After all, tap water is drinkable in Australia, plus its free. Day 17 Arrive in Darwin! Allow around $1.70 per litre for fuel. 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. The large town of Katherine, 300 kilometers north, is the next port of call. Before you reach the Outback youll drive west into the Atherton Tablelands, where youll find a cooler climate and a welcome break from the humidity of the coast. Yes. Heres everything youll ever need to know Pamela Wright takes a dip with a movie star, Burt the crocodile, in Darwin's Cage of Death. Visit Caranbirini Conservation Reserves walking trails and or helicopter over the lost cities in Limmen National Park before a rewarding cold one at the Daly Waters Pub. drive for about 4 hours. Yes, there are helicopter rides and boat cruises that will take you along the Savannah Way, the Lost City, Hell's Gate Roadhouse. stay for about 1 hour. drive for about 6 hours. Best Places to Stay in Katherine:Pine Tree Motel Beagle Motor Inn Knotts Crossing Resort. Due to popular demand, we've compiled an Interactive Map of fuel stops across the Nullarbor a complete list of Eyre Highway fuel stops! You can get a quick quote below. Once you pass Ravenshoe (Queenslands highest town) the highway is very easy. My son and his girlfriend were driving from Gold Coast to Darwin but have had an accident outside Mt Isa and are now stranded in Mt Isa. Stock up on supplies at Borroloola. Cairns to Townsville Depart this morning and take the National Highway A1 to the Bruce Highway/ State Route 14 in Burdell. to go. Required fields are marked *. Enter your name and email and get a FREE70 page Outback Guide! Recommendation: If you are renting a car for this Cairns to Darwin road trip, make sure to check out Rentalcars.com, an aggregation site that searches and displays prices and availability from hundreds of car rental companies so that you can be sure of getting the best possible car for your budget. Darwin lays claim to more crocodiles than any other city With its unparalleled beauty and endless reaches, the Aussie outback holds its own. It becomes quite hilly with a lot of very long trucks (road trains), so patience is a must for the last hour or so. (Image: Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo). Roads are mostly unsealed. 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. Cost of Driving from Cairns, Australia to Darwin, Australia Rest every two hours for at least 15 minutes. Ingham, Queensland. Other popular stops include Mission Beach, Historic Village Herberton, and Katherine Outback Experience. It's easy to find camping spots, or there is some accommodation along the way. If you have a four by four you have more options to explore along the way and to take more remote detours. Thanks, awesome road trip, yippie. (Image: Tourism NT/Jackson Groves). Our tour recommendation can be shortened or extended depending on how much time you have available. It's home to excellent beaches, Litchfield National Park and some of Australia's best weekend markets. Having been together for over 7 years now, if we had to point out one mutual interest, without a doubt it would be travel, and in particular spending life on cruise ships. It's 187km from Barkly Homestead to the Threeways . The Adventurous Cairns to Darwin Trip Via Savannah Way, Start: Cairns End: Darwin Estimated Travel Distance: 3,530.7 kms Estimated Travel Period: 17 Days including Kakadu National Park. The best Savannah Way roadhouse? Pick up your campervan or car in Cairns today. Beware of crocodiles as they lurk into waterholes and creeks in northern Australia. The best time of year to travel is the dry season, with the optimum period being from June to early September, when theres no risk of rainfall. Sailing at night time can be risky, as the huge mammals sleep on the surface, completely oblivious to cruising vessels. Some interesting little stops every 50-100kms. Take your time in visiting the historic Burns Philp Traders Building and jump aboard the historic Gulflander Train in Normanton and try your luck at catching barramundi in Karumba. 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. However, for the best Outback experience, we recommend camping along the road, where you can watch the passing kangaroos at night, drink a beer or two, and enjoy cooking from your own camp oven. Be sure to have good tires and drive below the speed limit during the wet conditions. You will find turquoise spring water pools perfect for a plunge in adjacent Elsey National Park, a landscape patchworked with savannah woodland, stone country and monsoon rainforest. Alternatively: around 10 days from Cairns to Katherine and from Katherine to Darwin via Kakadu.In total = 3,700 kmFrom Cairns to Katherine= 2,130 km.From Cairns to Darwin drive via Kakadu = 2,680 km. Contact the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council for further information - phone 07 4090 4100. From the tropical, touristy, sunny Cairns, youll be heading west into the interior, where long stretches of seemingly endless road are punctuated by quirky small towns with resident populations that barely break out of the hundreds, where there are more kangaroos than people, and where life is truly a world away from the big cities of the east coast. Adelaide to Darwin Itinerary | Britz Campervans AU It took us four days to drive from Cairns to