Gibb pre planning, 2026

Hi Trek’N_Teach,

It is great that you are planning well ahead of time, however, any advice regarding the condition of the road access to Mitchell Falls Campground or even the Gibb River Road given now would be useless given you are not planning on a traveling until 2026. That being said, the Mitchell Falls road has never been a good road to take caravans on, even Off Road caravans. The majority of people with caravans tend to leave them at Drysdale River, and just “tent” it to Mitchell Falls. I have seen Ultimate and Kimberley Kampers in there, but not caravans. It is possible to get a good Off Road caravan up to Kalumburu and Honeymoon Bay, depending on the road conditions, but again, it is too early to know what the road conditions will be like in 2026.

In preparing your vehicle and caravan, it would be a good idea to carry a spare set of wheel bearings, shocks and suspension bolts for your caravan.

Macca.

I won't give advice re road conditions or taking a caravan, but I would suggest, GO EARLIER.
The Kimberley is about water and waterfalls. Get in there as soon as you can after the wet.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

This guide may be useful:
Kimberley Guide

Ken

I wasn't towing on the Mitchell Falls road and whilst we drove very slowly we still busted 2 new Bilstein rear shock absorbers. We stayed at APT's Wilderness Lodge then took a tour from there to the falls and back. We couldn't get the shock absorbers replaced anywhere before we got to Darwin! Whilst the falls were great I wish we had never travelled on that dreadful road.

I would consider going during Term 2. The weather gods will determine when the Gibb River Rd opens but usually start of May (this year was mid May).

We just got back at the end of June, I reckon going any later would be too late. Water levels were fantastic, we swam in most places and everything was pretty green. Saw some pictures from people's travels over the July school holidays and the water levels were very low compared to when we went. Any later and it would be very dry. Of course that will all be dependent on the amount of rain during the wet.
The roads after the school holidays will also be in considerably worse condition after all the "time-constrained" travelers have done belting down the road.

We did not go to Mitchell Falls so can't comment on it other than other travelers said it was rough and advised not to take the van.

We had every intention of going up to Mitchell Falls when we were up that way. However we had a blown shock absorber & a horrible loud clunking on every road bump that we couldn't find the cause for (& which only became apparent sometime later when up on a hoist in Kununurra - a broken top leaf spring). We camped at King Edward River on the way back down from Kalumburu & agonisedabout whether to continue up to the falls. Three things aided our decision not to go. News that the road had been very recently graded - very badly - pulling footy sized rocks out f the ground & now strewn up & down the track. Seeing a car come into the campground with a drivers side window smashed & learning it had resulted from a rock thrown up by another vehicle & finally talking to one of the Outback Spirit bus drivers who told me "I have to go up there, it's what I get paid for, but no way would I take my own car up there the way it is at the moment".

However I will return & get to the falls at some future date.

All the advise about going early if you can is good. Hard to ensure this happens if on a schedule, but if you can be up in the Kimberley around early June, knowing you may have to wait until the road is opened it'll be worth it.

You shouldn't miss Mitchell Falls (and King Edward River) if you are in the area - it is well worth the effort. No point telling you about road conditions from one month to the next, let alone two years ahead, but we towed our TVan in there with no problems - saw various other trailers, but no larger vans from memory.
If you're a bit nervous (but have the funds) there are tour options of flights which give you a bit of a taste, but not the same as doing it under your own steam.
Regardless, you'll enjoy getting a break from those pesky students :-)

We were there mid july. Left Drysdale in the morning and towed homemade hybrid to King Edward campground. Left the van there and drove to Mitchell Falls campground in the afternoon.
Swagged it that night.
7am start next morning, walked both ways, back to vehicle around midday and drove back to King Edward. Plenty of water over the falls and 4 helicopters going non stop.
Road was crap. It an Purnululu were the worst of our 4 month trip. Corros and rough bits. Lost a bolt out of the bash plate on the old triton.
Worth every shake and rattle.
Next morning towed the van up to Honeymoon Bay. Another crap road.