at the end to swim in!
Apr 01, 2010
 Jayco Swan on Gibb River Road
by: phil and jane

In 1988 we drove the Gibb River road with our 3 and 5 year old children towing a Jayco Swan camper trailer behind a Pajero. We had no problems whatsoever and drove to the conditions which were often quite corrugated. Stopped and camped at varios spots eg Bell Gorge. Much to the kids disgust we met the grader about five kilometres from the end of the journey. We have just ordered a Lotus Trooper which we get later this year and we will have no hesitation in doing the Gibb River Road again.
Jul 18, 2010
 Lotus Trooper
by: brian

Just finished the Gibb River Road with my new Lotus Trooper, towed behind my Cruiser ute. The whole outfit traveled well and I agree with Pam, the memories are going to stay forever.
The van has no damage or any other problems after the trip, we also took it down the Great Central Road where it performed admirably, considering this road is approx 3000 km of sand and corrugations, the last time I travelled this road from Lenora in WA was with a campervan and the shacks were trashed as was mast of the van. The Trooper did very well and the simplicity suspension worked well, total weight was around 2950 kg to 3000 kg plus what was on the truck.

I have had no problems with the Trooper and nothing has broken. Prior to undertaking this trip I spent time sealing the under body of the Trooper with sealers and repositioning and tying off any cables under neath that I thought may create a problem. I also resealed the water tanks and the area around the shower outlets as this was not done from the factory. All of this helped.
The reason I did all of this was lessons learnt from my last trip with the pop top which did suffer badly and it was supposed to be a tough purpose built off roader. Hmm.
Jul 19, 2010
 Lotus Trooper
by: Pam and JD

Well done Brian, glad you had a great trip without any mishaps...
Sep 12, 2010
 You can do it
by: Anonymous

We have just completed (July/August 2010)the Gibb River road in a 2001 T/D Prado (chipped) towing a 19 foot Lotus Trooper.
We spent 2 weeks on the road and visited every gorge possible incl Windjana and Tunnel Creek.The road was bone -shaking in places but these extreme corrugations only lasted for hundreds of metres while the rest could usually be travelled at 60 - 80 kph.
On the prado we nearly lost a pin that holds the front disc brakes together but quick reactions to strange noises prevented any damage before it could occur.
On the van (which has simplicity suspension) all went well except for one flat tyre.
We let all the tyres down to 30psi and this definitely helped travelling over the corrugations.
We didn't do the Mitchell Plateau as travellers we met reported the corrugations as extreme BUT lasting for kilometres. A common problem to do with the very bad corrugations was U Beaut UHF aerials snapping in half. Good luck but take it easy.
Nov 19, 2010
 Kimberley Tour 2008
by: Chris, Kylie and Boys

We did not find the Gibb River Road that notorious at the time we were on it.
It comes down to preperation and deffinatley speed that you travel on the Gibb River Road.

We were pulling a Kimberley Kamper Trailer with Tyre pressures lowered on both Toyota Landcruiser 100 series and trailer.
I was averaging speeds between 70-80kms and never had a problem.

We did not have to change any tyres and had no shockey problems at all.

We went for 3 months and also did the Buchannan Highway N.T. and also a trip up to Cape Leveque and One Arm Point in W.A.

We absolutley loved it that much that we are in the process of tracking out another trip.

We would recommend it to anyone travelling, especially with children, our boys were aged 8 and 10 at the time of our trip and they learnt so much more on the road then they ever would have sitting in a classroom.

Still to this day we talk about the great experiences we have had during our excellent Family Holiday together, and all the different people we met along the way.

We Highly Reccomend this trip to anyone planning a family holiday.

Thanks and Have heaps of FUN.
Mar 25, 2011
 Billabong!!!
by: John

I too intend to travel the Gibb River road around May/July 2012. Tow vehicle is a Navara 3ltr TD pulling a Billabong 21'06" "Broome Time" with Simplicity suspension.

As I will be retired, time is not an issue. I'm no stranger to dirt roads and bull dust etc.

Any comments please.
Apr 09, 2011
 Caravan and "Some" of the Gibb River Rd
by: Kylie

We're planning to 'do' the Gibb August next year (2012). Though in reading the responses, I think we will abandon doing the whole road, favoring the top end around El Questro and Home Valley Station, driving back around via Bungles and Fitzor Crossing, and then joining it again around Windjana Gorge/Tunnell Creek before heading onto Derby.

I think driving the whole Gibb River Road with our Prado and rough road van will be too risky.
Apr 11, 2011
 Bush Tracker
by: David

We are taking delivery of a new 20ft Bush Tracker in August and are planning at doing the Gibb in September.

