Gibb River Road flooded: Tourists embrace adventure amid Kimberley rain deluge

Tourists are hunkering down along the Gibb River Road after unseasonal heavy rainfall of up to 130mm over two days closed part of the popular dirt track.

On Wednesday Main Roads WA advised the Gibb River Road between Mount Barnett and Kalumburu Road was closed because of flooding, making several crossings impassable.

Meanwhile the section between the Kalumburu turn-off and Pentecost River was open, with caution for four-wheel-drives, buses and trucks up to 15 tonnes, with some water crossings reaching levels of around 300mm.

Roads have been closed across the East Kimberley, including Parry Creek, Valentine Spring, King River and Kalumburu roads. At Kununurra, the Ivanhoe Crossing is also closed as water levels are flowing above the safety markers.

The Bureau of Meteorology released the final floodwatch for the West Kimberley, Fitzroy River and desert catchments around midday on Wednesday. Widespread rainfalls of 80mm-100mm were recorded in the 48 hours to 9am on Wednesday, with some isolated totals reaching up to 130 mm.

The rain band which passed through the Kimberley has now cleared.

At Mt Barnett Roadhouse, about 20 travellers decided to camp and wait it out for the few days it would take for the Gibb River Road to dry out.

Mt Barnett Roadhouse manager Matt Hawke said there was a lot of camaraderie among the travellers in the campground.

“Everyone seems more than happy to go with the flow and enjoy that element of adventure,” he said.

”They went knowing that they were going to be in there for a few days and were pretty calm about it. A group of girls have just walked up from the campground, 7km in the mud, to come buy some sausage rolls, who are enjoying themselves,” he said.

Mr Hawke said there was only one report of a tourist bus getting bogged, but besides that it was business as usual — even if it was quiet for this time of year.

“The lights are on and we’re still here for everyone, making all our handmade food and fresh-baked sourdough bread and everything. So the people that can get to us are having a great time,” he said.

Mr Hawke said he was advising tourists who rang about the road conditions to “sit tight until it dries out.”

“Wherever you are, enjoy the peace and quiet,” he said.

For the most up-to-date road advice, go to the Main Roads WA Travel Map at travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map.