As we look forward to the 2024 Kimberley tour season it is well-worth reflecting on the once-in-100-year flood event that occurred this time last year.
The magic of the Kimberley is the remoteness, the unpredictability, and its remarkable ancient beauty; there is a reason why making it across the Gibb River Road is considered a great achievement! It is well-worth the challenge; it is adventurous, rewarding and like no-where else in the world. It is considered a bucket list item to be ticked off by any budding traveller.
If you travel with Kimberley Off-Road, many of the worries are taken away as we have experienced guides with excellent knowledge of the region, and guide you safely to swimming holes, lookouts, rock art sites and hidden gems.
Manning gorge swimming hole, Kimberley, WA
Brancos lookout in the Kimberley, WA
In December 2022 and January 2023 ex-tropical cyclone Ellie generated unprecedented flooding throughout the west Kimberley region in Western Australia, displacing residents, damaging roads and blocking the major artery road linking northern WA with the Northern Territory. This caused huge disruption to locals, businesses, tourism and supply chains.
With the Kimberley’s Gibb River Road only accessible in the dry season (April to September) the Fitzroy River Bridge on the Great Northern Highway is a key piece of infrastructure allowing vehicles to pass from WA to the NT in the wet season (October to March). The 100-year flood event saw the river peak at a record height, close to 16 metres, and when the waters receded, significant damage to the bridge was revealed deeming the river impassable. At one point, the amount of water flowing down the Fitzroy River each day was the equivalent of Perth’s entire water use for 20 years. Three kilometres of road was also washed away at Willare Crossing between Derby and Broome.
Great Northern Highway flooding, January 2023 Image courtesy of ABC Kimberley
New Fitzroy River bridge, photo courtesy of WA Roads
Knowing the importance of getting these roads operational again for local residents, businesses and the upcoming tourism season, engineers began working at the sites as soon as possible and plans were made to build a low-level crossing over the Fitzroy River. Five metres wide and 200 metres long, the single-lane causeway was constructed of 10,000 tonnes of rock and with steel pipes, and opened in April 2023, just in time for our Kimberley tours to cross!
Our Kimberley adventure guide, Adam Utschink, was on the road with our first Kimberley tour of the season. He posted,
“Servo lady said “ You’re the first tour company through” Yessss Fitzroy Crossing over the mighty Fitzroy River is OPEN 2023!”
Despite the flooding passengers who traveled with us in 2023 witnessed the Kimberley during a fantastic season, lots of water meant the landscape was looking lush and the waterfalls were pumping!
Construction work began on the permanent Fitzroy River Bridge as soon as the receding flood waters allowed, with predictions it would be completed around mid-2024. However, the new Fitzroy River bridge opened on Sunday 10 December 2023, more than six months ahead of schedule.
Although seeing the Kimberley is about traveling the Gibb River Road and so the Great Northern Highway and the Fitzroy Crossing is not needed, it’s always great to have the road open as back-up.
In the Northern Territory we are currently enjoying a monsoonal trough bringing welcomed rain to the Top End. We love the rain in the wet season both here, and in the Kimberley, the more the merrier! It allows the waterfalls to flow beautifully when the season begins in April, a great time to see the Kimberley region at its very best!
With all the weather dramas of 2023 those looking to travel the Kimberley region may have held off, but bookings are showing that people are now scheduling their trips for 2024 and we can’t wait to show you Australia’s final frontier! If you are interested to see our availability check out our tours here.
Look out for our next blog on why our ability to be flexible ensures we can always deliver the best Kimberley tour at the time of travel, and sets us apart from our competitors.
If you want to discuss anything further please contact Adam or Lucy.
0447 740 880 (Whatsapp available) / info@kimberleyoffroadtours.com or use our website chat.