An Early 2017 Kimberley Adventure - After a Huge Wet Season!

by Valerie
(Sydney)

Crossing the Pentecost River on El Questro

Crossing the Pentecost River on El Questro



Note from Birgit:

Valerie and her friend K visited the Kimberley in May 2017, after the biggest wet season in a very long time.

If you are nervous about the off road driving and the river crossings, then this trip report is a must read.

Valerie started out rather anxious when she encountered the first creek crossing so deep that it sent water over the bonnet of the car.

Yet two weeks later there she was, nonchalantly advising other tourists on how to tackle deep water crossings and instructing her friend K on how to get out of a black mud bog!

You will also find this trip report interesting if like Valerie you are not much into camping. Valerie writes not only about the attractions, she also reviews all the tented camps and accommodations with photos.

The report was too long to be published as a standard reader page. Those are restricted to 10,000 characters.

I had to put it on a separate page. The link below will open in a new window, and once you finished reading and close the window, you will land back here and can leave a comment for Valerie.

Enjoy!

An Early 2017 Kimberley Adventure - After a Huge Wet Season!


Comments for An Early 2017 Kimberley Adventure - After a Huge Wet Season!

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 18, 2018
 A great read - brought back memories
by: Susan Hockey

I really enjoyed reading this as it brought back such wonderful memories of our great trip in September 2016. But what a contrast. There was no water in the Pentecost River for our trip and no other water crossings except the road into El Questro.
Susan Hockey
www.susanhockey.com
Feb 19, 2018
 Mr
by: Bill McNulty

Great read, so glad you enjoyed the trip. We did a similar trip in 2010 and we will be doing it again with friends in Sept this year 2018.
Feb 19, 2018
 Some great insights here
by: Krystyna

We are travelling the Kimberley - Broome to Broome - this coming May to June 2018. Our itinerary, put together using the great info in Brigit's Kimberley Guide takes us on the same route - more or less - but in reverse. So much of the information in the review is totally relevant to our trip. Lot's of great tips and info and the photos got us very excited. Thank you.
Feb 19, 2018
 Fantastic journey
by: Deb

How wonderful to be able to read about this journey in such detail - makes me want to go! Thanks Valerie.
Feb 22, 2018
 Thanks
by: Paul

What a great little travellog. Thanks for taking the time to make it available to everyone. Lots of good information and little insights in there.
Feb 22, 2018
 Love your adventures
by: Anonymous

Really enjoyed reading about your adventures. Love the photos. We took a much shorter 4 day tour from Broome in 2015. Brought back great memories. Seeing much more brings thoughts of another trip. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Feb 22, 2018
 Kimberly Adventure
by: Bev

A wonderful documentary of what was obviously a wonderful trip. Thanks for all the hints and advice. Hopefully it will stand us in good stead when we do the Kimberley later this year. Thanks for sharing.
Feb 22, 2018
 Good Stuff
by: Jeff

Great trip report. Did you see the art works at the end of Tunnel Creek, up high on the wall?
Feb 22, 2018
 Well documented, a great read!
by: Don Finlay

Thanks for your great report, Valerie.
Friends, my Wife & I, hit the road full-time in June, & will be doing the Kimberley later this year, (season permitting) or April-June 2019. Planning on visiting all you've seen (& more), so your diary & experiences will come in very handy on that trip. You clearly had a whale of a time.
Thanks again!!
Feb 22, 2018
 Awesome read
by: Schultz’s

We enjoyed reading your journey. We had gearbox failure at Coober Pedy and missed out on doing Tanami and Gibb River, instead doing Darwin and buying new car and Litchfield. Look forward to our adventure maybe next year. Thanks.
Feb 23, 2018
 Message for Jeff
by: Valerie

Hi Jeff, I didn't see the artwork on the rocks at the end of Tunnel Creek - but my friend K did. As you probably gathered, I'd decided that climbing over rocks was not really my thing - and I'd seen lots of wonderful aboriginal rock art in Kakadu and Uluru on other trips.
Feb 23, 2018
 Thank you
by: Irene

