Gibb River Road from the West

On our way towards the Gibb River Road, we stopped off near Derby at the Prison Tree, a giant boab tree that was used as an overnight lockup for Aboriginal prisoners as they were led to the Derby Gaol.

From there, we headed into what many call the true Kimberley, rough and rugged with its bumpy unsealed roads, river crossings, rocky outcrops and ranges, varied bird and animal life and signature boab trees. We were especially lucky to be here thanks to an early road opening for this year’s dry season.

From our campground we marvelled the 90m high rocky cliffs of the Windjana Gorge, known for its freshwater crocodiles, which we we were excited to spot when we ventured into the gorge, swimming in the water and lazing in the sun on the banks opposite us. We also saw beautiful brolgas and groups of agile wallabies hopping by.

We day tripped further into the Gibb, visiting the stunning Bell Gorge where we swam right up to the waterfall, and Leonard River Gorge, also beautiful, but much less exciting for the kids due to the long, hot walk in and no swimming.

Our last stop before heading back out to the highway was Tunnel Creek, the most exciting of our gorge visits yet, which involved walking along and swimming through a creek in a completely dark cave, using headlights to find our way. Not sure whether it was the cold, deep water, the guide book that wrote of potential freshwater crocs in the cave pools or the fact that we were all alone in the cave, but we were certainly all pretty happy to make it out into the sunshine at the end!

Tunnel Creek also has a more sinister story reminding us again of our history. It was the location that, in 1897, Aboriginal freedom fighter (or outlaw as described by white settlers), Jandamarra, was captured and killed.Read more