Ivanhoe Crossing, The Back Rd to Whyndam

DRIVE: Kununurra to Whyndam via Parry Creek Road (100km).

After leaving Argyle Homestead Museum, we travel back to Kununurra for supplies on our way to the Gibb River Road. Yes that’s right, we haven’t even started the Gibb yet and we’ve done so much already. Kununurra seems like our home town as we have passed through a few times already and it’s central to everything and as far away from anything...!

We are taking the back road, Parry Creek Road to Wyndham travelling through Ngamoowalen Conservation Park. A couple of kilometres out, the road seemingly ends and we are confronted with a curving horizontal wall of fast flowing water cascading over a small but impressive falls. This is the famous Ivanhoe Crossing and one of Andrew’s bucket list items. Yes that’s right we’re driving across it, right down the middle between the bollards and the edges of the river...!

The Ivanhoe Crossing extends over Parry Creek and is inhabited by infamous salt water crocodiles. Regardless, a number of fishermen are perched on the edge of the crossing in a foot deep of water intent on catching a Barramundi or two.

A foot deep is low for this time of the season so we assess the correct pathway ahead, basically stay in the middle and avoid knocking the fishermen downstream, and put the 4WD into low range gear.

Andrew goes first and takes about a minute to do the 200m crossing. Jen is keen to tackle the river so steady as she goes, she steers the 4WD across the flow. One of the fishermen gives us a wave as we pass or maybe he’s just checking we don’t run him over...

It’s awesome but over too soon as we are so focussed on staying on course and getting to the other end. Well done Jen. From novice off-road driver on Fraser Island to expert river crossing driver over Ivanhoe crossing.

There’s a smaller but less defined crossing further ahead which we navigate with confidence and continue in our way.

Stopping at Marlgu Billabong for lunch on the way through (see separate footprint), we continue the 100km stretch to Wyndham which is the Northern most point of Western Australia.

Wyndham sits in the mouth of The Cambridge Gulf which is a tidal river. Wyndham was originally settled as a gold mining town. Today it looks more like a ghost town as we pass through an abandoned township on the way to the port.

We drive up a steep hill to the lookout and are treated with never ending spectacular 360 degree views of The Cambridge Gulf, The Kimberley’s and the Wyndham Port below.

Wyndham is strategically placed and is where the merger of “The Five Rivers”, Ord, King, Pentecost, Durack and Forrest takes place which flow into and supply The Cambridge Gulf.

Jen spots a pioneer cemetery where many of the original settlers are buried.

CAMP: Whyndam Caravan Park / 1 Night
We set up for the night at the Caravan Park and enjoy a shower and an early night as it’s been another epic one.En savoir plus