Gibb River Road — Derby to Kununurra via the Kimberley Gorge Country (Dry Season Classic, Bell Gorge to Manning Gorge Central Traverse)
The Kimberley's gorge heart, red and raw.
The stretch of the Gibb River Road between Bell Gorge and Manning Gorge — roughly the central third of the full Derby-to-Kununurra run — is where the road earns everything that’s been written about it. You’re running through the heart of the King Leopold Ranges, crossing the Barnett River at the Manning Gorge turnoff, climbing in and out of creek beds filled with bulldust powder that will eat a poorly snorkeled engine, and threading through gorge country where the sandstone walls turn red at dusk and stay that way for about ten minutes before the stars take over. Side tracks to Barnett River Gorge and Manning Gorge are worth every extra kilometer.
This is a Moderate-to-Difficult track in dry season conditions — June through September. Add a difficulty rating if you hit it after early rain. High-clearance 4WD is the baseline, with a snorkel strongly recommended for creek crossings. Fuel at Imintji Community Store and Mount Barnett Roadhouse — check hours before you leave Derby because both have closed without warning before. Carry 20+ liters of extra water and a UHF radio. This section has camping at Manning Gorge and Barnett River — both require fees paid at the station or community. Cell service is zero for the entire stretch. The Kimberley is one of the last genuinely big wilderness drives on earth. Do it before the road gets sealed.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 112 mi / 180 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | June–September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with snorkel |
| Nearest town | Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia |
| Land manager | Shire of Derby-West Kimberley / Mt Barnett Station / Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | DBCA WA Gibb River Road page 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 Prado handle this stretch, or do I need a lift and lockers?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Prado or Hilux will get through — but a snorkel is non-negotiable for the creek crossings. A lift helps in the deeper bulldust sections, but lockers aren't required. Aired-down, stock setups do this route every dry season without drama.
What months is this section actually driveable, and what happens if I push into October?
June through September is the reliable dry season window. By October, humidity climbs and early storms can close creek crossings fast — some turn impassable overnight. Check the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley road condition reports before you roll; the Gibb closes hard when the wet hits.
Do I need permits to drive through, and is there a fee to access Manning or Bell Gorge?
Bell Gorge sits within Mornington Wilderness Camp / Silent Grove — there's a day-use fee to access it (cash or card, check current rates with DBCA WA). Manning Gorge is on Mt Barnett Station land and charges a separate camping/access fee collected at the roadhouse. Have cash on hand — EFTPOS isn't always reliable this far out.
What's the hardest part of this 180km section and what am I actually dealing with?
The creek crossings between Bell and Manning gorges are the technical crux — water depth varies by season and recent rain, and the rocky approaches can be loose and off-camber. Bulldust holes hidden on flat-looking tracks are the other gotcha; hit one at speed and you'll bin a tyre or snap something. Walk crossings you're unsure about — no shame in it.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest fuel, and should I carry extra water?
Mt Barnett Roadhouse (roughly the midpoint) is your only fuel stop on this stretch — don't count on supply; call ahead before you leave Derby or Fitzroy Crossing. Carry a minimum of 20 litres of drinking water per person above what you think you'll need; gorge water is not reliably safe to drink untreated, and the nearest help is a long, slow drive away.
Trail track
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