Locked, loaded and ready for the Gibb

[GregMilner]

All good to head off to Broome, Bungles, El Questro, Home Valley, Drysdale River and places beyond along the Gibb and Kalumburu Roads. Hope the 20s go the distance. The Rangie's only weak point.

Internet connection permitting, will post photos/videos as we go.

[Bundalene]

Have a great trip.

We drove the Gibb a couple of weeks ago and it was like a highway. Just a few dips etc and creek crossings to beware of. When we passed through the area, the Kalumburu Road was only open as far as the Mitchell Falls turn off, maybe it will be open all the way when you get up there.

The roads and camp areas were starting to get a bit busy.

The Pentecost River looks magnificent...quite wide, but not that deep at the crossing.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip, the Kimberely is a beautiful area.

Cheers, Erich

[benji]

So very very jelous. Enjoy; and take your time!

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[rar110]

Nice car to do it in.

Both times I've done it was in a pre 90s rover.

Consider going up to the Mitchell plateau and taking a chopper ride over the gorges. It's worth the money.

We camped on the King Edward River. Nice. Kalumbaru is also a visit. And the coast further nth.

[cjc_td5]

Awesome, have a great time. How long are you away for?

We leave in 4 weeks. We plan on getting to Mitchell Falls, we'll see where we get to after that (Kalumbaru, Mornington Station etc), depending on road conditions. :)

Cheers,

[GregMilner]

Plan to be back in Perth by June 30, so roughly 2 and a bit weeks from Broome and back to Broome.
Yeah I've heard the Gibb is pretty good at the moment, although that can change rapidly with a whole of lot of SADs (See Australia and Die) going hell for leather along the road with tyres pumped up to 40 pounds or more.
Not too fussed about bothering with Mitchell Falls, we flew there from Derby a couple of years ago in a fixed wing and then choppered around the falls on the way down to one of those cruise boats, so we've seen it from the air a bit. Had some intel last week that the campground at Mitchell Falls is pretty dry and dusty and a fair distance from the nearest water. But we're tempted to camp a few days at King Edward River crossing on the way to the falls, apparently a pretty nice spot to stay.
Certainly looking forward to the drive in the L322, the more I drive it the more I find excuses to go for a drive.

[joel0407]

If you end up stuck there past into July, let us know and we can bring you supplies.

Happy Days

[GregMilner]

Chris I'm getting a bit of intel on Kalumburu/Magowans/Honeymoon Bay from Hal Harvey (Harvey's Tackle) who has fished there a fair bit. The only time I went to Kalumburu was by chopper in the mid-eighties, we landed at Berkeley River for some barra fishing on the way, and landed at the mission with the chopper's boot full of fish, which the local kids hurriedly took away to be cooked, and later laid out on the white table-cloth at the missionary's welcome table for us, pretty amazing experience. Back then, Kalumburu didn't get many visitors, so the monks rolled out the red carpet. But I never got to fish the coast that time, so hoping to do so this visit.
If the road is navigable, without shaking the Rangie to bits.

[GregMilner]

Joel if we get stuck there past July, you can bet we will need supplies - Kalumburu is dry, not allowed to take 'refreshments' in there:-(

[cjc_td5]

I have also heard that the KE River campsite is very good, much more pleasant than the campsite near the falls. It also saves having to drag the camper trailer any further in than KE River.

[GregMilner]

Chris I've been told the same, King Edward River crossing is the place to stop, plenty of room, vast river bank, no crowds, free camping, water aplenty. Sounds good to me. And not too far back to Drydsale River homestead if you run out of supplies. (To be honest I'd be happy to stop there rather than go all the way to Kalumburu but we're travelling with Melbourne friends who're keen as mustard to go to Honeymoon Bay)

[cjc_td5]

I understand they have only reopened the Kalumburu Road in the last week or so. Should be an "interesting" drive at the moment. The current road report also says use caution at the Carson River crossing.

Go and blaze a trail for us lowly disco drivers later in the season :-) :-)

Cheers,

[GregMilner]

Have a great trip.

We drove the Gibb a couple of weeks ago and it was like a highway. Just a few dips etc and creek crossings to beware of. When we passed through the area, the Kalumburu Road was only open as far as the Mitchell Falls turn off, maybe it will be open all the way when you get up there.

The roads and camp areas were starting to get a bit busy.

The Pentecost River looks magnificent...quite wide, but not that deep at the crossing.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip, the Kimberely is a beautiful area.

Cheers, Erich

Erich we tried to get up the Kalumburu road three years ago in late June and it was a washout, couldn't even get past Drysdale River. By then I was down to one spare tyre so wasn't keen to push it further. So hoping for better conditions this year.

[GregMilner]

I understand they have only reopened the Kalumburu Road in the last week or so. Should be an "interesting" drive at the moment. The current road report also says use caution at the Carson River crossing.

Go and blaze a trail for us lowly disco drivers later in the season :-) :-)

Cheers,

Blaze a trail? Bugger that, might get it scratched!

[CSBrisie]

Good luck mate - watching with great interest from afar as to how those 20's go....cant decide on Cooper LTZ or Nitto Terra Grapplers so keen to see how yours go!

cheers

Chris

[GregMilner]

You'll be the first to know Chris - first puncture, I'll be squealing:-)

Last job before tomorrow, getting a protective film applied to the back end of the car to protect it from stones bouncing off the camper trailer. A bit exxy, but gotta be cheaper than a re-spray when we get home...pics attached.

[disco gazza]

Enjoy your trip.

Am hoping that I'll be able to do the west coast in a couple of years.

cheers