This great personalised tour is fully accommodated and you will travel in a group of no more than 12 people. There are accommodations along the road in most villages as well as in Cape Crawford, 100 kilometres South-West of Borroloola. There are lots of Savannah Way camping spots but make sure you camp near a river in case you need to put out your fire. But what makes Ingham particularly interesting is Lee's Hotel (formerly known as the . Some of the top Savannah Way highlights include the amazing rock formations of the Lost City, the ancient Australian aborigines rock art where you can learn more about the Australian aboriginal culture, the impressive waterfalls, and much more. Whiz on west, filling up with petrol at Hells Gate Roadhouse and passing over the border into the Northern Territory. Animals thrive when theyre left to their own devices, instincts and natural environment. 24/7 operation. Know what to expect when travelling long distances across WA. In Georgetown, you can visit the excellent TerrEstrial Centre, a museum dedicated to the geological history of Australia, where you can find one of the largest collections of rocks and minerals in the country, and enough stories and information to keep even the least scientifically inclined of travelers mesmerized. Plan a route. The famous Outback service began in Cloncurry, and you can learn more at the John Flynn Place Museum in town. Australia is a huge country. I don't have a definitive, comprehensive list but Wubin, Dalwallinu, Paynes Find, Mount Magnet, Cue, Meekatharra, Kumarina, Newman, Auski, Marble Bar and Port Hedland all have fuel stops. Be sure to have good tires and drive below the speed limit during the wet conditions. After just spending a day in the outback, your 4WD will get a new image luckily we managed to find a "car wash facility" :). My road trip experience from Darwin to Cairns (Click pic to see full size) The route sets from Darwin through the Daly Waters and turns into 66 highways at Warumungu. Our tour recommendation can be shortened or extended depending on how much time you have available. You need four-wheel drive to complete this journey. Alternatively, you can drive through the sealed road. With plenty of detours and side trips . (Image: Tourism NT/Jackson Groves). Join in and write your own page! Enjoy a days R&R at Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, which is surrounded by Indigenous land and Limmen National Parks abundant waterways, savannah, beach-scalloped coast, gorges and rocks formations such as the rusted columns nicknamed the Lost City. This is why most travelers choose to drive the east coast. Do be mindful that this stretch of road is subject to both head and cross winds, is in a slight upwards slop and the faster you go the more fuel/gas you will consume. Australian Traveller Media 2023. Warakurna operates on NT time - 1.5 hours ahead of WA. It's 187km from Barkly Homestead to the Threeways . After spending the past 4 months in Queensland, we decided to take road trip from Cairns to Darwin. day 1 driving 10 hours. by: Ann Wareing . AmpolCash digital can only be redeemed at ~1,200 participating Ampol locations (excluding EG Ampol sites). Check out the 8-meter long saltwater crocodile replica, which is a monument dedicated to Krys, one of the largest crocs ever captured in Australia. Find A Service Station. Darwin to Melbourne 3757km = $383.20; VS. Total airfares for 4 people = minimum $796, one way; A beautiful, 2-day drive straight through the red centre of Australia. 10 Day / 9 Night Savannah Way Tour (Cairns to Darwin or Darwin to Cairns) Fully Accommodated. You can hike to natural swimming pools, camp out under the stars, and see the unusual, giant termite mounds. Carry on north for another 300 kilometers to reach Litchfield National Park, a beautiful area of lush rainforest and stunning waterfalls which stand in stark contrast to the dusty red landscapes youre leaving behind. Check road conditions before visiting. If you have time, do not miss going a little further north to the Kakadu National Park and Darwin. We deliberately chose the Burke Development Road as it gives a unique and memorable outback feeling all secluded in the bush where you can stay overnight. Can anyone tell me if the roads are ok? Best Places to Stay in Tennant Creek:Goldfields Hotel Motel. Our truck stops offer facilities such as: B-double access and parking. If you have extra time while in the Cairns region, why not give Cooktown a go? Any advice you have would be most appreciated Regards,PS. Watch the scenery change from one day to the next as you leave Darwin and drive through . Lake Mary Ann make sure for a nice spot to cool of fresh just a couple of minutes from town. If you love flowers the 'Garden City' should be one of your first stops, as it features a number of stunning parks, botanic gardens and other floral displays. Make Croydon Your Own Adventure!!! Travelling from Rockhampton to Darwin in the next couple of days (August 2016) and also wondering where are the best places to stay the night and space out driving times. Your next stops should be former gold-rush town Pine Creek and Adelaide