The QLDers complain about the road but I have … The Gulf Development Road is a sealed road and links the Cairns and Normanton regions. There’s a lookout over an open cut, and historic displays at Miners Park and the Railway Station Museum. Drive • 5h 34m. Lawn Hill Gorge carves a vibrant ribbon of green through the surrounding plains, a rich emerald oasis surrounded by sandstone peaks and fringing rainforest. This is all that remains of a large gold-recovery plant that contracted to surrounding mines to crush their gold-bearing ore. Croydon retains a number of interesting relics of its distant boom times, including the Chinese Heritage Trail and the 1887 Club Hotel – the last of Croydon’s original 36 pubs. The Savannah Way is over 3,700kms long, and thus, could possibly be done in as little as 3 days. Using the mud map they’ve supplied, take the gravel road some 40km to O’Briens Creek fossicking area (check road conditions in wet weather). The magnificent Leaning Tree Lagoon and floodplain and wetland areas in Djukbinj National Park provide many bird-watching spots. Leaving Burketown you kiss the grasslands goodbye and say hello to the scrubby savannah woodland that keeps you company to beyond Wollogorang Station. jQuery(document).ready(function() { A guided tour is the only way you can explore this spectacular formation: daily tours, led by an extremely knowledgeable Savannah Guide, include both a walking component and a cruise through the gorge, where rugged sandstone walls soar up to 30m on either side. The Archway Explorer is a great introduction to the caves and, as it follows boardwalks, is suitable for all fitness levels. Visit the TerrEstrial centre to see the impressive Ted Elliott Mineral Collection more than 4,500 pieces and considered one of the largest private collections in Australia. Tonight, you’ll arrive in Karumba, a small town on the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria, where anglers from around Australia and the world come to fish for the barramundi. At the broad Leichhardt River Crossing there’s a seasonal waterfall just down the causeway, and thoughts of a swim in the plunge pool are tempting – until you see the crocodile warning signs! Get a photo with Krys the Savannah King. The Gulf Savannah Way stretches for 3,700 km and is considered to be one of the top 10 Great Australian Drives, linking Cairns in Tropical North Queensland to Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. This refers to a spectacular cloud that often appears in early morning over the Gulf Country in September and October. The old Bullita Homestead today houses interpretive displays on the district’s rich pastoral heritage. So fasten your seatbelt, shuffle your favourite playlist and settle back as you journey through Tropical North Queensland. Also of interest is the museum, which houses displays that tell fascinating tales of yesteryear. Image: Lost City formations in the small Caranbirini Conservation Reserve. Yagurli Tours offers an Indigenous perspective on Burketown. Stay The best way to fully appreciate the spectacular mountain ranges is on a boat cruise or scenic flight. The little township of Mataranka is mainly known as the jumping-off point for visits to the Thermal Pool in nearby Elsey National Park. Our latest street & off-road GPS navigation system to help you explore Australia with confidence. Drive 60 minutes south-east to Normanton, an inland river port that is home to the legendary Gulflander train driven by a local Savannah Guide. Burketown is an isolated outback town and coastal locality in the Shire of Burke, Queensland, Australia. The Savannah Way, which links Cairns and Broome by way of 3,700km of sealed and unsealed roads, is broadly regarded as Australia’s greatest adventure drive. There are a number of attractions off the unsealed Duncan Road, including China Wall, Caroline Pool, Old Halls Creek, Palm Creek and Saw Tooth Gorge. Image: Emerald waters and red cliffs in Lawn Hill Gorge, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. The park includes a number of estuary and river fishing locations including Port Roper, Maria Lagoon, Limmen River Fishing Camp and Rosie Creek Fishing Camp. Don’t miss two spectacular waterfalls: Millstream Falls, reputedly the widest single-drop waterfall in the country, and Tully Falls where, during the wet season, water cascades almost 300m down sheer rock into the Tully River. Another good thing to do in Croydon is visit Lake Belmore to try your luck fishing or just relax with a picnic and swim. Images: Broad and open campsite on the Gregory River; Kicking up some dust on Gregory Downs Camooweal Road. Continuing on another 60km or so the road crosses the broad rocky bed of the Nicholson River, with the large Aboriginal community of Doomadgee on its far bank. These large, tunnel-like structures – by far the world’s largest of their type – can only be visited on guided