Days 20 to 25- In July 2003 my family left home for another exciting journey. Our destination was the ‘Kimberley’ in Western Australia. We travelled from Victoria to South Australia, then to the Northern Territory and to Western Australia via the Tanami Track, then did a circuit of the Kimberley including the Gibb River Road then across to Katherine and down south home on the Stuart Highway. We travelled about 10,000 kilometres in 6 weeks.
Kimberley Holiday Itinerary in PDF View, Save, Print and Share
Day 20 & 21 – Our First Day on the Gibb River Road.
We left Derby and drove to Bell Gorge, set up camp, the campground had basic amenities and plenty of shade. We walked to Bell Gorge, which was a fairly easy walk to the top of the Gorge. What a great sight, we are out the middle of nowhere and there is this amazing gorge.
To get to the lower part of Bell Gorge is was a bit harder, we walked behind the Gorge (above) and around the far side and a steep climb down the rocks to the lower section. We all had a great refreshing swim.
Days 21, 22 & 23 – Our next stop was Old Mornington Camp which is now known as the Mornington Wilderness Camp, We set up camp once again in a unique setting, basic amenities were available the hot water for the showers was heated by a wood heater.
Behind our camp was this interesting cliff face.
A few of us climbed up and this was the view of our camp from above.
The main attractions at the Mornington Camp were 2 gorges called Sir John Gorge and Dimond Gorge. We went to Sir John Gorge first both are part of the Fitzroy River.
Another view of the very peaceful and beautiful Sir John Gorge
The next day we went to Dimond Gorge downstream of Sir John Gorge and about 40 minutes drive from camp, which was fun as we hired canoes.
We canoed up the gorge, on the way we passed some other people and they said there is a hidden waterfall up further. They said to listen for the running water and get off onto the bank and find the waterfall, so we did.
Also some of us canoed across to the other side and climbed the cliff, the cliffs in the area are very rich with amazing colours.
Days 24 & 25 – The next day we travelled further down the Gibb River Road to the Mount Barnett Roadhouse and camped in the campground behind the roadhouse. We planned to stay one night but they had no fuel and the next delivery wasn’t coming until later the next day, so we stayed 2 nights. This photo shows a view of driving along Gibb River Road.
Manning Gorge is about an hours walk from the campground, it’s a beautiful swimming hole with a high waterfall.
A view from above Manning Gorge of the surrounding area. We left early to this walk and returned by early afternoon. The fuel truck had been so we filled up the vehicles with fuel, we were also able to do some washing.
Next we go to El Questro. Kunnunarra, Lake Argyle and more.
