savannah way
June 3rd, 2023
Breaking news: only outback pre-approved tour groups can access Lorella Springs: another reason to travel with us.
Join us on a 16 day tour from Broome to Cairns, enjoying authentic experiences and never-to-be-forgotten scenery along the back roads, exploring areas that only 4wd vehicles can access. Immerse yourself in our pioneer history, appreciate 40 000 years of indigenous culture and involve yourself in an adventure that is all about exploration along the roads less travelled.
Tour Cost
$5990 per person, twin share.
Single supplement $520
Includes all meals, accommodation and attractions.
As shown in the itinerary
Tagalong option
Have you got a 4wd that you would like to put through its paces?
We will give you peace of mind traveling in a convoy of vehicles with competent guides, who are great bush mechanics. Learn about your vehicle’s capabilities, absorb some get-out-of-trouble tricks and pick up some great hints for touring meals and campfire cooking.
Some of the extra features of our Tagalong option is that we want to make our groups all inclusive, so we include the following
- All meals are included in the price and you dine as part of the group.
- All entry fees into attractions.
- Motel or other accommodation where we are not camping are covered in your cost.
Tagalong price is for a vehicle with 2 people.
$6595 , per vehicle. 2 people twin share.
Itinerary
DAY 1
Broome
Arrive in Broome to be met by your friendly touring crew and taken to our accommodation. Tonight we enjoy a champagne sunset with fish and chips on the beach, admiring the sinking of the daylight into the Indian Ocean.
Inclusions: airport pickup (pre-arranged), champagne and canapes, dinner, accommodation.
Accommodation: hotel.
DAY 2
Broome to Mimbi Caves
This morning we start our tour proper and head out of Broome, along Highway 1. We take in the beautiful scenery, crossing over the spectacular Fitzroy River and onto our overnight destination of Mimbi Caves, one of Australia’s most spectacular and significant natural geological sites.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Campsite, our own tents.
DAY 3
Mimbi Caves to Duncan Road
This morning we take the time to explore the area with a guided tour, from the traditional owners, Mimbi Caves. This includes a walk through the caves, billy tea and damper, cultural stories and an optional swim. After lunch it’s back on the road and heading through Hall’s Creek and onto the Duncan Road, the start of our 4wd adventure. We’ll take in the sights of the China Wall, Old Hall’s Creek, Palm Springs and Sawpit Gorge.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Mimbi Caves Tour.
Accommodation: Bush camping, our own tents.
DAY 4
Duncan Road/Buntine Highway
We continue along the Duncan Highway, one of the most scenic roads in the Kimberley, to connect up with the Buntine Highway. The Duncan Road is named after Ron Duncan, the Main Roads District Engineer for the North West from 1940 to 1953. The Buntine Highway honours Noel Buntine who established a livestock transportation business known as Buntine Roadways in the 1950s in northern Australia. This particular backroads travel day incorporates some of the original stock routes that pioneered Kimberley pastoral settlement. We pass through historic Wave Station Hill, site of the first Aboriginal Land Rights walkoff. Tonight we bush camp under the light of millions of stars.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Bush camping, our own tents.
DAY 5
Buntine Highway to
Daly Waters
We travel down the Buchanan Highway, named after Nat
Buchanan, a famous drover. This route was originally known as the Murranji Track. The track has social and historical significance as one of the most famous stockroutes in Australia. The Murranji extends for 230
kilometres through dense lancewood and bullwaddy scrub from Newcastle Waters to Old Top Springs. Our
overnight accommodation is at Daly Waters.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Campsite, Daly Waters.
DAY 6
Daly Waters to Bitter Springs, via Mataranka
Today we travel to Esley National Park and spend some time enjoying the chrystal clear thermal pools of natural warm springs at Bitter Springs and Mataranka.
We also visit Elsey Station and the pioneer cemeterary, containing the grave of Aenaeus Gunn, made famous by his wife Jeannie in her book, “We of the Never Never”.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Campground Bitter Springs
DAY 7
Bitter Springs to Limmen National Park
Continuing along the Roper Highway, we make our way to Limmen National Park, home of the fabled Lost City.
Our camp tonight is at Munbilillia Campground, on the Roper River.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Campsite, our own tents.
DAY 8
Limmen National Park to Lorella Springs
As of January 2023, public access to Lorella Springs is no longer possible. However, if you travel as part of our group, we have organised a visit. Lorella Springs is amazing and this trip gives you an opportunity to experience this fantastic area without the crowd. It will be a stand out highlight of the trip.
This morning we explore the sandstone formations of the Lost City and take the chance to swim at Butterfly Falls before driving onto the 1 million acre cattle property of Lorella Springs, our stop for the next two nights.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Campsite, our own tents.
DAY 9
Lorella Springs
This stunning area has open savannah, coastal floodplain, forest and hills. Today we explore the property, taking in natural springs , wetlands and water holes.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Campsite, our own tents.
DAY 10
Lorella Springs to near Hell’s Gate
We make our way to Borroloola for fuel and food supplies before heading on down the road towards Hells Gate. We’ll camp somewhere along the way.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Bush camping, our own tents.
DAY 11
Hell’s Gate to Leichardt Falls
We pause to explore the rock formations that give the Hell’s Gate region its name before visiting the Roadhouse for morning tea. From there we journey via the little settlement of Burketown (made famous in Nevil Shute’s classic book “A Town like Alice”) and onto our overnight campsite at stunning Leichardt Falls, on the river named after the explorer Ludwig Leichardt.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Bush camping, our own tents.
DAY 12
Leichardt Falls to Forsayth
Today we take some time to explore the historic goldmining town of Croyden, on our way through Georgetown and onto the restful tiny hamlet of Forsayth, one of the stops along the famous Gulflander route. We are overnighting here for two nights.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Caravan Park, our own tents.
DAY 13
Forsayth to Cobold Gorge to Forsayth
We take a day excursion to the stunning scenery of Cobold Gorge and tour on a electric boat, taking in the narrow gorges and spectacular glass bridge of the sandstone conglomerate.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Gorge Tour.
Accommodation: Caravan Park, our own tents.
DAY 14
Forsayth to Chillagoe
We follow near to the railway, taking the route from Forsayth along the Etheridge Goldfields to Chillagoe, once a major mining town but now more famous for marble and spectacular caves.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Cabins, Chillagoe.
DAY 15
Chillagoe to Cairns
This morning we take a guided tour of the Chillagoe-Mungana caves before heading to Kuranda.
What better way to experience the magic of the rainforest than by a trip on the Skyrail Cableway? We’ll put you on at the top and pick you up at the station down the bottom.
Then it’s on into Cairns and our last night of the trip, celebrating and reminiscing about the fabulous time we’ve had.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Cave Tour, Skyrail Tour.
Accommodation: Hotel.
DAY 16
This morning we share our last breakfast together before going our separate ways.
Inclusions: Breakfast, pre-arranged transfers.
INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR PACK
Water Bottle and Fly Veil
You’ll be grateful for both of these!
Reusable keep cup
We stop for morning and afternoon tea where feasible but if time is tight, a cuppa on the go works as well!
Sectional Map
Trace the route as you travel along. One per passenger or one per car, if doing the trip as a tagalong.