River, famous for its jumping crocodile cruises. It's easy to do. Any info on the trip from Cairns to Darwin 2nd week in August? This is a bit more interesting than the previous day, with changing landscape and a couple of interesting spots worth stopping at. You can spend a long day driving, or you can break the journey up by overnighting at a roadhouse, the Barkly Homestead, before finishing the last 200 kilometers the following day. This quirky Outback pub has cold drinks and roadhouse food, and for years, travelers passing through have been leaving behind mementoes from their journeys, filling the establishment with a ramshackle collection of bizarre souvenirs from across the world. Rockhampton marks, roughly, the halfway point between Townsville and Brisbane along the Bruce Highway. Swim in the serene waterhole of Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. It's easy to find camping spots, or there is some accommodation along the way. Your destination is in sight, but you might also consider stopping at Berry Springs Nature Park for a swim and Territory Wildlife Park to see the full range of outback animals, including nocturnal creatures seldom seen in the wild. Once you reach Cloncurry and join onto the Barkly Highway you will start to notice a lot more traffic, this is the main traffic route between Townsville and Mount Isa. high-flow diesel pumps. Contact one of our regional offices or depots, or find the depot closest to you on the map and arrange a bulk fuel delivery. Good luck to anyone that's going to do it and you'll be knackered at the end of it, take plenty of water and beer and food, and a few spare wheels. The peaceful pools of Berry Springs. (Image: Tourism NT/Kate Flowers). Tip: Start a fire in the bush and cook with your camp-oven, enjoy the sunset over a glass of wine or beer in front of your campfire somewhere in the middle of nowhere - a priceless experience to remember.After 756 km you will reach Normanton, where you can stock up with food, water, fuel and even take a shower at one of the campsites. How? The same applies to going along the sealed route from Cairns to Darwin. Go canoeing on Katherine Gorge, and make friends with the wildlife at Nitmiluk National Park on scenic walking tracks. Google traffic. Stateroom Review Enchanted Princess Obstructed Balcony L103. The roads are partly sealed. from 181. Families enjoying a sunset dip at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. The closest house is 500 km away from you and there is virtually no one in sight. Some interesting little stops every 50-100kms. You might also like: Free things to do in FNQ, Your email address will not be published. Beware of crocodiles as they lurk into waterholes and creeks in northern Australia. No wonder Australias colonial father Captain James Cook chose to land here. Considering the distance youve just traveled, its really just down the road! Remember that saltwater crocodiles inhabit many of the Gulf Savannahs waterways, so stay back from the waters edge, avoid repetitive Cape Crawford through Roper Bar to Mataranka (unsealed route) This is remote 4WD country with some spectacular spots. You can visit the local museums, take sunset cruises out into the harbor, and if you have a few days to spare, head out into nearby Kakadu National Park to experience more of the Northern Territorys stunning natural scenery. Karumba is a great spot to charter a fishing boat. This Top End Explorer is a fantastic way to experience a memorable journey along the "Savannah Way" between Darwin and Cairns. In July 2020, Chevron re-entered the Downstream market in Australia through the acquisition of Puma Energy (Australia) Holdings. Watch the sunset in Charles Darwin National Park or just enjoy a nice warm evening in one of the many accommodation options in Darwin. If youre traveling from Queensland to the Northern Territory, there are so many places to see and things to do that you will want to be on the road for a long time. Cairns to Townsville Depart this morning and take the National Highway A1 to the Bruce Highway/ State Route 14 in Burdell. There are just so many things to do here that youll want to stay for at least two days. Just stay as far away from the water as you can when you camp at night, but also avoid taking photos alongside the river or go swimming. The roadhouse is instantly recognised by the plane sitting in its driveway. and leave at 1:59 pm. I was hoping you could advise me of the best route to take from Cairns to Darwin in a conventional 2WD. The easiest way to Cape York is via Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR), Telegraph Road, Bamaga Road, Jardine Ferry and the final bit on Bamaga Road to the tip. Best Places to Stay in Katherine:Pine Tree Motel Beagle Motor Inn Knotts Crossing Resort. There are plenty of waterfalls and waterholes in Litchfield National Park that are accessible via sealed roads: Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole are popular among both locals and visitors. Then head into the 4000-square-kilometre Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, which has a choice of camping or air-conditioned cabins. Best Places