Gibb River Road — Adcock River Gorge to Galvans Gorge via Imintji Community
Red dirt, gorges, and the Kimberley in full swing.
Roughly mid-way along the 660-kilometre Gibb River Road, the stretch between Adcock River Gorge and Galvans Gorge captures everything raw about the Kimberley. The Adcock Gorge swimming hole is a narrow sandstone slot that drops into cold, jade-green water — easy to miss if you don’t know the unmarked turnoff. From there, the corrugated red dirt track rolls northwest through open savannah past the Imintji Wilderness Camp and the small Aboriginal community store at Imintji, one of the few fuel resupply points on the entire Gibb. Galvans Gorge — a short walk from the road — rewards with a waterfall, rock art, and fish circling in the plunge pool below.
This stretch rates moderate: the corrugations are relentless and can loosen bolts over 150 kilometres, but water crossings are typically manageable outside the wet season. You need a high-clearance 4WD, dual spare tyres, and a snatch kit. The Imintji store carries basic supplies and diesel — confirm hours before you go, they are not always open. Best window is May through September. No permit required to drive the Gibb itself, but respect community boundaries around Imintji. Dispersed bush camping is available at several gorge pullouts.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 93 mi / 150 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Fitzroy Crossing, WA |
| Land manager | Main Roads Western Australia / Shire of Derby-West Kimberley |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Tourism WA Gibb River Road guide Main Roads WA road conditions |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Prado handle this section of the Gibb without a lift?
Yes. Stock high-clearance 4WDs like a Hilux, Prado, or Land Cruiser 200 series handle this stretch fine in dry season. The river crossings are the deciding factor — check depths before you commit, and airing down to around 28 PSI helps on the corrugations.
When does the Gibb River Road actually close and when is it safe to drive?
The wet season (roughly October–April) closes sections of the Gibb entirely — river crossings become impassable and the road gets cut off. Stick to May through September; June–August is peak condition but also peak traffic.
Do you need a permit to drive through or camp near Imintji Community?
Imintji Community is Aboriginal land — you need to stay on the main road and not enter the community without prior permission. There's no general access permit required for the road itself, but respect boundaries and don't camp on community land uninvited.
What's the hardest part of this section and what makes it tricky?
The river crossings — particularly after any late-season rain — are where things get serious. Currents can be deceptive and croc presence is real in Kimberley waterways; walk crossings first, check depth, and never swim where you wouldn't cross a vehicle. The corrugations between gorges are relentless and will shake your gear loose if it's not strapped down properly.
How far is the nearest fuel and should I carry extra?
Imintji Community Store stocks fuel but hours are limited and supply isn't guaranteed — call ahead if possible (+61 8 9191 7007). Fitzroy Crossing is your reliable fallback at roughly 250 km away. Carry at minimum 20 litres extra; this is not a stretch to gamble on.
Trail track
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