Kimberley Trip

I have finally started my Kimberley trip after 1 1/2 years planning.
Day 1 was boring driving 870km on the bitumen from home to the thriving metropolis of Coober Pedy.
The day started well with a trailer light check and find the indicators not working, fortunately a quick fix and we were off.
I was pleased at first to see the caravan park had dirt camping sites instead of concrete but after I started to drive the pegs in I realized that concrete would have been softer. We are now relaxing with a red wine and smelling a strong sewerage smell, not a caravan park I would recommend.
On to Alice Springs tomorrow so a few less Ks to do.

Travel well Tony.

Keep us posted.
Massive day nearly 900kms.

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Originally Posted by MEGOMONSTER

Keep us posted.
Massive day nearly 900kms.

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The last hour was a killer with the sun in our eyes, could hardly see the road.

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Originally Posted by TPC

The last hour was a killer with the sun in our eyes, could hardly see the road.

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Just be careful and safe and don't push too hard.

Stay safe mate, that is going to be a great trip...soak up every moment!!!!

You know the drill...photos and full report please...lol

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Originally Posted by TPC

I have finally started my Kimberley trip after 1 1/2 years planning.
Day 1 was boring driving 870km on the bitumen from home to the thriving metropolis of Coober Pedy.
The day started well with a trailer light check and find the indicators not working, fortunately a quick fix and we were off.
I was pleased at first to see the caravan park had dirt camping sites instead of concrete but after I started to drive the pegs in I realized that concrete would have been softer. We are now relaxing with a red wine and smelling a strong sewerage smell, not a caravan park I would recommend.
On to Alice Springs tomorrow so a few less Ks to do.

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Should’ve stayed at Radeka’s underground backpackers in the main drag!
Safe Travels.

Safe travels mate. Love that place.....fond memories :)

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

Should’ve stayed at Radeka’s underground backpackers in the main drag!
Safe Travels.

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I stayed there a few years back before a Simpson trip and could not sleep. Found it to noisy and stuffy, but I was in a dorm with 10 other blokes snoring and farting.
The guy who runs it is a great bloke, we had a few drinks with him in the bar, great prices at the bar too.

We stayed at den ham one year,they give you drill with a auger bit for you to put your pegs in rife ground.safe and happy travels

I suppose yo can tell it's me hubby. On here. Out and about and he a got the iPod

Made it to Alice Springs today, another big day doing about 690km.
Heading up the Tanami Hwy tomorrow and will be bush camping for the next few days, much better than caravan parks.

You lucky bugger. Mum and Dad did that trip a couple of years ago.

LOL great read, hope to get there soon. Save travels

Been on the road for over a week now and driven over 3000km and finally reached Kununurra.

After leaving Alice we started on the Tanami, I had heard reports that it was a well maintained track but they were all lies, the road is 1050km long and 750km of that is corrugated.
The features you see along the way are corrugations, termite mounds, corrugations, abandoned cars, corrugations, litter and road trains.
When the road trains come along you just pull over and wait for them to pass and the dust to settle.
Fuelled up at a little aboriginal settlement called Yuendumu as I did not have enough to get to halls creek and was surprised to find the fuel was cheaper than Alice.
We made it half way to Renehans Bore to camp, was great camping away from everybody, we were treated to a great sunset and the stars were fantastic.
The next day we continued along the track and found corrugations could get worse than what we had already experienced.
To be continued...

Forth night we camped at Wolfe Creek, the track in was very corrugated but by this time we were very used to that.
We arrived late arvo and found a good camp site for two campers but there were lots already there, we thought at the time that it was good we arrived in daylight as it would be difficult to find spots in the dark but nobody would be silly enough to arrive that late but we were wrong, there were about 15 cars arrive in the dark and had a hard time finding space to camp.
The long drop at the camp ground was probably the most disgusting any ware (so my missis said, I did not use it).
The crater was a short walk to view and was quite impressive, a very big hole.
Just before we left a guy came up to us and asked if we had any spare diesel as he had lost three jerry cans along the Tanami and did not have enough to make it to Halls creek, we did not have jerrys but fortunately he found someone with a spare to get him through.

The next day we got off the Tanami and went into Halls Creek for some fuel and supplies, they had a great supermarket, very well stocked.
We went up the Duncan for a bit of site seeing, Palm Springs is well worth a look.

To be continued...

:useless:

Well not quite ..... but come on , you know the rules!

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

:useless:

Well not quite ..... but come on , you know the rules!

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I know, but I have already taken about 500 photos and have to sort them, will put some up tomorrow.

