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Lake Argyle has a very interesting history, amazing wildlife, plenty of things to do like fishing, tours, bird watching, lake cruises, charter flights over the lake, swimming with 20,000 freshwater crocodiles, if you don’t like that idea your accommodation will most likely have a swimming pool and you can visit the Durack Homestead.

Lake Argyle is in the Top End of Western Australia near the Northern Territory so it can be accessed from the nearest town Kununurra or from the NT via the Victoria Highway, about a 35 kilometre scenic drive on a sealed road. Prior to europeans discovering this east Kimberley area it was inhabited by aboriginals for about 40,000 years, the area was considered an ideal area for cattle and that started many famous long journeys by the Duracks and others to set up the Kimberley at the cattle empire.

Damming of the Ord River was first contemplated in 1939 and 20 years later planning started and was completed in 1972. This dam wall is 99 metres high and 318 metres long and much more of it is below ground level. This wall is holding back all of Lake Argyles water, therefore stopping a major flood of Kununurra and beyond.

While we where visiting lake Argyle we went on a Sunset Cruise, this photo was taken from the cruise boat.

Another beautful photo from the cruise boat.

This photo is taken from standing on the dam wall looking out at a very small part of Lake Argyle. When you are the biggest part of the lake it is just like being out on the sea, you can’t see any land.

Looking out the side of the dam wall down the Ord River which flows to Lake Kununurra and beyond. The water has changed from a bright blue to a green colour.

Looking up at the dam wall from ground level shows the water flowing through the controlled irrigation system, also there is an organised tour preparing to canoe down the Ord River.

Lake Argyle is one of the many stunning experiences in the Kimberley.

View Directions to Lake Argyle in a larger map

You need to allow about 20 days or as long as 40 days if you have the time available. The length of time you have to travel the Gibb River Road will affect how much you will get to see and visit

The Gibb River Road is about 680km in length and the Kalumburu Road less than 300km. The number of places to see and rough and varying road conditions can make it a bit unpredictable as to how long your trip will take so allow a for a few extra days travelling time.

This is a suggested itinerary, it is best to have a flexible itinerary so then you can stay longer in some places when you find somewhere special or need a day to relax and recover.

Travellers are recommended to review distances, driving times, fuel availability and time spent walking each gorge to ensure an enjoyable holiday.

A high clearance 4 Wheel Drive vehicle is recommended for all travel on the Gibb River and Kalumburu Roads.

This is a suggested 20 day Itinerary for the Gibb River Road – All the popular places have been included

Day 1 Derby to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Overnight camp at Windjana Gorge Camp site

Day 2 Windjana Gorge to Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge. Overnight accommodation. Dinner, bed & breakfast – Camping with hot showers and flush showers.

Day 3 Stay at Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge. Overnight accommodation, Dinner bed & Breakfast – Camping with hot showers and flush toilets

Day 4 Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge to Lennard Gorge to Bell Gorge. Overnight Camp

Day 5 Stay at Bell Gorge. Overnight Camp

Day 6 Bell Gorge to Mornington Wilderness Camp previously Old Mornington Camp. Camp 3 nights

Day 7 Stay at Mornington Wilderness Camp visit Dimond Gorge

Day 8 Stay at Mornington Wilderness Camp visit Sir John Gorge

Day 9 Mornington Wilderness Camp to Charnley River Station

Day 10 Charnley River Station to Galvans Gorge to Mount Barnett Roadhouse. Camp 2 nights

Day 11 Visit Manning Gorge

Day 12 Mount Barnett Roadhouse to Mt Elizabeth Station. Overnight Camp (option of accommodation)

Day 13 Mt Elizabeth Station to Drysdale River Station. Overnight Camp (option of accommodation)

Day 14 Drysdale River Station to Mitchell Plateau. Camp 2 nights

Day 15 Visit Mitchell Plateau Falls

Day 16 Mitchell Plateau back to Drysdale River Station. Overnight Camp

Day 17 Drysdale River Station to Home Valley Station. Overnight Camp

Day 18 Home Valley Station to El Questro Homestead. Camp 2 nights (option of camping or luxury accommodation)

Day 19 Visit El Questro Gorge, Zeebedee Springs and other falls

 Day 20 Visit Emma Gorge  

Then travel to Kununurra/Wyndham

From Kununurra you can continue your trip to Lake Argyle, which must be seen to be believed.

You then can travel to Katherine and head down south, go north to Darwin, or travel west along the Great Northern Highway to Broome.

These are the minimum times that should be allocated at each stop once you have actually arrived.

Always check road & weather conditions before departing to any location along the Gibb River or Kalumburu Road.

Use this Gibb River Road itinerary as an example for when you are planning your Kimberley 4WD adventure holiday.

Further Information

Western Australia Tourism

Gibb River Road

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Katherine is famous for its beautiful Katherine Gorge and river in Nitimilik National Park. A cruise down Katherine is a must do, the enormous red walls tower above and you will learn the aboriginal history and geology of the area which is fascinating.

Next stop is Kununurra

Visit Hidden Valley National Park, view the spectacular rugged ranges and the abundance of birds and wildlife. Visit the Kellys Knob lookout and view the town from above and see the very green irrigated farming area of Kununurra.

Also visit Ivanhoe Crossing that was featured in the movie ’Australia’. From Kununurra you can take chartered flights over The Bungle Bungles, Lake Argyle and the Argyle Diamond Mine.

Lake Argyle is definitely worth a visit, either travel from Kununurra or stay near Lake Argyle, drive over the huge dam wall that divides Lake Argyle and the Ord River. The sunset cruise on Lake Argyle is highly recommended.

Wyndham is not far from Kununurra and also worth driving to, there is a lookout where you can see 5 rivers join and there is a ‘Big Crocodile’.

Next stop is Halls Creek, drive along the Great Northern Highway through Turkey Creek to Halls Creek. Purnululu National Park is just after Turkey Creek, access is only by 4WD vehicles, a spectacular sight if you have a 4WD otherwise take a 4WD tour or a flight over. From Halls Creek you can drive to Wolfe Creek Crater, made famous by one scary movie ‘Wolfe Creek’.

Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing 292 kms

From Fitzroy Crossing you can drive to Geikie Gorge and cruise the magnificent river with towering walls, abundant wildlife and learn of the rivers history. Also drive to Tunnel Creek and wade through knee deep water in darkness with a torch to show the way.

Fitzroy Crossing to Derby 265 kms

Derby has the oldest Boab prison tree which you can visit, go to the circular jetty and watch th3 10 metre tides rush in or out (normal tides are about 1-2 metres).

Derby to Broome 225 kms

Broome is famous for the beautiful Cable Beach and the camel train, the sunsets are great and many people gather to watch. Broome is very famous for pearls with pearl shops everywhere.

The Great Northern Highway is a great road trip travelling from Katherine to Broome and visiting many spectacular and special destinations well worth visiting if you get the opportunity. Click on map below to enlarge.