Driving from Cairns to Darwin, Savannah Way

by Sara Jonsson
(Cairns)

We are two backpackers planning to drive from Cairns to Darwin. We are not very experienced in driving long tracks and we are a bit unsure of how "careful" we should be. Do you have any main advice?

I think we are going to go by Savannah Way pretty much all the way to Katherine, is that road usually in good condition?
Thanks in advance /Sara and Sara

Re: Driving from Cairns to Darwin, Savannah Way

Hi Saras,
You don't say what car you will be driving and what time of the year.

If you have a 4WD it should not be a problem in the dry season (say June to October, it may still be bit rough in May).

The section between Normanton and Borroloola is the remotest part and you should take all the usual precautions. Take enough water, make sure your tank is full enough to get you to the next roadhouse, make sure you have a reliable car, a good spare tyre or better two.

The reliable car is the biggest issue, this is a very remote area and there is not much traffic at all! And find out where exactly you can fill up, I think two of the places between Normanton and Borroloola have closed.

The roads aren't usually all that difficult, but they can also be shocking.

The corrugations can be pretty bad at times and there can be bad wash outs just after the wet.

There are also some river and creek crossings. Find out what exactly to expect at the time that you will be travelling, and how much water your car can handle.

I have a page about driving in the outback that covers all the other things that you should generally be careful of. (There is also a general page about driving in Outback Australia)

Take regular breaks. Don't drive around dawn and dusk (too much wildlife on the road).

Take it easy. Even if you have no four wheel driving experience whatsoever, as long as you go slow you can't do much wrong.

The road is usually fairly well maintained, but as with any unsealed roads the conditions vary.

Keep an eye on the road reports and ask people along the way (at the roadhouses) about the state of the part ahead.

It's definitely not a Sunday drive, but as long as you have a reliable and suitable car and a good measure of common sense, you should be ok.

Now, it's hard to judge your capabilities from such a short message, so I say this as well: if you read all of the above and all those thoughts are new to you, if some of it doesn't make sense, if you don't know how to change a tyre or check the oil level in your car, then I suggest you stay on the bitumen.

Most of the Savannah Way is sealed, so just skip that one section and stay south of it on the Flinders and Barkly Highway. It's a detour, but probably quicker anyway, and definitely safer.

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Driving from Cairns to Darwin, Savannah Way

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Wet Season Cairns to Darwin
by: Carey

Hi, i was just wondering your opinion on driving from Cairns to Darwin during the wet season, (say early December forward). I have a more than capable car for handling most situations (though not all can be fortold) and was just seeking some advice on road conditions, rivers and other traps I should be careful of..

cheers carey

by: Birgit

Well, you don't say what route you want to take, what you plan to do, how much time you have or what you expect from the trip.

You can drive from Cairns to Darwin whenever you like. There is a perfectly good highway all the way. It'll be stinking hot and humid, that's the only thing to consider. And depending how late in the wet season it is you can also get stuck if a road floods. (Not in early December though).

Cairns to Darwin
by: Rachael

Hi there,

My partner and I are venturing on a trip from Melbourne to Cairns and then from Cairns to Darwin. I have a 93 Landcruiser and only a snatch strap and shackles for recovery so would rely on another vehicle for recovery. The vehicle is otherwise self sufficient with fridge, rooftop tent, jerry and water cans etc etc. We are planning to take about 10 days (max 2 weeks) for the trip because I want to see as many amazing things as I can along the way.

Is the route Cairns, Georgetown, Croydon, Mt Isa, Camooweal, (Cape Crawford or Tennant Creek?), then up through Katherine to Darwin a good route? What are some must stop places along the way?

What would the trip be like going from Townsville instead of Cairns?

Cheers!

Savannah Way
by: Birgit

I hope you mean 10 days from Cairns to Darwin and not for the whole trip...

You don't say what time of the year you plan to go. If it's just at the end or beginning of the wet it may affect your plans...

The route you propose avoids the roughest stretch, from Normanton to Borroloola. Saves you some rough driving, though the way you are equipped there is no reason to shy away from it, other than personal preference.

It is also a detour and you miss out on some adventure :-).

Other than that, have a look at the links in the answer to this Savannah Way question and dig around on those sites. That might help you decide what you want to see.

(I don't really know that corner of Australia very well. Plan to go there again early 2009 on a longer mission, but until then I am of limited use to you!)

traviling the savanah way
by: Robert

i am thinking of traviling from townsville to darwin around 15th december wanted to take the sinic route have a 4x4 all mods and cons inc winch all recovery gear would like advice on trip best places to go see to get most out of trip going via normanton should hit darwin around 23rd dec.