After Halls Creek we went to the Bungles, stayed at the caravan park the first night as the girls wanted amenities.
The toilets and showers were interesting, each cubicle had a unisex toilet and shower but no roof, quiet an experience showering with a view of the stars.
I was quite surprised that I had phone coverage there but internet was hit and miss.
The following morning we headed into the Bungles to stay in the park, we had been told by numerous people that the track in was very rough but after the Tanami it seemed smooth, we had about 10 creek crossings with a couple being reasonably deep but that just made it more interesting, we came across a father and son riding their motorbikes in that had a bit of trouble with one of the bikes after a deep creek crossing but they got it going again and passed us but soon after we saw them again as the lad had come off his bike, stopped to check he was alright but only his pride was hurt.

We set ourselves up at Kurrajong campsite for the next 3 nights, was great to stay in one place for 3 nights after moving daily for the past 5, we needed a break after driving over 3000km over the past 6 days.
Bungle Bungle is definitely worth a visit as long as you like bush camping and do not mind the dust.
The highlights are cathedral gorge, a relatively easy 1 hr walk up a gorge that ends in a magnificent chamber with a pool in the middle and Echidna Chasm, a walk through a narrow gap between cliff faces that seems to go on for ever, we made sure we were there around mid day when the sunlight light up the walls, this was the highlight of the trip so far.
We met a nice young family at one of the lookouts that had been on the road for 7 months of a 10 month trip and were home schooling the kids along the way, what better schooling could you get than seeing Australia, the dad was taking up a position of Ranger on Fraser Island after their trip so they will still be in paradise, I am still green with envy.
The disappointments were the bloody cane toads were everyware and the morons that think the 50kph speed limit is too slow so they are sliding around corners risking their lives and the lives of other road users, they need to slow down and see the sights and stay alive, the day before we arrived there was a Jackaroo that rolled going around a bend to fast, it was still there when we went past and there was no reason for the accident, just carelessness.

The next leg of our journey has brought us to Kununurra, we are staying at Kimberleyland caravan park for 3 nights.
I was a bit disappointed when I booked in and they told me that our sights were not next to each other, I had booked the sights in February to make sure we got two lake side sites together but they made a business decision when someone on one of the sites said they wanted to stay for a month that they would move one of our bookings, it may have been the right decision financially but it was not a good moral decision, normally I would have told them to stick their caravan park and asked for my money back but we really wanted to stay here so I bit my tongue.
After I set up I was glad I decided to stay s it is great, big grassy sites and we even have fresh water crocks in the lake 10 meters in front of our camper.

I am up to date with the trip now, will keep updating and load some photos soon.

Bloody awesome mate.
Are the young family doing a blog somewhere? I'd be keen to have a read.

Anyway keep travelling safe mate..
And where are the pics!!!! Lol

Whilst in Kunnunurra the Ord River cruise is HIGHLY recommended. I haven’t done it myself, but definitely will next time we’re up that way
A visit to Wyndham is worthwhile too, if dry you can experience driving across the extensive mud flats. A visit the amazing wildlife at Parrys Lagoon just south of Wyndham was a highlight for us. Watching a huge variety of birdlife from a largish bird hide with metal mesh floor just a couple of feet above the water, with salt water crocs swimming under your feet! If you get jack of the CP in Kunnunurra, we found the CP in Wyndham to be pleasant & pretty laid back & unregimented (camping out under the trees away from the bitumen), with Brolgas walking past us daily.
Is the river crossing at Ivanhoe the only way onto the Gibb River Road, or is there a less dramatic way of accessing it from the east?

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

Whilst in Kunnunurra the Ord River cruise is HIGHLY recommended. I haven’t done it myself, but definitely will next time we’re up that way
A visit to Wyndham is worthwhile too, if dry you can experience driving across the extensive mud flats. A visit the amazing wildlife at Parrys Lagoon just south of Wyndham was a highlight for us. Watching a huge variety of birdlife from a largish bird hide with metal mesh floor just a couple of feet above the water, with salt water crocs swimming under your feet! If you get jack of the CP in Kunnunurra, we found the CP in Wyndham to be pleasant & pretty laid back & unregimented (camping out under the trees away from the bitumen), with Brolgas walking past us daily.
Is the river crossing at Ivanhoe the only way onto the Gibb River Road, or is there a less dramatic way of accessing it from the east?

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Unfortunately Ivanhoe crossing is now permanently closed, we were looking forward to crossing it. We drove out there today to have a look, amazing how many people standing in the water fishing, I would be worried about the snapping logs.

What a great trip.Are you heading down the coast or back through the middle?

