WA and Kimberleys

[Lucky_Phill]

Howd'y people,

I'm after ideas and info.

Traveling to WA in July next year. I will drive from home ( SEQ ). but heading straight to Broome, our base for a few days. ( taking fully set up Colorado )

Spending a bit of time around this area and will do the obvious, Horo falls, Rowley Shoals.........etc

Then making our way to Kununurra and may go via Kalumburu / Honeymoon Bay.

So, I suppose there are number of questions.

firstly, do it take the Gibb River road or the chicken track ? ;D

The bitumen from Derby to Kununurra does have options to stop, like Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and places to see there. We'll stay at Lake Argyle as well.

Does anyone have ideas for things to see in the Broome area and surrounds. Hiking is on the cards.

Is Wyndham worthy of the detour ?

We'll end up in Darwin for a while, then the savannah way to Cairns and home.

anything you can share will be appreciated.

cheers LP

[gunna]

Gibb River rd and swim in all the different falls. You can do a different one every day. Hot falls at El Questro. We did Option 1 of this tour

https://horizontalfallsadventures.com.au/tour/broome-full-day-tour/

from Broome. Best one day trip I have done in all the countries I have visited.

[shortthenlong]

Is Mark going to be letting people in by then?

Matt

[Lucky_Phill]

Thanks,

We are pretty sure of doing the overnight trip to Horo Falls. Just offers that little bit more time.

cheers

[bluefin59]

If your heading up the Gibb river road to Mitchell plateau I guess an option would be to go to Kimberley Costal Camp for some luxury , best aboriginal art and some outstanding fishing . They can fly you in from the plateau but it’s bloody expensive now to stay and the flights aren’t cheap

[bugsytwoshoes]

We did that trip a few years ago, flew to Broome and stayed there a few days and did some fishing with a guide, we got a taxi down to the fishing boat and the taxi (Ford Falcon) drove straight onto the beach. We hired a Landcruiser and travelled up the coast to Kununurra. This was a fantastic trip we stayed at Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, El Questro and Kununurrra we took the plane back to Darwin. Highlights of the trip were Broome, amazing place, Fitzroy Crossing , go on the Indigenous Geiki Gorge tour, fantastic. Amazing places like Zebedee Springs at El Questro although El Questro itself was disapointing. Another place I liked was Kununurra we went on a Barra trip with a Barra guide called Hairy Dog and caught some magnificent Barra on the Ord River. You will enjoy this trip Phil in this beautiful part of Australia I would love to do it again.

[seastrength]

We did that trip a few years ago, flew to Broome and stayed there a few days and did some fishing with a guide, we got a taxi down to the fishing boat and the taxi (Ford Falcon) drove straight onto the beach. We hired a Landcruiser and travelled up the coast to Kununurra. This was a fantastic trip we stayed at Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, El Questro and Kununurrra we took the plane back to Darwin. Highlights of the trip were Broome, amazing place, Fitzroy Crossing , go on the Indigenous Geiki Gorge tour, fantastic. Amazing places like Zebedee Springs at El Questro although El Questro itself was disapointing. Another place I liked was Kununurra we went on a Barra trip with a Barra guide called Hairy Dog and caught some magnificent Barra on the Ord River. You will enjoy this trip Phil in this beautiful part of Australia I would love to do it again.

Thinking of doing a similar trip by road from Brisbane next May providing the COVID madness has died down by then. How were the corruagations on the Gibb River road. I have heard that they can be suspension and tyre destroying. Thanks in advance. SS

[Corry]

Oh I'm so envious Phil, our dream trip is to camp the whole western coast, taking the boat with us though.
Just happens that we had a trip to the Maldives booked in 2020, obviously didn't happen so we postponed to 2021, when that had to be postponed again we took a credit with the travel mob, and looking for somewhere to spend it within Aus. Unfortunately, one of the most common places for the 'luxury' holidays happens to be Whitsundays, or Port Douglas, and as we've got a house at Seaforth and in Cairns, neither of these places 'take us away', so, Broome is looking like where we'll end up. Keen to follow your adventure over there and see what you end up doing, specially fishing wise.
By all means when you're on your way back, drop us a line, would love to catch up whether it be Cairns or Seaforth, can always offer you a bed.

[bugsytwoshoes]

It was a few years ago that we did the trip seastrength
and I don't recall the road being to bad but we were not towing a van or anything.

[TheRealAndy]

Pretty sure LP had the chance to do that trip a few years back, but bailed out because he was too soft.

[Lucky_Phill]

Pretty sure LP had the chance to do that trip a few years back, but bailed out because he was too soft.

Nearly......................., we just went way too early in the season. I dropped 4 kilos in 2 weeks. A bit older and wiser now.

