Australia So Much to See

A.  The longest span without fuel is 377 kilometres from Borroloola to Roper Bar, but this can be by-passed by taking the alternative easy route via the Carpentaria Highway to the Stuart Highway at Hi-Way Inn Roadhouse.  For travellers choosing this alternative, 317 kilometres from Hells Gate Roadhouse in Queensland to Borroloola in the Northern Territory will be the longest distance without fuel outlets.

The Savannah Way is a tourist route name given to a collection of roads linking Cairns in Queensland with Broome in Western Australia, covering over 3,600 kilometres.  Much of the way follows conventional and mostly sealed roads, with the unsealed Gulf section from Northern Territory into Queensland being the adventure route, and the most remote.  There are alternatives to some sections, being more or less adventurous.  This route can only be travelled during the dry season. 

Normanton to Burketown 230 kilometres

From Normanton to Burketown spans 230 kilometres of mainly unsealed roads, with no fuel outlets along this section.     

Leichhardt Falls, 74 kilometres south east of Burketown is a popular camping site.   From here to Burketown the road is mostly sealed. 

A new camping option is opening at Talaroo Hot Springs.

Burketown to Doomdagee Roadhouse 127 kilometres

This is the start of the unsealed road adventure to Borroloola.  You will encounter dips, and depending on the season, a number of water crossings. 

Doomadgee Roadhouse to Hells Gate Roadhouse 81 kilometres

From Burketown to Doomdagee Roadhouse is 127 kilometres, and a further 81 kilometres to Hells Gate Roadhouse. 

A loop can be taken incorporating a visit to Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.  See current closures. Take the Wills Developmental Road south from the junction 25 kilometres south west of Burketown to Gregory Downs, then west to Lawn Hill.  Fuel is sold at Adel’s Grove campground.  From here you can return to the Savannah Way at Doomadgee with four-wheel drive recommended. Note that Kingfisher Camp on Bowthorn Station has been permanently closed. 

Hells Gate to Borroloola 317 kilometres

From Hells Gate there are no fuel supplies along the Savannah Way for 317 kilometres until you reach Borroloola.  Older maps may show Wollogorang Roadhouse, approximately six kilometres west of the Northern Territory border, but this roadhouse has been closed for some years.

For those taking the alternative of the Carpentaria Highway from Borroloola to the Stuart Highway, a further alternative route is to turn south on the Stuart Highway for 36 kilometres to take the Buchanan Highway westwards for 181 kilometres to Top Springs.  Then travel 242 kilometres to Timber Creek on the Victoria Highway.  Fuel is available at both Top Springs and Timber Creek. 

From Kununurra, there is the option to take the Great Northern Highway or the Gibb River Road.  Fuel outlets on both these alternative is shown on The Gibb River Road Fuel and Distances.

These fuel outlets listed here have diesel and ULP, but most do not have LPG. 

Distances have been taken from Google Maps and map books. 

October 2016 and updated June 2023

On the Carpentaria Highway option, there are colourful column rock formations and walks in the Caranbirini Conservation Reserve (but no camping permitted here).  From Cape Crawford Heartbreak Hotel and Caravan Park, helicopter flights can be taken over the nearby Abner Ranges, or to Poppy’s Pool and other features.   

Mataranka there the route follows the Stuart Highway, Victoria Highway and Great Northern Highway to Broome.   For these routes see Fuel outlets on the Stuart Highway and Fuel outlets on the Victoria Highway.

Cairns to Normanton 680 kilometres, with frequent fuel outlets

From Cairns to Normanton, you will be following the Bruce Highway to Gordonvale, the Gillies Road climbing the range to the Atherton Tablelands, then joining the Kennedy Highway for 128 kilometres to take the Gulf Developmental Road west to Normanton.  There is no shortage of fuel outlets along this 680 kilometre sealed road route.    

