Broome, Boggings & Back to the Gibb

Broome

If I had to recommend one place to stay on your way to Broome, Pardoo Roadhouse is an absolute must. From the buffet dinners and pool, to throwing a line in and hunting for mud crabs where the outback meets the ocean, it’s honestly one of our favourite stays yet.

There’s just something about Broome. Maybe it’s the lazy afternoons at Cable Beach watching the camels stroll past at sunset, the sunsets at Gantheaume Point, or the BBQ meat platters at Spinifex Brewing. Whatever it is, Broome has a vibe that feels unmatched.

We stayed for three weeks at Broome Caravan Park (Summerstar). Long afternoons, salty kids, sandy feet, and the kind of sunsets that make you ask, “what day is it again?”

One of our favourite adventures was Coconut Wells. If you time it right before high tide, you can walk up the creek and float your way back in crystal blue water.

Although my relaxing float quickly turned into scanning the water every 30 seconds, convinced a croc was nearby… which felt less irrational when we later found out “Nigel” the crocodile had appeared there the very next day. Cute.

At low tide, Gantheaume Point’s dinosaur footprints are such a wild thing to see, and Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park is a must-do if you want to get up close to crocs without becoming lunch.

Barred Creek

After Broome, we spent a few nights at Barred Creek where we got bogged three separate times. Nothing humbles you faster than confidently saying “we’ll be right” before immediately sinking into soft sand while your children yell, “WE’RE BOGGED AGAIN.”

Back on the Gibb

Then it was time to tackle the Gibb River Road again after last year’s trip got cut short when Brooky fell from a cliff edge and ended up in hospital with a head injury.

This year we returned with a few rules:

1. No bikes.
2. No cliff edges.
3. Preferably no hospital visits.

We also lost the back of our caravan crossing the Pentecost River last year, so honestly, we’re just hoping to leave the Kimberley with the caravan still attached.

Being early on the Gibb definitely has its perks though — freshly graded roads, barely any crowds, and having some gorges almost completely to ourselves.

The Gibb is home to some of the most incredible gorges in Australia, and I still can’t believe we’ve now been lucky enough to do it twice.

It forces you to slow down a bit. Campfire dinners. Kids covered head to toe in dirt. Swimming in waterfalls that don’t even look real. And the occasional cliff jump — because if you know Matt, you know if there’s a rock to jump off, he absolutely will. Usually while I stand there stressing watching him risk his life for “the experience.”

So far our trip has included Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge, swimming at Adcock and Galvans Gorge, carrying both kids back out of Manning Gorge — 5.7kms in 30-degree heat — questioning every life choice we’ve ever made, and now parking up at Ellenbrae Station eating their famous jam and cream scones.

Next up is Pentecost River, El Questro, and celebrating Brooky turning three while exploring Emma Gorge and Zebedee Springs — assuming the weather behaves itself. Heavy rain has already rolled in, and we’ve been warned we may need to cross the rivers quickly or risk being stuck for seven days.

After that we’ll be heading to the Bungle Bungles, Lake Argyle and Darwin.

Safe to say the adventure is still very much alive… and so far, no hospital visits. Which honestly feels like a win.

– Tiarna Carmont

Comments are closed.