5 Best Waterfalls & Swimming Spots to Visit on the Gibb River Road

Red dirt, rocky gorges, towering cliffs, cold swimming holes and spectacular waterfalls — welcome to the Gibb River Road. ☀️

If you’re planning a Western Australian adventure, the Gibb River Road should be high on your list. We spent 10 days travelling through the Kimberley, but honestly, we could have stayed much longer.

Stretching across some of the most spectacular country in Western Australia, the Gibb River Road takes you through rugged landscapes, ancient rock formations, Aboriginal rock art, remote cattle stations and some incredible places to swim and cool off along the way.

During our recent Kimberley adventure, we discovered just how many incredible waterfalls, gorges and swimming spots there are to explore.

So, if you're planning your own Gibb River Road adventure, here are five swimming spots and waterfalls worth adding to your itinerary, listed from east to west.

1. Emma Gorge

📍 El Questro Station

Emma Gorge is a Kimberley favourite — and for good reason.

The walk takes you through spectacular Kimberley scenery, with towering cliffs and rugged rocky terrain surrounding the trail. After approximately 3.2km return, you’ll arrive at a beautiful swimming hole beneath the waterfall.

The pool at the base of the gorge is surrounded by enormous rock walls, making it an incredible place to stop, swim and take in the scenery.

And a word of warning — the water was definitely the coldest waterfall swim of our trip! 🥶

Even if you're only spending a short time at El Questro, Emma Gorge is well worth adding to your itinerary.

Tip: Allow plenty of time to enjoy the walk and take a swim rather than rushing through.

2. Zebedee Springs

📍 El Questro Station

Okay, technically Zebedee Springs isn't a waterfall — but we couldn't leave it off the list!

Tucked away in a beautiful palm-fringed gorge at El Questro, Zebedee Springs is a series of naturally heated thermal pools.

Warm, mineral-rich water flows through the rocky pools, creating the perfect place to relax after a dusty day exploring the Gibb River Road.

After hours on the road, soaking in warm water surrounded by Kimberley palms feels pretty special.

Just keep in mind that Zebedee Springs is generally open to the public during the morning only, so check the current opening times before you visit.

It can also get very busy, so don't expect to have the springs all to yourself!

3. Manning Gorge

📍 Mount Barnett Station

Manning Gorge is one of the must-see stops along the Gibb River Road.

And getting there is part of the adventure.

The walk starts with a river crossing, where you’ll need to swim across the water to reach the track. There are floating buckets available to help keep your belongings dry while you make the crossing.

From there, it's around a 3km walk through the Kimberley landscape before you reach the large swimming pool beneath Manning Falls.

Once you arrive, the waterfall and swimming hole make all that effort worthwhile. It's the perfect place to cool down and spend some time enjoying the scenery.

You'll want to allow yourself several hours here rather than trying to squeeze it into a quick stop.

What to bring:

• Plenty of drinking water

• Good walking shoes

• Swimmers

• A towel

• Sun protection

• A waterproof bag for your valuables

And yes, you'll definitely want a towel for this one!

4. Wunnamarra Gorge

📍 Mt Elizabeth Station

If you're looking for a more remote Kimberley adventure, Wunnamarra Gorge is one to add to the list.

Getting there involves approximately an hour of rocky, rough 4WD driving, so the journey itself becomes part of the experience.

For us, what should have been a shorter adventure turned into an 8km round trip after Darcy, our 8-year-old, took the lead and managed to get us a little lost!

We even had to put the drone up to help find our way back to the track. Definitely one of those moments that becomes a funny family story afterwards!

Eventually, the rugged tracks lead you through the spectacular Kimberley landscape to the gorge and falls.

Surrounded by rocky cliffs and remote scenery, Wunnamarra Gorge is a fantastic place to explore, cool off and appreciate just how wild and isolated this part of Western Australia really is.

It's also a great reminder that some of the best experiences aren't always the most famous ones.

Our tip: Take plenty of water, allow plenty of time and be prepared for a proper off-road adventure.

5. Galvins Gorge

📍 Mount Barnett Station

Looking for something a little shorter and easier?

Galvins Gorge is a great option, with a walk of approximately 2km return.

The track takes you through beautiful Kimberley country before arriving at a peaceful waterhole surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush vegetation.

One of the highlights is the famous boab tree growing dramatically from the rock, which makes for an amazing photo.

There's also a waterfall and swimming hole, making Galvins Gorge the perfect place to stop, cool off and spend a few hours enjoying the Kimberley scenery.

And yes — this is definitely another towel-worthy stop! 🏊♀️

What to Pack for the Gibb River Road

A Gibb River Road adventure isn't exactly a "throw a bag in the car and go" kind of trip!

You're travelling through remote country, so being prepared is important. Conditions can change quickly, and you'll often be a long way from the nearest town or service station.

Here are some of our essentials:

☀️ Plenty of drinking water
🥾 Good walking shoes — although we somehow managed most of the gorges in Crocs or thongs!
🩱 Swimmers
🧴 Sunscreen
📸 Camera
🚙 Spare tyres, compressor and recovery gear
⛽ Fuel — and extra fuel where possible
🧻 Lightweight, quick-drying towels

And don't forget to leave a little room for the red dust.

It's practically part of the Kimberley experience!

The Gibb River Road Is More Than a Road Trip

The best thing about travelling the Gibb River Road isn't simply ticking waterfalls and swimming holes off a list.

It's everything that happens between them.

The dusty tracks.

The cattle stations.

The towering cliffs.

The campfires.

The wildlife.

The swimming holes you stumble across.

The unexpected detours.

And those moments when you pull over, look around and realise just how lucky you are to be exploring somewhere as incredible as the Kimberley.

That's what makes the Gibb River Road such a memorable adventure.

And that's what Outback Sun is all about.

We take photographs from our own adventures and turn those memories into practical, lightweight towels — so you can take a little piece of the adventure with you wherever you go.

Whether you're heading off on the Gibb River Road, exploring Australia's outback or simply spending the day by the water, take a towel, make some memories and bring a little bit of the adventure home with you. ☀️

Planning Your Gibb River Road Adventure?

Before setting off, always check current road conditions, access requirements, station opening times and local conditions. The Kimberley can be remote and conditions can change, so preparation is an important part of the adventure.