Gibb River Road — Mornington Wilderness Camp to Mount Elizabeth Station via the Fitzroy Crossing Spur
Kimberley corrugations. Gorges worth every one.
The Gibb River Road needs no introduction in overlanding circles, but the run from Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary north to Mount Elizabeth Station is where the Kimberley stops performing and starts demanding. You cross the Fitzroy River floodplain, negotiate the notoriously corrugated central section between Beverley Springs turnoff and the Bell Gorge spur, and wind through open savannah studded with boab trees the size of water tanks. Bell Gorge itself — a three-tiered waterfall dropping into a turquoise plunge pool — is worth every kilometre of washboard.
This is a proper remote outback run. You need a well-prepped 4WD with dual spare tyres, a minimum 200L fuel capacity, and recovery gear — the corrugations alone destroy budget tyres and poorly secured loads. River crossings are seasonal; the Gibb is dry-season only (June to September) and any wet-season attempt is reckless. Mobile reception is essentially zero. Mount Elizabeth Station offers basic camping and fuel by prior arrangement. Do it for the gorges, the isolation, and the brutal, honest beauty of the Kimberley at its most uncompromising.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 143 mi / 230 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with dual spares |
| Nearest town | Derby, WA |
| Land manager | Shire of Derby/West Kimberley & Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) WA |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Tourism WA — Gibb River Road DBCA — Mornington Wilderness Camp |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Prado or 4Runner handle this stretch, or does it need a lift?
A stock 4WD high-clearance rig can get through, but you need a minimum of 200mm clearance and dual spare tyres — the corrugations and river crossings will punish anything less. A lift helps at the crossings but isn't mandatory if you pick your line and check depths first. Roof-mounted gear and long-range tanks are more valuable here than a lift kit.
When is this section of Gibb River Road actually open and passable?
June through September is the dry season window — that's when crossings are low and the road is at its best. The Wet (October–April) closes most of this route completely; river levels become dangerous and sections turn to impassable mud. Even late May and early October are gambles depending on the year.
Do you need permits to drive this section or camp along it?
Mornington Wilderness Camp is managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and charges entry and camping fees — book ahead, they fill up. Mount Elizabeth Station is private pastoral land; camping there requires prior arrangement and a fee paid directly to the station. The Gibb River Road itself doesn't require a permit to drive, but respect station gate protocols.
What's the hardest part of this 230km stretch and what actually makes it rough?
The corrugations are relentless and cumulative — they'll rattle bolts loose, shake gear off roof racks, and exhaust drivers faster than the actual distance suggests. River crossings like the Adcock and Barnett can run thigh-deep even late in dry season; walk them before you drive them. The section between Mornington and the Fitzroy Crossing spur is the most consistently corrugated and least maintained.
How much fuel range do you actually need, and is there any resupply between Mornington and Mount Elizabeth?
There is no fuel between Mornington Wilderness Camp and Mount Elizabeth Station on this route — that's 230km of hard corrugations that will burn more than a highway run. Carry enough for at least 400km to account for detours, gorge side-trips, and the fuel penalty of rough-road driving. Derby is your last guaranteed fuel stop before heading onto the Gibb.
Trail track
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