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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  

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  • 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

  • Stay:

    Gulf Region accommodation

    Gulf Region accommodation

    View 2 options

Day 10  

  • 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
  • Limmen National Park

    Limmen National Park

    Gulf Region
    See & do

    The Gulf region is known for its rivers, and this is strongly reflected in the drive through Limmen National Park, which crosses four major rivers and follows a fifth, the Roper River, for a while.

    (08) 8973 8888 Website

  • Stay:

    Gulf Region accommodation

    Gulf Region accommodation

    View 2 options

Day 11  

Day 12  

  • Mataranka

    Mataranka

    Elsey National Park
    See & do

    Visit the small pastoral town of Mataranka, made famous by the novel We of the Never Never and renowned for its sandy-bottomed thermal pool.

    (08) 8973 8888 Website
  • Elsey National Park

    Elsey National Park

    Mataranka
    See & do

    Elsey National Park is located 120 km south of Katherine near Mataranka.

    (08) 8973 8888 Website

  • Stay:

    Mataranka accommodation

    Mataranka accommodation

    View 4 options

    Mataranka Roadhouse & Bakery (BP)

    Mataranka

    Mataranka Roadhouse & Bakery (BP)

    $100 – $150

    View details
    Territory Manor Motel and Caravan Park

    Mataranka

    Territory Manor Motel and Caravan Park

    $160 – $175

    View details

Day 13  

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

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