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The Gibb River Road: Route Guide

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Bell Gorge Kimberley — The Gibb River Road
Photo: BriMiDra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

An eight-day high-clearance 4WD journey from Broome to Kununurra, including the 647-kilometre mainly unsealed Gibb River Road and its condition-dependent side roads. Walk Bandilngan, Dalmanyi and Manning Gorge, then finish with El Questro and Mirima. Every gorge remains conditional on current road, park and station access.

The Gibb River Road is a 880 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 8-day trip; the plan below is the 8-day version for June, built from 81 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

8
days
880km
distance
7
Stops
81
curated stops

Plan your own version → 8-day plan · best time to go

The route

Broome→ 220 kmDerby→ 140 kmBandilngan (Windjana Gorge)→ 95 kmDalmanyi (Bell Gorge)→ 110 kmMount Barnett and Manning Gorge→ 240 kmEl Questro→ 75 kmKununurra

What you'll see

Broome Historical Museum
Discover local history focusing on the pearl fishing industry and a Japanese attack.
Broome
Mowanjum Culture Centre
Explore art, crafts, and events from the Mowanjum people.
Derby
Bandilngan Gorge Walk
Walk beneath the Devonian reef walls and look for freshwater crocodiles from a safe distance; swimming is prohibited.
Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge)
Dalmanyi Bell Gorge Trail
Take the two-kilometre gorge trail to waterfall views; swim only where current park advice permits.
Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge)
Manning Gorge and Falls
Use a dry-season day pass for the remote Manning Falls walk, after confirming road, station and water conditions.
Mount Barnett and Manning Gorge
Emma Gorge Walk
Follow the rocky gorge trail to the waterfall and pool only when the operator confirms seasonal access.
El Questro
Mirima National Park
Discover striking sandstone formations in the Hidden Valley trails.
Kununurra
SSJG Heritage Centre
Learn about the Sisters of St John of God's work among local Aboriginal people.
Broome

Choose your length

8-day plan24 stops · 25.5 h transit3 stops/day · 3.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

The supported dry-season product window. Access is never assumed: check Main Roads, both shires, park alerts and each station or roadhouse before entering every side road.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →