Gibb River Road: a 12-day adventure

Follow part of the self-guided Pigeon Heritage Trail to uncover Derby’s rich history and significant Aboriginal sites, including the phenomenal 1,500-year-old Boab Prison Tree. Pick up a map from Derby’s Visitor Information Centre.

Take an evening stroll along the horseshoe-shaped Derby Jetty to watch the sky transform into a sea of striking reds and oranges at dusk. Look out for the mind-blowing tidal change of up to 12m (39ft) – the largest tide in the Southern Hemisphere.

Fly over what David Attenborough calls “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” A half-day scenic flight over the Horizontal Waterfalls and the 1,000 rocky islands that make up the Buccaneer Archipelago will leave you speechless.

Discover intricate artworks, significant Aboriginal objects and immersive storytelling at Derby’s Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre, a creative hub for the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal tribes.

Follow the 1.9km (1.1mi) Gorge Walk Trail to witness nature’s drama unfold around the gorge’s 300m (984ft) high walls. Look out for fruit bats, saltwater crocodiles and marine life fossils embedded in the water-streaked limestone rock.

Unleash your inner adventurer at Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek), Western Australia's oldest cave system. Trek the 750m (0.5mi) path, wade through freshwater pools and climb rocks to marvel at stalactites, stalagmites and limestone reefs.

Make Windjana Gorge Campground your base for the night. Fall asleep beneath the outback’s inky night sky before waking up to a close-up view of the gorge’s spectacular ochre cliffs fringed by native fig, Cajeput and Leichhardt trees.

Sit down with the local Aboriginal Imintji people at the Imintji Art Centre. You’ll be invited to soak up the local culture, try your hand at painting, buy authentic artworks, share stories and have a bite to eat at the Imintji Roadhouse café. 

Don your swimsuit for a day at the picturesque Bell Gorge. Here, millions of years old cliffs carve a dramatic backdrop to 100m (328ft) cascading waterfalls. The falls feed into a deep pool that’s perfect for swimming.

Treat yourself to a stay at Mount Hart Lodge. Make camp beneath the shady riverbanks, put your feet up in a luxurious ensuite glamping tent or book a cosy room in the homestead. Feast on homegrown fare at Pippa’s Corner restaurant.

Stop by Galvans Gorge, the most accessible gorge along the Gibb River Road. Swim in the plunge pool enveloped by granite outcrops and lush vegetation, feel invigorated beneath a tumbling multi-tiered waterfall and spot ancient Wandjina rock art.

Follow the 6km (3.7mi) hike to arrive at Manning Gorge, where white sandy banks fringe transparent water fed by thundering waterfalls. Press pause, ponder your surroundings and cool off with a paddle in the pool.

Back at Manning Gorge campground, pitch a tent or park your camper beside ancient boab trees. No need to book ahead, but you’ll need to pay in advance at Mt Barnett Roadhouse to secure your spot.

Drive to the secluded Wunnamurra and Warlu Gorges from Mt Elizabeth Station, a genuine outback cattle station. Here, you’re invited to explore its rugged, off-the-beaten-path landscapes and experience life on an authentic Australian cattle farm.

Enjoy the ethereal-like Adcock Gorge, where emerald-green waters reflect the surrounding ferns and towering gorge walls. Don’t be surprised if you’re the only people at this relatively undiscovered wonder.

Arrive at your base tonight: the family-run Drysdale River Roadhouse. Choose from cabin-style accommodations or campsites on the expansive cattle station property then relax with a cold one and a burger in the beer garden.

Immerse yourself in the Mitchell River National Park on a full-day helicopter tour and trek. Get up close to jaw-dropping waterfalls, hike to ancient rock art with your Aboriginal guide and swim in the scenic pools of Little Mertens Falls.

From Drysdale River Station, take a scenic flight (from May to August) over the Prince Regent River – a haven for more than half the Kimberley’s native mammal and bird species – and get a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular four-tiered Mitchell Falls.

If time permits, continue to Mitchell Plateau to spend a few nights at the Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge or campground. Go bushwalking, swim in the four-tiered pool and marvel at the Gyorn Gyorn Paintings, which are said to be around 60,000 years old.

Experience Home Valley Station’s breathtaking backyard on foot. Walk one or several of the seven guided walking trails to explore savannah woodlands, sandstone escarpments and waterholes. Look out for birdlife and the odd crocodile!

Join an intimate sunset tour to sip drinks, enjoy nibbles and watch the light flicker over this three-million-acre outback oasis. Watch the Cockburn Range’s peaks turn from brilliant reds to deep purples. 

Book a stargazing tour to admire the outback’s brilliantly bright stars. With little to no light pollution, cutting-edge telescopes and a resident astronomy guide, you’re in for an unforgettable night under the cosmos. 

On a Home Valley Tour, spend your morning exploring the station’s cherished locations – Bindoola Falls, Cockburn Lookout and the expansive vistas of Bindoola Creek – while learning about the land’s cultural history.

The Pentecost River is known as one of the best destinations for barramundi fishing. Try your luck and cast a line, or venture out with a local on a guided tour. Back at Home Valley Station, arrange for a chef to cook your catch.

After a meal at Home Valley Station's true blue outback pub, have a seat by the communal campfire. Stare up at the clear, starry skies and chat with fellow adventurers. Now this is what the Aussie outback is all about.

Check into the adults-only El Questro Homestea​​d, perched on the burnt-orange outcrops overlooking Chamberlain Gorge. Settle into your chic suite, complete with a private deck and a beautiful bathtub.

Set on a million acres, El Questro Wilderness Park extends deep into the unexplored heart of the Kimberley. For the perfect introduction, take a sunset cruise to glide through the rippling waters of Chamberlain Gorge.

Join an Injiid Marlabu Calls Us tour to connect to the Ngarinyin people’s culture. Observe ancient healing rituals, hear generational stories, and broaden your knowledge of the local Indigenous people’s history, heritage, and language.

Start your day with a relaxing soak in the natural thermal pools of Zebedee Springs. Take the easy 1.5km (1mi) walk through the prehistoric forest of Livistona and pandanus palms before arriving at the hidden oasis.

Feel energised with a refreshing dip at Emma Gorge, one of the most accessible pools in the region. Swim beside a cooling waterfall that trickles down the 65m (213ft) terracotta cliffs – coated in rich green vegetation – into the pool below.

The Kimberley is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet, and seeing them from above is a true marvel. Hop on a scenic helicopter flight and soar over the jaw-dropping waterfalls, rock formations and simple expanse of the Kimberley.

Head to Lake Argyle and jump aboard an afternoon cruise to explore the waters and little islands of the lake – the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Keep a look out for freshwater crocs lazing on the banks.

Mirima National Park’s 350-million-year-old rock formations have a striking resemblance to the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungles. Embark on a hike through rugged ranges and savannah woodlands to discover Kununurra’s best-kept secret.

Book a sunset tour with Waringarri Aboriginal Arts for an unforgettable cultural evening. Feel goosebumps as the didgeridoo echoes at sunset, taste freshly baked damper, listen to Dreamtime stories and admire storytelling artworks.

Jump aboard one of the most jaw-dropping helicopter flights of your life. Gazing down at the Bungle Bungle Range’s orange and black-striped spiralling rock formations is a sight you won’t soon forget.

Purnululu is mind-blowing from above, but its beehive formations conceal certain wonders only accessible on foot. Zig-zag through the domes for 2km (1.2mi) to Cathedral Gorge, an ancient natural amphitheatre known for its spell-binding acoustics. 

The Gibb River Road is just one part of the epic Savannah Way road trip. If you're ready to tackle the next section, continue through the Northern Territory from Keep River to Lawn Hill before ending your trip on the Queensland coast.