Introduction
This 10-day itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience the Gibb River Road without feeling rushed.
➡️ Link directly to the Gibb River 10-day itinerary here (without Mitchell Falls)
It builds on the highlights of a shorter trip. The itinerary allows space for recovery days. It offers more profound gorge experiences. The pace is more relaxed.
If the 7-day itinerary is a strong introduction, this version is where the journey starts to breathe.
Who This Itinerary Is For
This itinerary suits travellers who:
- Have 9-10 days available
- Want to avoid rushing between highlights
- Have a family
- Prefer spacing gorge days with recovery time
- Are visiting the Gibb for the first time, but don’t want it to feel compressed
This is often the sweet spot for first-time travellers.
What a 10-Day Gibb Trip Does Well
Ten days changes how the road feels.
This timeframe allows you to:
- Space out major gorge days
- Add simpler gorges without fatigue
- Include recovery and transition days
- Adjust plans based on weather and energy
The result is a journey that feels immersive rather than task-driven.
What This Itinerary Adds Compared to 7 Days
Compared to a 7-day trip, this version:
- Reduces consecutive big days
- Allows an extra gorge or cultural stop
- Provides flexibility if plans change
- Makes the middle section of the Gibb far more enjoyable
This is where many travellers feel they finally understand the rhythm of the road.
10-Day Itinerary Overview (without Mitchell Falls)
- Start: Derby
- Finish: Kununurra
- Vehicle: High-clearance 4WD
- Driving style: Some longer days, more rest days
- Flexibility: Optional Mitchell Falls inclusion
Days 1| Derby → Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek
A practical start with minimal driving pressure.
- Tunnel Creek early
- Windjana Gorge walks and crocodile viewing
Stay: Windjana Gorge campground or nearby freedom camps
Day 2 | Windjana → Silent Grove (Bell Gorge)
- Slow, corrugated roads into Silent Grove road and some water crossings
- Two nights allow a proper visit without crowd pressure
Bell Gorge remains a priority, even on a shorter trip. –
Stay: Silent Grove campground
An entire day dedicated to exploring and enjoying Bells Gorge on of the top sites on the Gibb River Road.
Day 3 |Bells Gorge
Spend the day exploring Bells Gorge.
Day 4 | Silent Grove → Adcock Gorge → Galvans Gorge → Mt Barnett
Galvans and Adcock Gorges are only day stops. No camping at either Gorge.
- Excellent swimming at the camp ground
- Natural eastward progression
Stay: Manning Gorge campground or Barnett River Gorge
Day 5 | Manning Gorge (Mt Barnett)
Stay: Mt Barnett area (second night)
Day 6 | Mt Barnett → Mount Elizabeth Station
This is a very short drive day. One of the highlights here is the Wunnamurra Gorge. It is around 12kms from the station but it takes around an hour. This is an extreme 4×4 track but well worth a stop.
- Short Drive
- experience the majesty of the Wunnamurra Gorge
- 11 o’clock is the last allowed departure time to the gorge.
- Positions you well for the eastern Gibb
- Restaurant and entertainment
Stay: Mt Elizabeth Station
Days 7 | Mt Elizabeth Station → Home Valley Station
- Backdrop to the Cockburn Ranges
- Fishing, hiking and cultural guides for tours
- pool plus a restaurant and bar
- entertainment during the evenings
Day 8 | Home Valley→ El Questro
El Questro offers a time to relax and experience the Kimberley at its finest.
- Short Drive day
- Zebedee Springs
- Amalia Gorge or Chamberlain Gorge
- River swims and station walks
- Cultural tours
- River cruises
Stay: El Questro Station Wilderness Park
Day 9 | Explore El Questro
Day 10 | El Questro → Emma Gorge → Kununurra
A clean and unhurried finish.
- Walk Emma Gorge in the morning
- Short drive to Kununurra
10-Day Itinerary Overview (including Mitchell Falls)
You can include Mitchell Falls in a 10-day itinerary. This requires being comfortable with limited rest days. You must also manage longer stretches of driving.
One approach is to:
Day 1 – Derby → Windjana & Tunnel Creek
Stay: Windjana
Day 2 – Windjana to Bells Gorge
Stay: Silent Grove
Day 3 – Silent Grove to Mt Barnett Roadhouse
Leave early. Stop in at Galvans Gorge and complete Manning Gorge
Stay: Manning Gorge Camp Ground
Day 4 – Mt Barnett to Munurra Camp Ground
Distance-focused day. This is about reaching the Mitchell Plateau. Stay here the night.
- Cultural significance – rock art
- Excellent swimming
- One of the most underrated and peaceful stops on the route
Day 5 – Munurra Camp – Mitchell Falls day trip
Travel up to Mitchell Falls track. Hike one way or helicopter the other. Check out the rock art and have a swim at Little Mertens. Travel back to Munurra. Stay another night.
Day 6 Munurra – Ellenbrae
Distance-focused day. Ellenbrae is a great wee station to stop. World-renowned for their scones on the Gibb River Road. There is a billabong here where you can swim. Book in advance for their bush baths. If you have any wood left, you can have a fire by your campsite.
Day 7 Ellenbrae to Home Valley or freedom camp
Freedom camping sites along the Durack and Pentecost Rivers. First in, first served. Peak season is often full.
- short drive
- Bindoola waterfall visit
- early in the season Durack and Pentecost Rivers water crossings
- Mount Baldy Lookout Trail hike for panoramic views
- Watch the Sunset over Cockburn Ranges
Days 8 – 9 Home Valley to El Questro
- Short Drive and El Questro will definitely deliver
- Zebedee Springs (early morning access)
- Gorge hikes: Amalia Gorge or Chamberlain Gorge
- Station walks and river swims
- Chamberlain Gorge boat cruises
Day 10 – El Questro – Emma Gorge – Kununurra
Both options work well; the choice comes down to seeing as much as you can versus a more relaxed pace.
General Plan:
- One major gorge per day is still a good rule
- Recovery days improve the whole experience
- Flexibility and knowing the options is key
Final Thoughts
A 10-day journey along the Gibb River Road strikes a balance between seeing the highlights. It allows the trip to unfold at a realistic pace. It gives you time to experience the major gorges properly, recover between big days, and adjust plans as conditions change.
If you’re deciding between time frames, this itinerary sits comfortably between a shorter introduction and a slower, more immersive journey.
For comparison, you can also explore the 7-day Gibb River Road itinerary for a tighter schedule, or the 14-day itinerary if you want to include deeper side trips and more remote sections.
For broader planning:
- Ultimate Gibb River Road Guide,
- Permits and passes required for the Gibb River Road
- Accommodation options on the Gibb River Road
- Fuel and supply planning guides
- Gorges, walks and swimming on the Gibb River Road
If you are going to continue travelling in the Kimberley, check out my Kimberley Guide, which will support your journey to Wolfe Creek, Broome, Kununurra, Lake Argyle and the start of the Canning Stock Route in Halls Creek. This is your one-stop shop for travelling the Kimberley.
