This was our shortest day by far, just 315km/196mi. Get an early start, as the next leg is a long one. Good luck to you all. The distance from Melbourne to Darwin by car is 3,740km. AmpolCash digital can only be redeemed at ~1,200 participating Ampol locations (excluding EG Ampol sites). The road can be slow depending on how Take care of our native animals Dont feed any animals in the wild and dont attempt to touch them either. The outback scenery of Nitmiluk (Katherine) gorge. The train journey starts from the town of Cairns and goes through the village of Kuranda and further on through the Savannah country. However, the roads are not sealed completely so unless your caravan is a 4WD and in top condition, you will face problems on these roads. PO Box 5244, Cairns, QLD 4870 / 24 Hour FREECALL 1800 645 832 / Ph (07) 4035 5888 / Fax (07) 4035 6777. After that, you can pop into the Purple Pub, a classic Outback tavern, before checking out the giant Salmon statue which is also in the town. Known as 'Australia's Longest Shortcut', the route runs from Perth, Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland. Required fields are marked *. #1 Good Camera Chances are you will be snapping pictures pretty much non-stop in Australia, so you really need a good camera to do its beauty justice. Spend the night in Atherton, before preparing yourself to travel inland. From Georgetown, carry along Highway 1 for another 300 kilometers until you reach Normanton, the last stop on the sealed northern road before it turns to gravel. But please check with the Alice Springs Vistors Information Centre or the Darwin Visitors Information Centre before leaving town on this route. Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. For travel insurance we recommend SafetyWing. Some interesting little stops every 50-100kms. All station information is added and edit by users like yourself. Early morning is perfect for admiring the abundant birdlife. Rest every two hours for at least 15 minutes. Great, thanks for all the adive on this site! Lake Mary Ann make sure for a nice spot to cool of fresh just a couple of minutes from town. Although the road is sealed all the way to Croydon, between Mount Surprise to Croydon, there are several sections that are single lane sealed highway, so if you have oncoming traffic (very quiet stretch of road anyway) you will need to pull off onto the gravel shoulders. Never stay at Three Ways. All Rights Reserved. With the state of travel around the world, it looks like travelling within our own backyard will become more and more popular. Go for a refreshing swim at Edith Falls. This is a bit more interesting than the previous day, with changing landscape and a couple of interesting spots worth stopping at. Contact one of our regional offices or depots, or find the depot closest to you on the map and arrange a bulk fuel delivery. Usually this would not be the case. Its super lightweight, compact, and the image quality is amazing. Turn right and aim to stay at The Daly Waters Pub, which has motel, cabins, budget rooms and camping. 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. Sailing at night time can be risky, as the huge mammals sleep on the surface, completely oblivious to cruising vessels. Google traffic. Cairns is home to many of the natural wonders found in Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef. The city of Rockhampton in Central Queensland is one of the oldest cities in Queensland and in Northern Australia, formed during the gold rush, making it an interesting place to stop on the road trip. Check out my favorite travel credit card for free luxury travel, Savannah Way Itinerary - from Cairns to Katherine, A Sightseeing Day Trip to Ayia Napa and Famagusta, From Larnaca to Paphos in the footsteps of Aphrodite, Experience the world's most unique hotel made of ice - ICEHOTEL Jukkasjrvi. Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders's past, present and emerging. Due to the size, a road trip across Western Australia can include long stretches of driving. Laverton to Uluru. Youre now on Route 1 (National Highway) all the way to Darwin. Discover this amazing sandstone gorge on an ecocruise on a family cattle station. This quirky Outback pub has cold drinks and roadhouse food, and for years, travelers passing through have been leaving behind mementoes from their journeys, filling the establishment with a ramshackle collection of bizarre souvenirs from across the world. The final town before you get to the border is Camooweal about 25km from the border. When you come to Croydon you will feel part of the outback and its relaxing lifestyle. 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. Yes. I have placed a previous post here requesting if anyone can offer a lift Mt Isa to Darwin. Day 1 Cairns to Yungaburra (68kms, about 1 hour). Leichhardt Falls are 70 km south of Burketown. The Savannah Way is Australia's Adventure Drive and connects Cairns in the tropical North of Queensland with Broome in West Australia, across the countrys tropical Australian savanna and the upper end of the Northern Territory. Fuel Map also shows real-time fuel prices for WA, NSW, and QLD sourced from . But what it lacks in terms of human population, this part of Australia more . You are a gem Birgit, I love your site and am so grateful for all the energy you (and others) put into it. Travelling from South Australia. Hailed as Australia's wildest road trip, the journey from tropical Darwin to coastal Broome will also take you along a stretch of the Savannah Way, through a contrast of palm-fringed gorges and vast grasslands, towards pristine beaches and surreal sunsets. 