tours. You can also visit a large thermal pool situated in an impressive gorge. Fascinating Aboriginal rock art can be seen at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock. About 28km from Ravenshoe, the tiny hamlet of Innot Hot Springs is known for the therapeutic qualities of its thermal pools. The northern section has two major walks, the Mini Palms and Echidna Chasm tracks. The High Country is one of Victoria’s most popular & toughest off-road destinations. Crossing the base of Cape York Peninsula the Savannah Way joins several small towns – most of which were born of late 19th century gold rushes. At Leilyn a series of waterfalls plunge into a large pool which is popular for swimming. This huge boab is close to the junction of the East Baines River and Spring Creek, so it was obviously a regular droving campsite: hence the unofficial title. 102km via mix of sealed and unsealed road. After Mount Garnet the highway becomes the Gulf Developmental Road. Active travellers can explore the gorge under their own steam on a stand-up paddleboard. A significant portion of the Mary River floodplain is protected in Mary River National Park, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, photography, fishing and bushwalking. Road from roper to Borroloola was a 6/10 and Borroloola to Normanton a 7/10. Cast your line for barramundi and spot native birds in Normanton, which sits on a high, sandy ridge, overlooking grasslands to the west and wetlands to the north. Promoted as a self-drive tourist route, it joins Cairns, Normanton, Borroloola, Katherine, Kununurra, Fitzroy … It’s only a short drive so you can focus on the most exciting part of the day – fossicking for semi-precious gemstones. We had enjoyed our time in Karumba, but it was time to move on. Normanton is an attractive, strung-out place beside the Norman River and near the junction of the main roads from Cairns to Cloncurry. Pass through Ravenshoe, a historic timber town that’s also the highest locale in the state (920m above sea level), and home to Queensland’s highest pub. Cobbold Village, home to an infinity pool with a swim-up bar (you’ll appreciate it after an active day at the gorge), has motel-style rooms and self-contained cabins, as well as a camping/caravanning area. A few kilometres west of the Victoria River Roadhouse, the Old Victoria River Crossing and the Victoria River Gorge can be accessed and walks are provided. Image: Camping off Wollogorang Road near the Northern Territory/Queensland border. Saturday, 11 July 2015: From Normanton to Burketown. It is located 898 km west of Cairns on the Albert River and Savannah Way in the area known as the Gulf Savannah. We’re also rather partial to seriously Big Trees in these parts. Notes: Gulflander train runs once per week Normanton to Croydon on Wednesdays and returns to Normanton on Thursdays. Listed as a World Heritage Area for both its natural and cultural features, Kakadu National Park includes vast coastal floodplains, the rugged Arnhem Land escarpment, abundant wildlife and Australia’s most outstanding concentration of Aboriginal art. The Savannah Way is a route of highways and major roads across the tropical savannahs of northern Australia, linking Cairns in Queensland with Broome in Western Australia. TTNQ acknowledges the custodianship of the Great Barrier Reef & Wet Tropics by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations. Savannah Way Normanton to Burketown = 230km. There’s a restaurant onsite, a nice deck to enjoy a sundowner and the spring-fed Lawn Hill Creek, ideal for swimming and canoeing. About 34km west from Burketown, the Gregory River crossing is one of the track’s gems. Along the last section of the highway in to Broome, fuel is available at the Willare Bridge and Roebuck Plains roadhouses. Other features include Butterfly Springs, where a short walk leads to a plunge pool, and the Southern Lost City. Savannah Lodge provides airport pick-up, WiFi, fax, photocopier and laundry facilities. Empower your adventurous side with practical information from off the beaten track, Discover somewhere new to explore with comprehensive off-road trip guides, Find information and insights on all things camping, touring and off-road. The Savannah Way’s Top End location, regular access to facilities and plethora of natural highlights results in a sublime journey for tourers and grey nomads, while its tangible connections to Cape York, the Red Centre and the Kimberley make it a perfect launching pad for other adventures. (A driving tip for those using Google Maps: ignore its advice to go via Conjuboy and instead head back to Highway 1 from Undara.). In the Katherine Gorge section of the park highlights include well-preserved Aboriginal rock art sites and thirteen spectacular gorges. The area is a sacred place to the Indigenous Waanyi people, who believe the Rainbow Serpent (Boodjamulla) formed the gorge. Visitors get a