Kimberley/Pilbara planning - how far ahead do you have to plan/book in May/June/July?

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

We're looking to go to the Pilbara/Kimberley next year in May/June/July. At the moment we don't have a fixed itinerary - do we need one? We were planning to start in Perth and wander our way up the coast, stopping where we found interesting things to do.

But I read somewhere that you need to book "now" for places or there won't be any spots. Is that true? Is it worse than Kakadu in the July school holidays?

[Carni Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Carni]

I'd be interested in some more information as well. A convoy of us are looking at heading North (Gibb, Karijini etc) around June/July for about a month of touring.

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Going anywhere near Karijini during school holidays will be risky. You can pre book at the eco retreat but there is no pre booked camping at the DPAW run Dales camp ground. Several years ago we had to wait in the overflow camp ground for a spot to become available at Dales so three years ago we camped outside the park near Hammersley Gorge and drove in each day and fought our way through the crowds.

The last time I was on the Gibb River Road you could camp anywhere you wanted, but that was over 30 years ago, so not much help with that one :-)

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

We did Lake Argyle, The Gibb, Mitchell Falls Derby, Broome and the Pilbara in July 2014, never booked anywhere and had no problems getting in anywhere, maybe we were lucky, but don't turn up late in the afternoons as most places fill up.
We did luck out at Dales campground in Karijini and had to spend the night in the rocky overflow campground.
If you wanted to do things like visit the Horizontal Falls then you'll need to book, but we just didn't want to be tied down with a set time schedule.

Just go for it and take the time to enjoy, it's a fantastic part of the country.

[LNGRNGR Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LNGRNGR]

Did the Gibb a while back in mid July and didn't have any trouble getting into places to camp, the only time that we had to worry or cram into anywhere was when we got to Broome. If you can go further North I recommend cape Leveque for sure, we stayed at a place called middle lagoon but there are free camps all the way up right on the coast.

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

Thanks guys - that's reassuring. I was dreading having to plan everything this far out because we really have no idea where we're going and when!

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Hi All,

I assume you all know there is the annual Pradopoint GTG being held in the Kimberley's next year.
Starting at Lake Argyle Resort and finishing at Broome, inc Gibb River Rd.

This is being held 28th May to 11 June.
Registrations have only just closed, but if interested see the post here http://www.pradopoint.com/forumdispl...Pradopoint-GTG

There are currently 16 vehicles I believe.

Stuart

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

I saw the GTG was going to be in that area - it would be nice to bump into them but the family is more into walking and swimming than 4wd'ing. They all start to complain if we bump around for too long. It also doesn't fit with our dates - I don't think we could get there that early.

[4wd Supplies Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd Supplies]

Just completed a full lap of australia mate and none of it was planned. we decided in jan that we would leave in march and just played it by ear. if we liked a place we stayed longer if not we moved on. WA was the most expensive part of the trip but also had some awesome spots to visit. Get the wikicamps app on your phone etc as it makes it easy to choose decent campgrounds along the way.

[Carni Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Carni]

Hopefully catch up with the GTG guys, but we do also have our own agenda as well. I will keep an eye out for the pradopoint stickers

[scottkz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottkz]

I did the gibb in July this year... during school holidays. Didnt have to book anywhere we had a dog with us too so it did narrow it down even more

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Broome could well be your pinch point. Peak starts at the beginning of June. You may need to book there , even if a few days ahead.

[TuesdayMarky Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close TuesdayMarky]

Did the Gibb in May this year. Like most others it seems, we didn't book anything in advance other than Broome (3 days ahead). We originally had an itinerary but that went out the window literally on Day 2! Rains/road closures turned out to be a blessing in disguise.