1:13 pm Mudgee. 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. 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. 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 . Sealed roads from Borroloola onwards. Dont swim without authoritative local advice, since waterways may be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles. 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. They can be reached either on foot or by helicopter. This is another long stretch of around 638km/396mi. Estimated Travel Period: 17 Days including Kakadu National Park. There is also the 8-day personalised car driving tour as a fully accommodated trip in a group of no more than six people. . Those seeking more unsealed adventure can travel to Lorella Springs for a night and Roper Bar to Mataranka (588km, about 9 hours). . Watch the scenery change from one day to the next as you leave Darwin and drive through . In Cooktown you can get both ocean sunrises and sunsets; not too many places where thats possible. Thanks so much, going to make the trip easy and will have a cold one for you. Day 10 4WD and Bush Camping (391 kms, about 6 hours). Rest areas are a place where you can stop and rest, making your journey safer and more enjoyable. Alternatively: around 10 days from Cairns to Katherine and from Katherine to Darwin via Kakadu.In total = 3,700 kmFrom Cairns to Katherine= 2,130 km.From Cairns to Darwin drive via Kakadu = 2,680 km. Our itinerary will take you along sealed roads only, making this a more accessible trip for those who dont have four by four access or arent ready to get really remote. Tue., 25 Apr. To help you to plan your Outback experience, heres our guide to road tripping from Cairns to Darwin! (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). About this app. Townsville was our favourite stop between Brisbane and Cairns. Enjoy birdwatching, fishing for trevally and mackerel, and chatting to the Shadforth family about their traditional Garawa culture. A kangaroo can suddenly come on the road from nowhere and cattle standing in the middle of the road can be poorly visible from the distance at night. Katherine Gorge consists of 13 impressive canyons, which can be explored by boat, helicopter or on foot. The Emerald Pool, Lorella Springs from above. 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. Stay safe on your road trip. Its definitely worth stopping at Black Mountain National Park and admiring the massive black boulders. 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. Now youre starting to get really remote, and the next real stop is almost 700 kilometers away across the border in The Northern Territory, at the small town of Tennant Creek. Join in and write your own page! 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. There are a couple towns to take breaks like Mount Surprise, Mount Garnet and Georgetown. BEST TIME OF YEAR: The Outback Way is one of Australia's great four wheel drive odysseys. These hot springs can also be visited in Katherine. Required fields are marked *. Its a beautiful drive from Cairns to Darwin by car and we are confident you will love it as much as we did. Group in Undara Lava tubes. heavy vehicle rest areasexclusively for heavy vehicles only. Fill-up your tank at every petrol station you find in the Outback. For the ultimate adventurous experience, we highly recommend that you drive through the Savannah Way by hiring a 4x4. Sections of the route are closed during the wet season (December to March) and access in April and May depends on the rain easing. Hi JGirl, Bin a while since I did those miles back in 1995. Road trip route from Brisbane to Darwin. With an average flight time of 2h 30min from Cairns to Darwin, you'll be exploring the city in no time. First, pass through Mutton Hole Wetlands north of Normanton for stunning birdlife, including brolgas and black swans. The closest house is 500 km away from you and there is virtually no one in sight. You need four-wheel drive to complete this journey. Just beware of the saltwater crocodiles and do not get too close to the water. This is really just a refreshment stop, as Daly Waters is famous for its roadhouse, the Daly Waters Pub. Thanks! This is why most travelers choose to drive the east coast. Really appreciate any advice including rest/fuel stops. Daily Waters to Katherine. Welcome to the Northern Territory! The adventure doesnt end here. Then you hit the Stuart Highway that runs from Darwin to Adelaide. 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. Pick up camper van from Mighty Campers Darwin - Left at 10:45 am. 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