Gibb River Road
Photo: Bäras at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gibb River Road is an unpaved road across the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. It stretches 647 km from Derby to the vicinity of Kununurra and Wyndham, and on the map it looks like a shortcut, while the Great Northern Highway makes a great swing to the south. But it's rougher, slower going and demands careful planning.
UnderstandGibb River was named for Andrew Gibb Maitland (1864-1951); he and Charles Crossland were the first Europeans to sight the river in 1901.
PrepareA high-clearance 4WD vehicle is essential. Could you bring your own? If so, you have a long journey just to reach the start point and then to get home, which perhaps you'd weave into a grand round-Australia odyssey.
Get inBroome is the obvious start and end point for this trip.
Drive
Stay safe
ConnectAs of September 2024, there is no mobile signal anywhere along Gibb River Road, nor on the sealed highways at each end. If you're travelling independently you'd be wise to invest in a satellite phone.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Gibb River Road" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Bäras at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons