The Gibb River Road turned out to be a real challenge, and for a while there it felt as though everything that could go wrong was having a good go at doing so. But by the skin of our teeth, we made it safely into Kununurra. With no replacement parts available locally, we were incredibly grateful for the support from Mobi Nomad and RAC Insurance, who helped make a difficult situation as painless as possible.

Our wallets are still a little lighter, but honestly, it could have been so much worse. There won’t be a video this week while we catch up and get everything sorted, but we’re finally back on the road again. So, onwards we go — and let’s see what this week has in store for us!

We’re back on the Gibb River Road for another Kimberley adventure, starting with a visit to beautiful Galvans Gorge before once again tackling the famous water crossings that make this road so legendary. From Drysdale Station to Ellenbrae and Sandy Creek, we cross rivers, dodge crocodiles and battle the endless Kimberley corrugations as we make our way towards the notorious Pentecost River. It’s everything we came to the Gibb for — spectacular scenery, remote tracks, croc-infested rivers and a whole lot of water crossings!

But then it all goes horribly wrong. A blown tyre turns into a completely destroyed wheel, leaving us stranded with a badly damaged caravan, 200 kilometres from the nearest town, 50 kilometres of rough gravel still ahead and the Pentecost River yet to cross. With the help of some wonderful young backpackers, we somehow manage to limp Mobi all the way to Kununurra. The damage? A broken axle, spindle, bearings and brakes. By all accounts, we shouldn’t have been able to move the van at all — let alone drive 200 kilometres to safety. We dared to take on the Gibb River Road… and the Gibb did its very best to claim another victim!

The Gibb River Road has a reputation that scares plenty of travellers away. Nicknamed the “Caravan Killer,” it’s 600 kilometres of legendary outback driving through the heart of Western Australia’s spectacular Kimberley. In this episode we finally find out whether the stories are true as we begin one of Australia’s most iconic road trips. From peaceful free camping on the May River to corrugated tracks, fuel worries and our first creek crossing, the adventure is only just beginning.

Along the way we explore the incredible Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, sharing the space with freshwater crocodiles, bats and even the occasional python. We discover a forgotten police outpost from the 1800s, hunt for the famous “Queen Victoria’s Head” rock formation, and tackle the unforgettable hike to Manning Gorge, including the famous swim across the river with our gear floating behind us on a raft. If you’re planning the Gibb River Road—or simply dreaming about it—come along for the ride as we show you what it’s really like, one dusty kilometre at a time.

Week 15 of our Australian Big Lap adventure takes us from the banks of the Fitzroy River to Derby, where we stock up on supplies and prepare to tackle the notorious Gibb River Road. After a week surrounded by crocodile country, we’re beginning to suspect that this won’t be our last encounter with these prehistoric locals! Before heading into the Kimberley wilderness, we explore some of Derby’s fascinating history, including the ancient Boab Prison Tree, the Old Gaol, Myall’s Bore and the remains of the old jetty and horse-drawn tramway.

It is good to reflect on the history and culture of the region, with some thought-provoking sculptures around Derby celebrating Indigenous identity, family and reconciliation. Then it’s time to prepare for some serious Kimberley fishing, with the fishing line upgraded from 10lb to a rather more substantial 60lb — although the crocodiles have other ideas! At our next stop on the May River, a quick look into the water with a spotlight reveals plenty of eyes watching from the darkness, so we decide that perhaps fishing from the bank isn’t such a great idea after all. With the rods safely packed away, we’re finally ready to head towards the Gibb River Road and whatever adventures lie ahead.

We spent a couple of days sitting quietly beside the Fitzroy River, and it turned out to be a pretty busy place. Cattle wandered in and out, birds were constantly coming and going, and the river seemed to have something new to offer every time we looked up. One of the highlights was spotting a magnificent sea eagle and a jabiru, while a black kite kept a watchful eye on proceedings.

Down by the water, we watched an egret fishing along the riverbank, seemingly unaware — or perhaps completely unbothered — by the crocodile watching from nearby. It’s days like this that remind us why we love travelling through Australia’s wild places. You don’t always need an itinerary or a big adventure; sometimes the best experiences come from simply finding a quiet spot, sitting back and watching nature unfold around you.

Sometimes the best travel days are the ones where you don’t go anywhere at all. We spent the day relaxing on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, simply watching the world go by.

It was a surprisingly busy place, with cattle wandering down to the water to drink and an endless procession of wildlife keeping us entertained.

The highlights were spotting a majestic sea eagle soaring overhead and a magnificent jabiru, while a curious black kite seemed content to keep a watchful eye on us from a nearby tree.

Down at the water’s edge, an egret patiently stalked fish, blissfully unaware—or perhaps completely aware—of the crocodile quietly observing from the bank.

It was a reminder that out here, every creature has its place in the natural order, and even a peaceful afternoon beside the river comes with a healthy dose of respect for the wild.

We have just arrived at an amazing camp on the Fitzroy River and as usual, Debbie cannot wait to get her fishing rod out. This time she has some competition and I don’t think she will win this contest.

Don’t worry, we are taking care. These are freshwater crocodiles, not Salties, although Salties have been spotted here. We won’t be taking any chances.

Before leaving Broome, we set out to find the famous dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point. Unfortunately, the Kimberley tides had other ideas! Instead of ancient footprints, we discovered spectacular red cliffs, beautiful beaches and plenty of laughs along the way. Our adventure then takes us north onto the Dampier Peninsula, where we explore Banana Well, Burrguk Creek, Beagle Bay and Lombadina.

Along the way we encounter dolphins, stingrays, crocodile country, fresh fish for dinner, the incredible Mother of Pearl Church at Beagle Bay, and learn a little about the history of the Aboriginal communities that call this remarkable coastline home. If you’re planning a trip to Broome or the Dampier Peninsula, this episode shows both the beauty and the realities of travelling through one of Australia’s most remote coastal regions.

Our journey towards Broome turned into one of those unforgettable events, where the best moments were completely unplanned. After leaving Muccan Station, we searched for a free camp near Shay Gap before curiosity led us down an unmarked track to an incredible collection of ancient rock art. We also discovered the peaceful Serenity Pool, spent a couple of nights camping beside Coonieena Creek, and even tried our luck prospecting—only to discover we’d been searching around old iron ore drill holes instead of gold. Sometimes the best stories come from the rookie mistakes! From there we made our way to the famous Eighty Mile Beach before arriving in Broome.

A stay at Waterbank revealed an unexpected paradise of crystal-clear coral pools teeming with marine life, followed by visits to the Courthouse Markets, Chinatown, Town Beach and, of course, the iconic Cable Beach at sunset. Join us as another chapter of our lap around Australia reminds us that it’s often the hidden places—and the unexpected discoveries—that become the highlights of the journey.

On to Port Hedland and then continue our journey through the Pilbara towards Marble Bar. After noisy nights beside the iron ore trains, we discover peaceful riverside camps, enjoy some unexpected fishing for spangled perch, encounter local wildlife, and soak up the beauty of outback Western Australia. Join us as our Australian adventure continues, one memorable stop at a time.