Tolley Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Hello Koggers,I am in Kalbarri and heading north via the Pilbra. In a couple of weeks I have intended to cross the Kimberly via the Gibb. I am getting reports that the Gibb is/was closed due to some unseasonal heavy rain.Does anyone have first hand knowledge of the condition of the Gibb?I am familiar with the Gibb having crossed it in 2011. It was at that time like all dirt roads, good, bad and indifferent.Any recent information will be appreciated.RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian and Sue Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Hi Colin - How long are you guys in Kalbarri for? We live just down the road in Geraldton and might get a chance to pop up and say hello if you are there for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian and Sue Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Whoops forgot to add a link for the GRR - current conditions are here mrwa.wa.gov.au - there has been a lot of out of season rain through the Pilbara and Kimberley over this past month so worth checking first, I am pretty sure all the rain was south of Broome though. Last week or maybe the week before both Karratha (our old home town) and Broome had really coid days, not quite record cold but had my friends up there calling up and asking for jumpers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted June 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Ian and Sue,I am really disappointed that I did not realize you we're in Geraldton! We were there, as were three other Outback Wayers, two days ago. I am now in Carnarvon, overnight, headed to Exmouth tomorrow where we will dive with the whale sharks.Thanks for the info on GRR. I have looked at the WA roads website but I would like to hear from a Kogger who has recently done the GRR. After Exmouth we are off to Tom Price etc in the Pilbra before heading to Broome and then Derby.Would have loved to have caught up with you in Geraldton. RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev and Penny Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Hi Colin and GayleenWe will be at Exmouth Tuesday and will be staying at Cape Range National Park . Greg and Kathy are still traveling with us.Will be staying for about 5 days.Nev and Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted June 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Hi Nev & Penny,We are in the Ningaloo CP in Exmouth where it is pissing with rain! Had lunch with Grant & Jane in Coral Bay on our way past.The forecast is for widespread rain in the Pilbra and coast all the way to Broome over the next four days so we might stay put here until the end of the week.Looking forward to catching up with you as we'll as Greg and Cath.RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel and Margaret Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Hi Colin and Gayleen We are currently at Cape Keraudren and did the GRR in early May so it is hard to know what it is like now. The jump ups are all bitumen now and the road from Kununurra to El Questro is also bitumen. When we almost finished the GRR we got rain at Windjana Gorge and were asked to leave so we went to Derby. I believe that the next day on the 17 May they closed the road. I also believe that it was re graded after that period of rain but how it is now will depend on how much rain they will receive. It seems to be in the port Headland area apart from being in Broome early June so the best would be to find out once you reach Derby. We would love to catch up if you are near Cape Keraudren only 14 km from Pardo roadhouse as is a nice spot especially the price of $9 a night if you are a SeniorCheers Marg and Lionel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted June 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Hello Lionel & Margaret,Thanks for the info. We are sitting in Exmouth where it has ben raining quite heavily. Yesterday and the day before we have had 50-100 mm on each day! Hence we have extended our stay here until Saturday in the hope the rain will clear not only here but in the Pilbra and along the coast to Broome. We have not been to Cape Keraudren so I will have a look and see if we can include a visit as we go north. I'll keep you posted.Wow! The road to El Questro from Kununurra is sealed! That will make the Jayco's happy!!I know, from BOM that the GRR has had a good bit of rain with more in the next few days. Like all these things we will wait and see what is when we get there. BTW, caravanning in the rain ain't much fun, is it??RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Hi Colin & Gayleen, Dont miss out on Cape Keraudren, it is a beautiful spot ...... hopefully the weather will improve.... magnificent sunsets there & HUGE tides.Looking forward to reading your trip reports from the GCR trip :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Lionel and Margaret,We leave Exmouth on Thurs am headed for Tom Price. Will be in the Pilbra for three days. We will hit the coast near you but, unfortunately, Cape K where you are does not welcome Cherie and Moët, our two poodles! Don't they get it that they are poodles, not dogs!!!We will probably spend a night at Pardoo.RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Hi Tony,How is it with the GC's?As you may have gathered the trip was just great. Everyone got along like houses on fire, a great bunch of people. The roads were better than expected. All in all a great experience. I am working on a trip report at present.The weather here has been ordinary for a few days - rain. Starting to clear but still poor to our north.Trust you are thriving.RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 MAAAAAAAATE.... still waiting for the GCThe daughter has lower back pain now ....which I'm told is the early stage of labour...... looks like I could have done the GCR after all LOLRegards to u & Gayleen..... Mardi sends 'licks' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 We are here at Cape Keraudren with Lionel and Margaret and you're right, the sunsets and tides are fantastic !We'll be here until all this rain clears and the roads dry out - then it's off to gold country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted June 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 We would love to get with you at Cape K but, as explained, we cannot. Off into the Pilbra tomorrow. Gayleen went swimming with the whale sharks today and became very seasick. Big swells after the storms. However, she loved the experience.We will keep in touch.Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel and Margaret Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 We will be leaving here on Monday weather permitting then off to Port Headland for a BIG shop after that we will head for Marble Bar then Karajini NP before the school holidaysCheers Marfg and Lionel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 Hi Lionel and Margaret,We are now in Broome. Be here until next Monday when we depart for Derby. We got close but missed. Better luck next time. Travel safely.RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Colin, the Gibb River is certainly a great trip and one you will enjoy.A couple of my observations:When staying at Windjana Gorge campground, stay in the generator area, it is quieter than the so called "quiet, no generators" camp section. The generators allowed section usually has less folk in it and is much morepeaceful. This has been the comment made on various forums, as well as our own experience. While there we nipped over to see Tunnel Creek, came back to collect the van and continued on.If going into El Questro, try to arrange it to get there early in the day and ask for one of the riverside camp sites. They are peaceful and secluded. I think they still offer them to campers.On arrival in Kununurra get to the laundry verrrry early if you need to do your washing and if your van has no machine. The queues are horrendous. We were there with our first van and sans machine. It helped me make the decision to have a machine built in to the current van.In Kununurra try to visit the Hoochery for an interesting experience.Travel safely.Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Chris,Thank you for your good advice. We actually travelled the GRR this time in 2011. We do have the two poodles so we cannot legally stay in the NP camp areas. That is no trouble as there are plenty of other options. We are not great fans of El Questro and now that the road from Kununurra is sealed all the way to ElQuestro I suspect we will like it even less!!!The laundry issue is not an issue as we have a front loader in the van.Today I spoke to a traveller wo has just arrived here in Broome via the GRR. He says that the road is great all the way to this side of HVS and then it is rough all the way to El Questro. We will start the GRR next Wednesday.Kind regardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Ah yes I forgot ElQ is a national Park. I agree that it is very commercialised and busy. And like you we have the front loader machine, and bless it on a regular basis.On this trip we had intended taking the Gary Junction Rd back to Alice Springs, but I have a cracked rib or two and the trip is out of the question. I was looking forward to it, as a few people have said it is a fascinating and scenic trip. Next time.....Enjoy the GRR.Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Hello,Tomorrow, Wednesday, we depart Derby and head along the GRR vain Tunnel Creek which is one of Gayleen's favourite swimming holes. Today we had a wonderful day attending the Horizontal Waterfalls. That was just fantastic and if you are in this area it is a MUST do. We are travelling in the company of Jane and Grant Armstrong who joined us in Derby on Monday. Should be fun.Everyone tells me that the GRR is in good condition. If you have not been there you had better hurry up as they are planning to seal the whole thing and that will spoil it!Two years ago we had a great adventure along the GRR so it will be interesting to seen how we find it this time.RegardsColinPS. IF YOU OWN A POODLE DO NOT HAVE IT GROOMED IN BROOME. $ 85 EACH AND POOR MOËT AND CHERIE LOOK BUTCHERED!!!MOËT WILL NOT GO OUTSIDE FOR FEAR OF BEING SEEN!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyH Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Colin,They say there is only a week between a good & a bad haircut is that the same for a dog groom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted July 10, 2013 Report Share Posted July 10, 2013 Poor Moët and Cherie. They would certainly be embarrassed. I suppose a pic is out of the question then. We last crossed the Gibb River Road in 2010 and they were saying it was going to be sealed very soon then ! I think it's one of those urban legends. A bit like the new one now going around about the Big 4 chain buying Camps Australia Wide out. We've heard it from a couple a people now. Complete rubbish (and that's straight from the mouth of Phillip himself). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Johnson Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Sorry for this late reply but we have just travelled the GGR leaving Broome on 3rd July and reaching Kununurra on 18th. Overall the road was in excellent condition ( for the Gibb that is ). All good up to Drysdale, and was mostly just graded up to King Edward River. The camp host there told us the Mitchell Falls road was the best it had been in 4 years and yes it was reasonable. Don't take the van up tho as it is just too narrow in places and there are a couple of steep creek approaches and exits.The road from Ellenbrae deteriorated and was quite corrugated to the Pentecost River. Not much flow there, not much more than tyre deep. The road from there to the El Questro turnoff was the worst part of the road by far.Make sure you call into Mornington Wilderness Camp, it's worth the side trip.Enjoy the Gibb which was just as good as it was in 2004 when we last travelled it, despite the increased traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Sorry for this late reply but we have just travelled the GGR leaving Broome on 3rd July and reaching Kununurra on 18th. Overall the road was in excellent condition ( for the Gibb that is ). All good up to Drysdale, and was mostly just graded up to King Edward River. The camp host there told us the Mitchell Falls road was the best it had been in 4 years and yes it was reasonable. Don't take the van up tho as it is just too narrow in places and there are a couple of steep creek approaches and exits.The road from Ellenbrae deteriorated and was quite corrugated to the Pentecost River. Not much flow there, not much more than tyre deep. The road from there to the El Questro turnoff was the worst part of the road by far.Make sure you call into Mornington Wilderness Camp, it's worth the side trip.Enjoy the Gibb which was just as good as it was in 2004 when we last travelled it, despite the increased traffic.Thanks for keeping the forum informed Rick. It sounds like a great trip.Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolley Posted July 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 Hello,In company with Jane and Grant Armstrong we completed the GRR six days ago. Rougher than the Great Central or Plenty roads but just typically GRR. it was a good trip but we were very disappointed in Home Valley Station. I stayed there two years ago and it was fantastic. Now, just very unfantastic. I have written a letter of complaint to the GM and he has responded with apologies. I will post my letter at a later date for all to read.Went to Parray's Farm for a couple of nights then Kununurra for re supply before heading down to the Bungles. Did a ninety minute helicopter flight over triple falls and the bungles at 6.00 AM this morning. Just wonderful.. Off to Lake Argyle tomorrow.So, all is good. Take care everyone and travel safely where ever you may be.RegardsColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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