Thread: We are on our way to the Kimberleys

I remember that road into Mitchell Falls, it was a horror. We were about four days in front of the grader. I met some people a year later and it turned out they did the road oafter the grader a week after we did - smooth as a baby's bottom

The mechanic at Drysdale River said he makes his living replacing shockies and other suspension bits in Prados and Nissans. He had nothing against the vehicles but the drivers insist on going fast over the corrugations, it might be smoother in the cabin but the driving gear is getting a high speed thrashing..

This might start a debate but the theory he espoused is when you are going over corrugations - go slow and suffer - you'll eventually get there.

We eventully got to Mitchell Falls, at an average speed of about 22km/h - strewth it was awful but the Falls were beautiful, and the walk in tooks us past lot of rock art.

The bad roads were enough to put us off going all the way up to Kalumbaru. It was disturbing to see most of Drysdale River burnt out with skinny cattle looking for food.

The trip back down was bad but not as bad.

Was chatting to my mate Derby Dan last nite.
He works in the area for an earthmoving company.
He would DEARLY love to buy a grader as they cant get them up there when they need them.
Bank says no contracts no $$$$,contractors say no grader no contract.
My dearly departed mate FatBaz(who also was great mates with Derby Dan) always had a goal of buying a grader too.Im afraid after steering one for a few years MEE TOO
I wouldnt mind being my own boss smoothing them roads out up there to keep the terrorists happy
Andrew

Just got back from dragging the van in to Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge (or should I say camping ground as the $600+/night at the lodge is certainly out of the budget) and must say we enjoyed a nice and relaxed time. The GRR at this (Derby) end is very good ATM. The section up to the Windjana turnoff is like a highway, with much of it now bitumen. They must have been busy last year as there wasn't any bitumen past the first 60ish k's the previous year. The next section through to the turnoff to Mt Hart is like a Victorian highway, a bit dodgy and in need of some maintenance, but overall still able to travel at some speed. They are also redoing quite a long section of road through past Lennard River which looks like it could become bitumen also. So much for this road being one of the iconic off road touring destinations of the future. The Fairfield Leopold Downs Rd deteriorates once you get past Windjana Gorge and continues to worsen the further you go. The last 40-50 k's before you get to the Great Northern Highway being the worst of the corrugations. Made the whole trek through with the van unscathed although a might bit dusty. If you do go in to Mt Hart make sure you wet a line because we pulled a few reasonable Sooty Grunters out of Barker River right at the camp ground. My 4 year old managed to pull a 42cm specimen from off the pontoon right at the camp ground itself. Enjoy yourself and will keep an eye out for you in the next bit as you come in to Derby.

OK update.
Here I am at the van park in Derby . Stayed at Bell Gorge for two nights, and before that at Manning gorge for 2 days, after driving through from Kalumburu.

Derby is a crowd scene because of school hols I guess. We came here to get some supplies including grog as a it was a bit galling at Manning Gorge to see 4 young locals come in with a slab of VB, with one of them drunk at 2PM.

We have had no car trouble except my water pump is now leaking a bit from old age. I have a spare so tomorrows job is to switch it in. Otherwise the car , me, our camper and clothes are just full of red dust.

We then plan to go out to Fitzroy crossing and go to Geike, Tunnel creek, Winjana etc. After that to Cape Leveque and the horizontal waterfalls ride.

I agree that the Gibb is currently a pussy with BITUMEN on the steep climbs and the road gangs completely rebuilding the road and bitumising about 100KM or so out oif Derby , just past the Winjana turnoff.

So there you go. We have done the Gibb and I am now getting a bit sick of red rocks.
Onward to Leveque and then down the coast.

Regards Philip A

Welcome to Derby! Not much of a town but the people are great. From what I hear, the road through to Cape Leveque is pretty good ATM aswell.

Thanks for the welcome Low Ranger.

I am currently staying in the big van park, and an old couple approached us tonight to see if we are actually going tomorrow as ours is the ONLY powered site available and their campervans batteries are flat.

Going to Fitzroy tomorrow then Tunnel Creek and Wyndjana and back but we will stay in the small park on Monday Night.

Derby is a great little place but who decided not to put any trees in the main street for shaded parking, and who decided to rebuild the pool NOW???? Although I suppose one could wade out a few kilos in the mud for a swim. Saw the local sight and drove out on the wharf.

The bloke at the Mitre Ten was great and gave me some hose to siphon the radiator for the water pump change. All done plus oil change in 3 hours. Old Landie owner. The shell servo was OUT OF OIL.

Great joke at Woolies when asked about where is the Servo. BROOME Tish Boom.
So back monday.
Regards Philip A

Depending on what oil you want try Derby Auto Parts - orange building on the corner of Clarendon street diagonally opposite the Hospital, next street down from the Shell. Otherwise Derby 4x4 and Marine - in the industrial estate on your way out of town. May see you on your way back in to town on Monday.

Cheers

Glen

Thanks mate. I had 5 litrs of Shell Helix plus and wanted the same but settled for some Valvoline semi synth from woolies.
I later found derby Auto parts and bought a bit of stuff.
Regard sPhilip A