Gibb River Road — Beverley Springs to Mitchell Plateau via King Edward River and Kalumburu Road Junction
Mitchell Falls or bust — no rescue coming.
You peel off the main Gibb at the Kalumburu Road junction and the country changes immediately. The track north toward Mitchell Plateau drops into the King Edward River — a wide, rocky-bottomed crossing that’s claimed vehicles from people who didn’t walk it first — then climbs into sandstone escarpment country draped in livistona palms. Mitchell Falls is the payoff: a four-tiered drop into a pool so blue it looks edited. The plateau access track, roughly 160 kilometres one-way from the Gibb junction, crosses the King Edward twice more and threads through spinifex flats where road trains of dust follow every vehicle for half a kilometre behind.
This is genuine remote travel. A breakdown here means days, not hours. You need a capable 4WD with a snorkel, dual spare tyres, at minimum 80 litres of fuel carry beyond your tank, and a sat-comms device — no negotiation. The track is corrugated even in good dry season condition and sand patches approaching the falls car park catch low-aired vehicles. Open June through September only; the wet closes this road hard. The Kimberley Foundation and WA Parks manage access. Self-registration at the park boundary. Worth every punishing kilometre.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 99 mi / 160 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 984 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Snorkelled 4WD high-clearance with dual spares |
| Nearest town | Kununurra, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions — Miriuwung Gajerrong / Wunambal Gaambera Country |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | WA Parks — Mitchell River National Park Tourism WA — Mitchell Falls info |
| 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 GXL LandCruiser 200 Series handle this stretch, or do I need a lift?
A stock 200 Series will struggle at the King Edward River crossings and some of the rocky plateau approaches — a 2-inch lift minimum is strongly advisable. You also need a snorkel; the King Edward can run thigh-deep after recent rain even mid-dry season. Bring two full-size spare tyres, not one.
When does this section of the Gibb actually close, and is October too late?
The road typically closes around October–November when the wet season rains begin, though exact closure dates shift year to year. June–September is the safe window; October is a gamble — late-season storms can flood the King Edward River crossings with no warning and trap you for days. Check with the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley before you leave Kununurra.
Do I need a permit to drive to Mitchell Plateau and camp out there?
Entry into Mitchell River National Park requires a WA parks pass — either a day pass or annual pass purchased via the DBCA parks system. If you're crossing Wunambal Gaambera Country on the Kalumburu Road, you need a separate Kalumburu Road permit from the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation. Don't skip it; checkpoints are real.
How technical does it actually get — what's the hardest part of this 160km?
The King Edward River crossings are the crux: fast-moving water over slippery bedrock with a real rollover risk if you pick the wrong line. The plateau track approaching Mitchell Falls also throws sharp ironstone rock that will shred an underinflated or budget tyre. If you've never done a proper river crossing with current, this is not the place to learn.
Where's the last reliable fuel stop before heading into this section, and how far out are you running?
Imintji Roadhouse or Mt Barnett Roadhouse (roughly 300km back toward Fitzroy Crossing) are your last guaranteed fuel before committing to this stretch — Drysdale River Station near the Kalumburu junction may have fuel but supply is inconsistent, so treat it as a bonus not a plan. Carry a minimum of 200 litres total capacity; there is no fuel on the plateau.
Trail track
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