fascinating insight into the region’s animal and bird life at Window on the Wetlands and Fogg Dam is renowned for its wide variety of waterbirds too. Find out more for your Savannah Way adventure. The access track is restricted to high-clearance 4WD vehicles so scenic flights are a popular option. Both walks are best early in the morning. Pack up all your shiny finds and get back on the Savannah Way bound for Georgetown. Kununurra was built beside the Ord River and Lake Kununurra, a man-made dam. Just off the highway, between Wyndham and Kununurra, The Grotto is a popular swimming hole with a seasonal waterfall. Visitors may also see brown tree snakes, ghost bats and orange horseshoe bats. Upon arrival, get out, stretch your legs and grab a coffee from a local cafe – we recommend Gallery 5! Spend the night here at the Gregory Downs Hotel, originally a stop on the stagecoach run to Burketown, where publican Jo will make you feel especially welcome. Croydon's historic precinct is a snapshot of life in the 1800s and where you can board the Gulflander Train to Normanton's Victorian railway station. But there are still a couple of points of interest on the way from Normanton to Burketown. The town is the administrative centre of the vast Burke Shire Council The first is Burke and Wills Camp 119, which is reputed to be their most northerly camp on their trek. The park features rugged escarpments and sheer sandstone walls up to 60m high. This popular free campsite is worth a whistle-stop, especially when the pretty Leichhardt Falls are running. The road from Cape Crawford up to Roper Bar is dirt all the way and crosses hundreds of kilometres of often-rough floodplain country through Limmen National Park. No drive along the Great Northern Highway could be complete without a visit to Purnululu National Park. From the wharf you can take many tours, including cruises of King Sound. While much of the road is unsealed, and there are some watercourses to ford along the way, it’s eminently achievable. From Roper Bar simply follow the sealed Roper Highway to Mataranka. Image: The Prison Boab Tree near Derby in the Kimberley region. Sealed roads and towns in relatively close proximity make this a comfortable route for all vehicles. On the way to your final destination, Undara, you’ll pass through Forty Mile Scrub National Park. Normanton to Burketown. For more information, or to make a booking, contact Savannah Lodge today by phone (07) 4745 5177 or email savair@bigpond.com We look forward to welcoming you to our tropical oasis, in the heart of Burketown. The Savannah Way is an epic, two-state, one-territory, 3,700km journey across the top of Australia. The Savannah Way through the Gulf of Carpentaria started for us at Borroloola, NT, and took us via Hell’s Gate, Burketown, Normanton, Karumba and … Mount Surprise is a tiny historic railway town that sits on the edge of a giant lava flow. The Victoria River Roadhouse and Timber Creek township provide welcome stopping places on the Victoria Highway. Leichhardt himself crossed the river hereabouts on 10 August 1845. At almost 9 metres (29.5 feet), it’s a … From cosy rainforest retreats to once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef reef events, epic waterfalls to spectacular outback scenery, this is why you should put the green light on your summer holiday. Just 3km along the Victoria Highway you’ll find natural hot springs on the banks of the Katherine River. The south appears to be one huge ‘lost city’ of sandstone domes and three walks commence at the parking area: Dome, Cathedral Gorge and Piccaninny Creek. The route traverses some of Australia’s most … Visit the True Blue Visitor Information Centre‘s outdoor heritage displays, vintage vehicles, a Miner’s Hut and a lovely garden with some unusual sculptures and unique seating. About 227 km, so roughly 3:15 hours driving. In the 1800s the Buchanan stockmen travelled west through Hells Gate and Echo Gorge to establish the first cattle stations in the Northern Territory. You’re in for quite an adventure. '//pixel.roymorgan.com/stats_v2/Tress.php?u=5tqi9smhs3&ca=20004893&a=daw1nwh3&cb=' + cachebuster; The Savannah Way is a themed adventure drive from Cairns to Broome through Katherine. Burketown to Leichhardt River via Gregory and Nardoo (Wills Developmental Road) – approx. Driving the Savannah Way – Australia’s longest and arguably most interesting drive route – is an adventure within anyone’s reach. The Gulf Savannah. The actual Hells Gate is a pass through some low, lumpy hills about 1km back down the road. Those wanting a more physical challenge – think uneven surfaces, clambering over rocks – should consider the Active Explorer tour (April to September only). Pine Creek is the Top End’s only surviving gold town. © 2021 Tourism Tropical North Queensland - Is a not for profit organisation and the official Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) of