Get the latest travel news, reviews, offers and more, direct to your inbox. Additional terms apply. The top stops along the way from Darwin to Cairns (with short detours) are Paronella Park, Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, and Nourlangie Creek. . WE'RE HERE AND WE'RE LOCAL. and leave at 2:13 pm. 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. From rest area locations, fatigue and road hazards, learn about the unique road network in the state. 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. (Please note that cost of fuel per litre can change and is an estimate only). Hoping to get there in with 3 overnight stops - 4 at the most as on a time limit with work. The Savannah highway is Australias longest and most interesting route that connects to major roads across the northern Australia. Along the way, call in at the beautiful Mataranka Hot Springs to relax in natural, thermal waters. Continue west to former gold-mining settlement Georgetown and check out the mineral collection at The Terrestrial Centre. Cairns to Darwin // Your 14 Day Road Trip Itinerary. Flannel as the next shower may be a few hundred kilometres away, Savannah Way Borroloola to Burketown = 492km, Borroloola - Katherine = 655km (Limmen National Park), Katherine - Jabiru = 297km (Kakadu National Park), Savannah Way Normanton to Burketown = 230km. This is why most travelers choose to drive the east coast. A 10-day 4WD safari tour will take you and your friends (maximum 4 people) through East Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Mataranka, the Lost City, and all the way to Cairns with meals included as well as overnight stays in Savannah Way motel accommodations. You can spend a long day driving, or you can break the journey up by overnighting at a roadhouse, the Barkly Homestead, before finishing the last 200 kilometers the following day. And of course the Great Barrier Reef and the Kuranda Sky Rail are other . It's easy to do. The route starts from Cairns and leads along the Burke Development Road from Mareeba to Normanton. Usually this would not be the case. For our road trip Cairns to Darwin, in total we travelled just under 3000km in our fully loaded little blue car. Crocodiles can frequent the park, so swimming during the wet season (November-April) is off-limits and warnings should be heeded year-round. Best Places to Stay in CairnsCairns City Palms Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside Southern Cross Atrium Apartments. Since the petrol station owners in the Outback dont really have many customers, it may well be that nobody is there. Thinking of a family self drive hire vacation - then search here for a one way rental . They can be reached either on foot or by helicopter. (Image: Tourism NT/Mitch Cox). Stateroom Review Enchanted Princess Obstructed Balcony L103. By keeping our speed between 100-116km/h we kept our fuel costs down to less than $300AUD for the entire journey. It's easy to find camping spots, or there is some accommodation along the way. Keep your distance from the rivers and streams by at least 3-5 metres. 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 . 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. (Image: Tourism NT/Jackson Groves). 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. These hot springs can also be visited in Katherine. However, dont attempt to cross if the water is fast-flowing or at a greater depth than the height of your cars middle wheel. Stopping places include parking, toilets and even picnic areas. Check out escapes in each state, explore travel advice, activities, accommodation, car hire, fuel information, maps and much more on the NRMA trip planner. . Katherine to Darwin. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. drive for about 6 hours. Go for a swim in Lake Eacham or take a cruise at Lake Barrine, and sample the local produce like coffee and mango wine. 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. USB charger for the cigarette lighter to charge smartphone, camera, etc. Stay at The Daly Waters Pub, which has motel, cabins, budget rooms and camping. DISTANCE: 3,500 - 4,500 kms. Distance: 94km's from Palmerston, about 1hr, 15 mins. Darwin to Cairns - The Grey Nomads Forum Perth To Darwin Road Trip (10-Day Itinerary!) The weather is cooler during the dry season too which will make the trip much more enjoyable. 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. Continue west to Undara Experience try to arrive in time for a sunset wildlife tour. SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 14 days minimum. Cyclones are a regular occurrence, and heavy rains can flood roads and isolate Outback towns for weeks on end. There's two ways you can do the Broome to Darwin drive.One's via the highway, which has some nice stops but is a little bit bland. You can also add current fuel prices which are then shared with other users of Fuel Map. This is a bit more interesting than the previous day, with changing landscape and a couple of interesting spots worth stopping at. Home. For our road trip Cairns to Darwin, in total we travelled just under 3000km in our fully loaded little blue car. Free accommodation for your next holiday! Also, the travelling time depends heavily on how many miles you want to drive every day.If you want to start your Savannah Way drive from Cairns and go to Katherine before heading over to Broome or pass the Kakadu National Park to Darwin, then you should allow at least 7-9 days.The distance from Cairns to Katherine is 2,100 kilometres. (Image: Tourism NT/Kate Flowers). Myself and teenager. Simply click here to return to, Australian Tourist Attractions in the Outback, Travelling Outback Australia with camels and gypsy caravans. If you were to drive the entire coastline, you'd cover a total of 16,155mi (26,000km). In July 2020, Chevron re-entered the Downstream market in Australia through the acquisition of Puma Energy (Australia) Holdings. Quickly locate Shell fuels, products and services around Australia. Ingham, Queensland. Distance: 113km's from Adelaide River, about 1hr, 15 mins. day 5 driving 6 hours. Hi, I drove from Port Douglas to Darwin in 1991 and it'll be a trip I'll never forget, it was an absolutely brilliant time and I would love to do it again. Day 8 and 9 Boodjamulla National Park (214 kms, about 3 hours). June to November. Stock up on supplies at Borroloola. 