The Gibb - Pentecost River

AN MRT logo ADVENTURE

The Gibb - Pentecost River map image The Gibb - Pentecost River map image
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Distance: 660 km

Gibb River Road runs 660 km in length from Derby to Kunnanura in WA. Perth to Derby is 2,250 km. Brisbane to Kunnanura is 3,600 km. We start this journey at Mitchell Falls Campground - approx 660 km from Derby when coming from the west or 540 km coming from the east.

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Time to drive: 7 days

This journey along the Gibb itself could be completed in as little as 7 days if you were rushing. However, you are going to want to allow as much time as possible to see everything there is to see and the time to get there should also be factored in.

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Terrain: Easy to Challenging

A 4WD-only track that requires high clearance and a raised air intake. It is a seasonal track, closed during the wet season each year from around December to April. The terrain difficulty will depend on the severity of the wet season after reopening. Wandering cattle, kangaroos, and other large animals inhabit the area, so caution is advised.

MRT Canopy Crossing Waters MRT Canopy Crossing Waters MRT Canopy Crossing Waters

Before heading off from our camp at Mitchell Falls, we had a thorough check over the cars, checking for loose bolts, things that were rattling that shouldn’t be and just a general inspection. The corrugations had been harsh, so it was lucky I had looked and found a few things that needed addressing. 

We embarked back on the long corrugated road between the Mitchell Plateau and the main Gibb River Road, stopping for a quick dip along the way at the Drysdale River. Before long – night was creeping up so we opted for a free camp along the Gibb to rest for the night before continuing on.

My brother had been noticing some unfavourable noises coming from underneath the Ranger that day, especially taking off and under load. So in true outback adventure style, we were lying underneath a car in the middle of the night with torches trying to locate the noise. 

Before long, my brother had found the suspecting noise and unfortunately, it wasn’t a fix that could be done there. One of the mounts on his front diff had snapped in half, one bolt was missing and another was finger tight – so not much was holding that diff in place. We replaced the missing bolt, used some bush mechanics of a ratchet strap to hold the diff secure, and opted to only use 2wd from here on. 

Luckily, I had not been subject to the same fate and the trusty Dmax was continuing to take us along this journey relatively trouble-free.

Day 2 was going to be another long day of driving for us to get as close to Home Valley Station as we could. The secondary batteries were in need of topping up due to some complications with our solar system and not moving as much as we needed to keep them charged. 

We were in need of proper showers and to do some laundry so a nice caravan park was just what we needed to reset and feel refreshed and ready for the last leg of our Gibb River adventure.

After fixing yet another loose set of bolts (this time on the Dmax’s rear cross-traffic alert sonars) we continued down the corrugated Gibb and headed towards Home Valley Station. 

We ended up arriving there earlier than expected, so tempted by all the aforementioned luxuries, and a cheeky pool and bar – we paid for our night of camping and enjoyed all that the small slice of civilisation had to offer.

After our night of luxury, we pointed the cars towards the famous Pentecost River. This crossing is iconic, and if you’ve ever seen a picture of the Gibb River Road, you’ve most likely seen a picture of this crossing with the Cockburn Ranges in the background. It’s an epic place for getting a stunning photo, so after doing exactly that, we opted to find ourselves a nice early camp along the Pentecost River on the eastern side of the crossing. 

We arrived in the middle of the day, and the temperature was peaking in the high 30s. With no wind, it was feeling very warm – but due to all of the crocodiles that inhabit the river, it wasn’t the place for a swim. 

Later that day we saw our first crocodile swim right past our camp, so we were happy to have stayed on the safer side and sweltered on the banks instead! 

As the afternoon continued and the sun began to set, we opted for a little fish in the river and enjoyed the surreal scenes that unveiled in front of us – topping off another incredible day on the Gibb River Road.

A dusty MRT X-Series Chassis Mount Canopy equipped off-road vehicle traveling on a rocky desert path

RECOMMENDED GEAR

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X-Series Chassis mount canopy

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Storage Solutions

  • MRT Jerry Can Holder for extra fuel or water
  • MRT Pantry
  • MRT Slide-out Under Tray Drawer as kitchen unit with a storage system for food 
  • 130L Bushman Fridge + additional freezer
  • Slide-out drawers for easy access to tools and camping equipment
  • Designated spaces for recovery gear and spare parts (our MRT Canopy Toolboxes are great for this)

Recovery Gear

  • Winch and Recovery Points 
  • Snatch Straps and Shackles
  • Recovery Boards (e.g. Maxtrax)

Camping Gear

  • Swags/ Tents
  • Portable Gas Stove
  • Camp Chairs and Table

Vehicle Protection

  • Underbody Protection (bash plates) 
  • Bullbar
  • Suspension Upgrade (+GVM upgrade if necessary)
  • All-terrain Tyres
  • Snorkel
  • Gearbox and Diff Breathers (recommended)

Navigation and Communication

  • UHF Radio (in-vehicle and handheld) 
  • Satellite Phone or Personal Locator Beacon (for emergencies)
  • GPS and Topographical Maps
  • Wikicamps or other camping app

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

  • Tyre Repair Kit
  • Spare Air Filter + Snorkel Sock
  • Automotive Tool Kit
  • Cable Ties/ Wire
  • Spare Tyre, Hoses, Belts, Oil, and Coolant
  • Air Compressor and Tyre Deflator
  • Suitable Jack for your vehicle

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Visit MRT's showrooms in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth. See the latest products and keep up with team updates on Facebook and Instagram. The knowledgeable and friendly team is on standby to address any questions through email, instant chat, or phone call.

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