The stars / planets are aligning. I have even booked in an overnighter at Horizontal Falls... :)

LP

[gunna]

Take your swimmers for the shark cage

124312

[TheRealAndy]

Nearly......................., we just went way too early in the season. I dropped 4 kilos in 2 weeks. A bit older and wiser now.

The stars / planets are aligning. I have even booked in an overnighter at Horizontal Falls... :)

LP

I was going to back seat that trip with Linda and Brad, with a swag. Luck for me I couldn't get the time off work.

[Lucky_Phill]

If your heading up the Gibb river road to Mitchell plateau I guess an option would be to go to Kimberley Costal Camp for some luxury , best aboriginal art and some outstanding fishing . They can fly you in from the plateau but it’s bloody expensive now to stay and the flights aren’t cheap

We are now heading up the Gibb River Road. Mitchell Plateau / Falls, Mertens Falls and onto Kalumburu and Honeymoon Bay. Guess I'll take some suspension spares... ? But taking it easy, I should be OK, no rush. :)

LP

[JEWIENEWIE]

Gibb River track is awesome. Did it many years ago and at the time, yes, it was very rough. Me and the missus did it in a 84 Troopy, had no dramas as took it easy but found many vehicles on the side of the road with broken shockies, suspension etc. People would look at us as we pulled up to offer assistance in the old girl, and shake their heads when we say we have had no dramas, even get more annoyed when they found out we had travelled from Byron in her!! the long way...Learnt the hard way about dealing with the road trains though, must remember to wind up the windows, and close the little vents near the foot well PRIOR to pulling over and letting the road train go by, never got that fine dust out of the truck or the dog!!
JN

[Lucky_Phill]

Gibb River track is awesome. Did it many years ago and at the time, yes, it was very rough. Me and the missus did it in a 84 Troopy, had no dramas as took it easy but found many vehicles on the side of the road with broken shockies, suspension etc. People would look at us as we pulled up to offer assistance in the old girl, and shake their heads when we say we have had no dramas, even get more annoyed when they found out we had travelled from Byron in her!! the long way...Learnt the hard way about dealing with the road trains though, must remember to wind up the windows, and close the little vents near the foot well PRIOR to pulling over and letting the road train go by, never got that fine dust out of the truck or the dog!!
JN

Thanks, Yep..... Slow and steady will win the race. My rear suspension is pretty new, but the front struts will be renewed 1 month before I leave. They are 140,000 k's old, but are holding up well, Aussie made EFS stuff ><>

I will also be carrying spare rubbers / mounts, washer and bolts. If I blow a shockie, that is a non critical issue and to be honest, I've given my shockies a thrashing over the last 8 years, so not expecting any trouble.

I saw a video of the road into Kalumburu yesterday..... looks like another " take it easy " road and hopefully all the river crossings are good by July.

I dare say I won't be the only one heading up these roads at this time next year. Just gotta be prepared.

cheers

[Lucky_Phill]

It seems the Gibb River Rd is having some bitumen laid. Unsure how much, but saw something on the net the other day about council doing some stuff.

A few more things locked in the diary for the trip, especially around Darwin and NT.

Also looking to spend more time at Karumba.

I love a good plan :)


LP

[docaster]

Thanks,

We are pretty sure of doing the overnight trip to Horo Falls. Just offers that little bit more time.

cheersWell worth the overnight stay just for a stint in the aircon. Horizontal falls was the highlight me. Good feed as well.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[docaster]

I'd never do the gib again lol, it's a shocker. You have to pick your speed so you "hover" over the ruts. Well worth the money to have bullet proof tyres. The rocks are like little tomahawks, Razer sharp

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Lucky_Phill]

Just a couple of updates.

I now have the Hotwire Anderson plug fitted to charge the camper while driving and also a RedArc brake controller.

A stone deflector ( home-made ) fitted to stop those nasty rocks from the Gibb doing damage.

I have also made a plan for the following 2 days after departing Derby and onto Drysdale River Station..... 8-)

No word on a delivery date for the Camper, but not worried, they did say late January....


LP

[Lucky_Phill]

Update .

Picked up the camper. I have also done a shake down trip to Carnarvon Gorge ( central Qld )

The place was amazing.

The camper............ no issues at all. It all went very well, although I will be swapping out the mattress's... being 75mm thick high density foam , just ain't cutting it.

The Colorado towed it nicely and 105kph seems to be the sweet spot. It blew the fuel out to 14.2ltrs / 100 k's, and in the big scheme of things, pretty happy with that. Not happy with diesel prices though.( top price paid was $2.39/ltr )

Took under 30 minutes to set up camper with 2 people. I didn't zip on the annex, just used a 4.5 x 3 marquee which worked really well and will be doing this for the WA trip. Having said that, if I stayed in the one place for a week, I would zip on the annex and ensuite.

I have purchased some tyres the same size as the trailers and they are 10 ply. The WA trip is drawing close and plans are 75% sorted, with some activities and accom already booked and paid for.

