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Pack up the four-wheel drive with camping and fishing gear, and hit the Savannah Way. This journey of a lifetime will take you from Cairns in Queensland through the savannah landscapes of the Northern Territory and on to Broome in the West.

The route follows a mostly sealed highway although there are some long stretches of gravel road and four-wheel drive trails to take.

Day 1–6: Cairns to NT Border (1,131km)

Escape the coast and explore the gulf country with cattle stations, camping grounds and outback characters waiting to meet you.

Day 7–8: NT border to Borroloola (262km)

Head through to the Gulf of Carpentaria for great fishing and nature watching. Make a stop at Seven Emu Station a genuine Australian outback cattle station, and enjoy camping, fishing, birdwatching and Aboriginal culture on this genuine outback cattle station.

Day 9: Borroloola

Borroloola is a must-do for fishing enthusiasts. Land an iconic Barramundi or explore the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands. Explore Caranbirini Conservation Reserve just 46km south of Borroloola for stunning views and excellent bird watching.

Day 10: Borroloola to Cape Crawford (100km)

Explore the iconic Lost City by chopper. The fly-in tours also offer on-the-ground access to walk among the giant sandstone pillars. Smaller sections of the Lost City can be accessed by vehicle in Caranbirini and Limmen National Parks.

Daly-Waters-Historic-Pub- 1
Daly Waters Hotel
Families enjoyiong a swim at Mataranka Thermal Pool near Katherine
Mataranka Thermal Pools
Kayaking down Katherine Gorge
Kayaking in Katherine Gorge

Day 11: Cape Crawford to Roper Bar/Daly Waters (374/387km)

For four-wheel drive route, travel north to Roper Bar, on the tidal pandanus-fringed Roper River for more spectacular fishing action and stay the night at the Munbililla (Tomato Island) camp ground.

For an alternative sealed route, head to Daly Waters and check out Australia’s war and exploration history. Call in for a cool drink and outback meal at the always entertaining Daly Waters Historical Pub.

Day 12: Roper Bar/Daly Waters to Mataranka (183/168km)

For sealed and unsealed routes, head to Mataranka, just 400km from Darwin. Plunge into the thermal pools and crystal clear streams including Mataranka Thermal Pool and the lesser-known Bitter Springs, that sit among the massive palm trees. Or take an easy stroll through Elsey National Park.

Day 13: Mataranka to Katherine (106km)

Head north to explore Nitmiluk National Park near Katherine and choose your level of adventure: swimming spots, canoeing, scenic helicopter flights or take a guided boat cruise through Katherine Gorge.

A woman swimming at Bitter Springs near Katherine
Bitter Springs
Girl sitting Katherine Gorge Lookout
Katherine Gorge lookout

Day 14: Katherine to Judbarra/Gregory National Park (286km)

Victoria River Roadhouse is your gateway to scenic adventures with great fishing and walking trails through stunning escarpment scenery. Meander up the rocky Escarpment Lookout Walk and be rewarded with panoramic views of the river and valley below.

Day 15: Timber Creek to Kununurra (228km)

Explore the park’s four-wheel drive network to discover the history of Bullita Homestead, fascinating walks, cattle station history. Stay the night in the campground, or call ahead and visit Bullo River Station for a real taste of Australian outback station life. Accommodation is also available at Timber Creek, Top Springs and Victoria River.

Day 16–20: Kununurra to Broome (1043km)

Explore the bushwalking tracks of Keep National Park, just 3km before the WA border, to discover similar sandstone landforms to the Bungle Bungles. The Jinumum and Lang-Gerrbi walks are a good chance to view Aboriginal rock art up close before you continue your Savannah Way adventure into Western Australia.

Gregory-National-Park
Gregory National Park
Keep-National-Park
Keep National Park

Start in Katherine

Explore

Day 1 

    Day 2 

      Day 3 

        Day 4 

          Day 5 

            Day 6 

              Day 7 

              • Seven Emu Station

                Seven Emu Station

                Gulf Region
                Accommodation

                Whether you’re a nature lover, birdwatcher or just as a peaceful getaway, a stay in the stockmen’s camp sites overlooking the stunning Robinson River will be something you’ll never forget.