We would like some advise on whether it would be advisable to take the trip with this type of van and will the road condition be right at that time around?
Jun 08, 2011
 Up the GIBB
by: Rod Barrett

My wife and I did the Gibb some time ago in a Jackaroo diesel riding on BFGs with air bags to the rear, towing a Jayco Swan Off road pop top.

We drove to the conditions but the road was like a bloody goat track, but what we saw made up for the discomfort. We made no extra arrangements to either vehicle or van and had no problems.

The only flat was to the front wheel of the vehicle caused by a 6" nail picked up on a bend. Very bloody scary as we found ourselves pulling to the right, luckily I managed to correct this and just made it back to the left when a vehicle coming the other way at a great rate of knots, just missed us. This was on a left hand bend on a small crest. The idiot who missed us was going just to bloody fast. So please, beware and slow down on bends and crests.

We intend doing the trip again and this time hopefully in a Lotus Trooper as they seem pretty tough.
Mar 10, 2012
 Att *name removed*
by: Criag haig

Editor's note:
The comment addressed by Craig has been removed at the request of its author.

*name removed*, your post is somewhat egotistical and arrogant to your abilities and right to be on the Gibb River Road. I hope you are well prepared as if your advice is listened to you will die in the desert waiting for help if you ever do run into trouble.

I've drovered in the district and used the road not just for pleasure but for work and I encourage any one to experience it at their own pace and comfort.

Beautiful road and even at its worst it simply needs some head space and patience and it won't render itself impassible.

Travel safe people and watch out for *name removed* :)
Jun 24, 2012
 New Age Caravan on Gibb River Rd
by: Peter

Travelled from Kununurra to Home Valley Station and a bit beyond and returned in late May 2012. This section of the road had not been graded and according to locals was the worst section of the road.

Travelled in and out with a 20' New Age Big Red caravan with Simplicity suspension. Road was very corrugated with a number of unmarked dips.

I dropped the air pressure to about 28psi in both van and land cruiser and drove at a speed appropriate to conditions, which was about 50/60. The van had no difficulties, inside and out.

If you drive sensibly, caravans with simplicity or like suspensions can travel the road. Whilst at HVS, we spoke to a fellow who had come across a Kedron Off Road van that had cracked both sides of the A frame on the Gibb. The scenery around the Cockburn Range and Pentecost River is worth the trip.

The key ingredients are, 1. Good Suspension, 2. Lower air pressures and 3. Driving sensibility.
Sep 14, 2012
 New Age
by: Janjan

Hi Peter
We are looking at the New Age Little Joey. Are you happy with your van? Any bull dust problems? My only concern with Little Joey is that it isn’t cut away at the back to allow for deep ruts on the road. Do you see this as a problem for this area?
Apr 13, 2013
 New Age Caravan on Gibb River Rd
by: Peter

If you have the robust off road suspension providing height you will have no problems if you drive sensibly.
Apr 21, 2013
 Gibb River Road
by: Scott

I will be going on the Gibb Rd mid 2015. I will be driving a 150 Prado and towing a Windsor Rapid 474s with a toilet shower. It’s an expander and has a 2tn axle (up graded) and I will be putting shockers on it as well.

I think it all comes down to the way you drive and reading the blogs above the people that didn't have problems. All said it comes down to the way you drive and I think if you take on what people say (advise they give) etc. by letting your tyre pressure down taking your time not speeding just general awareness is probably the most important thing of all.

I have been driving trucks for 22 years and have been on all sorts of road conditions.

My partner and I with our 8 year old son are going around Australia in 2015 and we will be off the beaten track most of the way around so looking forward to it.

I love reading people's blogs because you can learn so much from the people who have done it.
Keep on writing.

Scott.
May 10, 2013
 Gibb River Road
by: arnold- b

Hi there,

My wife and I traveled on the Gibb river road last year in early September with our Pajero diesel and single axel golf outback only as far as home valley station then back to Elqestro station road was very rough. So we kept speed down to 20ks and lowered tyres down to 28 psi. It was slow going but had a great time. Would I do it again yes but I would take a tent next time?
Oct 01, 2013
 Travel in the Kimberly
by: Anonymous

We travelled to Cape Leveque, Gibb River Rd and Mitchell Falls Rd in Aug 2013 and found it to be pretty easy going even towing a camper. Certainly long stretches of corrugations but with Lower tyre pressures makes for an OK ride. We have just ordered a new Lotus 19'-6" Trooper and would not hesitate to travel on the Gibb again. Slow and steady gives best results

