Savannah Way — Cairns to Broome via the Gulf Country and Kimberley Outback
Coast to coast on Australia's wild northern corridor.
The Savannah Way is Australia’s great northern overland corridor — a designated touring route stretching from Cairns in far north Queensland all the way to Broome in Western Australia, threading through some of the continent’s most geographically spectacular and genuinely remote country. Named highlights include the Undara Lava Tubes near Mount Surprise, the crossing of the Gulf of Carpentaria’s river systems (including the Roper, McArthur, and Tablelands rivers), the Gregory National Park red escarpment country, and the final Kimberley stretch through Kununurra and into the Broome pindan desert. Significant river crossings — many unbridge — are the route’s defining challenge, and between Daly Waters and Timber Creek the track condition can drop hard in wet season.
The Savannah Way is passable in a stock high-clearance 4WD during the dry season (May–October), but the river crossings require water-depth assessment every single time — conditions change overnight. A snorkel, good recovery gear, and a second vehicle for the more remote Gulf sections are strongly advised. Fuel gaps of 250–300 km exist in several places; carry jerry cans. There are no permits required across the route, but national park and camping fees apply inside reserves. The rewards are enormous: wildlife, ancient landscapes, and the hard-earned satisfaction of crossing an entire continent on the red dirt.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 2299 mi / 3700 km |
| Duration | 14-28 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2789 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with snorkel |
| Nearest town | Cairns, Queensland |
| Land manager | Savannah Way Ltd / Multiple State and Federal Land Managers |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Savannah Way Official Site Australia's Coral Coast route info |
| 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 lifted 4Runner or Land Cruiser handle the Savannah Way, or do I need serious mods?
A high-clearance 4WD is the hard minimum — a stock Prado or 100 Series Land Cruiser will manage most of it, but a snorkel is non-negotiable for the river crossings in the Gulf Country and Kimberley. Long-range fuel tanks, a dual battery setup, and a good recovery kit are near-essential on a route this remote, not optional extras.
Is the Savannah Way passable year-round or does the wet season shut it down?
Stick to May through October — the dry season. The wet season (November through April) closes large sections outright due to flooding, washed-out crossings, and impassable mud, particularly through Queensland's Gulf Country and the Northern Territory. Some remote sections can stay cut off for months.
Do I need permits to drive the Savannah Way, and are there fees?
No single permit covers the whole route. You'll need a Vehicle Pass to cross through some Aboriginal lands (like Boodjamulla/Lawn Hill area) — apply in advance through the relevant land councils. Some campgrounds along the route charge fees; others are free dispersed sites on crown or pastoral land.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The river crossings through the Gulf Savannah — particularly around Normanton, Burketown, and heading into the NT — are where the trail earns its reputation. Crossings can be fast-moving, axle-deep to bonnet-deep depending on recent rain, and crocs are a genuine concern when you're walking depth checks. The Gibb River Road section through the Kimberley adds corrugations and sharp rock that punishes tires hard.
How far apart are fuel stops, and is 3,700 km achievable without a long-range tank?
Fuel gaps regularly exceed 300 km and can stretch past 400 km on remote stretches through the NT and Kimberley — a long-range tank or quality jerry can setup is not optional. Prices spike hard in remote roadhouses, and card readers sometimes don't work, so carry cash.
Trail track
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