Cairns and Great Barrier Reef, extending from Cardwell to the tip of the Torres Strait Islands and out to the Northern Territory border. Beyond Wollogorang Station are some sizeable hills – a rarity in this area. Or take it all in from above with a scenic helicopter flight. The “nowhere to nowhere” journey – the line was never connected to the state network – travels for just 94 miles one-way … and yes, miles … it’s the only piece of track in the state still not measured in kilometres. Today, you’re staying out of the car and heading underground. You can plan this journey, but you can never predict the stories you’ll collect, the expansive landscapes you’ll witness, or the roads you’ll navigate. In the 2016 census, Burketown had a population of 238 people. We pride ourselves on providing both Diesel, Unleaded and Avgas to travellers and locals that are passing Hell’s Gate Roadhouse . Discover a natural gem in the Gulf Savannah of Tropical North Queensland – and enjoy the best breakfast you’ve ever eaten, too! As well as the famous springs, the park includes the upper reaches of the Roper River that are ideal for swimming, canoeing and fishing. During the Wet season, a 210m cascade of water plunges down sandstone walls into the pool below Jim Jim Falls – a spectacular sight from a scenic flight. From Georgetown, head west again then take a small detour off the main route to head to the geological wonder that is Cobbold Gorge, Queensland’s “youngest” gorge, at about 10,000 years old. Use this master camping checklist to ensure that you don’t forget anything. The remote Savannahland outpost of Burketown is made up of little more than a pub, a school, a couple of shops and the council office, but it’s famous for two things – as the “Barramundi Fishing Capital of the World” (the barramundi pie from the bakery is legendary) and the site of a spectacular annual cloud formation known as the Morning Glory (September to November). The area is known for its topaz, aquamarine and gems from the quartz family, which can be found, if you’re luck is running, in the sand and gravel of the dry creek beds. Nothing beats a good old-fashioned road trip. We had around 1 850 kilometres to cover, so we allocated 3 days to make the journey. When Travelling along the Savannah Way, there can be long distances between Fuel Services. During the Dry season the river bank at King Ash Bay is sheer chaos as thousands of anglers come from far and wide to try their luck. The 6km-long Georgetown River Walk – which follows both the Etheridge River and Sandy Creek – offers more insight to the township and its history. There is 1 way to get from Normanton to Burketown by car. From Katherine it is worth taking a detour off the Savannah Way northwest through Pine Creek to Kakadu National Park. Myriad tours operate too, including 4WD adventures, fishing and dive charters, pearl farm tours, scenic flights and cruises. Visit the site of Burke and Wills' camp of 1861 on the way to Burketown where the cemetery - thought to be Australia's largest mass grave - reveals how "Gulf Fever" killed much of the population. In 1992 the park was extended to include the Riversleigh World Heritage Site where fossils can be easily inspected by strolling along a self-guided interpretive trail. The Undara Volcanic National Park is home to one of the world’s longest flows of lava originating from a single volcano, dating back some 190,000 years. Access to the lava tubes are by guided tour only with multiple tours daily which must be booked. The little township of Fitzroy Crossing offers a wide range of facilities for travellers. Knotts Crossing, 5km east of Katherine via the Gorge Road, was the site of the first Overland Telegraph station in the area. Head out on the Gregory-Lawn Hill Road to Adels Grove, the launching point for Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, one of Queensland’s most beautiful reserves. The range includes thousands of sandstone ‘beehive’ towers that make up one of Australia’s most distinctive landscapes. The recently restored railway carriages have been voted the most unique accommodation in Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards and are set along an original teamsters trail. Begin your Savannah Way road trip by heading west from Cairns; make your way up Kuranda range to the tropical Atherton Tablelands. The pool is naturally heated to a pleasant 34 degrees Celsius – just right for soothing away the aches and pains brought on by the long drive. Spend the night in a turn-of-the-century Queensland Rail carriage at Undara Experience, gateway to the Undara Lava Tubes in in the Undara Volcanic National Park. A recreational fishing base, Roper Bar is situated on the pandanus-fringed Roper River, renowned for its plentiful stocks of barramundi and saratoga. Broome is known as the southern gateway to the Kimberley region and it is famous world-wide for Cable