Great reading thanks for that, look forward to next instalment. There used to be a BBQ cruise but it wasn't running last year, hopefully its happening again for you. Its supposed to be fantastic.

Termite mounds on the Tanimi.
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Sunset at Renahan's Bore.
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Sunrise at Renahan's Bore.
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Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater.
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Giant Termite Mounds.
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Bungles.
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Cathedral Gorge.
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Echidna Chasm.
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Rolled Jackaroo on Bungles Rd.
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I would love to head down the coast but it would take too long so will return the same way via the Tanami.

Great report, thanks Tony keep them coming.

Thanks for the pics, my sort of country.
So how do you get on to the Gibb now that Ivanhoe crossing is closed?

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

Thanks for the pics, my sort of country.
So how do you get on to the Gibb now that Ivanhoe crossing is closed?

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The Gibb River Rd is accessed via the Great Northern Rd.
We were hoping to visit Wyndham via Ivanhoe crossing but you have to take the bitumen there too.

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Originally Posted by TPC

The Gibb River Rd is accessed via the Great Northern Rd.
We were hoping to visit Wyndham via Ivanhoe crossing but you have to take the bitumen there too.

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Ah yes, I'd got myself confused. We only travelled the western half of the Gibb, & I'd mistakenly remembered that the eastern end began at Ivanhoe crossing. We enjoyed watching 4wd's crossing it. Wonder why they closed it? maybe one too many washed off the edge?

here ya go Cuppa

Ivanhoe Crossing near Kununurra is a unique tourist attraction for the region which sees thousands of tourists every year lining up to drive across the Ord River.



Due to one of the biggest wet seasons on record the crossing has been closed for some time.

The tourist season has arrived again and plenty of tourists and locals are asking when Ivanhoe Crossing will re-open?

“In short, it’s unlikely that Ivanhoe Crossing will be open in the near future because the water levels over the road are currently too high says the Chief Executive for the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, Gary Gaffney.

The water level from the Ord River is regulated by flows from the Diversion Dam (Ord River) and the Dunham River.

Watercorp have advised the Shire that they currently have no intention of varying their flow levels from the Diversion Dam. Additionally water from the Dunham River is un-regulated, so until water levels drop the water will continue to flow over Ivanhoe Crossing.

Council is also required to undertake engineering inspections of the crossing due to insurance and risk management. These can’t be undertaken until water levels decrease.

So it looks like it’ll be some time before the crossing is open again”.
- See more at: http://www.kimberleypage.com.au/2012....PxpydT09.dpuf

They have placed a huge bolder on the road to the crossing and looks like they don't plan to reopen it.

Had a great day today, had a 2hr flight over Lake Argyle, Bungles and Argyle Diamond Mine with Kimberley Air Tours.
Would recommend doing this, the pilot was very knowledgeable about the area and gave us a running commentary.

Tomorrow we head onto the Gibb River Road and will be out of coverage for the next 10 days.


Internet is not co-operating for me here but will try to load some photos.

Ivanhoe Crossing
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Lake Argyle
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Bungles from air
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Argyle Diamond Mine
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Tonight we had this visitor to out front of our campsite.
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Looks like you got down pretty low over the dam wall on Lake Argyle!
Could make out the boulders at each end of the Ivanhoe Crossing.
Enjoy the GRR & watch out for the Britz Troopies going too quick!

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

Looks like you got down pretty low over the dam wall on Lake Argyle!
Could make out the boulders at each end of the Ivanhoe Crossing.
Enjoy the GRR & watch out for the Britz Troopies going too quick!

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The dam wall was taken from the lookout, we went for a drive to the lake after the flight, would have been a bit worried if the plane went that low.
I have been dodging those Britz Troopies for the last week, they usually don't leave you much room on the road.

After 10 days on the Gibb River Rd and 3 weeks into our holiday we have made it to Broome, we were meant to fly out to Horizontal Falls today and spend the night there but that was cancelled due to unseasonal rain, have rebooked that for the 24th.
We did not feel like setting up the campers up in the rain today so we booked into a B&B 30km out of Broome, it is a very strange place, a bit like the motels in some American movies where everybody gets murdered, think I might lock the door tonight.
I will write a bit about our travels and load some photos tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by TPC

it is a very strange place, a bit like the motels in some American movies where everybody gets murdered, think I might lock the door tonight.
I will write a bit about our travels and load some photos tomorrow.

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Well that depends on if you survive the night. :smilie_bett:

Don’t take a shower!

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make sure you head up to Wyndham and see the 3 rivers lookout, there are also some really good swimming holes up that way