35 Days Halls Creek to Wolfe Creek Crater via GNH, Cape Leveque, GRR, Kalumburu Road, Mitchell River Track and Tanami Road.

by Greg Carthew
(Wollongong NSW)

We are a group of 7 people (with 1 more flying into Broome to join us and she will fly out of Kununurra. We have 4 4WD vehicles and 3 offroad campertrailers and 1 tent.)
The only real issues with dates are van park bookings in Broome, Middle Lagoon, Cape Leveque and Derby which have been booked otherwise our itinerary is fairly loose.
This is one option.

The other option has us coming into the Kimberleys via Victoria Highway then down the Duncan Road to Halls Creek, then the itinerary would be the same from Halls Creek which would make it about 37 days.

Any thoughts, comments ideas would be appreciated.

Day 1. Wave Hill Station in NT to Halls Creek
Day 2. Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing
Day 3. Fitzroy Crossing to Broome
Day 4. Broome
Day 5. Broome
Day 6. Broome
Day 7. Broome to Middle Lagoon
Day 8. Middle Lagoon
Day 9. Middle Lagoon to Cape Leveque
Day 10. Cape Leveque & King Sound
Day 11. Cape Leveque
Day 12. Cape Leveque to Broome
Day 13. Broome
Day 14. Broome to Derby
Day 15. Derby
Day 16. Derby to Windjana Gorge National Park
Day 17. Windjana Gorge (day trip to Tunnel Creek)
Day 18. Windjana Gorge to Silent Grove (Bell Gorge)
Day 19. Silent Grove
Day 20. Silent Grove to Manning Gorge
Day 21. Manning Gorge
Day 22. Manning Gorge to Drysdale Homestead
Day 23. Drysdale Homestead to King Edward River
Day 24. Day trip to Mitchell Falls etc
Day 25. Day Trip to Little Mertens Falls
Day 26. King Edward River to El Questro
Day 27. El Questro
Day 28. El Questro
Day 29. El Questro
Day 30. El Questro to Kununurra
Day 31. Kununurra
Day 32. Kununurra to Purnululu
Day 33. Purnululu
Day 34. Purnululu
Day 35. Purnululu to Wolfe Creek Crater via Halls Creek
Day 36. We leave the Kimberleys and head across the Tanami Desert stopping overnight at Rabbit Flat etc

Comments for 35 Days Halls Creek to Wolfe Creek Crater via GNH, Cape Leveque, GRR, Kalumburu Road, Mitchell River Track and Tanami Road.

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Looks like a relaxed trip
by: Birgit

Hi Greg,

It looks like a very relaxed trip.
The itinerary does not include much detail, so beyond the time frame I can't find much to comment on.

The most common problem is that people rush too much and try to fit in too much, and you certainly aren't making that mistake.

Hope you'll have a great time!
B.
Finished the Kimberley's
by: Greg

Hi Birgit,

I am currently sitting in Alice Springs having completed most of our trip (Wednesday 21 July 2010).

The first changes which occurred was one vehicle pulled out of the trip at the last minute.

Then at Lawn Hill NP one of our party had an accident in his 4WD (nobody hurt thank goodness) and pulled out of the trip. This left just the 2 4WD's and 2 couples to finish the trip.

Our first disappointment was after the rain in May we were advised that the Savannah Way had been closed at Hells Gate, so we went via the Barkly Highway instead.

Next we heard that it was really wet down around Wave Hill so opted to change the route again and went north to Timber Creek via Top Springs.

All went well for a while. Had a great time in Fitzroy Crossing and Geike Gorge, Broome, Middle Lagoon, Cape Leveque, Derby and the Gibb River Road. While on the GRR we heard that the road up to Mitchell Falls was in pretty bad condition so decided to miss this adventure and spent a few days at Mornington Wilderness Park instead. We continued on with the trip and added in a couple of relaxing days at Home Valley Station. I can't recommend this place highly enough. The grounds and staff there were great. Nothing was too much trouble. From there onto El Questro where we heard that the rain we had been experiencing over the past few days had closed the GRR. We were really lucky as we must have been just in front of the rain and only got a few drops.

While in Kununurra we found out that the Duncan Road and Tanami road were closed. Another change of route saw us going down the Great Northern Highway again and onto one of the worst roads I have ever been on. The road into Purnululu is really terrible, which is a shame as the park is quite beautiful. While at Purnululu the Tanami re-opened so we set off as planned.

The was lots of water on the road and we ended up spending an extra night on the Tanami due to the slow going. Rabbit Flat Camping Ground was closed due to the ground being too wet, but one of the twins who was working there that day advised us where we could free camp not far away.

We made it to Tillmouth Wells ( a great stop over which should be pencilled into any plans) then next day we made it into Alice Springs where we arranged some much needed repairs to my Camper Trailer. I had brake and suspension problems and have been delayed here by at least 3 days. Not to worry though there is lots to see and do here.

I would like to thank you for all of your assistance in organising this trip. Without your great book the job would have been much more difficult. I had a printout of your book in the car with me and when we had to change routes several times it made the planning for the change so much easier. All the info I required was there including where to camp etc.

I can and will recommend this book to anyone planning a trip to the Kimberley's anytime in the future.

Regards
Greg and crew



Thanks!!
by: Birgit

Hi Greg and crew,

Thanks for returning here to tell us about your experiences! Quite an adventure by the sounds of it. Glad you managed to see most of the Gibb River Road before it closed.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I tend to get behind with a lot of things when on the road, I'm afraid :-(.

Thanks a lot for writing and especially for your kind words. They are much appreciated!

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