📍 Australia

KIMBERLEY WILD CROSSING: REMOTE GORGES AND RED EARTH

Red earth stretches endlessly, gorges carve deep canyons, hidden waterfalls sing. The remote Kimberley road reveals Australia's primitive soul.

≈ 12
Days
1151
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Take the Gibb River Road, a legendary adventure: Windjana's spectacular gorges, Bell Gorge's hidden pools, Manning's cliffs and El Questro lodge. The Kimberley is Australia's wildest frontier.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Derby

frontier outback western gateway

🔍

Discover

1
Derby - port town, western gateway to the Gibb River Road
2
Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Cultural Centre - Aboriginal art and culture
🎯

Activities

Tourist information center - road conditions and status
Trip preparation - fuel and water supply
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 183 km
Travel time: 3h40
2
Day

Windjana Gorge

rock fortress limestone cathedral

🔍

Discover

1
Bandilngan National Park (Windjana Gorge) - 3.5 km gorge in an ancient Devonian reef
2
Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) - oldest cave system in Western Australia (750 m)
🎯

Activities

Gorge Walk Trail - 7 km return hike
Freshwater crocodile observation
Tunnel Creek exploration - through cave with underground river
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 68 km
Travel time: 1h21
3
Day

Bell Gorge

hidden waterfall emerald pool

🔍

Discover

1
Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park - Kimberley mountain range
2
Lennard Gorge - steep gorge with natural pool
🎯

Activities

Inglis Gap lookout - panoramic view over the ranges
Swimming at Lennard Gorge
Hike to Bell Gorge
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 23 km
Travel time: 28min
4
Day

Mount Hart

station homestead outback heritage

🔍

Discover

1
Bell Gorge - multi-tiered waterfall and natural pools
2
Mount Hart Homestead - historic estate at the foot of Mt Matthew
🎯

Activities

Swimming in the pools of Bell Gorge
Matthew Gorge - isolated gorge near Mount Hart
Bird watching in the rainforest pocket
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 124 km
Travel time: 2h28
5
Day

Manning Gorge

sculptured stone water sanctuary

🔍

Discover

1
Galvans Gorge - accessible waterfall and natural pool
2
Manning Gorge - gorge with upper and lower waterfalls
🎯

Activities

Swimming at Galvans Gorge
Guided hike to Upper Manning Gorge
River crossing by raft to the waterfalls
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 109 km
Travel time: 2h11
6
Day

Mornington

cattle station kimberley heart

🔍

Discover

1
Mornington Wilderness Camp - 3000 km² tropical savanna reserve
2
Dimond Gorge - spectacular gorge of the region
🎯

Activities

Canoeing on Dimond Gorge
Bird watching - over 200 species
Self-guided hikes in the savanna
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 266 km
Travel time: 5h19
7
Day

Drysdale River

remote outpost river crossing

🔍

Discover

1
Mt Elizabeth Station - historic cattle station
2
Wunnumurra Gorge and Warlu Gorge - sacred Aboriginal gorges
3
Drysdale River Station - gateway to Mitchell River National Park
🎯

Activities

Mitchell Falls - four-tiered waterfalls (scenic flight or hiking)
Merton Falls and Surveyors Pool
Mitchell and King Edward Rivers - barramundi fishing
+2 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 230 km
Travel time: 4h37
8
Day

Home Valley

historic station cattle country

🔍

Discover

1
Ellenbrae Station - traditional cattle station
2
Home Valley Station - estate at the foot of the Cockburn Ranges
🎯

Activities

Cockburn Ranges panorama - red sandstone escarpments
Horseback riding in the outback
Barramundi fishing
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 37 km
Travel time: 44min
9
Day

El Questro

luxury wilderness gorge resort

🔍

Discover

1
Pentecost River crossing - iconic ford passage
2
El Questro Wilderness Park - 400,000 hectare nature reserve
🎯

Activities

Zebedee Springs - natural hot springs in a palm gorge
Emma Gorge - hike to waterfall and natural pool
Chamberlain Gorge - boat cruise on the gorge
+3 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 111 km
Travel time: 2h13
10
Day

Kununurra

tropical irrigation final gateway

🔍

Discover

1
Kununurra - oasis town of East Kimberley
2
Lake Argyle - Australia's largest artificial reservoir (18 times the volume of Sydney Harbour)
3
Wyndham - historic port and Five Rivers Lookout
🎯

Activities

Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle) - UNESCO-listed sandstone domes (250 km)
Scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle
Lake Argyle cruise - freshwater crocodile watching
+2 Optional activities

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Peak Season (December-February): Summer holidays, warmest weather, perfect for beaches, highest prices, most crowded attractions, school holidays.

Shoulder Seasons (March-May, September-November): Excellent weather, fewer crowds, moderate prices, ideal for most regions and outdoor activities.

Winter (June-August): Perfect for tropical north (dry season), ski season in Snowy Mountains, cooler in south, lower prices except ski areas.

Regional Variations: Northern Australia best in dry season (May-October), southern regions pleasant year-round, consider vast distances and climate zones.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 10 and 14 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Australia?

Unique wildlife, stunning beaches, and vast Outback create the ultimate adventure destination. From Sydney Opera House to Great Barrier Reef and Uluru's spiritual presence. Experience Aboriginal culture, world-class wine regions, and cosmopolitan cities alongside dangerous animals. Australia offers life-changing experiences across diverse landscapes and vibrant cities.