WPC: Threshold

There is a special experience for hardy travellers when traversing The Kimberley in Western Australia. It is that moment when you realise you are on the iconic Gibb River Road. This is a former cattle route stretching 660 kms (410 miles) from the Kununurra/Wyndham junction in the east to Derby in the west. There are only two stores and fuel stops along the road, scattered homesteads, and it is often under water in the Wet! We timed our trip to coincide with the expected opening time of the Gibb River Road, but late rains almost prevented us travelling. Fortunately the road was open only days before we started on it. The threshold is the first river crossing, the Pentecost River, which can be over one metre deep and over 60 metres wide. It was fairly low when we went through, but a tour group parked at the other bank watched and cheered as we came across!

Pentecost River Crossing

All the hype makes the crossing memorable! You just have to drive slowly and carefully, and ideally have a 4WD vehicle with a snorkel.

Pentecost River

We were actually deeper in the El Questro Gorge crossing, when water washed up over the bonnet of the camper. That crossing is not wide, but the entry and exit points are steeper, so it was interesting!

Deep ford at El Questro Gorge

The prettiest river crossing was a little further down the Gibb, where it met the Durack River. We pulled over to watch an oncoming car go through, and enjoyed the birds and wildlife so much we waited there quite a while before going on. Each crossing is a threshold, and entry point into the the next stage of the journey on one of the world’s most famous wilderness roads.

Durack River Crossing

Krista, at Daily Post says “A threshold is a point of entering; that point just before a new beginning — that split-second moment in time, full of anticipation. All the hard work is over; relief is palpable.” Why not drop over and see some more thresholds for yourself?