The roads are partly sealed. The Outback has many shops closed on Sundays, as opposed to coastal resorts. Or drive on and go bush camping to meet the local birdlife at Leichhardt Lagoon. How to plan a drive from Darwin to Perth including must visit attractions. 12:59 pm Katherine. Check the weather and road conditions in Queensland and the Northern Territory before your journey. At 860km/534mi, this was a big day; although Cooktown to Mareeba was a 300km stretch of backtracking. Contact the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council for further information - phone 07 4090 4100. Then explore the amazing lava tubes, go bushwalking or mountain biking, and admire bats and stars after sunset. Our go to shoes are Nike Free 5.0. Head on to the Undara Volcanic National Park, where you can discover many natural wonders. Does it sounds like a very crazy plan to you or could be this done? Thanks so much, going to make the trip easy and will have a cold one for you. Plan a route. In July 2020, Chevron re-entered the Downstream market in Australia through the acquisition of Puma Energy (Australia) Holdings. The route covers 2,610mi (4,200km) from the Great Ocean Road (near Melbourne) to Cairns, the best base to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Bundaberg is a surprising stop that is great for visiting with kids. Group in Undara Lava tubes. Gear up for an ultimate driving adventure holiday in Savanna Way, with 5 World Heritage sites and 15 national parks waiting to be explored. Fuel Map is a crowd-sourced database of petrol stations and fuel prices from all across Australia. There is fuel at well-spaced stops, generally about 250km to 300km apart, at Laverton, Cosmo Newberry, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Warburton, Warakurna Roadhouse and Docker River. However, dont attempt to cross if the water is fast-flowing or at a greater depth than the height of your cars middle wheel. For example you could head north to Port Douglas, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation (sealed road) or you could travel west up into the Atherton Tablelands and over into the outback after visiting the Undara Lava Tubes. Another long stretch of around 661km/411mi. First, pass through Mutton Hole Wetlands north of Normanton for stunning birdlife, including brolgas and black swans. Finish your day in accommodation at Batchelor, gateway to Litchfield National Park, or camp in the park itself. Best Places to Stay in Darwin:Argus Hotel Darwin Oaks Elan Darwin Ramada Suites Darwin. Many people have reported "bumping" whales when sailing up the East Coast of Australia. One of the loneliest stretches of all the roads to Darwin, the Barkly Highway only has 2 stops between the turn off and Mt Isa. Currently (2019) fuel in the roadhouses (service stations/gas stations) along the Stuart Highway is anywhere from $1.80 - $2.40 per litre. Our itinerary takes you along sealed roads, meaning that you can rent cars and campervans to complete the journey without worrying about your rental companys off-road policy. 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. There are plenty of free camping sites nearby, where you can enjoy the scenery during the wet season when the falls are running. The distances involved on a journey from Cairns to Darwin are vast, and youll need to be comfortable driving for long periods of time with few breaks to the monotony. There are a couple towns to take breaks like Mount Surprise, Mount Garnet and Georgetown. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (Image: Tourism NT/Mitch Cox). Heres our 14-day adventure itinerary outlining the why, what and where of this eastern half of the trans-continental Savannah Way. Stay at the Barklay Homestead on the Barklay highway. About this app. 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. This was our shortest day by far, just 315km/196mi. Major towns like Weipa will have a couple of different fuel service . Join in and write your own page! From Cloncurry, carry on up the road for another 100 kilometers to Mount Isa. and all the way to Katherine Gorge and beyond. 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. from 181. Show only these on map. About Us. Youre now on Route 1 (National Highway) all the way to Darwin. Swim in the lower pool for about 30 mins. As you head out the next day, Leliyn (Edith Falls) is another Nitmiluk National Park must-see just north of Katherine, where you can enjoy a swim or hike. Its definitely worth stopping at Black Mountain National Park and admiring the massive black boulders. Our Adelaide to Darwin road trip itinerary is the ultimate guide to exploring an iconic outback experience that includes stops in Coober Pedy, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Kakadu by driving right up the middle of Australia on the Stuart Highway.. The Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen works just as well as a regular sunscreen but without all the harmful chemicals. If you wish, you can leave Katherine from Savannah Way and head for Darwin through Kakadu National Park for a total of 2,680 km.How much time you need to explore the sights depends on which places of interest you want to stop by. Just beware of the saltwater crocodiles and do not get too close to the water. 