to Stay in CairnsCairns City Palms Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside Southern Cross Atrium Apartments. By keeping our speed between 100-116km/h we kept our fuel costs down to less than $300AUD for the entire journey. The Adventurous Cairns to Darwin Trip Via Savannah Way. Unfortunately I will have to make the trip in late March which is not ideal with respect to the weather.I may also be travelling alone and as a young female would prefer a route with plenty of stops and sealed roads. The locals are always on the lookout for them and try to find new crocs via red buoys. Continue west to former gold-mining settlement Georgetown and check out the mineral collection at The Terrestrial Centre. Day 17 Arrive in Darwin! If you've got more time, the Alice Springs Route covers all the wonders of the Direct Route plus a detour to Alice Springs. Take a break at Lake Eacham, and admire Little Millstream Falls near Ravenshoe. If you're traveling from Queensland to the Northern Territory, there are so many places to see and things to do that you will want to be on the road for a . drive for about 6 hours. South Africa: +27 87 80 83 960 New Zealand: 0800 445 981 7 tips for road tripping success these holidays . Turn onto Route 52 into the rainforest-clad Atherton Tablelands. During Savannah Way wet season, you will definitely need your 4x4 car to cross the river. Driving north from South Australia, take the Stuart Highway from Adelaide through Coober Pedy into the Northern Territory. Then explore the amazing lava tubes, go bushwalking or mountain biking, and admire bats and stars after sunset. Along the way, call in at the beautiful Mataranka Hot Springs to relax in natural, thermal waters. Consider detouring to Cobbold Gorge for an afternoon cruise surrounded by sculpted red sandstone cliffs. Now youre starting to get really remote, and the next real stop is almost 700 kilometers away across the border in The Northern Territory, at the small town of Tennant Creek. . . After snorkeling or diving the coral reefs, exploring white sandy beaches, and enjoying the tropical weather, its time to begin the journey inland. You can camp where you want as no one cares or forbids it. Hours refer to driving time only. Hi, I will be driving my Ford XR6 to Cairns from Darwin in late April. heavy vehicle rest areasexclusively for heavy vehicles only. Then you hit the Stuart Highway that runs from Darwin to Adelaide. From Katherine you can head west towards Kununurra in Western Australia or continue heading north to Darwin. I would like to know what are the best accommodation places from Darwin to Townsville to stay overnight. There are fuel stops at Victoria River Roadhouse and Timber Creek in the Northern Territory. Our itinerary will take you along sealed roads only, making this a more accessible trip for those who dont have four by four access or arent ready to get really remote. I plan to go through June school holidays. However, if you camp in the bush and not on the campgrounds you wont need to worry about wood;)Planning is essential for Outback. Contact the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council for further information - phone 07 4090 4100. Whether you're planning a trip on a shoestring budget or splashing out, the open road welcomes anyone with a sense of adventure and desire for discovery. Tennant Creek is best known for the Devils Marbles, an unusual rock formation, but youll have to drive 100 kilometers south and then another 100 kilometers back again to see them. The ultimate Cairns to Darwin road trip itinerary. Stopping places include parking, toilets and even picnic areas. 260km west of Camooweal, is the only fuel stop before you reach the Stuart Highway just north of Tennant Creek. This is another long stretch of around 638km/396mi. Embrace the steamy weather for a Northern Territory Christmas youll never forget. Fuel Finder. 100 Things To Do In Australia Youve Never Heard Of, The ultimate Cairns to Darwin road trip itinerary, Book 3 nights and enjoy a complimentary cheese board, bottle of wine, decadent bath soak, relaxed late checkout. Estimated Travel Period: 17 Days including Kakadu National Park. Bundaberg is a surprising stop that is great for visiting with kids. The is where the sealed road heading west ends, and instead our itinerary has you traveling south along the paved road for 400 kilometers to Cloncurry. Mon, 6 Mar DRW - CNS with Jetstar. (Please note that cost of fuel per litre can change and is an estimate only). stay for about 1 hour. Enter your name and email and get a FREE70 page Outback Guide! After all, tap water is drinkable in Australia, plus its free. Youll want a whole day to explore the gorge, and you can take out kayaks, join boat tours, or hike through the national park. The roads from Hells Gate and beyond are really tough so take it easy and have an extra spare tyre. Burketown has plenty of fishing holes and you can even join the annual Barramundi Fishing Competition held every Easter. Katherine Gorge, and you can drive through your next stops should be former gold-rush town Pine and... 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