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Gibb River Road Trip - 2026
  • Andy Thomson
  • Dennis Rourke
  • Andy Thomson
  • Dennis Rourke

Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

Deno and Andy hitting the road! Read more
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  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026
    Aboriginal Cultural CentreAboriginal Cultural CentreAboriginal Cultural Centre

    Yellow Water Camp Ground, Kakadu

    September 3 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    From Gunlob we drove to Cooinda Lodge where we booked in for two nights. We also booked for the next morning’s Yellow River cruise. The afternoon was spent at the pool followed by the bar for drinks and burgers. The next morning’s sunrise cruise was spectacular. Stunning views, lots of crocodiles and a variety of birdlife made it a morning to remember. Later I took a walk to the Aboriginal cultural centre. The rest of the day was spent around the pool before HH at the Barra Bar.Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

    Burrungkuy Rock Art

    September 5 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    We left around 8am and headed to our first stop at Nawurlandja Lookout Walk. A 300m climb onto a rocky escarpment gave great views across Kakadu. From there we headed to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) to view some impressive 1000 year old rock art.Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

    Cahills Crossing

    September 5 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    On our way from Jabiru to Ubirr we stopped as the tide was turning at Cahills Crossing which is a causeway into Arnhem Land. The saltwater crocodiles wait at the causeway for the tide to turn which brings their meal on the incoming tide.Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

    Ubirr Rock Art

    September 5 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Today’s final stop was the amazing rock art and lookout at Ubirr. It is a special place and the panoramic views from the Nadal floodplain lookout are spectacular.

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026
    The Precinct Pub

    Darwin

    September 6 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After a brief visit to Mamukala Wetlands we drove 294km to Darwin where we stopped at Bicentennial Park where Dad’s WW2 unit was remembered. We also visited “The Precinct Hotel”.

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026
    Sunset Cruise

    Darwin

    September 7 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    After getting a service on Deno’s truck we headed into the city to visit the WW2 Oil Storage Tunnels where fuel was stored during the war. Later we visited the Royal Flying Doctor centre on Stokes Hill Wharf which also houses a VR experience based on the 19 February 1942 Darwin bombings. We finished the day with a sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour.Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026
    Two minutes before my accident 😂
    Burley Rock HoleBluey Rock HoleBluey Rock HoleFlorence FallsFrom the LookoutFrom the LookoutTwo minutes before my accident 😂

    Litchfield NP

    September 8 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    After Darwin we stopped at Strauss, a WW2 airstrip where my Dad was stationed in 1942. It was then into Litchfield where we stopped at some giant termite mounds. It was then a swim at Buley Rock Hole before heading for the beautiful Florence Falls. After viewing from the top we descended steep stairs for 400m to the plunge pool. I took one photo and then slipped on wet rocks hyper extending my right hamstring. In much pain I struggled back to the truck. Deno then visited Lost City and Wangi Falls while I sat in pain. It was 200km on to the ED at Katherine Hospital for assessment. Four hours later, endone and a hamstring tear diagnosis, we drove south of Katherine to King River Rest Area. I spent a terrible night in the front seat.Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

    Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu)

    September 9 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    We travelled 695km south on the Stuart Highway. We made a stop along the way at Tennant Creek to refuel and to fill my script for Endone. This place is quite stunning. We enjoyed a campfire with a pretty special backdrop.Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026
    NT/SA Rest Area

    Kulgera Pub

    September 10 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Today we drove 683 km south on the Stuart to a freecamp on the NT/SA border stopping in Alice to refuel. On the border we had a beer at the very quirky Kulgera pub.

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

    Lake Hart near Port Augusta

    September 11 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today’s drive was 915km. We drove south down the Stuart Highway. We passed Coober Pedy along the way with the results of all the mining very evident with mounds everywhere. The highway was long and full of nothing. We did see an Emu and her chicks cross the road.
    We also called in to a large salt lake called Lake Hart. The Indian Pacific tracks ran right by the water’s edge.

    We finally reached Port Augusta where we refuelled and had a couple of beers at the pub.    Read more

  • Gibb River Road Trip - 2026

    Getting home!

    September 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we drove 844km to Balranald. It was a long, painful day’s driving. We stopped briefly in the Clare Valley where I had a quick visit to Pikes Winery. Along the highway, fields of canola were most striking. From there we headed for Murray Bridge. Deno lost a wing mirror glass on the bridge and while looking for it, bumped into an old neighbour from Midnight Court. Our drive then took us through a number of small rural towns. We stopped at two which had murals. We finally reached Balranald where we had a beer and meal at the Shamrock Hotel. The next day we headed for home. My legs became swollen so we wet to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital for assessment. After blood thinners for a possible DVT and a referral to my GP, we got back on the road arriving home around 9pm after 35 days and 15,000 kilometres. Job doneRead more

    Trip end
    September 13, 2026