May 21, 2018 - Reading time: 2 minutes

The drive from Home Valley Station West takes you through the Kimberley savannah, with the dirt in excellent condition, another benefit of coming over at the beginning of the tourist season. We stopped in at Ellenbrae for morning tea, scones with a great cup of tea and made our way to the Mitchell Falls/ Kalumburu turn off, crossing the Durack river. Unfortunately, here we were greeted with a road closed sign, which was surprising because the Wyndham ShireRoad report page had reported it open to 4wd vehicles the day before. The major concern was the fine for driving on a closed road is $500-per tyre. After much discussion we decided to follow the path of vehicles which had gone before and drive around the sign and onto Drysdale River station (who had also told us the road was open yesterday).

The road was actually in pretty good shape with some rough corrugations and wash outs at times, and arrived to find Craig and Kelly who we had met over the last three weeks at the Bungles, King River, Kununurra and Homestead Valley setting up camp. Had one of the famous burgers they serve here for dinner… reminded me of the burgers you used to be able to get at any fish and chip shop – before Maccas. Brilliant and well worth the price!

While eating we met the manager of the place and discussed the road ahead, which he had twenty years experience of as he used to be the head ranger up at the falls. The discussion led us to believe that the river crossing about 100kms away (King Edward) might be a stretch too far as it is running at a depth of 60cm and quickly, with a dog leg in the middle. So we indicated that we would leave tomorrow morning as the flights over the falls do not start to Wednesday. He made a phone call and has organised a flight for us on Monday at half price… bargain! Fridge phone Mouth of the Prince Regent River