The Savannah Way from Broome to Katherine

The Savannah Way is Australia's Adventure Drive, linking Cairns in Tropical North Queensland with the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley, via the natural wonders of Australia’s tropical savannahs and the Northern Territory’s Top End.

The 3700 kilometre route links 15 National Parks and five World Heritage areas. You can explore just a section or cross the continent enjoying its wide horizons, ancient gorges and abundant wildlife, connecting with Aboriginal and pioneer heritage in today’s friendly outback.

This website can help you plan your journey on the Savannah Way with maps, safety information and much more. You can also find out about Savannah Way Limited, the non-profit organization promoting the drive route for the benefit of local communities, and some of the great events coming to the region.

Broome to Katherine

The Kimberley is renowned for its grand views, great gorge swimming and Aboriginal art on the rocks and in emerging galleries. It’s a series of fantastic experiences with regular facilities and a range of driving conditions.

The Gibb River Road provides and unsealed route, with remote cattle stations and connections to the coast. The sealed highway alternative takes in the amazing Purnululu National Park, Fitzroy Crossing and more. Many drivers plan a combination of these two to cover as many highlights as possible.

Kununurra is a hub, especially including the nearby El Questro and Home Valley, and the attractions around Victoria River and Timber Creek are increasingly accessible. So explore! Choose your self-drive or touring adventure from the many options here, visit the local experts at the main towns’ Visitor Centres and enjoy one of northern Australia’s great regions - you’ll never forget it!

Savannah Way text courtesy of http://savannahway.com.au/broome-katherine.html

Places to visit:

Broome Western Australia
The pearling history and indigenous culture of Broome are present in its art, food and people, making this outpost a favourite with many travellers. This is also a town managing regional growth from mining and gas resources, so you’ll find modern amenities and creature comforts. Cable Beach is a stunning setting, side trips to the Dampier Peninsula are very worthwhile and spectacular coastal cruises depart from here. View the world’s largest population of Humpback Whales or the renowned shore birds in their migratory cycles. Try to catch the horse racing or Shinju Matsuri (Festival of the Pearl) for some local fun. Broome can be your start or finish to the Savannah Way, or a base to explore from if you fly in and out. Either way allow a few days here.

Broome Visitor Centre
The Broome Visitor Centre is a not-for-profit, non government funded organisation. We offer a free booking service for local tours, accommodation, vehicle hire, and also support and promote local businesses.

• Willie Creek Pearl Farm Phone: 08 9192 0000
• Broome Bird Observatory Phone: 08 9193 5600
• Vacation Village Caravan Park Phone: 08 9192 1057
• Cable Beach Caravan Park Phone: 1800 551 196
• Roebuck Bay Caravan Park Phone: 08 9192 1366

This iconic unsealed route includes many of The Kimberley’s natural highlights and frontier experiences. Plan your accommodation and fuel stops as there are long remote sections and drive carefully. Note that the track to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek allows you to mix some Gibb River Road experiences with those on the highway if time is limited. The story of Jandamarra, the Aboriginal outlaw, is a poignant piece of local history.

• Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre Phone: 08 9191 1008
• Birdwood Downs Station Phone: 08 9191 1275
• Windjana Gorge National Park
• Tunnel Creek National Park

The gorges of the Gibb River Road provide idyllic swimming and walking opportunities. Allow yourself some time to relax at your own selection and meet some locals at the variety of camping and accommodation along the route.

• King Leopold National Park
• Bell Gorge and Silent Grove
• Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge Phone: 08 91914645
• Imintji Store Phone: 08 9191 7471
• Imintji Wilderness Camp Phone: 1800 889 389
• Mornington Wilderness Camp Phone: 08 9191 7406
• Beverley Springs Phone: 08 9191 4646
• Galvans Gorge
• Mount Barnett Roadhouse Phone: 08 9191 7007
• Manning Gorge
• Mount Elizabeth Station Phone: 08 9191 4644

The Kalumburu Road Western Australia
The Kalumburu Road leads to the spectacular Mitchell Falls as well as Kalumburu community. There are some serious 4WD sections in this road so check with locals before proceeding. There is good camping at Mitchell Plateau, Miners Pool and the King Edward River and tented accommodation at Kimberley coastal Camp (Phone 08 9161 4410), plus at Mitchell Plateau and Marunbabidi (Phone 1800 889 389). Drysdale River Station (Phone 08 9161 4326) has scenic flights over the coast and Mitchell Falls.

