Which direction of the Gibb River Road is better?

If we only travel the Gibb River Road one way, is it better to travel from Broome to Kununurra or vice versa? Please consider also the accommodation because we intend to hire a 4WD and do not have a tent.

Thank you.
Jill and Thorwald Lorenzen

Comments for Which direction of the Gibb River Road is better?

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 24, 2008
by: Birgit

Hi Jill and Thorwald,

I don't think anybody drives the Gibb River Road in both directions in one go! It's always a one way trip and it's equally popular in both directions. I would just choose whatever direction fits best with the rest of your schedule.

The driving along the Gibb River Road is considered to be more scenic if you drive from east to west, from Kununurra to Broome.
But apart from that it doesn't matter. It's not the drive itself that is the attraction, it's the places along the way! So I personally don't think it makes much of a difference at all.

I guess if all other things are equal, you could go from Kununurra to Broome.

There is plenty of accommodation along the Gibb River Road. That page tells you what and where it is.
(I'm not sure how accommodation would affect the direction you drive in, since the distances between them are the same, no matter which way you go...)

Hope that helps some!
Jun 25, 2008
 Lucky you!
by: Anonymous

Hi there,

Much agreed, it doesn't matter which direction you travel in scenery wise, it's just a matter of what you want to do first. There is so many beautiful places to see along the Gibb.

As far as accommodation goes there are plenty of stations to stay at and there are also some excellent Wilderness Camps run by APT/Kimberley Wilderness Adventures www.kimberleywilderness.com.au you get bed breakfast and 3 course meals and you can order lunch to take away with you at an extra cost.

I worked along the Gibb River Rd for many years and I still get so excited whenever i know people are going to do the trip. Enjoy every moment (even the corrigations!) it's a very special place.
Nov 15, 2008
 Gibb River Road
by: Madeleine, Switzerland

My husband and I have just returned from a trip on the Gibb River Road. Absolutely awsome. I am 67 ys old, my husband is 69, and we are both well traveled, but we have never been to a place like the Kimberleys. We have been all over Australia, but the one place we would return to anytime is the Kimberleys. We slept in a tent on a 1 inch mattress, we hiked in 40 degrees F., we lugged gallons of water around, we collected fire wood to build a fire, we marched through Spinifex and bathed in warm pools. Unbelievably fantastic.
Our trip brought us from Broom to Kununurra, with a landscape changing every day.
Hopefully we might return to Australia some day and see the parts of the Kimberley that we missed this time. We would also hope to connect more with the Aborigines. I recommend Margot Morgan's book "Mutant Message Down Under."
Enjoy your days on the Gibb River Road and endure the few "hardships." It is well worth it.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Gibb River Road Questions (Archive).

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