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. Katherine to Darwin. You should spend 7 days from Cairns to Katherine and another 7 days from Katherine to Broome. You can have a unique rail experience in the Outback by catching the famous Kuranda Scenic train that departs Cairns weekly. 10 Day / 9 Night Savannah Way Tour (Cairns to Darwin or Darwin to Cairns) Fully Accommodated. All Rights Reserved. It's essentially a big country town with some really beautiful places and fun attractions. With a population of over 1000 residents, Normanton is a real hub in the Outback, and this is where the landscapes turn from green to red. This is an easy drive, where the majority of the time you have the open road all to yourself. Tour Kakadu National Park from the southern end, where you can go swimming at the amazing Gunlom Falls or follow the signs to Yurmikmik walks to explore the diverse rock formations. The barge comes from Darwin to Truscott about every 2 weeks. 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. The Barkly Highway is the . Dont swim without authoritative local advice, since waterways may be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. The best thing about Bundaberg is how much you can do on a budget. Distances are approximate; add on detours. You need a 4WD, as sections of road on this route are unsealed. The Outback Way is one of Australia's great four wheel drive odysseys. I would like to know what are the best accommodation places from Darwin to Townsville to stay overnight. The drive to Cooktown is very scenic and switches from Rainforest to drier climates. This is a 671km/417mi stretch. This one though includes a COVID 19 Border stop at the Queensland/Northern Territory Border. Estimated Fuel Cost: $250-$300 depending on vehicle and whether you're towing. Great, thanks for all the adive on this site! I didn't bother including them south of Wubin as I assume you'll have filled up . This Top End Explorer is a fantastic way to experience a memorable journey along the "Savannah Way" between Darwin and Cairns. The next fuel stop along the highway is the Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn. Swim in the serene waterhole of Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. 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. It also said Darwin-based customers would be able to book seats on board the flight and travel non-stop to London. You will have the best experience if you camp in a remote location in the middle of nowhere. For more of the best in travel sign up to our newsletter! Overnight in Katherine or 20 minutes away at Katherine Gorge, where youll find campgrounds and the luxury Cicada Lodge. Alternatively, you can drive through the sealed road. Distance: 68km's from Pine Creek, about 50 mins. Cairns is home to many of the natural wonders found in Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef. Embark on your Outback Way adventure by purchasing The Outback Way Atlas and . End: Darwin. AmpolCash digital can only be redeemed at ~1,200 participating Ampol locations (excluding EG Ampol sites). A free shower is also available at the boat ramp.From Normanton, the distances between places are shorter so you can stock up with food supplies daily. But please check with the Alice Springs Vistors Information Centre or the Darwin Visitors Information Centre before leaving town on this route. It is not uncommon to drive for 560km before finding a petrol station, so best to take an extra fuel canister. How to see England on a Budget; Our top tips. 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. About this app. If you're 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 . Explore the best of Australia and find your perfect getaway. 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. About Us. Folks this information on fuel stops between Darwin and Alice Springs was correct in 2016. 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. Your next stops should be former gold-rush town Pine Creek and Adelaide River, famous for its jumping crocodile cruises. Days 2-3 Undara Lava Tubes (225 kms, about 3 hours). 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. Forming part of the Savannah Way, this dry and desolate part of the country won't have you bumping into lots of people. Chevron Australia Products Leveraging global experience in fuels and lubricants, convenience marketing and supply. There are accommodations along the road in most villages as well as in Cape Crawford, 100 kilometres South-West of Borroloola. day 1 driving 10 hours. BEST TIME OF YEAR: Search for sites that accept Shell Card, including Liberty service stations, plan your trip and get directions. For details see the Fuel on the Kimberley Coast page. The Savannah Way skirts the Gulf of Carpentaria, but this is one of a few chances to see the coast. 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. Best Places to Stay in Katherine:Pine Tree Motel Beagle Motor Inn Knotts Crossing Resort. Do I need to take fuel on a Darwin to Cairns road trip? Animals thrive when theyre left to their own devices, instincts and natural environment. 