Almost ready for my Kimberley Trip

[Dexter_1]

Took delivery of the my new Cub Daintree LE last week with three weeks to do a shake down before were off on a 7 week trip of approx 12,000km. Took a photo of the rig in the paddock while camper and truck all clean.
Summary of the trip itinerary.
Lara - Yulara - Kings Canyon - Glen Helen - Alice Springs - Bungel Bungel (via Tanami) - Lake Argyle - El Questro - Home Valley
Drysdale River - Mitchell Falls - Windjana Gorge - Derby - Talbot Bay (fly) - Broome - Marble Bar - Karijini NP - Esperance - home

Currently completing the spares for the PX Ranger and can only get Ford OE parts. Thats good in quality hopefully, but expensive. Repco said that as all PX Rangers would still be under warranty, there is no after market as yet for non genuine parts.

Still to get the Ranger reshod with 5 Cooper ST Maxx tyres plus having a second Ranger spare being the original unused spare tyre.

Just read a blog from ReddirtRoaming on the Karijini NP which was very informative. Still looking for other recent blogs on Kimberley/Tanami. Any suggestions?

[Terry W4]

Nice pic. Trip sound good - but Esperance - home sounds like on long leg!

[marvellous_matt]

Most people do the Tanami quite quickly(the NT section at least). In NT Newhaven https://www.australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries/newhaven-sanctuary.aspxis only half a day from Alice, other wise there is not much to access along the way unless you have a reason to visit a Aboriginal Community or a gold Mine, and you will need  a permit. Yuendumu is a large (largest?) community in Central Australia however is not really a tourist destination. Fine to go to the shop and get fuel with out permit to visit. There are a few pull overs where you can camp overnight, however there are no facilities (water/loo) as far as I know.

Into WA you can access Balgo and Billiluna communities, or from Billiluna head down to camp at stretch lagoon or lake Gregory http://www.parukuipa.org.au/, permit required. might be a good opportunity to see what the top end of the Canning is like in case you have dreams of tackling it some time.

Wolf creek is up the road a bit, I reckon it is great however my wife refused point blank to even consider the merest possibility of camping there, and she has not seen the movie!

We visited the Kimberley for the second time recently. As a couple that like some solitude and the Aussie bush at its best, we had a great experience at Mt Elizabeth Station, as well as Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary, there are other great places too, but these stuck out as highlights. Great bush and Birds, great exploring. Both of these are a bit off the GRR, I think it took over an hour to do the 30ish km to Mt Elizabeth, and the drive into Mornington was about 2 hrs, but the road was well graded. Great drive in, as well, lovely country.

And Mt Barnett was most expensive fuel we came across.

Hope that gives you some food for thought.

[gclan]

Wow, what a trip! Is there room for a stowaway?

Have a fantastic trip, and don't forget to post up lots of photos

[JCAT]

Have fun, we may see you up there.


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[Polly]

I am doing a similar trip (just in reverse) next month, how much time do we need to allow from Wolfe Creek to Alice? It's really only a shot cut for us rather than a sightseeing tour.

Cheers

[SteveandViv]

You need two days to do that but three if you want to stay at Wolf Creek, we did and it was a great camp.

To all those that want. You may want to go to Balgo for the Art centre there. It is very good. It is about 20 mins off the Tanami.

[Dexter_1]

Thanks for your input. I did some Google searching and found these two blogs.
http://harpins17weeks.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/tanami-road-and-alice-springs/
http://barbaratvan.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/barbaras-kimberley-adventure-tanami-road.html
They give a good over view of the track.
I'm leaving two days to do the Tanami unless photography opportunities present themselves. The only locked in date for the trip will be the flight to the horizontal falls. (Talbot Bay).

[slave]

We are currently in Broome having done a similar trip to you. Kings Canyon resort charged $39 for a piece of unpowered dirt would we stay there again ? NO We found the Tanami good, a couple of rough patches but certainly seen worse. There was a trailer about 650ks up that  snapped an axle but it that was an old crack that finally gave out. We stopped on the side of the road about 600 ks along the road. Flies are bad until dark then they go  We found Matsos very over rated too. I guess having to move tables 3 times for lunch doesnt help

[SteveandViv]

We are currently in Broome having done a similar trip to you. Kings Canyon resort charged $39 for a piece of unpowered dirt would we stay there again ? NO We found the Tanami good, a couple of rough patches but certainly seen worse. There was a trailer about 650ks up that  snapped an axle but it that was an old crack that finally gave out. We stopped on the side of the road about 600 ks along the road. Flies are bad until dark then they go  We found Matsos very over rated too. I guess having to move tables 3 times for lunch doesnt help

No, it is over rated but I do like the Ginger Beer

[slave]

We were drinking Ginger Beer and were given a free jug for our inconvience 

[grant110]

I live in Broome and have just got back (yesterday) from a trip across to Kununurra with a stop in at the Bungle Bungles, up to El Q, Drysdale, Edward River campsite - one night at Mitchell falls and back across the Gibb to Broome.

All very scenic however remember to take it easy into the Bungles and from Drysdale up to Mitchells.  The roads are quite manageable towing an offroad camper (ours had some significant issues but that is another post).  The road into Mitchells will take a good couple of hours and heaps of corrugations but not as bad as some may warn you.  We did see a Kimberley Kamper getting the draw bar welded at Drysdale after returning down but could have been an older issue??

Good free camping just out of Halls Creek at Caroline Pool or a bit further away at Sawpit Gorge. A couple of beautiful destinations around Kununurra  - one with year round waterfall down a "secret" track - remind me and ill send you some details and a pic.

Gibb River Road is currently being graded and is pretty good for the whole way

[feisty]

Nice setup and great photo. You'll have a ball!!!
Good luck

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[Dexter_1]

Thanks grant110 for you update on the Kimberley conditions. After reading a few blogs and considering your comments, I'm thinking of leaving the camper at either Drysdale River and swagging it as per my signature photo below, up to Mitchell Falls, or taking the camper through to King Edward River and doing a day trip into Mitchell Falls. Time and road conditions will dictate at the time as the schedule will see me around there about 10th July.
Just read your "My Chinese camper FAIL". Hope they do the right thing by your warranty.
All the best .... Peter

[Dexter_1]

The trip has commenced and it's day 2, and I'm overnighting at Coober Pedy. Tomorrow off to Yulara.
I've setup a blog for the trip at www.pjklel.wordpress.com You are most welcome to view.

See you on the road maybe.

[SteveandViv]

I'll be up the Gibb next week for work so I'll post conditions when I can.

It is very - very cold at the moment. Down to 2c in the middle of the Gibb. it is down to 8c in Broome at the moment so pack some warm gear all.

[gclan]

You sure made up for lost time on day 2

Magic sunset as well. Happy travels!

[JCAT]

Looks good Peter. Great sunset pic.

We leave next Sunday but who is counting. The first three to four days are much the same for us, travel, travel and more travel, then relax.

[grant110]

Broome is still lovely and warm - well i live here so find it pretty warm anyway.