River Camps at Home Valley Station provided us the perfect alternative to free-camping on the Pentecost River .
BIRDWOOD DOWNS STATION ( ONE NIGHT )
We opted to start at Birdwood Downs Station over the nearby town of Derby . You can top-up on fuel and any last groceries before you head in . But it ’ s also the first in a string of unique station stays that really made the Gibb for us . Pick up some meat straight from the farm , have a last blissful hot shower and do the boab walk around the paddocks .
Best of all , Birdwood has a communal fire each afternoon . We found it super helpful to chat to other travellers , whether it be talking to those who had just finished their time about current conditions of the road , or meeting people heading in as the same time as us – you ’ ll likely continue to bump into each other along the way .
We were lucky enough to have a crew but if you were by yourself , this would be a great place to teeup a buddy to travel with .
LENNARD RIVER ( ONE NIGHT )
The perfect free camp to explore Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek . Lennard River Bridge is also the last of the bitumen so a great place to let the tyres down , ready for the dirt . However , the spot is a little awkward so if you can ’ t find a site or would prefer to be closer to the gorges , head into the Windjana National Park campground .
MARCH FLY GLEN ( ONE NIGHT )
Hitting the dirt after Lennard River , we had the option to head off the Gibb and up to Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge , but time restrictions meant that we gave it a miss , choosing instead to pull-up at another great free camp . We loved March Fly Glen for all the private little spots to set-up surrounded by trees and featuring built-in picnic tables and fire pits , but beware of shade if you ’ re solar-powered .
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