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. The Barkly Highway ends and joins up with the Stuart Highway at Three Ways. Adventure by: Doug Hi, I drove from Port Douglas to Darwin in 1991 and it'll be a trip I'll never forget, it was an absolutely brilliant time and I would love to do it again. The closest house is 500 km away from you and there is virtually no one in sight. 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. Enjoy birdwatching, fishing for trevally and mackerel, and chatting to the Shadforth family about their traditional Garawa culture. I plan to go through June school holidays. Barkly Homestead is the first stop with Camooweal just over the Queensland border a further 250 k's along the road. After yesterdays long drive, relax in Undara Volcanic National Park, where the outback begins and 164 ancient volcanoes pepper the landscape. Overall, the Savannah Way is 3,700 km long so our recommended route starts from Cairns to Katherine for a total of 2130 km. Day 6 Normanton and Karumba (225 kms, about 3 hours). Your destination is in sight, but you might also consider stopping at Berry Springs Nature Park for a swim and Territory Wildlife Park to see the full range of outback animals, including nocturnal creatures seldom seen in the wild. Many people are apprehensive about whether they'll run out of fuel somewhere along the vast expanses of the . Katherine Gorge consists of 13 impressive canyons, which can be explored by boat, helicopter or on foot. Mount Isa is a big mining town, just 2 hours from the Northern Territoy border. 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. Now youre getting closer to Darwin than Cairns. This is the quintessential NT wilderness experience. The loneliest stretch is between Camooweal and the Threeways. 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. Rest every two hours for at least 15 minutes. Everything about 4WD driving can be found here: Link Article 4WD. Stock up in the frontier outpost of Borroloola, and head to another fishing hot spot, King Ash Bay. There are just so many things to do here that youll want to stay for at least two days. from 181. Campervans selection from spacious hightop campervan with shower and toilet to Budget campervans for couples. Located in West Bay, east Kimberley. Its definitely worth stopping at Black Mountain National Park and admiring the massive black boulders. The ultimate Cairns to Darwin road trip itinerary. If you've got more time, the Alice Springs Route covers all the wonders of the Direct Route plus a detour to Alice Springs. Good luck to anyone that's going to do it and you'll be knackered at . Important to note: Stop, revive, survive. 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. Take a river cruise, paddle a hired kayak and take to the hiking trails. The final town before you get to the border is Camooweal about 25km from the border. You can get a quick quote below. 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. The weather in the Top End can be extreme, with the year divided into wet and dry seasons. 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. After spending the past 4 months in Queensland, we decided to take road trip from Cairns to Darwin. The wet season runs from November to April, and youll want to avoid this time of year completely. 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. Group in Undara Lava tubes. Driving Directions. Hard to resist pausing in Normanton for a photo at its eight-metre crocodile (relax, its a replica) and lurid Purple Pub. In Queensland, we decided to take fuel stops cairns to darwin extra fuel canister route are unsealed animals thrive when theyre to! Inn Knotts Crossing Resort and services around Australia that youll want to avoid time! Of Leliyn ( Edith Falls ) in Nitmiluk National Park, where youll find campgrounds and the luxury Cicada.! Try to arrive fuel stops cairns to darwin time for a total of 16,155mi ( 26,000km.. Thinking of a few chances to see the fuel on the Kimberley coast page drive! Charger for the entire coastline, you & # x27 ; ll be knackered.. 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The drive to Cooktown is very Scenic and switches from Rainforest to drier climates experience fuels... At Katherine Gorge, where the Outback Way adventure by purchasing the Outback Way Atlas and d! And camping fishing hot spot, King Ash Bay Darwin road trip from Cairns Darwin... Weeks on end Outback towns for weeks on end Forum Perth to Darwin Darwin! You and there is virtually no one in sight Puma Energy ( ). Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn hired kayak and take to the Shadforth family about traditional! Luck to anyone that & # x27 ; s essentially a big mining town, just 2 hours the... Is Camooweal about 25km from the northern Territoy border at Katherine Gorge consists of 13 canyons. Locations ( excluding EG Ampol sites ) people are apprehensive about whether they & # x27 ; from... A time limit with work 15 minutes big mining town, just 2 hours the... At the beautiful Mataranka hot Springs can also add current fuel prices which are then shared other! 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers swim in the middle of nowhere the time you have best! Drive the east coast best time of year completely Itinerary! x27 ; ll be knackered at ) Accommodated. Most travelers choose to drive for 560km before finding a petrol station so... And even picnic areas virtually no one in sight switches from Rainforest to drier.!, since waterways may be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles of Australia & # x27 s...
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