Gibb River Road — Derby to Kununurra via the Kimberley Gorge Country (Dry Season Classic, Full Traverse, King Leopold Ranges and Manning Gorge Complete Run)
The Kimberley's spine. No shortcuts.
The Gibb River Road is the defining overland run of the Australian outback — a corrugated, bulldust-choked cattle track punching through the heart of the Kimberley from Derby on the west coast to Kununurra near the Northern Territory border. The full traverse covers roughly 660 kilometres of unsealed road through the King Leopold Ranges, past Bell Gorge, Manning Gorge, Adcock Gorge, and Galvans Gorge, with the Pentecost River crossing near Home Valley Station being the high-water mark — literally. That crossing can sit at 800mm or more after early season rains and has swallowed more than a few undersized rigs. The gorges are the payoff: slot canyons, plunge pools, freshwater crocs, and red rock walls that don’t care what year it is.
This is not a beginner run. Corrugations will shake bolts loose, tyres off rims, and optimism out of first-timers who underestimated the distance between fuel. Minimum setup is a lifted 4WD with long-range tank, two full-size spares, snorkel, and UHF. The road is open dry season only — May through October — and closes without apology when the wet hits. Fuel at Imintji, Marsh Bar, and El Questro; do not rely on roadhouses being fully stocked. EPIRB or satellite communicator is non-negotiable. The reward is one of the last truly big, empty, gorgeous drives on Earth.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 410 mi / 660 km |
| Duration | 5-10 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1800 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with long-range tank and snorkel |
| Nearest town | Derby, Western Australia |
| 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 | Main Roads WA – Gibb River Road Tourism WA – Gibb River Road |
| Verified | |
| 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 the full Gibb River Road?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can manage the main road, but the side tracks to gorges like Manning and Bell will punish low-clearance rigs and standard tyres. You need a snorkel for the creek crossings, a long-range tank (minimum 130L recommended), and a decent all-terrain or mud-terrain tyre — the corrugations and sharp ironstone will destroy a stock road tyre within days.
When does the Gibb River Road close, and can you drive it in April?
The road typically closes during the wet season, roughly November through April, due to flooding, impassable creek crossings, and road washouts. April is a hard gamble — some years it opens early, some years it doesn't open until June. Check Main Roads WA road conditions before committing; people get stranded every year by ignoring this.
Do you need permits to drive the Gibb River Road or camp along it?
The road itself is public and free, but several gorge stops and station stays require entry fees — El Questro costs around AUD $20 per person/day, and some Aboriginal-owned lands require permits through the Kimberley Land Council. Check each planned stop individually before you roll in expecting free access.
What's the hardest section of the Gibb River Road and what should I expect?
The corrugations are relentless throughout, but the side track into Manning Gorge and the creek crossings near the Pentecost River are the most serious obstacles. The Pentecost can run thigh-deep or higher even in dry season — walk it before you drive it, assess current flow, and don't cross if you can't see the bottom clearly.
Is there any fuel or resupply on the route, and what's the realistic range I need?
Fuel stops are sparse and expensive — Imintji Store, Mount Elizabeth Station, and El Questro are your main options across 660km, and not all are reliably open every day. Plan for a minimum 500km range between fills, carry extra jerry cans, and confirm each stop's operating hours before you leave Derby.
Trail track
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