Manning Gorge Campground is the campground associated with Mt Barnett Roadhouse, located roughly halfway along the Gibb River Road.

The drive from Imintji campground took us around two hours, with most of the journey on unsealed road. It made an excellent base for exploring some of the Gibb River Road’s best attractions. Manning Gorge is accessed directly from the campground, while Galvans Gorge and Adcock Gorge are both within easy driving distance. Having Mt Barnett Roadhouse close by also meant fuel, basic groceries and supplies were close at hand.

Our Experience

The campground was much larger and busier than we expected. From Mt Barnett Roadhouse, you travel around 7 km along a dirt access road with two water crossings before reaching the campground.

There are no allocated sites, so you simply choose your own spot within the open camping areas. Some sections are reserved for day visitors and tour groups, but outside of those the campground is fairly informal. The campsites are generally level with a dirt base, and there are plenty of mature trees providing welcome shade.

The shade can be a bit of a mixed blessing. It certainly helped keep the caravan cooler during the day, but it also reduced our solar charging. From our campsite the sun seems to follow the river from right to left when facing the river, if that make sense.

We stayed fairly close to the amenities which are at the entrance end of the campsite, which was convenient, but it also meant our section of the campground became quite crowded. Most people understandably prefer not to camp up to 700 metres away from the toilets, so the sites closest to the facilities tend to fill first.

Tour buses also use the campground, which can make it feel even busier at times. The laundry was also very well used for much of our stay, with the washing machines often in use.

This was one of the busiest campgrounds we stayed at along the Gibb River Road. During our three-night stay there were mornings when people queued for the toilets, as many campers were getting an early start for the Manning Gorge hike. That is generally recommended, as much of the walk is exposed and becomes very hot later in the day.

One of the highlights of the campground was the swimming hole beside the camping area. After a day exploring the Gibb River Road, it was the perfect place to cool down. The water was crystal clear, refreshingly cool, and very popular with campers throughout the day. We found ourselves returning more than once during our stay.

Campfires are permitted and added to the relaxed atmosphere in the evenings. Just remember that you’re not allowed to collect firewood from within the station property, so you’ll need to bring your own or collect it before arriving.

Fortunately, we ran into the same travelling family we had met earlier at Imintji Campground. Once again, we helped each other out by taking turns looking after each other’s dogs while the other couple visited Manning Gorge. It worked just as well the second time and meant neither of us had to miss one of the highlights of the Gibb River Road because we were travelling with dogs.

Having Mt Barnett Roadhouse nearby was also a real advantage. This is where you pay your camping fees, and the fee includes your visitor permit for Manning Gorge. The roadhouse also provides fuel (Petrol, Diesel), basic groceries, potable water and a few essential supplies. When we visited there was usually a queue for both fuel and water, and the water pressure wasn’t particularly strong, so filling two caravan water tanks took a while.

One thing to be aware of is that the campground generators are switched off overnight. Once this happens there is no lighting around the amenities, and the water pumps stop operating. The toilets continue to work using gravity feed, although flushing is noticeably slower.

Despite being busy and a little dusty, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Between the swimming hole, nearby gorges, the convenience of Mt Barnett Roadhouse and the shady campsites, we found Manning Gorge Campground to be an excellent place to spend several days exploring the central section of the Gibb River Road.

Nearby Attractions

Manning Gorge Campground is one of the best bases along the Gibb River Road for exploring the central Kimberley. Several popular attractions are within easy driving distance, allowing you to leave the caravan set up while exploring the area.

Manning Gorge

Manning Gorge is the main attraction and the reason most travellers stay here. The walk begins from the campground, starting with the well-known crossing of Manning Creek using the supplied plastic punt.

The hike is moderately challenging, with plenty of exposed sections, but we thought the effort was well worthwhile. The waterfall, large swimming hole and beautiful scenery make it one of the standout experiences along the Gibb River Road. Allow half a day.

Galvans Gorge

Galvans Gorge was one of our favourite stops along this section of the Gibb River Road. The walk from the car park is short and easy, making it accessible for most visitors, while the clear swimming hole beneath the waterfall is a great place to cool off.

Unlike Manning Gorge, Galvans Gorge is dog friendly, making it one of the few major attractions in the area that can be enjoyed while travelling with a dog. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, we left Shadow back at camp during our visit.

Adcock Gorge

Adcock Gorge is another popular attraction in this area of the Gibb River Road. We had originally planned to visit, but after speaking with other travellers who described the walk in as difficult with plenty of slippery rocks etc, we gave this one a miss.

Some Pics

---

Summary

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Manning Gorge Campground and would happily stay here again when travelling the Gibb River Road.

Its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring Manning Gorge and other nearby attractions without having to move your caravan every day. While the campground can be busy, particularly during peak times, we found the clean amenities, swimming hole, campfires, convenient access to Mt Barnett Roadhouse and relaxed atmosphere made it well worth spending a few nights here.

For us, Manning Gorge Campground was one of the highlights of the central Gibb River Road and a stop we would happily recommend to other caravanners.

---

Thanks for reading Manning Gorge Campground – review. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

If you enjoy this kind of content, you can sign up for the newsletter. You’ll get an email when a new post goes live (usually around 4–6 a month), plus a monthly wrap-up.

---