Gibb River Road Hire Car
The Gibb River Road is a 647 km mainly unsealed Kimberley route, with about 470 km of unsealed road between Lennard and Pentecost rivers. A high-clearance 4WD is recommended by Main Roads WA, and your hire contract must permit this exact road.
Updated
Key facts
- Total route
- 647 km, mainly unsealed
- Unsealed section
- About 470 km between Lennard and Pentecost rivers
- Recommended vehicle
- Larger high-clearance 4WD
- Wet season
- Often closed December to April
- Current status
- Main Roads Travel Map and status boards at road ends
- Major crossing
- Pentecost River crossing
Derby area to Kununurra area
647 km
Lennard River
The long unsealed section starts here.
Pentecost River
Major crossing; river levels can rise very quickly.
Kununurra road end
Read the status board and current Main Roads map.
- Kununurra area
Can a hire car drive the Gibb River Road?
Only when its supplier explicitly permits the route and its conditions. Main Roads WA recommends a larger high-clearance 4WD in high range, and the road has corrugations, loose gravel and floodways. Ask for written route permission, permitted side roads, tyre and recovery responsibility, and any river-crossing exclusion before paying for a rental.
How much of the Gibb is unsealed?
The road is 647 km overall, with about 470 km unsealed between the Lennard and Pentecost rivers. Long stretches have heavy corrugations, loose gravel, potholes and rocks, so expect a slow and bumpy drive.
When is the road closed?
The road is often closed during the wet season, which generally runs from December to April, as river crossings become impassable or sections of road are damaged. Check the Main Roads Travel Map and the status boards at both ends of the road, near Derby and Kununurra, before you set out. Restrictions can apply even when the road is open, for example access only for high-clearance 4WDs because of floodway conditions.
What equipment and driving choices matter?
Pack spare tyres and a portable air compressor, and adjust tyre pressure to suit the load and the road surface. Know the depth of any water before entering it; river levels at the Pentecost River crossing can rise very quickly.
Compare cars at Broome Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
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Questions people ask
Is the Gibb River Road sealed?
No. About 470 km between Lennard and Pentecost rivers is unsealed.
Do I need a 4WD for the Gibb River Road?
Main Roads WA recommends a larger high-clearance 4WD.
Is the Gibb River Road open year-round?
No. It often closes in the December to April wet season.
Can a normal rental car go on the Gibb?
Only if the exact vehicle and rental agreement permit the road. Main Roads WA recommends a larger high-clearance 4WD for the main unsealed section.
Where do I check Gibb River Road conditions today?
Use the Main Roads WA Travel Map and the status boards at both ends of the road, and recheck before each leg.
Can I drive the Gibb River Road in a 2WD?
Main Roads WA recommends a larger high-clearance 4WD for the mainly unsealed road. A 4WD also needs explicit rental permission for the road.