Darwin, a distance of 2850 . Darwin to Perth road trip is one of the great Australian journeys. Explore the best of Australia and find your perfect getaway. stay for about 1 hour. Sealed roads from Borroloola onwards. Continue west to former gold-mining settlement Georgetown and check out the mineral collection at The Terrestrial Centre. If its not too hot why not try a bit of rock hopping. If you intend to road trip more of Australias east coast, make sure to also check out our other itineraries: Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Brisbane, Brisbane to Cairns, and Cairns to Darwin. Camping in the bush, the real outback experience - Secluded in the bush, the nearest house is 500km away. Only take a caravan if it is suitable for off-road. (Image: Tourism NT/Kate Flowers). Estimated Travel Period: 17 Days including Kakadu National Park. You need four-wheel drive to complete this journey. 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 Territory's . The first stop is into the Atherton Tablelands, with a great choice of the lovely towns to stay in. Handy table of driving distances between major cities and petrol prices: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville. healthy, fresh-cooked meals in the truck drivers' lounge. heavy vehicle rest areasexclusively for heavy vehicles only. You are a gem Birgit, I love your site and am so grateful for all the energy you (and others) put into it. From Cairns to Darwin drive via Kakadu = 2,680 km. The famous Outback service began in Cloncurry, and you can learn more at the John Flynn Place Museum in town. Our favorite is the Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle. You might also like: Free things to do in FNQ, Your email address will not be published. Usually this would not be the case. The Adventurous Cairns to Darwin Trip Via Savannah Way. Filter. A kangaroo can suddenly come on the road from nowhere and cattle standing in the middle of the road can be poorly visible from the distance at night. Australian Traveller Media 2023. Check the weather and road conditions in Queensland, Croydon, the Heritage Capital of the Gulf. Thinking of a family self drive hire vacation - then search here for a one way rental . I have placed a previous post here requesting if anyone can offer a lift Mt Isa to Darwin. Australia is a huge country. This is a 671km/417mi stretch. Everything about 4WD driving can be found here: Link Article 4WD. Savannah Way map from Cairns to Katherine. Road trip route from Brisbane to Darwin. Theres no denying that fact, but its still easy to underestimate the kilometers involved. You need a 4WD, as sections of road on this route are unsealed. After yesterdays long drive, relax in Undara Volcanic National Park, where the outback begins and 164 ancient volcanoes pepper the landscape. PO Box 5244, Cairns, QLD 4870 / 24 Hour FREECALL 1800 645 832 / Ph (07) 4035 5888 / Fax (07) 4035 6777. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lorella Springs is a 4WD wonderland but make sure you go there before the waterholes dry out. Those seeking more unsealed adventure can travel to Lorella Springs for a night and Roper Bar to Mataranka (588km, about 9 hours). The route may look simple on the map, but youll need to factor in which roads are sealed and unsealed, which are four by four only, and which have supply stops along the way. You can hike to natural swimming pools, camp out under the stars, and see the unusual, giant termite mounds. Katherine Gorge consists of 13 impressive canyons, which can be explored by boat, helicopter or on foot, In Mataranka and Katherine you can bathe in the 34 C natural hot springs surrounded by palm tree, North Australia's most spectacular Lost-City rock formations at Cape Crawford can only be seen by helicopter, The Lost-City rock formations at Caranbirini Conservation Reserve can be explored on foot, Cook with a camp-oven on an open fire somewhere in the bush, Evening visits from kangaroos are not uncommon, especially at sunrise and sunset when they are most active, Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning whilst watching the sunrise and wildlife, Although the fridge is small, there is nothing missing as long as everythings well planned, A shovel is an absolute must-have tool in the outback, and not just for the bush toilet. Take a break at Lake Eacham, and admire Little Millstream Falls near Ravenshoe. Seven Emu Station is accessible by 4WD only. The cheapest fuel in Cape York is generally Palmer River Roadhouse, Cooktown or . Turn right and aim to stay at The Daly Waters Pub, which has motel, cabins, budget rooms and camping. Accommodation here ranges from cabins to converted railway carriages and a campground. Stop off at Florence Falls (40 minutes from Batchelor) followed by a quick pit stop at Tolmer Falls, which is merely 12 minutes from Wangi Falls. Families enjoying a sunset dip at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. Hoping to get there in with 3 overnight stops - 4 at the most as on a time limit with work. Youll want a whole day to explore the gorge, and you can take out kayaks, join boat tours, or hike through the national park. Your Savannah travel route can start from Cairns through the deep outback gorges and end in the historic town of Broome or even in Kakadu National Park. Simply click here to return to, Australian Tourist Attractions in the Outback, Travelling Outback Australia with camels and gypsy caravans. Campervans selection from spacious hightop campervan with shower and toilet to Budget campervans for couples. 