LC78 V8 Cruiser + tow rig.
Oct 16, 2014
 On the Gibb in 2010 and 2012
by: Graham

We have traversed the Gibb River Road twice, towing a Kimberley Karavan (a cross between a heavy-duty camper trailer and a caravan) in both cases. Our 2010 trip was relatively uneventful and we enjoyed it so much we decided to do it again in 2012 to see the places we missed in 2010 due to unseasonal rain causing some side tracks to be closed. Stretches of the road were in worse condition than in 2010 - very corrugated in sections, especially on the road to Mitchell River Falls, where we shook the spot lights off their mountings, despite travelling at moderate speed! Luckily we had decided to leave the KK at Drysdale River Station. We did take it into the Mornington Wilderness Camp and Purnululu National Park without any drama, despite dire warnings about the access Road into Purnululu. I agree with previous writers. Your RV needs to be designed with this kind of job in mind. You need to reduce your tyre pressures and drive to the conditions, which will usually dictate a speed in the 60-80kph range and sometimes slower. Just take it easy and enjoy the great sights and experiences the Kimberley has to offer. Be prepared for anything, including the occasional urban cowboy driving a big 4WD at ridiculous speed. Tyre pressure is a tricky one. You are advised to reduce tyre pressure but don't overdo it, because the bulging sidewalls become vulnerable to stone damage. We lost a near new BFG A/T that way. Road grading does reduce the corrugations but it sometimes also turns up sharp rocks.
Nov 14, 2014
 Jb Scorpion
by: Sue & Vic

Great to read all these comments, as we intend travelling GRR mid 2015, with our Jb Scorpion off roader towed by Cruiser 4.lt Td. Has anyone else towed same van?wombat Any feedback would be welcome.
Jan 01, 2015
 towing vans on GRR
by: gaz

I noticed in some comments people towing troopers with Prado's, great vehicle that they are I am sure they can only tow 2500kg braked,I don't recall seeing a Trooper with that ATM. A reminder to always stick to your tow weight,quite a few people don't.........
Jan 26, 2015
 Use your nous jAN 2015
by: Terry

I am now retired I drove trucks all over Aust including the North west and Kimberlys in the late 60's when there was very little sealed road.
The Brand Hgy was a very rough road from Muchea to Gingin then not bad to Regans Ford from then on it was dirt to Dongara The dirt started again about 20kls nth of Carnarvon there was a bit of black top between the Dampier turn off and Robourne and again at Pt hedland to Broome The road was a track with the only service at Sandfire for fuel (at a big cost). As previous travellers have stated drive to the conditions check tyres and bearings at regular stops at least every hour you will come out the other end with plenty of dust and minimal damage.
As a thought my Brother towed a 24ft Millard in 1967 with a HR Holden Ute to Mt Goldsworthy and back again 1970 with a HT Monaro 186s auto over the dirt roads these were graded at the end of the wet season. So go look and see.
8 Mths ago my wife and I Left Perth at the end of April with a 99 Patrol 4.5 Petrol auto and a 14ft Coramel poptop we drove via the great central road from Laverton to Alice Springs then across to Mareeba for a catch up, I am 68 and Anna is 75.
Regards Terry PS TAKE YOUR FLASH HUBCAPS OFF SO THAT YOU CAN CHECK THE BEARINGS FOR HEAT THE TEMP SHOULD ONLY BE WARM.
Feb 11, 2015
 Did no worries
by: REN THEELEN

did last year in 1999 Gazel Infinity single axle semi off road.
Took our time and reduced air pressure in both Ford Ranger and van. It was awesome just drive to the conditions and don't hurry.
take spare wheels and wheel bearings just in case.
also traveled the savana way across the top not a problem.
Jun 16, 2015
 dont see why not
by: Anonymous

reading some of the earlier comments, and the last couple, the feeling I get is that most people don't understand 4x4 driving.

Unless you intend some real rocky ground, or bulldust roads, you CAN take a standard campervan/caravan along the Gibb and many other places.

Like everything, it's how you set up your rig to run such ground, tyre pressures, weight distribution, know your capability. As for corrugated roads, yep they will make you rattle, but as most say here slow down to 60klm, you may find dependent on your tyre pressures that your vehicle and van will run in tandem to the road at 80klm. Again, it's based on your 4x4 experience. If you don't have many hours of 4x4 driving I would say think twice about taking a van.

