the gibb river road- tunnel creek + bells gorge

AN MRT logo ADVENTURE

the gibb river road- tunnel creek + bells gorge map image the gibb river road- tunnel creek + bells gorge map image
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Distance: 660 km

Gibb River Road runs 660 km in length from Derby to Kunnanura in WA. Coming from the west, Perth to Derby is 2,250 km and if coming from the east, Brisbane to Kunnanura is 3,600 km.

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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.

An MRT X-Series Chassis Mount Canopy equipped vehicle parked on a dusty road with a scenic backdrop of layered mountain ranges. The vehicle is fully loaded with gear, including a spare tire and additional equipment on the roof rack, ready for off-road adventures in the rugged landscape. A couple enjoying a serene moment together in a natural rock pool, surrounded by dark rugged cliffs that create a secluded and peaceful environment. Their smiles reflect the joy and relaxation of swimming in such a tranquil and picturesque setting.

Ensure you are topped up on supplies In Derby (or Kununurra) as there are not many places to top up once you are on the Gibb!

We recommend at least two jerry cans of fuel (or a long-range tank) and carrying as much spare water as you can (around 50+ litres is ideal). We had 133L of fuel and 100L of water and with our GVM upgrade in the Dmax, we were only 100 kg under our weight limits (3,350 kg!) – so it’s safe to say the MRT Canopy was well stocked for our trip!

There are some shops and fuel stations along the Gibb. However, due to the remoteness, the prices are high and the selection is limited.

First Stop
Our first stop was Tunnel Creek – an amazing cave system where you will get up close and personal with fresh water (baby) crocs! So be on the lookout and bring a head torch. You will need to wade/ swim through deep water in some sections – but the tranquillity and natural beauty at the end are well worth it, and there is some Aboriginal art to be seen too!

After this, we headed to our first camp along the track! There are a large number of campsites available to pitch your swag or set up your trailer, so we recommend you download an app like Wiki Camps or CampMate and make sure you have offline maps downloaded for the area. This will help you massively with finding where you can stay and if there are any fees associated with it.

Generally speaking, there are a good number of free camps along the Gibb; however, it’s always best to check beforehand for any fees – and also availability for some privately owned homesteads/ stations like El Questro or Home Valley which will require booking in advance due to their popularity.

The next day we dropped the tyres to about 20/25 psi and started heading along the Gibb towards Bell Gorge. Unfortunately, Bianca was feeling quite under the weather – so we made sure not to do too much and potentially make her feel any worse. Instead of pushing too far, we found a quiet, shady creek side camp before Bell Gorge that made for a great place to stop and enjoy a relaxing afternoon, an (unsuccessful) flick of the lure and a night spent under the stars.

We packed up camp the next morning, and Bianca was feeling slightly better, so we got back on the track and took the turn off heading into Bell Gorge before it got too hot to do the hike.

We encountered a few small creek crossings on the way there (halfway up the wheels) which were no trouble for the Dmax. By using apps like Wiki Camps and having them open as you drive, a lot of these will be pinned so you can be prepared before you encounter them.

The dust seals on both the car and the MRT Canopy were getting a workout along the Gibb. The bulldust and general red dust were relentless and loved to work their way into everything. However – happy to report, the canopy was nice and dust-free when we pulled up to the Gorge!

The hike into the Gorge is approximately 2 km return to the top pools, but you can continue on and actually go down into the Gorge for a swim under the waterfalls. A friendly tourist also gave us the tip to head to the right and follow the water down for another beautiful spot to check out. We were the only ones there and it was definitely worth the short detour!

When we made it back to the main track, we stopped off at the Imintji General store (one of the only places to restock/ refuel on the Gibb) to refuel the car before carrying on our journey east along the track to find camp.

Another random offshoot track took us to our next campsite – but honestly, everywhere you stop here is a beyond beautiful place to set up camp, watch the sky explode into an insane hue of colours as the sun sets, enjoy a well-earned beverage, and sit around a fire under the stars.

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

RECOMMENDED GEAR

MRT logo

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 
  • 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

  • Recovery Points (recommended)
  • Snatch Straps and Shackles (recommended)
  • Recovery Boards (e.g. Maxtrax) (essential) 
  • Shovel

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

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CONTACT US TODAY

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.

BRISBANE & GOLD COAST STORE

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QLD, 4207, Australia
Phone: 07 34622300

PERTH STORE

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WA, 6163, Australia
Phone: 08 61462543

SYDNEY STORE

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6/463 Victoria St, Wetherill Park
NSW, 2164, Australia
Phone: 02 81035306

MELBOURNE STORE

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150 Hume Highway, Somerton
VIC, 3062, Australia
Phone: 03 9961 3882

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.

1300 650 090
[email protected]