The new Fitzroy River Bridge crossing has opened in Western Australia's Kimberley region – more than six months ahead of schedule, and nearly twelve months after rainfall from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie flooded the area.

In January this year, the Fitzroy River experienced one of the fastest torrents ever recorded in an Australian river - enough to fill Sydney Harbour in 2.5 hours. With roads and infrastructure damaged, it left many smaller communities isolated and impacted on the road trips of many thousands of travellers.

The Fitzroy River Bridge in Fitzroy Crossing, on the Great Northern Highway, was the most significant piece of infrastructure impacted – some of it being washed away in the flood water. Opening of the new Fitzroy River Bridge ensures the road trip dreams of many Australians can be fulfilled in 2024.

The Kimberley is one of the world's last true wilderness areas and a bucket-list destination for road trippers doing a 'lap of the map'. Home to Australia's most iconic 4WD adventure, the Gibb River Road, this road trip can be completed in one spectacular off-road and sealed highway loop between Broome, Fitzroy Crossing and Kununurra – visiting El Questro Wilderness Park, Bungle Bungle Range, Bell Gorge and many other spectacular attractions. The restored access also ensures the World Heritage-listed wonders of the Coral Coast Highway and coastal culinary adventures along the South West Edge are as achievable as ever, as visitors head south (or north) through Western Australia.  

The bridge opening comes two months after Daniel Ricciardo launched 'Drive the Dream', inviting travellers to explore Western Australia as the ultimate destination for a road trip adventure through the state's dreamlike landscapes. 

With more than 10,000 km of spectacular coastline, Aboriginal cultural experiences representing 60,000 years of tradition, and unique flavours crafted by earth and sea, a road trip is the best way to explore Western Australia's nature and wildlife encounters. As Australia's largest state, it's always sunny somewhere and ripe for exploring the otherworldly textures and supernatural colour contrasts that make up Western Australia's ancient landscape. 

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