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. The Outback Way. But what makes Ingham particularly interesting is Lee's Hotel (formerly known as the . Leichhardt Falls comprise of a series of plunge waterfalls in Northwest Queensland and 70 km South of Burketown. Theres no hiding the fact you have a long, lonely drive today, and not a single town along the way except Arnold, population about 30. If hiring a campervan allow a good hour to collect and become familiarised with your vehicle before you leave the depot. Your email address will not be published. Those seeking more unsealed adventure can travel to Lorella Springs for a night and Roper Bar to Mataranka (588km, about 9 hours). The roadhouse is instantly recognised by the plane sitting in its driveway. However, make sure you have adequate insurance and roadside assistance which covers remote locations. Other popular stops include Mission Beach, Historic Village Herberton, and Katherine Outback Experience. If you do not have much time, we recommend that you take the helicopter flight, with which you can enjoy a unique view of the gorges and Arnhem Land from above. However, due to ongoing COVID19 concern and we were required to go through a pretty easy border process controlled by the Northern Territory police. Nice pool, cold beer and clean rooms or camping facilities. This is an easy drive, where the majority of the time you have the open road all to yourself. The route makes use of sealed and unsealed roads, so youll need one of our awesome 4WDsor 4WD Campervans. With big distances between towns, make sure you carry extra water and petrol, and while you can mostly stay in hotels or roadhouses along the way, if you are willing to camp youll have a lot more flexibility. The drive from the Jardine ferry to Bamaga is about 42 km and Seisia is 6km north of Bamaga. Families enjoying a sunset dip at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. Day 4 Cobbold Gorge (237 kms, about 3 hours 20 mins). There are 3 different rest areas available to help you manage your fatigue: motorist rest areasfor general and recreational vehicles (including caravans and motorhomes) only. After yesterdays long drive, relax in Undara Volcanic National Park, where the outback begins and 164 ancient volcanoes pepper the landscape. If you've got more time, the Alice Springs Route covers all the wonders of the Direct Route plus a detour to Alice Springs. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland). Roads will turn red with dust as you drive from Queensland into the Northern Territory, but despite the distances involved and time it takes to get between destinations, youll be seeing a part of Australia that few ever venture into, with stunning landscapes, unique rock formations, deep canyons, and remote national parks. Save. The barge comes from Darwin to Truscott about every 2 weeks. South Africa: +27 87 80 83 960 New Zealand: 0800 445 981 7 tips for road tripping success these holidays . The longest distance without a petrol station is 700 km on the Burke Development Road. The drive to Cooktown is very scenic and switches from Rainforest to drier climates. Cant get enough fishing? Campervan hire: the best way to see Australia. If you have extra time for your trip, there are plenty of places to stop and check out and spend the night, especially in the Atherton Tablelands. Get the latest travel news, reviews, offers and more, direct to your inbox. From rest area locations, fatigue and road hazards, learn about the unique road network in the state. Then head into the 4000-square-kilometre Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, which has a choice of camping or air-conditioned cabins. 400 km of driving daily is realistic and feasible, but you should start early in the morning so you can arrive to your destination before it gets dark. Day 1. This is another long stretch of around 638km/396mi. Know what to expect when travelling long distances across WA. 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. Also an espresso coffee machine in the morning before the big drive. I will be in a sedan 2 wheel drive car in July 2016 next year. Cairns. Stay at The Daly Waters Pub, which has motel, cabins, budget rooms and camping. Distances are approximate; add on detours. About 65 km from Cape Crawford and 46 km to Borroloola at the Caranbirini Conservation Reserve there are also Lost Cities, which can be explored on foot (about 2 km trail). drive for about 3 hours. Melbourne to Darwin distance and driving time. The next fuel stop along the highway is the Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn. Allow around $1.70 per litre for fuel. Thanks, awesome road trip, yippie. Can you please let me know places of interest to see along the way. This is the eastern half of the Savannah Way, if you are considering doing it all, then you will also need our itinerary and guide to the western half, Darwin to Broom. Cyclones are a regular occurrence, and heavy rains can flood roads and isolate Outback towns for weeks on end. For travel insurance we recommend SafetyWing. Be sure to have good tires and drive below the speed limit during the wet conditions. 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. ). Why not participate in a 3-week guided motorbike riding tour from Cairns to Broome along some of the most secluded tracks in Australia, where you can experience the most scenic Outback. The Alice Springs Route covers 4,154 . Darwin is the bustling hub of the Top End. 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