                Website

              Day 8 

                Day 9 

                • Borroloola

                  Borroloola

                  Gulf Region
                  Destination

                  Borroloola is a remote fishing community situated on the banks of the McArthur River in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

                • Caranbirini Conservation Reserve

                  Caranbirini Conservation Reserve

                  Gulf Region
                  See & do

                  Caranbirini Conservation Reserve is a remarkable reserve that protects a large number of habitats within its small area.

                  (08) 8973 8888 Website

                Day 10 

                Day 11 

                  Day 12 

                  Day 13 

                  • Nitmiluk National Park

                    Nitmiluk National Park

                    Nitmiluk National Park
                    See & do

                    Be drawn to the spectacular sandstone country of Nitmiluk National Park and the majestic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge with spectacular cliffs that glow in the changing light.

                    (08) 8973 8821 Website
                  • Woman on Nabili Dreaming Boat Cruise at Nitmiluk

                    River cruising

                    Katherine
                    Tour

                    Trawl along Katherine River through Nitmiluk National Park and take in the dramatic scenery as you move deeper into the stunning Katherine Gorge.

                  • Stay:

                    Katherine accommodation

                    Katherine accommodation

                    View 17 options

                    Ereluk - The Escarpment @ The Gorge

                    Nitmiluk National Park

                    Ereluk - The Escarpment @ The Gorge

                    <span>AU</span>$34 – $67

                    View details
                    Knotts Crossing Resort

                    Katherine

                    Knotts Crossing Resort

                    <span>AU</span>$65 – $300

                    View details
                    Kumbidgee Restaurant & RV Stopover

                    Katherine

                    Kumbidgee Restaurant & RV Stopover

                    <span>AU</span>$36

                    View details
                    Victoria Village

                    Katherine

                    Victoria Village

                    <span>AU</span>$250 – $275

                    View details
                    Contour Hotel Katherine

                    Katherine

                    Contour Hotel Katherine

                    <span>AU</span>$200 – $300

                    View details
                    Manbulloo Homestead Caravan Park

                    Katherine

                    Manbulloo Homestead Caravan Park

                    <span>AU</span>$35 – $250

                    View details
                    Discovery Parks – Katherine

                    Katherine

                    Discovery Parks – Katherine

                    <span>AU</span>$40 – $195

                    View details
                    Gorge View Bush Retreat

                    Nitmiluk National Park

                    Gorge View Bush Retreat

                    <span>AU</span>$50 – $450

                    View details
                    Katherine Farmstay

                    Katherine

                    Katherine Farmstay

                    <span>AU</span>$30 – $40

                    View details
                    K-Town Hotel

                    Katherine

                    K-Town Hotel

                    <span>AU</span>$165 – $250

                    View details
                    Katherine Motel

                    Katherine

                    Katherine Motel

                    <span>AU</span>$176 – $295

                    View details
                    Riverview Tourist Village

                    Katherine

                    Riverview Tourist Village

                    <span>AU</span>$35 – $175

                    View details
                    BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Katherine

                    Katherine

                    BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Katherine

                    <span>AU</span>$41 – $345

                    View details
                    Cicada Lodge

                    Nitmiluk National Park

                    Cicada Lodge

                    <span>AU</span>$499 – $849

                    View details
                    Nitmiluk Cabins

                    Nitmiluk National Park

                    Nitmiluk Cabins

                    <span>AU</span>$229 – $499

                    View details
                    Nitmiluk Caravan Park/Campgound

                    Nitmiluk National Park

                    Nitmiluk Caravan Park/Campgound

                    <span>AU</span>$20 – $89

                    View details

                  Day 14 

                  • Escarpment Walk

                    Escarpment Walk

                    Judbarra Gregory National Park
                    See & do

                    The Escarpment Walk is a 3 km loop of moderate difficulty that climbs to panoramic views over the Victoria River Valley, framed by soaring red escarpments.

                    (08) 8973 8888 Website

                  Day 15 

                  Day 16 

                    Day 17 

                      Day 18 

                        Day 19 

                          Day 20 

                            Book this trip Savannah Way in 20 days

                            We’ve taken the hassle out of planning & booking your NT holiday.

                            How to book this trip yourself

                            Like to DIY? Here are the bookings you’ll need to make, with links to book directly.

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