A 3700 km stretch, driving the Savannah Way is no walk in the park. It\u2019s known as Australia\u2019s adventure drive for a number of reasons \u2013 five national parks and 15 World Heritage areas are two of them. The rest? You\u2019ll have to experience for yourself.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve mapped out a 10-day route, but the truth is you can take as long as three weeks to explore the uncharted terrains of the outback if you have the time. Hire a car and set off across the tropical savannahs of northern Australia all the way to the natural splendors of Broome.<\/p>\n
Day 1: Cairns to Normanton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong> Don\u2019t leave Cairns<\/a> without a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. And if you have a few days here, why not experience some of these 5 awesome day trips around Cairns<\/a>. Once you\u2019ve explored one of Australia\u2019s most iconic destinations, set out to Normanton, the Barramundi capital of Australia.<\/p>\n If fishing isn\u2019t your thing, take a ride on the historic Gulflander train<\/a> and enjoy a half-day trip to Croydon and back, taking in the spectacular country before finishing the day with a meal and a pint at the infamous Purple Pub. (Yes, it\u2019s actually purple.)<\/p>\n Day 2:\u00a0 Normanton to Burketown<\/strong> Next, you\u2019re heading to Burketown, which sits on the dividing line between the wetlands to the north and the Gulf Savannah plains to the south.<\/p>\n An overnight stop here is recommended if only to witness the Morning Glory cloud \u2013 a spectacular and rare meteorological phenomenon that can stretch up to 1,000 km. Savannah Lodge<\/a> is a tropical oasis and a perfect place to cool down and unwind for the night.<\/p>\n In the morning, Lawn Hill Gorge in Boodjamulla National Park is a must-stop for the emerald waters, lush vegetation, and abundant wildlife you\u2019ll experience here.<\/p>\n Day 3: Burketown to Borroloola <\/strong> Today you\u2019re crossing the border and entering the great NT<\/a>. Your next stop is also the gateway to the Gulf: Borroloola. One of Australia\u2019s most remote towns with a lawless frontier past, there\u2019s a lot of character that remains here.<\/p>\n You\u2019re in a pretty isolated part of Australia now, so make sure you\u2019re safe with these tips for exploring such remote territories.<\/p>\n Day 4: Borroloola to Roper Bar<\/strong> You\u2019re right in the thick of it. The trek to Roper Bar involves a longer, rougher, and more unsealed experience so a Mitsubishi Outlander or Mitsubishi Pajero would be ideal choices of hire car. Both can handle the extra grunt of the outback.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve arrived, book a Helicopter Tour<\/a> and get a glimpse of the Gulf from the air or enjoy a Sunset Cruise<\/a> along the Roper River.<\/p>\n Day 5: Roper Bar to Katherine <\/strong> By now you\u2019ve covered more than half of the epic Savannah Way. Katherine is the perfect place to stop \u2013 perhaps spend a few days taking in all the incredible natural wonders here including Nitmiluk National Park (where you\u2019ll find Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls) as well as all the rich Aboriginal Culture found through tour experiences and local galleries.<\/p>\n Day 6: Katherine to Kununurra <\/strong> You\u2019re in WA now and deep in the heart of the Kimberley region. Surrounded by six national and conservation parks as well as the vast inland sea of Lake Argyle, Kununurra is a stop not to be missed.<\/p>\n If you have to pick just one of them: the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range) is probably the most impressive, featuring many gorges and creeks that have been used for thousands of years.<\/p>\n Day 7: Kununurra to Halls Creek<\/strong> Nearby sites such as Wolfe Creek Crater (the world\u2019s second largest meteorite crater), China Wall (a quartz vein in the ground), and many Aboriginal community art centres are just three reasons to include Halls Creek as a Savannah Way stop off. There are also plenty of swimming holes and billabongs to take a dip in after all that driving.<\/p>\n
\n680 km | 8.5-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n
\n210 km | 7-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n
\n520\u00a0km | 8-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n
\n720\u00a0km | 10.5-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>\u00a0290\u00a0km | 5-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n
\n515\u00a0km | 6.5-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n
\n340\u00a0km | 3.75-hour drive<\/em><\/p>\n