There is also the 8-day personalised car driving tour as a fully accommodated trip in a group of no more than six people. The first stop is into the Atherton Tablelands, with a great choice of the lovely towns to stay in. Heres our 14-day adventure itinerary outlining the why, what and where of this eastern half of the trans-continental Savannah Way. Real outback feeling: stay secluded in the bush, the nearest house is 500km away, Experience wildlife up close, from kangaroos to crocodiles, dingoes, camels, cattle and more, Cook with a camp-oven on an open fire somewhere in the bush (Link: here you will find our most popular camp-oven recipes), Experience real 4WD driving on unpaved roads and cross the 1-metre deep streams and rivers, Endless and secluded expanses that you will seldom experience, Crystal-clear waters with impressive plants, birdlife and lurking crocodiles, North Australia's most spectacular Lost-City rock formations, Splash in hot, natural hot springs with crystal clear water, surrounded by palm trees and in the middle of the outback, Impressive waterfalls with splash pools, gorges and caves. This is a great tour to do during the dry season, generally between May and October. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland). Example: during our trip, in the Roper Bar Store Roadhouse, diesel cost about AUD2 per gallon, which at the time was 40% more expensive than in Cairns. If its not too hot why not try a bit of rock hopping. How to plan a drive from Darwin to Perth including must visit attractions. End: Darwin. 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. Day 7 Burketown (292 kms, about 4 hours). 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. Highlights 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. The large town of Katherine, 300 kilometers north, is the next port of call. Make Croydon Your Own Adventure!!! While it is sometimes impossible to avoid driving in the dark, it is important to drive slowly (70 km / h) in order to spot the animals on the road ahead.Tip: When youre renting a car, check whether the insurance policy covers damages caused by hitting animals during night trips. There are camping sites along Savannah Way, such as Borroloola Caravan Park and Burketown Caravan Park located at the Gulf of Carpentaria. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 24/7 operation. 12:59 pm Katherine. Leichhardt Falls are 70 km south of Burketown. Our favorite is the Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Many people have reported "bumping" whales when sailing up the East Coast of Australia. 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. The drive to Cooktown is very scenic and switches from Rainforest to drier climates. I will be ducking down to check out Uluru though and then over to Broome (already done Darwin). Everything about 4WD driving can be found here: Link Article 4WD. day 1 driving 10 hours. Answer 1 of 12: We will be driving from Cairns to Darwin this November and were wondering why Google maps says that the trip on highway 1, Cairns > Normanton > Borroloola > Darwin, is about 48 hours where as it is only 32 hours going the southern route. Note: This itinerary is part of a much longer Melbourne to Darwin road trip. These tours will take you through Cape Crawford, Lost City, Hells Gate QLD, and Caranbirini Nature Reserve, just to name a few places. Join in and write your own page! Go for a swim in Lake Eacham or take a cruise at Lake Barrine, and sample the local produce like coffee and mango wine. Discover the magic of Wilpena Pound with a glamping experience in the cultural heartland of the Flinders Ranges. . Katherine to Darwin. Watch the scenery change from one day to the next as you leave Darwin and drive through . First of all many thanks for the whole web site of yours and all very useful informations. It appears the car will be written off. Travelling from South Australia. Yes, definitely! This Top End Explorer is a fantastic way to experience a memorable journey along the "Savannah Way" between Darwin and Cairns. Cheap Cairns to Darwin Flights. Dont swim without authoritative local advice, since waterways may be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. (Image: Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo). (Image: Tourism NT/Mitch Cox). (The West Australian border is currently under a hard closure due to COVID 19 concerns, while this is our home state, we wont be travelling to WA till borders are opened). Bundaberg. The locals are always on the lookout for them and try to find new crocs via red buoys. Dont forget to stop for a photo at the peculiar looking magnetic termite mounds along the way, which take on an orange glow at sunset. 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. In northern Australia, there are more crocodiles than humans, so you should not be their next meal. Estimated Fuel Cost: $250-$300 depending on vehicle and whether you're towing. June to November. Embark on your Outback Way adventure by purchasing The Outback Way Atlas and . It's 187km from Barkly Homestead to the Threeways . Read more. Fishing, swimming, bushwalking and birdwatching will also keep you occupied. 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. 5:07 pm arrive in Darwin. Especially around September when the 'Carnival of Flowers' takes place. heavy vehicle rest areasexclusively for heavy vehicles only. Continue west to former gold-mining settlement Georgetown and check out the mineral collection at The Terrestrial Centre. The Barkly Highway ends and joins up with the Stuart Highway at Three Ways. Your email address will not be published. Filter. Direct. Thanks! 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. I didn't bother including them south of Wubin as I assume you'll have filled up . For travel insurance we recommend SafetyWing. 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. 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? Leichhardt Falls comprise of a series of plunge waterfalls in Northwest Queensland and 70 km South of Burketown. The adventure doesnt end here. See also our themed driving route, the Explorers Way. Hi, I will be driving my Ford XR6 to Cairns from Darwin in late April. Enjoy your next road trip Cairns to Darwin. Recommended Driving Time: 16 hours - at least ONE overnight stop is recommended. You should spend 7 days from Cairns to Katherine and another 7 days from Katherine to Broome. Seven Emu Station is accessible by 4WD only. Check out escapes in each state, explore travel advice, activities, accommodation, car hire, fuel information, maps and much more on the NRMA trip planner. 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. Even during the dry season, you may need to cross some rivers using your 4x4 vehicle. Stay overnight at the luxury Cicada Lodge. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Contrary to what Cape York horror stories will tell you, there are fuel stations and roadhouses stocking both petrol and diesel along the way (in fact, the longest distance between bowsers is 140km). Burketown on the Albert River is another terrific spot to tackle barramundi, so be sure to pack your fishing rod, or you can hire one locally. We decided to stay in Tennant Creek which was 25km south of the turn off. Avoid the wet season, as roads may be impassable and you risk getting stranded. Any advice you have would be most appreciated Regards,PS. 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. Hello, we are renting a camper in June for one month, starting from Darwin and visiting the national parks we want to to drive to Cairns, following the route that you mentioned (via Mont Isa, Normanton). Mount Isa is a big mining town, just 2 hours from the Northern Territoy border. 1:13 pm Mudgee. Rockhampton marks, roughly, the halfway point between Townsville and Brisbane along the Bruce Highway. Just make sure you look for a suitable place to camp before sunset so that you have enough time to assemble your tent, collect wood, etc. Head north, pausing at Larrimah, which has another historic bush pub and Second World War museum, and at Mataranka, made famous in the 1908 Jeannie Gunn novel, We of the Never-Never. Darwin to Perth road trip is one of the great Australian journeys. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland). Fill-up your tank at every petrol station you find in the Outback. We recommend a helicopter flight as it is very impressive to get a feel for Australias expanses. The drive from Cairns to Darwin is a long one. Return to Outback Australia Travel Guide home page. Best Places to Stay in Katherine:Pine Tree Motel Beagle Motor Inn Knotts Crossing Resort. Rest areas are a place where you can stop and rest, making your journey safer and more enjoyable. This means it is very important to ensure that you do not run out of food. When you come to Croydon you will feel part of the outback and its relaxing lifestyle. A roadhouse basically is a fuel station with add-ons. Cairns to Darwin // Your 14 Day Road Trip Itinerary. But please check with the Alice Springs Vistors Information Centre or the Darwin Visitors Information Centre before leaving town on this route. A couple popular stops being Daly Waters and the Mataranka Thermal Springs. 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 . Some people drive to the Cape in 2-3 days from Cairns. The Outback has many shops closed on Sundays, as opposed to coastal resorts. 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. Being the halfway point on this particular . If you like a drink or five, be sure to stock up here, once you cross into the Northern Territory you will be paying a premium for anything containing alcohol. Although we could have gone straight from Cairns, having never been to Cooktown before, we decided to start our journey with a 2 day pit stop in Cooktown (a 700km/435mi detour). As well as being a good place to stock up on any supplies you might need, Normanton has a curious collection of quirky giant statues. Hours refer to driving time only. 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. Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. A Cairns to Darwin road trip isnt for the inexperienced traveler, but if you are looking to see real Outback Australia and the vast emptiness of the Top End, then this is the adventure you need. Search for sites that accept Shell Card, including Liberty service stations, plan your trip and get directions. Cant get enough fishing? In 2021, they were between $1.49/L and $2.05/L. For our road trip Cairns to Darwin, in total we travelled just under 3000km in our fully loaded little blue car. Usually this would not be the case. You could, however, do the first and last sections in a 2WD. Sealed roads from Borroloola onwards. 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. Its cheap price of only $40/month really makes it a no-brainer. Darwin. Savannah Way map from Cairns to Katherine. The Outback Way. Day 15 Kakadu Gunlom Campground (196 kms, about 2 hours 30 mins). Another stop on the way should be at Mataranka, where you can bathe in the 34 C warm, natural thermal springs, surrounded by crystal clear waters and tropical plants with palm trees. Morning fog at Litchfield National Park. You can also learn about the Aboriginal culture and Rock Art by visiting the local museums here. Best Places to Stay in Tennant Creek:Goldfields Hotel Motel. This remote crossing from east to west across the bottom of Australia is a must-do journey. Spend the night in Atherton, before preparing yourself to travel inland. It also said Darwin-based customers would be able to book seats on board the flight and travel non-stop to London. Many people are apprehensive about whether they'll run out of fuel somewhere along the vast expanses of the . (Image: Tourism NT/Kate Flowers). If you have the time Katherine Gorge comes highly recommended. Cairns to Adelaide 2974km = $202.20 in petrol; VS. Total airfares for 4 people: $756, one way Thanks so much, going to make the trip easy and will have a cold one for you. With an average flight time of 2h 30min from Cairns to Darwin, you'll be exploring the city in no time. Carry water and consider bringing a satellite phone, as mobile reception can be patchy or non-existent. Our minimum recommended time for this itinerary is 10 days, but you may want to add a few extra days to spend in Cairns and Darwin. Travel in the dry season (from May to October). From Cloncurry, carry on up the road for another 100 kilometers to Mount Isa. Just get a bucket and attach a string to it for throwing in the water. They can be reached either on foot or by helicopter. If you drive for 400 km every day, Katherine can be reached within 5-6 days (or vice versa). Travelling across WA by road is one of the best ways to see the state. This is the eastern half of the . You need a 4WD, as sections of road on this route are unsealed. . Explore Maguk Find a great campsite in Jim Jim before setting out for a tour of Maguk Gorge. There are a couple towns to take breaks like Mount Surprise, Mount Garnet and Georgetown. Plan your trip to map out the best fuel stations and roadhouses along the way. The peaceful pools of Berry Springs. Aerial view of someone swimming at Florence Falls. 185 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 May, returning Wed, 3 May.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 2 May, arriving in Darwin.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Darwin on Wed, 3 May, arriving in Cairns.Price includes . You should be traveling with nothing but a good four-wheel drive vehicle. To help you to plan your Outback experience, heres our guide to road tripping from Cairns to Darwin! 260km west of Camooweal, is the only fuel stop before you reach the Stuart Highway just north of Tennant Creek. Get the latest travel news, reviews, offers and more, direct to your inbox. Your email address will not be published. There are accommodations along the road in most villages as well as in Cape Crawford, 100 kilometres South-West of Borroloola. 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