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Savannah Way — Australia — Adventure
Australia & Pacific

Savannah Way

Australia

In short: Savannah Way is a 3,700 km adventure road trip in Australia, typically driven over 2-3 weeks, best in May-October. Highlights: Cairns, Undara Volcanic National Park, Karumba.

Distance
3,700 km
Duration
2-3 weeks
Best Season
May-October
IconicModerateAdventure

The Savannah Way links tropical northern Australia from Cairns to Broome through some of the country’s most remote country. Expect long sealed stretches mixed with isolated highways, red-dirt detours, stock country, gulf wetlands, gorge country, and classic outback towns along one of Australia’s great cross-continent drives.

~6 refuels
~13 charges
Practical notes
This is a long outback route with very large fuel gaps in the Northern Territory and western Queensland. Carry extra water, check road conditions after rain, and avoid the wet season when flooding can close sections for days.
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Plan this trip

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Stops along the route

Cairns — Departure — Savannah Way — Australia
Departure
Cairns
Start in tropical Cairns, where the coast is green, humid, and set up for the long haul north and west.
Hotels
Karumba — City — Savannah Way — Australia
City
Karumba
Reach the Gulf at this laid-back fishing town with big skies and saltwater sunsets. It is a classic detour for prawn and barramundi country.
Hotels
Burketown — City — Savannah Way — Australia
City
Burketown
A tiny Gulf outpost with dust roads, river flats, and strong frontier character. It is a good pause before the long NT run.
Hotels
Katherine — City — Savannah Way — Australia
City
Katherine
Enter the Top End through a warm, practical highway town. It is the main base for gorges, hot springs, and fuel.
Hotels
Tennant Creek — City — Savannah Way — Australia
City
Tennant Creek
A tough, service-heavy outback town in the middle of long empty stretches. It is a key refuel stop between the north and the southern interior.
Hotels
Kununurra — City — Savannah Way — Australia
City
Kununurra
Cross into WA and swap red dirt for irrigated country and big water views. This is the gateway to the Kimberley leg.
Hotels
Broome — Arrival — Savannah Way — Australia
Arrival
Broome
Finish on the Indian Ocean in Broome, where pearl-town history meets tropical beach sunsets. The long inland run ends with sea air and easy pace.
Hotels

Things to Do

Undara Volcanic National Park — Nature — Savannah Way — Australia
Nature
Undara Volcanic National Park
Walk lava tubes and open savannah around ancient lava flows. It feels remote fast once you leave the coast.
Nitmiluk National Park — Nature — Savannah Way — Australia
Nature
Nitmiluk National Park
See towering sandstone gorge walls and the Katherine River winding through them. Boat cruises and walks make this one of the route's highlights.
Barron Gorge National Park — nature — Savannah Way — Australia
nature
Barron Gorge National Park
See rainforest, waterfalls, and steep gorge scenery just inland from Cairns. It is an easy first taste of Far North Queensland.
Undara Lava Tubes — geology — Savannah Way — Australia
geology
Undara Lava Tubes
Explore huge lava tube caves created by an ancient eruption. The formations are one of the route's most unusual sights.
Katherine Hot Springs — swimming — Savannah Way — Australia
swimming
Katherine Hot Springs
Soak in warm clear pools close to town after the long drive. It is a simple but perfect Top End stop.
Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise — boat tour — Savannah Way — Australia
boat tour
Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise
Cruise through the sandstone gorges and spot rock walls glowing in the late light. It is one of the signature experiences on the Savannah Way.
Cable Beach — beach — Savannah Way — Australia
beach
Cable Beach
Walk the wide sand at sunset and watch the sky turn gold over the Indian Ocean. It is a fitting end to the cross-country drive.

Where to Eat

Daly Waters — Food & Drink — Savannah Way — Australia
Food & Drink
Daly Waters
The old pub is a famous roadside stop with a true outback feel. It is a memorable break before the road pushes west.
Rusty's Markets — market food — Savannah Way — Australia
market food
Rusty's Markets
A lively Cairns market for fresh tropical fruit, coffee, and quick breakfast bites. Good for stocking up before heading inland.
Nona's Seafood and Curry House — seafood and curry — Savannah Way — Australia
seafood and curry
Nona's Seafood and Curry House
A popular Karumba stop for Gulf seafood and relaxed pub-style meals. It suits a sunset dinner after a dusty drive.
The Top Pub — pub meals — Savannah Way — Australia
pub meals
The Top Pub
A well-known Barkly Region roadhouse pub stop for burgers, steaks, and cold drinks. It is handy for a long refuel break near the middle of the route.
The Purple Pub — pub meals — Savannah Way — Australia
pub meals
The Purple Pub
A classic Kimberley stop in Kununurra for hearty meals and road trip fuel. It is an easy place to unwind after a long day on the highway.
Matso's Broome Brewery — Australian pub food — Savannah Way — Australia
Australian pub food
Matso's Broome Brewery
A Broome favorite for drinks and casual meals with a tropical feel. It is a good final celebratory stop on arrival.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Savannah Way drive?

The Savannah Way covers 3,700 km from start to finish.

How long does the Savannah Way take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2-3 weeks on the Savannah Way, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Savannah Way?

The recommended season for the Savannah Way is May-October.

Where does the Savannah Way start and end?

The Savannah Way runs from Cairns to Broome.

What are the main stops on the Savannah Way?

The Savannah Way passes through Cairns, Undara Volcanic National Park, Karumba.

Can I drive the Savannah Way in a regular car?

Yes — the Savannah Way is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Savannah Way?

Plan around 6 refuels (or about 13 EV charges) along the Savannah Way, based on its 3,700 km length.

Is the Savannah Way safe to drive?

This is a long outback route with very large fuel gaps in the Northern Territory and western Queensland. Carry extra water, check road conditions after rain, and avoid the wet season when flooding can close sections for days.

What scenic tier is the Savannah Way?

The Savannah Way is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.