Drive belts, hoses and suspension should be checked and all bolts tightened. It is no bad thing to give your radios a transmission check. The turn onto the Gibb River Road is well signposted. Derby to Mount Barnett Roadhouse. This is the easiest part of the trip, it can be negotiated in a conventional vehicle- in dry conditions.
Rain renders the surface slippery and some creeks to run.
This will prevent 2WD access. The side tracks to most gorges require high clearance vehicles. This is the first of the gorges you reach. The turn off is 192 kms up the Gibb River Road on the right. The track into this gorge is rated 4WD only.