The Gibb River Road- Mitchell Falls

AN MRT logo ADVENTURE

The Gibb River Road- Mitchell Falls map image The Gibb River Road- Mitchell Falls 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 Drysdale Station - 470 km east of Derby and are heading north along Gibb River-Kalumburu Rd.

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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 Moderate

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.

Two adventurers posing next to an MRT X-Series Chassis Mount Canopy equipped off-road vehicle, standing under a signboard indicating various locations along the Gibb River Road. The vehicle is parked on a dusty road, showcasing its rugged features and readiness for challenging terrains. A breathtaking view of a waterfall cascading into a serene blue pool, surrounded by rugged cliffs adorned with sparse vegetation. The scene captures the natural beauty and dramatic landscapes typical of remote outdoor areas ideal for exploration.

We started our day at Drysdale Station and continued north up the Gibb River – Kalumburu Rd towards Mitchell Falls.

The road into Mitchell Falls is renowned for its corrugations, so we were prepared for a rough day on the track. It’s in these situations where a good set of suspension and correctly deflated tyres, in addition to finding the best speed to sit on, will make the most difference. Too slow and you will feel every part of every corrugation, too fast and you will have no control and it will be very dangerous – so finding that sweet spot and knowing it for your car will be valuable information to remember.

A good baseline to work from (this will be different for every car of different weights, and vary if you’re towing or not) is about 20-25 psi in the tyres and around 60 km/h.

At the end of that track, we arrived at the Mitchell Falls Campground and found our camp before heading for an 800m hike (each way) to Little Mertens Falls to wash off the dirt and dust. You will pass this swimming hole on the hike to Mitchell Falls as well. However, we are leaving that until tomorrow when we have a full day for it. After the short walk to the falls, we found a nice little stream to cool off in for the balmy afternoon.

The next morning, Bianca and I treated ourselves to a helicopter ride to Mitchell Falls. Despite Bianca’s initial fear of the whole idea, it was an incredible way to view the area from a completely different perspective – and we all had an incredible time!

Once our scenic flight was over, we got back on foot and hiked into Mitchell Falls for a closer look. We took a slight detour route, which allows you to view the falls from a stunning viewpoint instead of only seeing them from behind which is where the main hike goes. Once we finally had marvelled enough from that viewpoint, we started to make our way back to camp along the 4.5 km walking trail, which in itself is stunning as you make across the Mitchell River, and can sit on top of Mitchell Falls itself.

As it was so hot on our walk back to camp, we had a brief stop at Mertens Falls as there are some caves with Aboriginal rock art to explore and another opportunity to have a swim if you wanted (always take caution as there are once again freshwater crocs that inhabit this area!).

Once back at camp, we took the opportunity to check over the cars for any loose or missing bolts and replaced them as required. I had found two missing bolts from parts of my bullbar and also replaced the license plate bolts that had come loose on the track in. It was also a good chance to just check over the rest of the car for anything that looked out of place – make sure the air filter wasn’t too clogged with dust and check wheel nuts were tight too. Simple preventative checks and measures like this now can save you a massive headache down the track!

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

Read our full build here

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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Our friendly and experienced team of professionals are ready and waiting to answer any further questions you have in regard to MRT products and services. Call us on 1300 650 090 today. We encourage all to visit one of our Brisbane, Sydney or Perth showrooms and check out our latest products and team updates on Facebook and Instagram.

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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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