• Home Valley Station Phone: 08 9161 4233
• El Questro Wilderness Park Phone: 08 9169 1777

Home Valley and El Questro are accessible on good quality unsealed road from the eastern end (Kununurra) if you are not driving the entire Gibb River Road.

Wyndham Western Australia
A port for cattle, agriculture and mining with good bird sightings at Parry Lagoon

• Gulf Breeze Guesthouse Phone: 08 9161 1401
• Wyndham Caravan Park Phone: 08 9161 1064
• Parry Creek Farm Phone: 08 9161 1139

You’ll see some expansive landscapes and stop at a range of fascinating cultural sites and activities on this route.

Camballin
Aboriginal community owned camping and accommodation with fishing.

• Campers Base Phone: 08 9191 7752

Fitzroy Crossing
A regional centre on the banks of Australia’s largest River, the Fitzroy, in the heart of Australia’s best pastoral country. The town has a growing art network and nearby several attractions including Geikie Gorge which has national Park and local Aboriginal operated cruises that are booked through the Visitors Centre.

• Geikie Gorge National Park Bungoolee Tours Phone: 08 9191 5355
• Fitzroy River Lodge Phone: 08 9191 5141
• The Crossing Inn Phone: 08 9191 5080
• Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre

Halls Creek
A blossoming service centre and the site of a nineteenth century gold rush. Base yourself here to see some spectacular nearby sites such as Wolfe Creek Crater, the world’s second largest meteorite crater almost a kilometre wide, the China Wall, a quartz vein breaking through the ground, and four nearby Aboriginal community Artists’ Centres. Gold rush relics and swimming holes make for some fun and scenic local touring. Interesting Town Walk takes around 40 minutes using the brochure from the Visitor Information Centre.

Halls Creek Shire - The Heart Of The Kimberley Covering some 142,908 sq km, Halls Creek Shire is the geographic and cultural heart of the Kimberley region, home of the World Heritage listed Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park and Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater, and a treasure trove of Aboriginal culture and art with more successful art centres than any other Australian shire.

• Kimberley Hotel Phone: 1800 355 228
• Best Western Halls Creek Phone: 08 9168 6001
• Halls Creek Caravan Park Phone: 08 9168 6169
• Halls Creek Visitor

Warmun (Turkey Creek)
The closest facilities to the Purnululu National Park turnoff has camping and accommodation at the roadhouse and the Warmun Art Centre has works by local artists.

• Warmun Roadhouse Phone: 08 9168 7882
• Warmun Art Centre Phone: 08 9168 7496

Purnululu National Park
The Bungle Bungles are one of the Savannah Way’s most recognisable icons - stunning beehive domes of weathered sandstone that are spectacular on a walk or from the air (flights from Kununurra or Warmun or Purnululu National Park campsites). The access road is for high clearance 4WD vehicles only and is not suitable for caravans.

• Purnululu National Park
• Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge Phone: 1800 889 389

Kununurra
On the shores of the massive man-made Lake Argyle this agricultural centre has diverse accommodation and activities for the visitor. Cruise, canoe or fish the lake, abseil or bushwalk, take a scenic flight over the local area or bungle

• Mackas Barra Camp Phone: 08 9169 1759
• Alligator Airways Phone: 1800 632 533
• Slingair Heliwork Phone: 1800 095 500
• The Kimberley Grande Phone: 08 9166 5600
• Kununurra Country Club Resort Phone: 1800 808 999
• Lakeview Apartments Phone: 08 9168 0000
• Kimberley Croc YHA Phone: 08 9168 2702
• Ivanhoe Village Caravan Park Phone: 08 9169 1995
• Lakeside Resort Phone: 1800 786 692
• Kununurra Town Caravan Park Phone: 1800 500 830
• Kununurra Visitor Centre

