Our Gibb River Road adventure was continuing, but things weren’t quite going to plan. After three nights at Silent Grove, where we’d explored Bell Gorge and started having serious problems with our caravan power system, we were heading further along the Gibb towards Mount Barnett Roadhouse and Manning Gorge.
There was still so much we wanted to see, and we’d originally allowed two to three weeks to explore the Gibb River Road properly. Unfortunately, the power issues were already making us rethink those plans.
Despite that, we still had some fantastic experiences ahead of us, including two beautiful gorges, a memorable wildlife encounter and some lovely evenings around camp.
Leaving Silent Grove for Mount Barnett Roadhouse
We’d managed to get our caravan power working intermittently at Silent Grove, but we still didn’t know what was causing the problems. Staying off-grid for more than a couple of nights had become increasingly difficult, and we were getting very little charge back into the system.
By this stage, we were being particularly careful about how much electricity we used. We were relying on our 12-volt system, switching everything off unless we needed it and using gas or the campfire for cooking wherever possible.
It certainly wasn’t how we’d imagined spending our time on the Gibb, but we weren’t going to let it stop us enjoying the places we could still visit.
Our next destination was the Manning Gorge campground, accessed via Mount Barnett Roadhouse.
Camping at Manning Gorge Campground
The Manning Gorge campground was huge, with a great atmosphere and plenty of space to settle in. There was lots of shade available, which would normally be lovely in the Kimberley, but this time we were deliberately looking for as much sun exposure as possible.
With our power system playing up, we wanted to give the solar every opportunity to charge the batteries.
The campground had basic amenities, which suited us just fine. We were staying for two nights, giving us time to explore Galvans Gorge and Manning Gorge without needing to move the caravan again immediately.
One of the things we really enjoyed was the atmosphere around camp. There were plenty of other people exploring the Gibb, and it had that relaxed, social feeling that makes camping in places like this so enjoyable.
Those Mount Barnett Roadhouse Burgers!
We also discovered that Mount Barnett Roadhouse makes an excellent burger.
You know those old-fashioned burgers that seem harder and harder to find these days? That’s what these reminded us of. They were really good, and they even had gluten-free buns available, which was a bonus.
When you’re travelling somewhere as remote as the Gibb River Road, finding a genuinely good burger is worth mentioning!
Galvans Gorge: One of Our Favourites
We visited Galvans Gorge on the afternoon we arrived at Manning Gorge campground, leaving the caravan behind and heading out in the Patrol.
Galvans ended up being one of our favourite gorges along the Gibb, right up there with Bell Gorge without the effort of rock scrambling.
There’s something lovely about reaching a swimming hole surrounded by rock walls, with a waterfall tumbling into the pool below. It’s the sort of place where you want to spend some time rather than simply take a photo and leave.
Naturally, Kev went swimming. And naturally, I didn’t. The water was far too cold for me!
But the most memorable part of our visit wasn’t actually the waterfall or the swimming.
The Golden Python That Dropped In
While we were at the pool, a golden python suddenly fell from the rocks above, landing about a metre away from a lady who was sitting on a rock near the water.
You can imagine the surprise!
Fortunately, the snake appeared unharmed and simply slithered away. And would you believe I’d just switched my camera off? Of all the moments to miss filming!
It was one of those completely unexpected experiences that you remember long after you’ve forgotten the details of a particular drive or campsite.
Between the beautiful setting, Kev’s swim and our surprise visitor, Galvans Gorge certainly earned its place amongst our Gibb River Road favourites.
Manning Gorge: Kev Takes On the Walk
The following day, Kev headed off to explore Manning Gorge while I stayed behind because I had a doctor’s appointment made weeks prior that I couldn’t change.
Unlike our Bell Gorge visit, where we’d tackled the walk together, this one was entirely Kev’s experience.
He made it out to the gorge and enjoyed a swim, but there was one thing he wished he’d done differently: taken more drinking water.