I've attached some random photos.

LP

[Lucky_Phill]

just a couple more

[bluefin59]

Looks great ,enjoy your journey. Matt

[Dignity]

Nothing like a shakedown trip, love Carnarvon Gorge, did you get up early and look for Platypuses further down the creek.

[Lucky_Phill]

Nothing like a shakedown trip, love Carnarvon Gorge, did you get up early and look for Platypuses further down the creek.

Saw the Pusses morning and afternoon. Kellie got up at 4am ( as did i ) and she did the Boolimba Bluff walk to greet the sunrise.. 900 steps up 300 mtrs......... not sure this old fart could handle that, after the day before we did the 22k hike up to Cathedral Cave and back, visiting all off-shoots................


LP

[Dignity]

Saw the Pusses morning and afternoon. Kellie got up at 4am ( as did i ) and she did the Boolimba Bluff walk to greet the sunrise.. 900 steps up 300 mtrs......... not sure this old fart could handle that, after the day before we did the 22k hike up to Cathedral Cave and back, visiting all off-shoots................


LP

Easy peasy, this old fart (70+) did it twice two years ago in the morning, once before breakfast with a couple of young ladies, then after breakfast with my wife and daughter
To be honest my adventuring spirit was a little limited by my family, certainly could do more. Even my offshore trips seem to be limited by my crew, most are so stuffed that I send them home at the end so I can clean the boat.

[Lucky_Phill]

7 weeks until departure.

Took the new camper to the " shop ' and had a wheel alignment........ lucky I did, was out a fair bit and no doubt would have caused issues with the tyres after all those kilometers.

Also fitted new tyres to the Colorado.. so they are the same size as camper tyres...

I even went all out today and bought new ends caps for the bottom of my camp chair.... ;D

LP

[bluefin59]

7 weeks until departure.

Took the new camper to the " shop ' and had a wheel alignment........ lucky I did, was out a fair bit and no doubt would have caused issues with the tyres after all those kilometers.

Also fitted new tyres to the Colorado.. so they are the same size as camper tyres...

I even went all out today and bought new ends caps for the bottom of my camp chair.... ;D

LP

Enjoy the Kimberley mate , it’s way special in a heap of ways . Matt

[Lucky_Phill]

Did another shake down out at Coolmunda dam. All went to plan 8-)

Some random photos attached. Even a drone shot of the carpark at the boat ramp.... no cars ? since when ? hahahahahaa ;D

LP

[disorderly]

Looks like you are getting quite a comfortable setup happening there Phil...

Great timing too..at least you wont have to freeze your balls off for much longer...

Looking forward to some reports of the trip and some cool drone shots hopefully...

A little bit jealous though I must say..:)

[Dignity]

Looks like you are getting quite a comfortable setup happening there Phil...

Great timing too..at least you wont have to freeze your balls off for much longer...

Looking forward to some reports of the trip and some cool drone shots hopefully...

A little bit jealous though I must say..:)

I don't know, have friends just passed through the Kimberley's last week and it was cold enough they had to wear jackets during the day.

[Lucky_Phill]

a brief round up........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8xVJ5wqtI

[Funchy]

Howd'y people,

I'm after ideas and info.

Traveling to WA in July next year. I will drive from home ( SEQ ). but heading straight to Broome, our base for a few days. ( taking fully set up Colorado )

Spending a bit of time around this area and will do the obvious, Horo falls, Rowley Shoals.........etc

Then making our way to Kununurra and may go via Kalumburu / Honeymoon Bay.

So, I suppose there are number of questions.

firstly, do it take the Gibb River road or the chicken track ? ;D

The bitumen from Derby to Kununurra does have options to stop, like Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and places to see there. We'll stay at Lake Argyle as well.

Does anyone have ideas for things to see in the Broome area and surrounds. Hiking is on the cards.

Is Wyndham worthy of the detour ?

We'll end up in Darwin for a while, then the savannah way to Cairns and home.

anything you can share will be appreciated.

cheers LP

I lived up there for a few years a while back. Went to school in Wyndham. Some good fishing around the place if you have a tinny but not much to see as a town.

Lived in derby for a while. Head out to the jetty with some crab pots and youll get a feed.

Between Broome and Derby you will cross the Fitzroy river. Stop in and do the pipi shuffle on the sandy edges and you will get fresh water mussels (Check fish regs it's been a while) - -17.733382157066206, 123.6477009501939

Stunning country up that way mate. You cant go wrong just driving through the place.

Good luck.

[Lucky_Phill]

OK,,, 2 sleeps until I depart. Packed and ready.

Who knows, what I have forgotten, but I'll find out sooner or later 8-)

cheers LP

[bluefin59]

Enjoy the journey and take in as much of the Kimberley as possible it’s outstanding.