The Gibb River Road is a (mostly) unsealed road that covers the 700km between Derby and Wyndham. Originally constructed as a cattle route between the stations and the ports, the road has also become an iconic road on the Australian lap. Thanks to the unsealed nature of the road, and unforgiving terrain of the Kimberley, it has also been given the nickname of the Caravan Killer!

Whilst we have travelled to some pretty amazing places, our van is not an off-road van so we opted for a compromise and bases ourselves at Windjana Gorge for three nights. The first 125km of the western end of the Gibb is sealed. The turn off for Windjana gorge is 124 km from Derby! The setting for the camp is spectacular and you are camped amongst a 350 million year old Devonian Reef System.

Leaving the van at Windjana, we took a drive down to Dimalurru Tunnel Creek National Park. The Dinalurru Tunnel Creek flows through a water worn tunnel in the limestone and creates a pretty cool adventure when you visit in the dry season and can walk through the tunnel. Even in the dry season, there are parts where you need to wade through water up to your waist and torches were definitely needed.

We took a walk along the river outside of the tunnel and even spotted a water monitor lizard appear from the water and exit onto the bank. It moved so slowly and looked like a living dinosaur.

Heading back to camp in the afternoon, we took a stroll into Windjana Gorge. The light on the rocks and the reflection in the water was incredible.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the walk however, was the opportunity to finally see our first wild freshwater crocodiles.

I think we counted 28 in total on our walk – all lying peacefully at the edge of the water and enjoying some late afternoon sun.

The next day we decided to take a day trip further along the Gibb and check out some of the Gorges we had heard so much about.

First stop was Lenard Gorge. A relatively short walk up to a lookout where you can see the gorge.

The landscape is pretty amazing but the kids were not satisfied with only looking at the gorge. Thankfully we bumped into a family who told us about Bell Gorge, only 60km further along the road, where you can swim in the freshwater pools (croc free!). So off we set….

The drive itself was amazing and a great chance to see the ranges of the Kimberley Region. Whilst the road seemed ok in parts, there are certainly sections where I was pleased we didn’t have the van. The landscape is like something from Jurrasic Park and I could totally imagine dinosaurs roaming around this place.

We arrived at Bell Gorge around 1pm and knew we would be on a bit of a speed mission to check out the gorge and take a swim, all in time to get back to the car and leave before 3.30pm so we could make the two hour drive back to camp before sunset and the wallaby’s started appearing by the side of the road.

It was definitely worth the effort and we were all rewarded with a swim in the fresh water of the pools at the top and bottom of the gorge.

We made it back to the car and left just at 3.45… not bad for a quick visit to the gorge and time for swimming. Driving back along the Gibb we had the chance to take in the landscape, whilst also keeping an eagle eye out for wallaby’s while seem intent on leaping infront of your car to see who’s reactions are the fastest. There are also cows and bulls wandering all over the place so you really need your wits about you. Our best animal sighting was late in the day when we spotted a snake on the road. We usually see dead snakes on roads but this one was slithering across the road. Noting how quiet the road was at this point, we paused to take a look (clearly from the safety of the car) and finally spotted our first wild venomous snake. We know they inhabit this area, and kids are well aware of snake safety, but it has surprised us that we really haven’t seen any until now…

Our day trip on the Gibb was certainly an adventure and one day we would love to do this drive in full. For now though, we are more than happy with the little taster and enjoyed our final night at Windjana before heading back to Derby to pick up a new jockey wheel for the van (randomly broke at Windjana) and air compressor for the tyres (also randomly broke at Windjana!). Time to head back down the Great Northern Highway and make our way across to the Bungle Bungles.