That said, if you want to go off the beaten tracks, leave the camper set up at a nearby camp site and take a swag/tent.
Nov 02, 2015
 Towing a Caravan on the Gibb River Road
by: Anonymous

We travelled the Gibb River Road and Tanami Road last year towing a dedicated off-road caravan (single axle). We drove to the conditions and kept our speed down and had no problems whatsoever. We were well prepared with lots of spares, tyre repair kits, extra fuel and also reduced tyre pressures to suit the conditions. Had a thoroughly enjoyable trip and would do it again without hesitation. One word of warning though... Had problems heading into Wolfe Creek. Side rock slider bar on driver's side rattled off - the corrugations were so bad the bolts came loose, but van came out OK.
Nov 17, 2015
 Dexter off-road suspension on the Gibb Rd, Tanami Rds & similar
by: Kerry

Has anyone had any experience with Dexter off-road suspensions under a single-axle caravan and know whether it would stand up to roads such as the Gibb and Tanami?
Nov 22, 2015
 We did the Gibb in August 2015
by: Trusty

We did the Gibb in mid August this year 2015 towing our Lotus Trooper behind a 200 series Land Cruiser. If you are prepared for some damage and plenty of red dust along with punctured tyres it can be done. Our van and held up extremely well externally but we were trashed with dust internally despite covering up all external vents with gaffer tape it still got in via the internal step and poorly sealed pipe intrusions as well as around the fridge not being sealed and daylight clearly present at top and bottom of fridge.
In addition the microwave fell out smashing to the floor and chipping the kitch bench. Batteries and their holder trays were shaken loose. Screws came out. Shower door latches busted off just to mention a few.
We have since discovered that this is the norm and you have to expect it. We actually faired better than many others.
We have since made good most of the problems but We won't be doing the Gibb again with our van.
Landcruiser fab no problem at all other than occasional flat battery.
Jun 19, 2016
 Did the GRR
by: Butch

We did it in May and June 2015; 200 series SAHARA and Kimberley Karavan.
No problems as far as vehicles went, destroyed two tyres in creek crossings, slow speed, sharp stones slit centre of tread.
All in all, a lot better than I had hoped and planned for.
Dec 17, 2016
 Towing on Gibb
by: Anonymous

We are going to Gibb River next year, we will be towing a 16ft Jayco Discovery Outback behind a 2009 Prado, any advice would be appreciated. Also we have solar, would I still need a generator?
Jan 25, 2019
 Gibb River Road
by: Foxy

Like everyone on this site we are planning to do GRR 2019, towing a semi off road van 21 ft. We have towed the van across the Oodnadatta, Plenty Hwy, Birdsville, Strezlecki, up to the tip, Gulf and the road out to Roper Bar, Lorella Springs with out any major problems. However the GRR holds reservations for us after reading some comments. We are taking plenty of spares but what we would like to know is what is the best time of year approx. to travel along the road. Also, is it better to start from Wyndam end or Derby?
We plan to leave the van at Drysdale Station and do Mitchell Falls & Kalumburu with a roof top tent.
May 25, 2020
 Steve & his caravan on GRR
by: Kieran

Would be keen to know if Steve took his van on the GRR and how it went. It's 12 years ago so not expecting anything, lol.
May 26, 2020
 GRR TOUGH
by: Colorado13

Last year we attempted the Gibb in June-July 2019 towing a semi off road van. We came in from Fitzroy Crossing doing Tunnel Creek & Windjana, thought how easy is this although we did do a tyre.
We went into Derby to get an extra tyre and that road was terrible for most of the way. We managed to get as far as Imijinti. After Bell Gorge and the other spots the road deteriorated to a nightmare so after filling up at Imijinti and talking to travellers coming from the other end we decided to retreat and not punish the van any further even though it didn't show any damage until we got home and found several problems from the trip.
So we are going back when it opens, leaving the van and using a roof top tent. Plus it will allow us to get into spots which are difficult with a van on the back.
We also did the Tanami and Bungles and did another two tyres which in the end we did four tyres which helped make up our minds, and yes we let our tyres down.
We now upgraded to a new van and won't take that over the Gibb. My suggestion is you may think you're prepared but think twice. I took everything I thought I needed but the road kept throwing up new things.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Gibb River Road Questions (Archive).

Travelling to the Kimberley?


The FREE Kimberley Pocket Guide
A great introduction to travel in the Kimberley region and along the Gibb. This free resource will answer all the questions you might have in the early stages of planning a trip.


Destination Kimberley
The full Kimberley travel guide shows you how to make the most of your adventure at Australia's last frontier. Destination Kimberley includes the most detailed and most current guide to the Gibb River Road available anywhere. Also called "The Bible" by its readers.


Travelling to the Northern Territory?


Destination Top End offers the same comprehensive, detailed insider information for the tropical regions of the Northern Territory. Be the best informed traveller in the Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge national parks and beyond!

A must have if you travel to or from Darwin.


NEW! Destination Red Centre is the latest addition in this popular series. Monica Coleman takes you through Australia's red Outback heart, offering all the detail and insider tips that you have come to know and love about our guides. With special emphasis on Aboriginal communities and culture.

A must have if you travel to or from Alice Springs/Uluru.




Return to top

Return to home page