Old Dunmarra to Top Springs Track (Buchanan Highway)
NT outback raw — no crowds, no shortcuts.
The Buchanan Highway stretches from Dunmarra on the Stuart Highway west to Top Springs, cutting across some of the most exposed, featureless cattle country in Australia’s Northern Territory. Named after drover Nat Buchanan, the track follows routes that overlanders and drovers have used to push cattle across the Territory for over a century. There are no gorges here, no Instagram waterholes — just vast Barkly scrub, red dirt, and the occasional road train. Victoria River Downs Station sits along the route; the scale of the property alone is staggering. The surface swings between reasonable graded dirt and bulldust holes that punish inattentive drivers hard.
This is a moderate difficulty track in dry conditions, but a completely different beast after rain. High-clearance 4WD is required; a long-range fuel tank is not optional — the gap between reliable fuel is well over 200 km. Carry a minimum of 20 litres of water per person and a satellite communicator. Cell service is effectively zero the entire run. Best tackled May through September before the build-up heat becomes dangerous. What this track gives you is genuine remoteness and a feel for outback Australia that the paved tourist routes simply cannot replicate — wide open, unforgiving, and absolutely real.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 125 mi / 201 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 980 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | Dunmarra, Northern Territory |
| Land manager | Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NT Road Report |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser 200 Series handle this track without modifications?
A stock LC200 or similar high-clearance 4WD will handle it fine in dry conditions. You don't need a lift, but you do need a long-range tank or dual jerry cans — standard fuel capacity won't cut it for this corridor plus the surrounding distances.
Is the track passable in the wet season?
No. The wet season (October–April) turns sections into impassable mud and creates flood crossings that can close the route for days or weeks. Stick to May through September — the dry season is the only reliable window.
Are there any permits or fees required to drive this track?
No permits or fees are required. The track runs through NT public land managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. Check the NT Road Report at roadreport.nt.gov.au before you leave — conditions can change fast after rain even in the dry season.
What's the hardest part of this track and what should I actually expect?
There's no single technical obstacle — the difficulty is cumulative remoteness and corrugations. Expect long washboard sections that will loosen gear and fatigue drivers, with no services, no help, and no bailout points for the full 200 km. Tyre damage from sharp gravel is the most common problem.
How much fuel do I need to carry, and is there anywhere to resupply between Dunmarra and Top Springs?
There is zero fuel between Dunmarra and Top Springs — 201 km with nothing in between. Top Springs Roadhouse at the end sells fuel but confirm hours before you go — outback roadhouses keep their own rules. Carry enough for at least 250–300 km to account for corrugation-related fuel burn and any detours.
Trail track
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