Places of interest include the Atherton Tablelands scenery, lakes and waterfalls.  Campgrounds at Lake Tinaroo, volcanic lakes such as Lake Barrine, and lovely waterfalls such as Millaa Millaa falls.  Visit Innot Hots Springs and Undara Lava Tubes.  Stop at the historical gold mining town of Croydon, once the fourth largest town in Queensland. Take a train trip between Croydon and Normanton on the historic Gulflander. 

There is an optional longer route incorporating mainly unsealed roads leaving Cairns via Kuranda to Mareeba, Chiilagoe, and taking the Burke Developmental Road to and following the Mitchell River before turning south towards Kurumba and to Normanton.  This is a journey of 766 kilometres, with no fuel outlets between Chillagoe and Normanton, a distance of 560 kilometres.  See details and photos of this route on Cape York Australia - Burke Developmental Road.

From Borroloola, travellers can continue north along the Savannah Way joining the Nathan River Road through the Limmen National Park to# Roper Bar covering 377 kilometres.  Note no fuel at # Roper Bar may be difficult to access with a trailer attached. It is a further 174 kilometres to the Stuart Highway, and three kilometres on to Mataranka. 

Lorella Springs has closed to tourists 2023.  For those visiting Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, fuel is available there, currently $3 per litre. Travel 135 kilometre north west from Borroloola along the Savannah Way then take the Lorella Springs access road for 29 kilometres.  

Places of interest include the side trip to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park the Limmen National Park the Southern and Western Lost Cities (column rock formations), Butterfly Falls, Saint Vidgeon’s Ruins and Lomarium Billabong. 

We found the fuel outlet on the southern side of the town in Borroloola was priced much more expensive than the one to the north, both are along the main street through the town (2009).

Option 1:  Borroloola to # Roper Bar 377 kilometres however fuel can be obtained at Lorella Springs, 

                        reducing the distance without fuel to Roper Bar to 275 kilometres. 

               Roper Bar to Mataranka 177 kilometres.  See update # re no fuel at Roper Bar

Option 2: Borroloola to Cape Crawford Roadhouse 105 kilometres

               Cape Crawford to Hi-Way Inn Roadhouse 278 kilometres

            or 383 kilometres if not refuelling atCape Crawford Roadhouse   

   Hi-Way Inn Roadhouse to Mataranka 168 kilometres

Off the track options for camping or fuel

Seven Emu Station is accessed from the Manangoora Road which heads north from the Wollogorang Road (Savannah Way) just east of the Foelsche River crossing approximately 100 kilometres south east of Borroloola, then take the Seven Emu Road, crossing the Robinson River (dry season) to the station.  This is approximately 27 kilometres from the Wollogorang Road.  There is camping along the Robison River seven kilometres from the homestead at $50 per car.  Pit toilets, water and firewood provided at the Cliffs campsite.  Other unserviced sites may be available. Birdwatching, boating and fishing. This cattle station has been owned and operated by an Aboriginal family, since being purchased in 1953. Wildlife, cultural and bush tucker tours.  Fuel may be available but phone 08 8975 9904 to check. 

Manangoora Station Campground also provide remote bush camping for 4WD. They approximately thirty kilometres north of the Wollogorang Road via the Manangoora Road.  Fishing and boat launching on the Wearyan River.  Phone: 08 8975 9549

Robinson River Community is a closed Aboriginal community 50 kilometres south of the Savannah Way via the Robinson River Access Road, approximately 100 kilometres south east of Borroloola, with fuel and supplies but phone 08 8975 9791 to check. Permit required from the Northern Lands Council. 

# Update July 2018 No fuel at Roper Bar - this has permanently closed.  Fuel is available at Ngukurr, which will add 66 kilometres round trip if you choose to go here for fuel.   From junction Roper Highway and Nathan River Road, follow the Roper Highway across the Roper River and head east for 31 kilometres, turning off south the Ngukurr townsite for a further two kilometres.  Ngukurr is a community with approximately 900 people.  Fuel is available at the Ngukurr General Store. Phone (08) 8975 4626 to check times and availability.