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. Do I need to take fuel on a Darwin to Cairns road trip? Even during the dry season, you may need to cross some rivers using your 4x4 vehicle. Fuel Finder. Where are Savannah Way fuel stops? We even hiked up multiple mountains/volcanoes with them. Go for a swim in Lake Eacham or take a cruise at Lake Barrine, and sample the local produce like coffee and mango wine. Once you follow this route, it'll take 31 . Fuel stops on outback routes and travel | Australia 4 wheel drive rentals from Alice Springs, Adelaide, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in Australia. Both are on the doorstep of Judburra National Park (formerly the Gregory National Park) and have a motel . Go for a refreshing swim at Edith Falls. Day 13 Katherine (276 kms, about 3 hours). This is a great tour to do during the dry season, generally between May and October. About Us. Rest every two hours for at least 15 minutes. WE'RE HERE AND WE'RE LOCAL. 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. Its a beautiful drive from Cairns to Darwin by car and we are confident you will love it as much as we did. Its definitely worth stopping at Black Mountain National Park and admiring the massive black boulders. . 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. In 2022, with global fuel price rises, Cape York fuel costs were between $2.11/L and 2.89/L. When driving on unsealed roads, fine dust particles can conceal the deep potholes so it is imperative to drive a 4x4 vehicle. Ingham is the second major township along Bruce Highway between Cairns and Townsville. Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders's past, present and emerging. Any advice you have would be most appreciated Regards,PS. stay overnight and leave the next day around 11:00 am. How to get half price tickets for the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. If dazzling light shows, an abundance of chilli mud crab and thu From the heart of the Red Centre to an Australian icon, Alice Springs to Uluru makes an epic road trip. However, never go into the water as there are crocodiles everywhere. I will be ducking down to check out Uluru though and then over to Broome (already done Darwin). After snorkeling or diving the coral reefs, exploring white sandy beaches, and enjoying the tropical weather, its time to begin the journey inland. While leaving Cairns, I would like to travel the Savanah but would also like other suggestions. 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. Leave early and follow the Bruce Highway south from Cairns. 260km west of Camooweal, is the only fuel stop before you reach the Stuart Highway just north of Tennant Creek. SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 14 days minimum. Take a river cruise, paddle a hired kayak and take to the hiking trails. Fuel Map is a crowd-sourced database of petrol stations and fuel prices from all across Australia. Cairns is home to many of the natural wonders found in Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef. Travel to Mataranka and stop for a refreshing swim at Bitter Springs before heading to Katherine where you can stay in town or at Nitmiluk National Park beside the mighty Katherine Gorge. By keeping our speed between 100-116km/h we kept our fuel costs down to less than $300AUD for the entire journey. Crocodiles can frequent the park, so swimming during the wet season (November-April) is off-limits and warnings should be heeded year-round. On the 45-Minute guided helicopter ride, you will tour the breathtaking Tybee Lighthouse and the Old Fort Jackson before the sun sets.A sightseeing boat cruise is another exciting way to tour Savannah Way, with food and drinks included. However, avoid swimming in the gorges because even if saltwater crocodiles have been removed for tourism purposes, there is still the danger of one or two lurking in the gorge. This does not account for any stops and detours you might want to make. Some roads are also narrow and have soft edges, hence the reason a 2WD will not be safe for driving on such roads. Being the halfway point on this particular . The Alice Springs Route covers 4,154 . Overnight in Katherine or 20 minutes away at Katherine Gorge, where youll find campgrounds and the luxury Cicada Lodge. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland). Also an espresso coffee machine in the morning before the big drive. During the wet season, torrential streams can be seen here, and during the dry season these falls are almost completely dried up. Dont swim without authoritative local advice, since waterways may be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. Woman cooling off at the waterholes of Lorella Springs. Fill-up your tank at every petrol station you find in the Outback. Just get a bucket and attach a string to it for throwing in the water. Discover this amazing sandstone gorge on an ecocruise on a family cattle station. From Brisbane you will need to join the A2 and head towards Toowoomba. Thanks so much, going to make the trip easy and will have a cold one for you. You'll have the time of your life's. 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