Itineraries
Choose your adventure — from the full 3,700 km journey to shorter regional drives.
Drive the Savannah Way
The ultimate Australian road trip. Traverse three states and territories, from the tropical reefs of Cairns through the ancient landscapes of the Top End to the dramatic Kimberley coast. Experience 15+ national parks, four World Heritage areas, and over 20 unique outback towns.
Drive Tropical North Queensland
Spanning approximately 1,300 kilometres between Cairns and the edge of the Northern Territory, there are many ways Tropical North Queensland’s Savannah Way route can be customised to suit each individual or group’s time schedule and holiday goals.
Stop 1 — Cairns
Arrive and collect a hire car. Book the Cape Tribulation / Daintree Rainforest Tour. Take a hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the Atherton Tablelands. Enjoy an enriching Aboriginal cultural experience.
Stop 2 — Kuranda
Drive 25 km from Cairns
Visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld Kuranda, and Kuranda Koala Gardens. Take a scenic cruise with Kuranda Riverboat Cruises. Ride the Skyrail over the rainforest canopy, returning via the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Stop 3 — Mareeba, Atherton, Herberton & Yungaburra
Drive 68 km from Kuranda to Yungaburra
Explore the Atherton Tablelands waterfalls. Visit the Historic Village Herberton. Travel to Millaa Millaa Falls en route to Ravenshoe.
Stop 4 — Undara
Drive 190 km from Atherton
Explore the extensive lava tube formations on guided tours such as the Archway Explorer through Undara Experience.
Stop 5 — Cobbold Gorge
Drive 229 km from Undara via Mount Surprise and Georgetown
Visit Talaroo Hot Springs en route. Book a guided tour with Cobbold Gorge to explore the stunning sandstone formations.
Stop 6 — Croydon
Drive 232 km from Cobbold Gorge via Georgetown
Explore the True Blue Visitor Information Centre and historical sites. Take a Croydon Golden Sunset Tour on the iconic Gulflander Train.
Stop 7 — Karumba & Normanton
Drive 226 km from Croydon via Normanton
Enjoy the fishing opportunities and scenic sunsets over the Norman River. Visit The Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre.
Stop 8 — Burketown
Drive 281 km from Karumba
Join Yagurli Tours for an immersive cultural experience including fishing charters, sunset cruises, and stargazing.
Stop 9 — Doomadgee / Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park
Drive 93 km to Doomadgee, or 234 km to Boodjamulla NP
Explore the mesmerising gorge, canoe in emerald waters, and visit the Riversleigh World Heritage Site.
Drive the Top End
Spanning approximately 1,700 kilometres between the edge of Queensland and Kununurra in Western Australia, there are many ways the Northern Territory’s Top End section of the Savannah Way route can be customised.
Stop 1 — Seven Emu Station
Drive 392 km from Doomadgee
Experience Aboriginal culture, boating, fishing, camping and nature-viewing activities.
Stop 2 — Borroloola
Drive 98 km from Seven Emu Station
Admire artwork by Aboriginal artists at Waralungku Arts. Visit King Ash Bay for fishing.
Stop 3 — Cape Crawford
Travel 105 km from Borroloola
Explore the Caranbirini Conservation Reserve in Abner Ranges.
Stop 4 — Roper Bar & Limmen National Park
Drive 374 km from Cape Crawford via Limmen NP
View the striking sandstone formations of the Southern Lost City and/or Western Lost City.
Stop 5 — Mataranka
Drive 183 km from Roper Bar
Visit thermal pools and crystal-clear streams including Mataranka Thermal Pool and Bitter Springs. Visit the Elsey Homestead Replica and The Never Never Museum.
Stop 6 — Katherine
Drive 108 km from Mataranka
Explore Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), Cutta Cutta Caves, and Leliyn (Edith Falls). Take a cruise with Nitmiluk Tours. Book a show with Katherine Outback Experience.
Stop 7 — Judbarra/Gregory National Park & Timber Creek
Drive 285 km from Katherine
Experience spectacular views from Nackeroo Lookout and Policeman’s Point Lookout. Visit the historic Gregory’s Tree.
Stop 8 — Keep River National Park
Drive 114 km from Timber Creek
View rock art at Langgerrbi (Nigli Gap) and ancient Aboriginal paintings on the Jenemoon Walk.
Drive the Kimberley
Stretching 1,500 kilometres between Kununurra and Broome in the Kimberley, there are many ways Western Australia’s Savannah Way route can be customised.
Stop 1 — Kununurra & Lake Argyle
Drive 226 km from Timber Creek, NT
Explore Ord River, Kelly’s Knob, and/or Mirima National Park. Visit Lake Argyle (75 km, under an hour’s drive from Kununurra).
Stop 2 — Wyndham
Drive 106 km from Kununurra
Visit the Grotto, a natural pool perfect for swimming.
Stop 3 — Purnululu National Park
Drive 321 km to Purnululu NP
Arrive early to watch the sunset at Bungle Bungle massif. Note: The access road is for high clearance 4WD vehicles only.
Stop 4 — Halls Creek
Drive 148 km from Purnululu
Visit the China Wall and Caroline Pool.
Stop 5 — Fitzroy Crossing
Drive 290 km from Halls Creek
Explore Danggu Geikie Gorge.
Stop 6 — Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park
Drive 212 km from Fitzroy Crossing
Explore Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park en route. At Bandilngan, the 7km Gorge Walk hike explores the full length of the gorge.
Stop 7 — Derby
Drive 155 km from Bandilngan via Derby-Gibb River Road
Visit the Prison Boab Tree and Derby Jetty.
Stop 8 — Broome
Drive 203 km from Derby
Explore Chinatown, Cable Beach, and take a brewery tour at Matso’s Brewery.
Ready to Start Your Adventure?
Plan the road trip of a lifetime along Australia’s most iconic outback route.