Gibb River Road

Manning Gorge

Manning Gorge has access from Mt Barnett Roadhouse and the campground is along the banks of the lovely Manning River. Great swimming here or walk one hour to the Upper Manning Falls. The Kupungari Aboriginal Community at Mt Barnett welcome visitors and maintains the camping area there.

UPDATE: Bookings are not required for camping at Manning Gorge. Passes for Camping and Day use are available for purchase at the Mount Barnett Roadhouse on arrival.

How to get to Manning Gorge
Manning Gorge is located in Mt Barnett Station on the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Vehicle access is dependent on weather, with Manning Gorge most accessible during the months of May through to October.

Manning Gorge is 306km from Derby (to the west) and 398km from Kununurra (to the east).

Drive: From Mt Barnett Roadhouse, the access road to Manning Gorge is approximately 7km

Entrance Fees: Entrance fees are payable at the Mt Barnett Roadhouse.

Stay: The camping area at Manning Gorge offers basic facilities. No bookings are taken for the campsite. Travellers can pay their fees at the roadhouse during opening hours or to the campsite caretakers after hours.

Dalmanyi Bell Gorge

Dalmanyi Bell Gorge is one of the Gibbs most spectacular gorges and a must see. It has a deep swimming hole at the base of the 100m high falls. Water cascades from the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges increase after the rain of the wet season. During the dry season, this popular location allows visitors to swim and enjoy this beautiful location. Dalmanyi Bell Gorge is about 11km to the north-west of this campsite.

Location: Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park
Accessible: usually between May through to October
Car Park: 30km along Silent Grove Road (need 4WD)
Camping: Camping at Dulundi (Silent Grove) can be booked online (no powered sites) or book online for Imintji Campground.
UPDATE: For Dulundi (Silent Grove) campground updates, please check the Parks Alerts page here.

Take extra caution and drive slowly to road conditions, Bell Gorge road is single lane in some sections. High clearance 4WDs access only. Campground bookings are essential.

The information below is from the Department of Parks and Wildlife:
At the head of the Dulundi (Silent Grove) Valley, Bell Creek drops 150 metres into a gorge to form a waterfall that cascades over the layered sandstone rocks and continues north-west to join the Isdell River. The base of the falls form a deep pool surrounded by ledges and sheltered by rocky walls that is a superb spot for swimming. If this popular site is too busy for your liking, you can also explore upstream.

Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) Walk Trail
2 km walk from the car park at Bell Gorge to a section of the creek just above the falls with spectacular views of the gorge and waterfall. Steep and rocky in sections.

Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges (previously King Leopold Ranges) has been divided into two parks: Miluwindi Conservation Park (Bunuba country at the southern section of the Gibb River Road) and Wunaamin Conservation Park (Wilinggin country, land of the Ngarinyin people, at the northern section of the Gibb River Road).

Lennard River Gorge - 3km (return) walk from the parking area to the lookout where the falls can be viewed. Details here

The Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge/ Walarra Mindi (Mount Hart) Homestead is located in the heart of the Wunaamin Conservation Park. Aquatic plants fill pools in creeks and rivers, providing cool relief from the starkness of the harsh escarpment. Head out on remote tracks and you’ll discover the region is sprinkled with waterholes, idyllic fishing spots and secluded gorges. They offer pro­vid­ing ensuit­ed eco-tent and home­stead accom­mo­da­tion, as well as shady river­side camping, delicious bar meals, alcoholic beverages, ice to keep your esky food cold and plenty of diesel.

Galvans Gorge – a beautiful little gorge with easy access just 1 kilometre off the road. A delightful spot for a refreshing swim. Galvans Gorge is a good stop off on the journey between Dalmanyi Bell Gorge and Mt Barnett Roadhouse/Manning Gorge.

Photo credits: Tourism Western Australia and Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge

Danguu Geikie Gorge, Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges

Danggu Geikie Gorge was carved by the Fitzroy River through part of an ancient limestone barrier reef which snakes across the west Kimberley. It was laid down in an ancient sea that covered a large part of the Kimberley in Devonian times, some 350 million years ago. Read more information from Parks and Wildlife here.

Danggu Geikie Gorge Boat Tour
Daily: May to October
Danggu Geike Gorge boat tours take place from May to October and give an insight into the wildlife and geology of the gorge. Birdlife abounds and you may see white-bellied sea eagle or even a rare purple-crowned fairy-wren. Freshwater crocodiles sun themselves in full view on river banks and exposed rocks.
BOOK ONLINE (via Parks and Wildlife Service WA)

Cultural boat tours are guided by Bunuba Aboriginal people whose connection to this land goes back to the Dreamtime. Tours depart at various times. Tickets must be booked with the Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre on (08) 9191 5355.

Download the Danggu Geikie Gorge visitor guide (1.7MB)

Photos: Geikie Gorge, Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges, Tourism Western Australia

Update from Parks and Wildlife: DBCA and Bunuba Traditional Owners welcome Fitzroy Crossing residents and visitors back to Danggu National Park for DAY USE ONLY (limited access, basic facilities). This opening represents a significant milestone in the recovery effort, however only basic facilities, a carpark and toilets are available. Visitors can view the gorge from the riverbank via a short challenging walk along an uneven, sandy surface. The national park is scheduled to close for the wet season on December 1. Note: DBCA is consulting with Bunuba Traditional Owners to determine safe boating access before fully re-opening after the wet season.

Bandilngan Windjana Gorge

The first gorge turnoff you will come to along the Gibb River Road will take you to the 375 million-year-old Devonian Reef Gorge of Bandilngan Windjana Gorge some 145kms from Derby. Carved by the Lennard River, Bandilngan Windjana Gorge is over three kilometres long with 300 metre-high walls. Freshwater crocodiles can be seen sunning themselves on the banks.

The area is of great cultural importance to the local Bunuba people who once lived there, and was the base for Jandamurra, the Indigenous outlaw who led an armed rebellion against European settlers in the 1890s. Lovely camping spot and great place to watch the sunset as the colours reflect on the cliffs of the gorge.

A four-wheel-drive is recommended to access the park. The park is closed during the wet season as the roads are inaccessible.

Download the visitor guide for Bandilngan Windjana Gorge National Park produced by DPAW.

For updates about Tunnel Creek and Windjana National Park check the Parks Alerts page here.

Photos: Bandilngan Windjana Gorge National Park, off the Gibb River Road

El Questro Wilderness Park

El Questro Wilderness Park is a million acres of pure, rugged beauty it began its life as a pastoral lease in 1903. The landscape offers outstanding diversity - from rugged sandstone ranges and broad tidal flats, to rainforest pockets, gorges and permanent waterfalls. El Questro Wilderness Park is a unique place, where you'll feel a sense of adventure at every turn. The Station is the base of most tours and offers camping and accommodation. Emma Gorge Resort gives access to the beautiful Emma Gorge and accommodation. Accommodation and campsite bookings for El Questro can be made here.

Selected tours from Kununurra to El Questro are bookable here.

Photos: Emma Gorge, Zebedee Springs, and Emma Gorge Resort