Gibb River Road — Derby to Imintji via Windjana Gorge and Lennard River Crossing
660 km of Kimberley red dirt — earn every gorge.
Pull out of Derby with a full tank and your windows down — the Gibb River Road starts testing you before the first corrugations hit. The first big drawcard is Windjana Gorge, where the Lennard River has carved a slot through the Oscar Range and freshwater crocs sun themselves on every sandbar. The river crossing at the Lennard itself is the first real commitment point: wide, sandy, and variable depth depending on season — get it wrong and you’re stuck fast. From here the track climbs into the King Leopold Ranges through Inglis Gap, a rocky pinch that sorts out the over-ambitious. Imintji Community marks the halfway resupply point, roughly 330 km in, and the only reliable fuel stop between Derby and the far Kimberley.
This is a Moderate-to-Difficult route depending on conditions and timing. In the dry season (May–September) a stock high-clearance 4WD with good all-terrain tyres and two spare wheels can do it, but soft sand and corrugations punish anything underweight. Carry at minimum 60 litres of extra fuel, 20 litres of water, and a sat comms device — mobile coverage is effectively zero beyond the outskirts of Derby. Parks fees apply for Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Come for the gorges, stay for the sunsets that turn the boab trees copper. The Kimberley rewards preparation and punishes arrogance.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 207 mi / 333 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with dual spare tyres |
| Nearest town | Derby, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | DBCA Windjana Gorge Park Info Tourism WA Gibb River Road |
| 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 Hilux or Patrol run this without a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the bare minimum, but you need dual spare tyres — one spare will not cut it out here. Corrugations and sharp ironstone gravel will destroy a tyre with no warning, and the nearest help is a very long way off. A body lift or suspension lift helps at the Lennard River crossing and on rocky sections, but factory clearance on a Patrol or Hilux will get through if the driver is competent.
When does the Gibb River Road close for the wet season?
The road typically becomes impassable between October and April due to monsoonal flooding — river crossings like the Lennard River can run deep and fast during this period. The official dry season window is May through September, with June to August being peak conditions. Check current road conditions with the Shire of Derby–West Kimberley before you leave, even inside the dry season, because flash flooding can close crossings with zero warning.
Do you need a permit to drive the Gibb and camp at Windjana Gorge?
Windjana Gorge National Park requires a paid park pass — purchase it through the DBCA or at a self-registration station at the park entry. There is no permit required to drive the Gibb River Road itself, but some Aboriginal land sections have access conditions, so confirm any private station stays or cultural site access with landholders directly. Dispersed camping is available along the route outside national park boundaries.
How bad is the Lennard River crossing and when should I worry about it?
The Lennard River is the hardest technical section on this segment — in the dry season it typically runs 400–600mm deep, but depth varies significantly depending on recent upstream rain. Walk it before you drive it, watch for soft sand on the exit, and maintain steady momentum without creating a bow wave. If it's running over a metre, turn around.
Is there any fuel or water between Derby and Imintji?
There is no public fuel between Derby and Imintji — Imintji Community Store sells fuel but hours are limited and stock is not guaranteed, so treat it as a bonus not a plan. Carry a minimum of 200 litres of fuel range and enough water for your full group for 5 days with reserve. Water at gorges and river crossings is not reliably potable — carry your own or have a proper filtration setup.
Trail track
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