Yesterday we took the tent and camped overnight at Windjana Gorge, (Lovely place!) which is off the GRR. The campground was very crowded, mostly with camper-trailers with families. A few tents too, but very few day-trippers like us from Derby.
Conversation with other travellers was very interesting, most of the ones we spoke to said that they had just come accross the GRR from Kunnunura, and commented that there was so much traffic on the road, every campground and scenic attraction was busy, and they were a bit disappointed about it. The solitude they remembered from previous trips, or had heard about, is lost.
We were told the road itself varies in condition from smooth to rough and corrugated, water crossings rough but ok, and speeding drivers in the dust frightened a GN couple who feared a serious accident.
Mr D had been rather keen to do the GRR, and was persuaded that the caravan might not survive with all its interior fittings intact, so we came via the highway. He's glad of that decision now although it was a touchy topic for a while.
probably the best thing as you do really need an off road set up to do the trip. 800k;s but you can do 4000;s if you do it properly, traffic not to bad if you leave the main drag, Derby-Kunnunurra.
I'd heard the same thing Gerty about the GRR being busy in the peak season, also about nearly getting cleaned up by Kamikaze drivers in 4WD's only. Up that way last year and came into Turkey Creek (Warmun) behind a limping caravan with the suspension shot, it had happened on the GRR the owner told me.
__________________
Vic
Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....
Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".
Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy While we're here.
Hi Gerty and Mr D, what a shame it is that our tourist numbers have grown so much that remote destinations no longer offer the solitude we seek. I think your decision a wise one in the end as the roads by all accounts are really cut up due to the floods, and they are never good at the best of times.
As a matter of safety I also think its high time that the 4wd hire companies in particular paid more attention to educating/advising drivers of the dangers. I receive a free Kimberly "whats happening" e mail and the constant reminder to people is to drop the tyre pressure on car and van..........and slow down. We have so many overseas's visitors unfamiliar with our roads,conditions and driving on the right side etc....
just before or after the peak times is the best time to do the GGR, we did it a few years ago, we had 5 punture's and wrecked two new tire's, but we enjoyed our two weeks along that road.
There is still some talk of putting black top along the GGR, but that comes up every tourist season, I think it will spoil the experience if that did happen and the road would have more traffic.
Anybody who does geocaching should look out for our cache we put there on our last trip along the GGR, not far from the Leopold Ranges.
I haven't been back since I left the region in 2007. It sounds like the region, and this historical route is being treated with disrespect by irresponsible travellers. The 4wd hirers are not supposed to do that road or the Cape Leveque Road, but they do. I did it with a mate and his "off-road" van, and we did a tyre, the rim and the axle. Luckily there were 2 axles. Working up there was the best way to experience it all. Another mate is working on repairing the road and creek crossings after the big wet season. If the road is passable, it's best seen straight after the wet. Everything is so lush and green, you can experience the creek crossings and many of the waterfalls would still be "falling". As the season dries up the falls also stop falling. Like everything up that way it's getting a bit crowded and very expensive with commercialism of the region. They'd be better off restricting the number of vehicles using the route at any one time, and limiting the tourist operators as well.
__________________
20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
I agree with the Granny - travelling the road just after the wet is the best time, but you need to be prepared.
It is unlikely that the road will have been graded then so expect it to be rough and washed out in places.
The water crossings may be deeper than you'd expect.
It will still be hot and humid - not an issue for someone acclimatised to it, but for all those soft southerners it may be really uncomfortable.
You will need a capable and well prepared 4WD (snorkel, say a 2 inch lift, good rough road tyres with two spares and a full recovery kit) and any van will need good clearance, good suspension, be strongly built inside (no Jayco stapled together furniture for instance) and be capable of staying dry inside if the water crossings exceed a metre or so in depth. Tyres should be the same as those on the 4WD and be in good condition.
If you don't travel at this time then you'll end up travelling with all the hordes of people who just want to belt through it, ticking off those must see sights before screaming back to Sydney or Melbourne.
