On our last trip 10 years ago, the Gibb River Rd was the highlight of our trip and one that we wanted to repeat, in particular, the north-eastern part of the region which we had previously missed due to extensive flooding. We spent a few days in Kununurra having a look around, getting supplies ready for the trip, and catching up with Wendys mum, Allan, Uncle John and Bev. These guys came across from Katherine to see us and we all camped at the showground in town. For the 2-week Kimberley trip we set up the engel in the car as a freezer and stocked it with frozen meat, chicken etc., milk and water bottles. Every day the frozen water bottles would be transferred across to the esky to keep the perishables cool. Of course fresh caught fish would be welcome addition along the way. To do something different we commenced the journey via Wyndham via Parrys Creek. This dirt road traversed the lower Ord River via some natural springs and included our first wild sighting of a crocodile for the trip in the stunning Parrys Lagoon. After Stopping in at Wyndham for a pub meal we said goodbye to our relatives and moved on to Diggers Rest Station on the northern flank of the Cockburn Ranges.

Diggers Rest Station was a good place to start the trek, all very rustic and with scenery to die for – much of it was used in the movie ‘Australia’. Best of all you could finish the day with a beer around the campfire. After consultation with the owner we decided continue on our journey and take the more scenic Karunjie track to the Pentecost River. We were glad we did as this was a definite highlight of the trip. The absolute isolation driving along the claypans in the shadow of the Cockburn ranges was something we will always remember – outback oz in all its glory. After crossing the Pentecost River we spent the night in a bush camp at Ellenborough Station and the following morning we tasted some of their famous scones. The Gibb River road had recently been graded and was much better condition then we had previously experienced.

It was a different story on our way up Kalumbaru Rd. The road to Drysdale Station and then onto King Edward River camp was pretty ordinary and heavily corrugated. We spent two nights at King River because it had some fantastic croc-free swimming holes and aboriginal art sites that were not even on the map. Wendy located a book in Kununurra that described and located these unique engravings that most tourists just passed by unawares.

Next stop was the big bucket list tick off, being the famous Mitchell River Falls. The road in was 70km but took 2.5 hours and was clearly the worst we had experienced so far, however, it was all worth it. The first afternoon we spent out at Surveyors pool then venturing onto a lookout over the great Kimberley coast. The next morning we hiked into the falls, checking out the art sights and swimming holes along the way. We were lucky to have most of the day to ourselves and were in awe at the grandeur of the whole place. After one final swim above the falls we treated ourselves to a helicopter ride back to the camp. That night we were privileged to listen to a talk and slide show by the local ranger on the area during the wet season. This truly was one perfect day.

We had made it this far trouble free so it was inevitable that we would make the final journey to Kalumburu – a remote aboriginal mission on the north coast. The road was much better than expected and we got there from the King Edward turn off in under a few hours. Surprisingly, the few shops there were well stocked with reasonably priced fruit, vegetables and perishables, as this place is regularly serviced by a barge from Darwin. We camped at McGowans Island, just 20km from the mission, adjacent the beach. All the campers staying here were super friendly with offers of freshly caught jewfish, Spanish mackerel and plenty of other reef species. Chris and the kids managed to get on a few boat rides to get amongst the fishing action. Although this place was arguably the most remote and distant location we had visited from home, we vowed that one day we would get back here again – of course with a capable fishing boat in tow!

After four nights in Kalumburu we started the long journey back to Kununurra stopping along the way at Miners pool then treating ourselves to a few days at the upmarket El Questro station. Chris and Wendy had visited here last time and were very impressed, even though it was very comercialised. Ten years on we were hesitant about the experience we were going to have. However,  with most tourists having moved on, and with a million acres to roam, we found it easy to enjoy the stations natural beauty, and at night we enjoyed the entertainment at the ‘Swinging arm’ bar. El Questro was a fitting place to end our great Kimberley Trek. Its not the destination but the journey that made this trip so special – the simplicity of sleeping in swags, sitting around the campfire, absorbing the culture, swimming in pristine water holes and observing (and catching!) nature in all its glory. Of all the beautiful and remote places we have visited this trip, the Kimberleys still continues to punch well above its weight.