24 Days Savannah Way Across The Top

Depart Broome and head east to Fitzroy Crossing located on the banks of one of the largest river systems in Australia with a catchment of 90,000 square kilometres (55,800 square miles). This is a true outback town with a strong indigenous culture.

Suggested activity: On arrival, head northeast for 25km to the Devonian Reef National Parks. Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Danggu Geike Gorge cover an area that was part of an ancient reef system over 350 million years ago. This remnant reef is seen today in the limestone ranges and gorges of the West Kimberley, and also in the Ningbing Range north of Kununurra.

Depart Fitzroy Crossing and head via the Gibbs River Road to Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge. Situated in a beautiful and unique setting close to the Gibb River Road and the Imintji Aboriginal community, the lodge takes full advantage of its prime Indigenous-owned site and affords magnificent views of the King Leopold escarpment.

Depart Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge and continue further northeast on the Gibb River Road to the picturesque Mt Elizabeth Station, a working cattle station. Take time to explore the spectacular gorges along the way – there are plenty to choose from including Bells Creek, Galvans, Manning and Adcock. Your hosts have a deep appreciation for the surrounding country and are happy to share with you their knowledge and experiences gained from a lifetime spent living and working in this remote area of Australia.

Today you will continue northeast on the Gibb River Road to El Question Station. El Questro Wilderness Park is considered to be one of the world’s most unique holiday destinations. Being over one million acres in size it provides a true outback-Australian experience.

Make the most of your free day at this truly unique piece of the Kimberly.

Suggested Activity: A cruise along Chamberlain Gorge is a must for any vistiter to El Questro. The 3 km stretch of water has an abundance of flora and fauna, and is only accessible by boat

Departing El Questro Station, continue onto the Purnululu National Park. The Bungle Bungles are one of the most fascinating geological landmarks in Australia. From an aircraft, the orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds are clearly visible. Constant erosion and river movements have formed huge black and orange striped domes over 20 million years. Further over the range, a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed.

Today, take to the skies to witness the incredible Bungle Bungle range from the air. The sandstone massif of the Bungle Bungle Range is almost 99 times the area of Uluru – there are more stunning features and spectacular landforms to see in this half hour scenic flight than you would imagine possible. View the hidden red rock gorges of the north west tip, Piccaninny Gorge from end to end and the unique beehive formations that have contributed to the listing of Purnululu National Park as one of Australia’s World Heritage areas.

Depart Purnululu National Park and continue onto Kununurra, the gateway to the Kimberley from the East. The town has become the major administrative centre for the East Kimberley, servicing farmers, pastoralists and the rapidly developing tourism and mining industries. It is one of the biggest towns in the Kimberley.

You may wish to stop at Gregory National Park. An impressive 10,500 square kilometres of ranges, gorges and sandstone escarpments, curvaceous silhouettes of Boab trees enliven the Park’s landscape. Katherine is the Top End’s second largest town. Its river - the first perennial running water along the route from Alice Springs - was originally dubbed the ‘Catherine’ by John McDouall Stuart in 1862, after his patron’s daughter. The spelling was changed and the town of Katherine was eventually settled to service the Overland Telegraph Line.

You may wish to visit Katherine Gorge before heading to Kakadu National Park. Just 29km from Katherine itself, the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park consists of 13 natural gorges and is a massive 292,008 hectares in size. Due to the abundance of water, the Park has vibrant wildlife. Continue onto Kakadu National Park. Kakadu is one of four Australian sites included on the World Heritage List for both cultural and natural outstanding universal values. The park features great natural beauty and sweeping landscapes, as well as internationally important wetlands.

Suggested Activity: Yellow Water Billabong at Kakadu, known as Ngurrungurrudjba, is home to crocodiles, wild horses, buffalo and an abumdance of native wildlife. Get the best vantage point from either a boat cruise or, take a strole along the boardwalk.

You will have time in the morning to further explore Kakadu National Park, with only a short two hour drive required for your journey North to Darwin, the Northern Territory's largest and capital city.

Suggested Activity: Estimated to be at least 20,000 years old, the World Heritage-Listed rock art on the walls Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) are an absolute must for any visit to Kakadu, sittuated only half hour from your accommodation.

Enjoy a free day to enjoy the tropical Northern city of Darwin and its surroundings.

Suggested Activity: Given its geography and history, Darwin is a hub for delicious fresh cuicine. Dinner at one of Darwin's many suberb restaurants will make the perfect way to mark the halfway point in your Savanah across Northern Australia.

Today marks the start of the second half of your journey, as you head South and East and will eventually lead you across to Queensland. Your four hours of driving today will conclude in Mataranka, a popular stop for travellers due to its natural thermal pools.

Suggested Activity: Early risers will have time to call in at Litchfield National Park, where you'll find the fresh water swimming lake at Florence Falls Waterfall. This will make a refreshing stop before hitting the road back through Katherine and onto Mataranka.

Head further East to the remote tropical paradise of Lorella Springs, with its almost 30 kilometres of fresh water coastline featuring wetlands, swamps, water holes and natural springs as well as rock formations, mountain ranges, chasms and gorges, along with a variety of wildlife.

Suggested Itinerary: There are two ways across to Lorella Springs. More expreienced 4W drivers may opt for the more remote Northen passage along the Roper Highway. But with some of the road unsealed, and very few designated stops, others may prefer the Southen route which runs back along the Stuart Highway and Carpentaria Higwhay. Call back in at Daly Waters, especially if you weren't able to on your way up from Tennant Creek, and again at the charming "Heartbreak Hotel", before heading North towards your final destination.

The day is yours to relax and explore this virtually untouched peace of natural wilderness.

Having rested up at Lorella Springs, it's back on the road today as you re-join the remote stretch of the Carpentaria Highway across the Queensland border to outback town of Doomadgee.

Suggested Itinerary: WIth over six hours of driving again today, pre plan your stpos at Borroloola and Hells Gate Roadhouse.

A much shorter day of driving awaits you today,with the less than two hour drive South to the outback waterway of Adels Grove via the tropical oasis at Lawn Hill Station..

Today is a travel free day for you to enjoy this tiny corner of paradise.

Suggested Activity: Step back in time with a morning tour to Riversleigh Fossil Site, followed by an afternoon River cruise or even a canoe at Lawn Hill.

Call in at Gregory Downs before heading back North towards the remote Gulf town of Bourketown, named after the famous European explorer, before finishing at your final destination, the small cattle town of Normanton.

Continue along Highway 1, back inland away from the Gulf, on your five hour journey through the beautiful North Queenslan riverena to the mystical Cobbold Gorge.

Suggested Itinerary: Call in at Croydon and Georgetown to break up the journey, and have a yarn or two with some true blue Queenslanders.

Enjoy the final travel-free day of your top end Savannah and explore the 30 feet of sheer wall inside Cobbold Gorge which surrounds the an outback Oasis.

Suggested Activity: Take a cruise in the morning with the afternoon free to explore.

Journey back North to Highway 1 via Georgetown and call in for a coffee at Mount Surprise before finishing up at geologically stunning Undara.

Suggested Activity: Take a Wildlife at Sunset Tour to see the norternal habbits of some of the locals.

Enjoy the thrill of a Morning Lava Tube Tour, before commencing your penultimate day with a three hours drive to Chillagoe.

Suggested Activity: Experience the hidden limestone caves with a guided tour.

Sadly today marks the end of this epic adventure across the top of Australia following your three hour drive to Cairns, North Queensland's second largest city,

Suggested Activity: Take a detour to Palm Cove, a small costal village with a stunning bridge, before dropping off your vehicle in Cairns.