Towing the Eastern Gibb: Kununurra to the Mitchell Falls Turn-off

Look, we’re not going to sugarcoat it—the Gibb River Road is a beast. But it’s a spectacular beast, and if you’ve got a small hybrid caravan or off-road trailer, you’re in the sweet spot for experiencing everything this ancient landscape throws at you.

This is Part 1 of our Gibb River Road itinerary. We tackle it East to West (Kununurra to Derby) for a very practical reason: it lets you shakedown your setup and find your “dirt road rhythm” at the more accessible stations in the East.

By starting with the facilities at El Questro and Home Valley, you can ensure your tyre pressures and dust sealing are spot-on before you head into the more remote central and western sections. This direction puts the legendary gorges of the West—Manning, Galvans, and Bell—right in front of you as the ultimate reward for the second half of your journey, just as you’ve settled into the Kimberley pace.

Alternatively, some prefer saving the luxury of El Questro until the end. The decision is yours. If you do wish to tackle the Gibb from the west, we have supplied a summary of the itinerary from that direction. It is located towards the end of this page.

Let’s get into it.

For Reference: Gibb River Road Map

To aid in your planning, we have carefully prepared a map of the route and an optional side trip to Mitchell Falls. Also on the map are the campground locations, points of interest, starting points of walks and the location of where fuel is available. Zoom in to see more details.

Day 1: The First Choice

You’ve done your last big shop in Kununurra, topped up the fuel tanks, and filled every water container you own. Now it’s time to point west and make your first real decision of the trip. This first day is easy as the Gibb is sealed the whole way.

The drive from Kununurra to the Pentecost River is the easy bit, as it is sealed—enjoy it while it lasts. The Pentecost is the gateway to the eastern stations.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Where to Base for Nights 1–3

This is where your travel style comes into play. The eastern section of the Gibb has three solid options for your first few nights, and each suits a different type of nomad.

Make sure you stop at the road condition sign just after turning off the Great Northern Highway.

Option A: El Questro Wilderness Park

If you want the full station experience with all the bells and whistles, El Questro delivers. Hot showers, a shop for forgotten essentials, and a bar where you can swap stories with other travellers. The powered sites are a treat if you’ve been hammering your batteries. It’s pricier than other options, but the access to Emma Gorge and Zebedee Springs alone makes it worth considering.

From Kununurra, the drive to El Questro is 103km.

Option B: Home Valley Station

For station vibes without the El Questro price tag, Home Valley is the pick. The campground sits right beneath the Cockburn Ranges, and that sunset view over red cliffs is the kind of thing that makes you remember why you dragged a camper across the country. Good facilities, a solid restaurant if you can’t be bothered cooking, and the staff genuinely know the area. Read our full Home Valley Station guide. We stayed here for one night, and the view of the Cockburn range at sunset is amazing.

Home Valley Station is 121 km from Kununurra, with the last 10 km being unsealed. We believe that the roadworks we came across are the sealing of the road to the station turnoff.

Option C: Pentecost River Free Camp

This is the classic Gibb experience. Park up on the banks of the Pentecost, crack a cold one, and watch the sun drop behind the ranges. No facilities beyond what you’ve brought with you, but that’s the point. If you’ve got solar sorted and enough water for three days, this is pure Kimberley magic. Read our full Pentecost River Free Camp guide. We spent two nights at this camp in the hope that El Questro would open – it didn’t.

This camp is 110km from Kununurra. From this site, you can day-trip to El Questro. Don’t forget that there is an entrance fee. The fee is $15 per day per adult and $10 per day per child. You can book online.

Rob’s Tip: The Pentecost crossing itself is one of the Gibb’s famous photo ops, but don’t be a galah about it. Check the depth markers before you commit—especially if there’s been any wet season runoff. Walk it if you’re unsure, or even better, watch someone else walk or drive it. The crocs won’t mind you being cautious, and neither will your insurance company.