Zebra Rock Gallery, Packsaddle Rd, Kununurra
Located in a lovely garden setting on the upper Ord, this is a must-see attraction. Here artists fashion items from the 600 million year old Zebra Rock unique to the region. Fish feeding by the river, mango smoothies and refreshments available. Visit www.zebrarock.biz for more information.

Western Australia / Northern Territory Border
It’s important to know the quarantine rules in advance to save over-shopping or unpacking the whole vehicle!

• Heading into WA you cannot bring fresh fruit or vegetables (or some dried / frozen), plants, flowers, seeds, walnuts, honey, any soil, animal skins or wool. Many animals and birds require permits. The Inspection Station at the border will confiscate any prohibited items. For more information contact Quarantine WA on 08 9334 1800.
• Heading into the NT there are no restrictions.

Keep River National Park
Keep River National Park information http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/keepriver.html Located 468 km west of Katherine along the Northern Territory/Western Australia border, Keep River National Park is noted for its striking landforms.The Park entrance is 3 km east of the NT/WA border. Formed gravel roads suitable for 2WD vehicles lead to the main attractions. During the wet season roads may be closed due to flooding. All vehicles are restricted to formed roads only. The most comfortable months to visit the Park are from May through to the end of August, when temperatures range from 35 degrees celcius max down to 10 degrees celcius min.

• Bullo River Station Phone: 08 8354 2719

Timber Creek
Stop here for barramundi fishing including boat hire and some rewarding bird watching.
• Houseboat Hire and Fishing tours Phone: 0428 588 960
• Gunamu Tourist Park Phone: 08 8975 0722

Gregory National Park
Enjoy scenic gorges and ranges and good camping here. See Gregory National Park Information at http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/gregory.html.

Gregory National Park covers an area of around 13,000 square km in the transition zone between tropical and semi-arid regions of the Northern Territory. The Park features spectacular range and gorge scenery and significant traces of Aboriginal culture, European exploration and pastoral history. The Park may be reached via the Victoria Highway from either Katherine, Kununurra or the unsealed Buntine Highway. Gregory National Park can also be reached via the unsealed Buchanan Highway as well.

Buchanan Highway
A cattle droving track from near Timber Creek to near Daly Waters offering a short cut or alternative unsealed road experience.

Plan your fuel and water stops on this remote route.

• Victoria River Downs Homestead Phone: 08 8975 0853
• Top Springs Roadhouse Phone: 08 8975 0767

4WD Offroad Access To The Duncan and Buchanan Highways:
The Buchanan Highway commences in Dunmarra in the Northern Territory Australia and travels west and then continues north west until it joins up at the Victoria Highway around east of Timber Creek.

The Duncan Highway commences east from Halls Creek along to the Buntine Highway junction and then up north to Kununurra.

Katherine Northern Territory
For information on Katherine, please see Alice Springs to Darwin on the Explorers Way at http://www.adelaidedarwinexplorersway.com/

Upon arriving in Katherine take time to visit Nitmiluk National park and katherine Gorge.

Katherine Gorge - Nitmiluk National Park
This 292,800 hectare National Park is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people and jointly managed with the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. Some of the Park's features include spectacular dissected sandstone country, broad valleys and numerous, significant cultural sites. The deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River is the central attraction of the Park. How to Get There Nitmiluk National Park is located in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory. The Park has two main points of visitor access. The Park's main entrance is located 30 km northeast of Katherine via a sealed road. Katherine is located 310 km south of Darwin along the Stuart Highway. Leliyn (Edith Falls) on the western side of the Park, is reached by turning off the Stuart Highway 42km north of Katherine then following a sealed road for a further 19km.

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