I loved your travelogue of your Kimberley trip. My husband and I are self driving on a similar route in September 2018 and I have taken note of your many useful tips. We met on a bus tour of the Kimberley in 2014 and want to go back to drive it ourselves. Loved your photos too !
Feb 23, 2018
 Inspiring
by: Karen. S

Thanks Valarie & K. Loved your travel log and pics. Lots of useful info. I did a swag sleeping, sailing trip March 2017 Wyndham to Broome with Ahoy Buccaneers. Great seeing the waterfalls and coastline from the water. Would like to do the road trip and lots of hiking someday soon myself. You encouraged me that women with little 4wd experience can do this, thanks for being inspiring.
Feb 25, 2018
 WOW!
by: Ton

What wonderful detail... I felt I was there, too. I could just imagine your reaction to the frogs in the loo, Val.
Love your beautiful photos.
This is such a great journal of your fantastic trip.
Well done, Val... and K!
Feb 26, 2018
 The Bungle Bungles
by: Beth

I am sorry you didn't see Echidna Gorge at midday when the sun is overhead and throws the most marvellous luminous light into the gorge. It is one of the best experiences in the Kimberley. We spent 4 nights in the BBs and it was not nearly long enough. I would recommend anyone visiting to get to Echidna Gorge about 11am and be in it for the next hour or so. It will take you quite a few minutes to walk in to the end, then be able to enjoy the rich orange light in the deep narrow chasm as you walk out again. Of course it needs to be a sunny day - not always guaranteed.
And sad that you didn't make it all the way into Emma Gorge - another beautiful place and delightful walk.
Feb 26, 2018
 Just great!
by: Leith

Thinking of nominating you for your next reincarnation Valerie - tour guide! This was clear, helpful and I could feel your wry sense of humour throughout. We were on a catamaran from Broome to Darwin a couple of years back and found It the most wonderful and unforgettable experience but would love to do it your way too; probably won't but nevertheless... Keep well my dear. Love & best wishes x
Mar 09, 2018
 Bucket List Drive
by: Susan P

I have already been to the Kimberly and loved every minute of it. Your adventure gave me goose bumps as it is so beautiful up there. As part of my retirement bucket list (just recently retired) is to drive the Gibb River Road from Broome to Kunnunara. I have tucked your lovely road trip adventure in my trips folder.
Mar 11, 2018
 Sunscreen!
by: Michelle

Loved your Horizontal Falls experience and is at the top of my list when I go back.

Would recommend sunscreen be avoided though if swimming in any of the Gorges. With a greater number of people enjoying the fabulous fresh water experience, I can only imagine the greasy layer left on top of the water if all were to enter embalmed in sunscreen. Making the mistake once was too much for me. Zinc type sunscreens may work better but we found it unnecessary when swimming.
Mar 14, 2018
 Valuable info
by: Kevin Whimp

Thanks Val. An entertaining read with great photos. The info and tips will be very helpful for my (eventual) Kimberley trip.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Kimberley Trip Reports.


Travelling to the Kimberley?


The FREE Kimberley Pocket Guide
A great introduction to travel in the Kimberley region and along the Gibb. This free resource will answer all the questions you might have in the early stages of planning a trip.


Destination Kimberley
The full Kimberley travel guide shows you how to make the most of your adventure at Australia's last frontier. Destination Kimberley includes the most detailed and most current guide to the Gibb River Road available anywhere. Also called "The Bible" by its readers.


Travelling to the Northern Territory?


Destination Top End offers the same comprehensive, detailed insider information for the tropical regions of the Northern Territory. Be the best informed traveller in the Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge national parks and beyond!

A must have if you travel to or from Darwin.


NEW! Destination Red Centre is the latest addition in this popular series. Monica Coleman takes you through Australia's red Outback heart, offering all the detail and insider tips that you have come to know and love about our guides. With special emphasis on Aboriginal communities and culture.

A must have if you travel to or from Alice Springs/Uluru.




Return to top

Return to home page