Note from Rob & Muay: During our trip, a bushfire unfortunately closed access to El Questro (report). While we couldn’t get our own photos this time, we’ve included the must-sees below based on our research before our trip. We plan on returning in 2028 after completing the Tanami Track.

Days 2–3: Exploring the East

You’ve picked your base; now it’s time to explore. These first few days are what we call the “Gateway” experiences of the Gibb—they’re accessible, spectacular, and give you a taste of what’s to come.

Must-Sees in the Eastern Section

Emma Gorge

A 3.2-kilometre return walk that ends at a thermal waterfall cascading into a deep swimming hole. Get there early—by mid-morning, the coach tours arrive, and the magic fades a bit. The walk itself is moderate but rocky, so decent footwear is essential.

Zebedee Springs

Thermal springs surrounded by palms, and the water temperature is absolutely perfect. For those not staying on the station, the springs close at midday, so mark it down as a morning stop if you are daytripping in.

El Questro Gorge

A half-day hike that takes you through narrowing canyon walls and multiple creek crossings. Bring water shoes and be prepared to get wet.

Cockburn Range Lookout

For those based at Home Valley or the Pentecost free camp, the drive up to the lookout at sunset is non-negotiable. This is the Kimberley distilled into a single view. The view of the range is spectacular from the River Camp at Home Valley Station.

Station Tracks and 4WD Loops

Both El Questro and Home Valley have dedicated 4WD tracks that’ll test your setup without committing you to the full Gibb. Good for building confidence if this is your first serious off-road trip.

Day 4: Deep into the Kimberley

Budget Tracker: Fee camp (Gibb River Campground)

Time to pack up and push west. Today’s drive takes you from the Pentecost area to Gibb River Campground—roughly 190 kilometres of unsealed road. You want to depart with your tyre pressures set appropriately.

This is the day the Gibb starts feeling different. The more commercial stations fade into the rearview mirror, the traffic thins out, and the landscape opens up into something vast and ancient. You’re properly in the Kimberley now.

The Drive

The corrugations between El Questro and Gibb River Campground vary year to year (and sometimes week to week), but expect sections that’ll rattle your fillings. Keep your tyre pressures appropriate—we run around 30 psi on the car and 43 on our caravan—and pick your line carefully.

There are a few river crossings along this stretch; none are typically problematic in the dry season, but the Durack River crossing can hold water later in the year. Check road conditions before you leave.

If it is on your bucket list, stop in at Ellenbrae Station for scones or lunch.

Gibb River Campground

Your destination for the next two nights is Gibb River Campground. This is a wonderful free campground on the riverbank, adjacent to the river crossing. There are pools on both sides of the road. We loved this camp so much that we ended up staying four nights – two on the way up to Mitchel Plateau and two on the way back.

Day 5: The Essential Mid-Leg Rest

Yes, a rest day. We know you came here for adventure, but Day 5 is strategically crucial.

Why You Need This Day:

Rig Maintenance

While you haven’t yet driven a lot of distance on unsealed roads, it is a good time to check over your gear. Today is the day you walk around with a torque wrench and a spanner, checking everything. Tighten what’s loose, inspect your suspension components, and give your tow hitch a thorough inspection. We’ve seen too many trips end early because someone skipped this step.

Prep for What’s Coming

Tomorrow you’ll make the most significant decision of the trip: north to the Mitchell Plateau or west toward Mt Elizabeth. Either way, you’re heading into more remote country. Use today to sort your fuel calculations, plan your water requirements, and make sure your recovery gear is accessible.

Just Relax

Places like this are great because there is little to do but relax. It’s a great camp to do this. You could use the time to talk to people about the road conditions that lay ahead.

Rob’s tip: don’t rely on reports of road conditions older than a week or two. Road conditions can change quickly. On the Savannah Way, we had no issues. A week later, a spring had opened up at a river crossing, damaging the road, making the crossing significantly more difficult. Also, talk to as many people as possible because one person’s hell could be OK for others.

Day 6: The Fork in the Road

This is it: the final decision day. If you hadn’t planned on the side trip and are considering it, make sure you have enough supplies for an extra three days.