Beach. There’s plenty of history in Broome, and Chinatown is a great place to start exploring. While the road is fully sealed, it is often closed by flooded streams during the Wet. Make the most of it, and give yourself a couple of weeks to absorb the interesting towns and spectacular attractions along the way. Recommended option. Borroloola is best known for barra fishing, with the nearby McArthur River being a Territory icon in this respect. It is an ideal base for excursions to the Buccaneer Archipelago and Horizontal Waterfall. All roads in the park are subject to closure during the Wet, and can be badly corrugated in the Dry. Discover them all on a self-guided walk. Travelling westward and parallel to the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria in this spectacular savannah country, we cross numerous rivers including the Leichardt River, named after Ludwig Leichardt who walked this country in 1845. script.src = Anthills and corrugations. This is the place to swim under a waterfall and sample fresh produce from a farmers’ market. These mainly seasonal marshes are on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway of migratory shore birds, and form one of the three most important feeding area for these birds. Whether it’s a leisurely Sunday drive or an extended journey, hitting the road offers unbridled freedom. Now kiss the coast goodbye and take the climb up into the cool of the Atherton Tablelands. About 26km west of Burketown you should make time for a detour down to Gregory Downs and out to Adel’s Grove for a visit to Boodjamulla National Park. The waters around Barranyi (North Island) National Park are excellent for fishing too. Here’s fourteen fun ways to get your foodie fix on the Atherton Tablelands. Walk through ancient geological formations, have a yarn with the locals in tiny country pubs and catch barramundi in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Situated at the junction of the Stuart and Victoria highways, Katherine is the hub of the Top End. Camp 119 on the Normanton Burketown Road. The town is named after one half of Australia’s most famous pair of explorers, Burke and Wills, who passed through here in 1861. The scenery is at its best in early morning when high, sunlit cliffs are reflected in the still water. A highlight along this stretch is the opportunity to explore Australia’s fascinating geological past at the Undara lava tubes. Another 29km beings you to the turn-off to Kingfisher Camp on Bowthorn Station. Comprising rainforest and wetlands, this landscape is home to birds and wildlife including unique marsupials like tree kangaroos. 174 km via sealed road: Burketown to Doomadgee Shire Border (Savannah Way) – approx. Sunday, 12 July 2015: From Burketown to Adel's Grove. Within the town itself there is plenty to see too, like the botanic gardens, Joonjoo Botanical Trail, the School of the Air and Wharfingers House. Find the answers you need and get technical support for your Hema digital product, Register your Hema Navigator for warranty purposes and to get technical support, Discover where the best 4WD tracks in Australia are for you to explore, Read travel stories written by adventure experts from all over the world, Find out what’s happening at Hema and in the adventure travel community. STAY The Savannah Way is an epic, two-state, one-territory, 3,700km journey across the top of Australia. Many visitors to Normanton are just passing through on their way to Karumba, 71km away at the Norman River mouth. Although small, the reserve includes a number of dramatic ‘Lost City’ formations as well as a seasonal waterhole. There is a range of walks too, from short walks to the five-day hike from Katherine to Edith Falls. }); Explore the iconic and lesser-known sites of The Savannah Way. About 156 km, so roughly 3:45 hours driving. The turnoff to the park is east of the NT/WA border. Cairns to Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. The town was established when gold was found around the Etheridge River in 1869, and is full of charming heritage buildings and surrounded by spectacular outback scenery. Beyond the hills the vegetation takes on more of a tropical appearance – tall cycads are an unusual feature near the Foelsche and Wearyan crossings. Karumba is the major port for the Gulf’s commercial barramundi and prawn fisheries and things go a little crazy in the Dry as hordes of anglers descend on the town in the hope of landing ‘The Big One’. You can explore this amazing landscape at close quarters by taking the Gurrandalng Walk (2km circuit) from the Gurrandalng Campground, and the Jarnem Walks from the Jarnem Campground. var cachebuster = Date.now(); Burketown to Borroloola Dust, Dust, Bull Dust, Rocks and Corrugations, Dust then more Dust well that was just getting to the Northern Territory border then things just got a whole lot worse.
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