He’d finished all the water he’d carried, which isn’t ideal when you’re walking in the Kimberley, particularly when you’ve still got the return journey ahead of you.
It’s an important reminder that even when you’re heading somewhere with a beautiful swimming hole at the end, you still need to carry enough drinking water for the entire walk, with extra to spare.
Kev talks about the walk, the swim and what happened in more detail in our YouTube episode, so if Manning Gorge is on your Gibb itinerary, it’s worth watching to get a better idea of his experience.
Watch Our Manning Gorge, Galvans Gorge & Mt Elizabeth Adventure
This episode follows our journey from Silent Grove through Mount Barnett, Manning Gorge, Galvans Gorge and Mt Elizabeth Station.
You’ll see our visit to Galvans Gorge, the campgrounds and the ongoing frustrations with our caravan power system.
Continuing to Mt Elizabeth Station
After two nights at Manning Gorge campground, we continued along the Gibb to Mt Elizabeth Station.
This was another place we’d really been looking forward to visiting. There were walks and drives we wanted to explore, and it’s the sort of destination where you could easily spend several days.
Unfortunately, we only stayed one night.
By now, we knew we needed to get to Kununurra to have our caravan power problems investigated. That meant we simply couldn’t spend the time at Mt Elizabeth that we’d originally hoped to.
Even so, we enjoyed our stay.
Camping at Mt Elizabeth
One of the highlights of Mt Elizabeth was the social atmosphere around the campfire.
There’s something about sitting around a fire with other caravanners, swapping stories about the places you’ve been and the roads you’ve driven, that makes these remote campgrounds so enjoyable.
We had booked in for dinner in the dining room, but we heard that the burgers at Mt Elizabeth were excellent too. Unfortunately, we didn’t get around to trying one ourselves.
We would have loved another few nights there, especially to explore some of the station’s walks and drives. Instead, we had to be content with enjoying the campground and making the most of our short stay.
Not Again! More Caravan Power Problems
Despite our efforts to conserve power, things weren’t improving.
We’d been turning off everything we didn’t need, using gas and the campfire for cooking and trying to get as much solar charging as possible. We were getting a small amount of charge while driving, but it wasn’t enough to solve the problem.
Then, at Mt Elizabeth, we woke to the sound of our caravan fridge beeping.
It was displaying a no-power error.
Again.
By this stage, I was getting thoroughly sick of talking about our power problems, let alone dealing with them.
It was particularly frustrating because we’d set out to spend a decent amount of time exploring the Gibb. Instead, we were having to make decisions around whether we could keep the caravan’s essential systems running.
We’d already realised during our stay at Silent Grove just how much we depended on 12-volt power, including for something as basic as pumping water from our tanks.
Now the fridge was reminding us that the problem wasn’t going away.
We knew we needed to get to Kununurra and have the system checked rather than continue spending nights off-grid and hoping for the best.
Leaving the Gibb Earlier Than We’d Planned
One of our biggest disappointments was knowing how much we were missing.
We’d planned to spend two to three weeks exploring the Gibb River Road, giving ourselves enough time to enjoy the gorges, campgrounds and stations without rushing.
Instead, our power problems meant we had to cut that time short.
It reminded us of our Cape York trip a few years earlier, when we’d also come away wishing we’d allowed ourselves longer. The difference this time was that we’d actually planned to stay longer, but circumstances were making that impossible.
We’d still had some wonderful experiences. Bell Gorge had been fantastic, Galvans Gorge was another favourite, Kev had tackled Manning Gorge, and we’d enjoyed the atmosphere at both Manning Gorge campground and Mt Elizabeth Station.
But there was so much more we wanted to see.
That’s one of the realities of travelling with a caravan. You can make all the plans you like, but sometimes the van has other ideas!
For now, getting the power sorted had become the priority, and Kununurra was where we needed to be.
Our Gibb River Road experience hadn’t turned out quite as we’d imagined, but it certainly wasn’t one we’d forget.
With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!