You’ll pack up from Gibb River Campground and face the choice that defines the rest of your Gibb adventure.

Option 1: North to the Mitchell Plateau

Your campground is further along Kalumburu Road. If you continue on this road, you’re committing to one of Australia’s most remote road adventures—the Mitchell Plateau.

This is where the Gibb separates the tourists from the properly equipped. Mitchell Falls is extraordinary, the drive is demanding, and the sense of isolation is complete. But it requires time (at least 3 extra days), fuel planning, and confidence in your setup.

We’ve written a dedicated guide for this deviation—read it before you commit: Mitchell Plateau Side-Trip Guide. <LINK>

Option 2: Continue West to Mt Elizabeth Station

If the Mitchell Plateau isn’t in your plans—whether that’s time constraints, rig limitations, or simply saving it for another trip—the main Gibb continues west toward Mt Elizabeth Station and the gorges beyond.

This is where the road gets properly spectacular. Manning Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Bell Gorge—they’re all waiting in Part 2 of this itinerary. <LINK>

We’ve written dedicated guides for both the Mitchell Plateau and the western section of the Gibb. Don’t make this decision without reading them.

Eastern Gibb Essentials

A few non-negotiables for this section of the trip.

Fuel: Fill up in Kununurra. El Questro and Home Valley both sell fuel, but prices reflect the logistics of getting it there. Gibb River Campground doesn’t have fuel—you’ll need enough to reach Mt Elizabeth Station or Drysdale River Station (for those heading to Mitchell).

Water: Carry more than you think you need. We roll with a minimum of 200 litres and top up whenever possible. Filling up on the Gibb is not really an issue, as there are enough places to get water. Those heading to Mitchell Plateau can fill up at Drysdale Station.

Communications: Mobile coverage ends somewhere between Kununurra and the Pentecost crossing. If you don’t have a sat phone or HF radio, consider hiring one. We have complete communications via Starlink.

Timing: The Gibb is typically open from April/May to November, depending on the wet season. Check with Main Roads WA before you leave.

The Budget Breakdown

The eastern section of the Gibb gives you genuine flexibility on costs. Your biggest decision—where to base for the first three nights—determines whether this leg hits the wallet hard or stays surprisingly reasonable.

Stop	Type	Notes
El Questro	Paid Station (Premium)	Full facilities, powered sites available; highest cost but includes park access
Home Valley Station	Paid Station (Mid-Range)	Good facilities, lower cost than El Questro; excellent value
Pentecost River	Free Camp	No facilities; pure self-sufficiency
Gibb River Campground	Free Camp	No facilities; pure self-sufficiency

The Budget Play: Three nights at Pentecost River (free) followed by two nights at Gibb River Campground keeps your accommodation costs minimal while still giving you access to the eastern gorges via day trips.

The Comfort Play: Split your time between Home Valley (station facilities, Cockburn Range sunsets) and Gibb River Campground. You’ll pay more, but you’ll have hot showers and cold beers on tap.

The Splurge Play: El Questro for the full experience, then Gibb River Campground. This is the priciest option, but the exclusive access to Zebedee Springs and Emma Gorge is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Whichever route you choose, the eastern Gibb is generally cheaper than the western section—save your budget buffer for the station stays ahead.

Heading East? The Derby to Kununurra Reverse Itinerary

Doing the road from west to east? Simply flip this itinerary. Here is a summary to help you plan your journey.

What’s Next

Hopefully you have already made the decision:

North to Mitchell Plateau to explore the falls, or…

Part 2 of our Gibb River Road itinerary covers Days 6–12: from the Mitchell Plateau decision through Manning Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Bell Gorge, and the run into Derby.

If you have arrived at our website via this page you may like to see our main page for the Gibb River Road.

Some may not have two weeks for this trip. For those, we have prepared The Gibb River Road Express: 8-Day ‘Best of’ Caravan Itinerary.

That’s where the Gibb really shows off. See you there.

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