Great Savannah Tagalong Tour

## Northern Australia's Premier Outback Journey Traverse Australia's spectacular northern frontier on this 28-day expedition from tropical Cairns to the pearling town of Broome. This 'Across the Top' adventure showcases the incredible diversity of northern Australia, from rainforest-clad mountains to vast cattle stations, pristine gorges, and the legendary Gibb River Road. Experience some of Australia's most rewarding 4WD driving through varied terrain including water crossings, station tracks, and the famous Kimberley region. The route takes you through iconic destinations like El Questro Station, Katherine Gorge, and Litchfield National Park, with opportunities for barramundi fishing and authentic outback pub experiences. This journey combines comfortable touring (suitable for caravans and campers) with genuine adventure, featuring 14 nights of glamping options alongside traditional bush camping. Perfect for those seeking spectacular scenery, wildlife encounters, and the authentic outback experience that defines northern Australia. ## Tour Details • **Duration:** 28 Days / 27 Nights • **Distance:** 2,570km total • **Start:** Cairns, QLD (Tropical North) • **Finish:** Broome, WA (Indian Ocean Coast) • **Group Size:** 6-10 vehicles • **Accommodation:** Bush camp & Campground • **Tour Grade:** Easy. Offroad caravan or camper OK • **Bitumen/Dirt:** 20% / 80% • **Average Daily Distance:** 240km • **Glamping Options:** 14 out of 28 days • **Tour Difficulty:** 3 out of 5 ## Highlights & What's Included • **Gibb River Road** - Legendary Kimberley adventure track • **El Questro Station** - Famous outback station experience • **Katherine Gorge** - Spectacular gorge system • **Litchfield National Park** - Waterfalls and swimming holes • **Tunnel Creek** - Walk/swim through natural tunnel • **Manning Gorge** - Pristine Kimberley swimming spot • **Undara Lava Tubes** - Ancient volcanic formations • **Cobbold Gorge** - Natural wonder boat tour • **Lawn Hill Station** - Remote cattle station experience • **Bush Camps** - Authentic outback camping • **Fishing opportunities** - Catch barramundi and tropical fish • **Water crossings** - Multiple river and creek challenges • **Outback pubs** - Authentic Australian pub experiences • Welcome and farewell dinners plus four additional evening meals • Accredited guides with senior first aid certification • Free Wi-Fi at each camp • 4WD backup vehicle equipped with winch • All recovery equipment including UHF radio and satellite phone • Tyre repair gear and comprehensive first aid kit • National Park permits and camping fees • All Aboriginal land access permits • BBQ plate provided at each camp • Licensed and accredited tour operator ## Complete 28-Day Itinerary **Day 1: Cairns to Undara Resort (297km)** Meet in Cairns, drive through town over Kuranda Range to tablelands. Head west through old gold mining area, hit dirt roads. Arrive Undara Resort for lava tubes tour and welcome dinner. **Day 2: Undara Resort to Cobbold Gorge (241km)** Continue west along station roads through small outback towns. Afternoon tour of magnificent Cobbold Gorge natural wonder. **Day 3: Cobbold Gorge to Normanton (362km)** Destination is fantastic bush camp on Norman River banks. **Day 4: Normanton to Lawn Hill (401km)** Big day as roads deteriorate with small river crossings. Stop at Leichhardt Falls, refuel at Gregory Downs. Arrive Adels Grove and Lawn Hill National Park. **Day 5: Lawn Hill to Surprise Creek (473km)** Incredible drive with first taste of real river crossings, some quite deep. Cross dozen water crossings into Savannah country. Stop Hell's Gate for refuel, lunch near QLD/NT border. Continue Savannah Highway to one of best camp spots with our own waterfall. **Day 6: Surprise Creek to Lorella Springs (227km)** Early departure across numerous rivers to Borroloola refuel. Road deteriorates on Tawallah Range, ideal four-wheel driving. Cross big rivers to Lorella Springs camp. **Day 7: Lorella Springs Free Day** Good chance for barra dinner if lures hit water before dark. Watch for crocs. **Day 8: Lorella Springs to Towns River (152km)** Another fishing chance in afternoon as camp setup on Towns River banks. **Day 9: Towns River to Mataranka (312km)** Follow Roper River west to Roper Bar community. Refuel, short blacktop stint to Mataranka Homestead Resort oasis. Swim in crystal-clear waters, evening dinner. **Day 10: Mataranka to Katherine Gorge (143km)** Morning dip before Stuart Highway north to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Noon arrival, plenty time for tours or pool relaxation. **Day 11: Katherine Gorge to Kakadu (283km)** Big day continuing north on Stuart Highway, turn onto Kakadu Highway. Pass old gold mining areas entering Kakadu National Park. Breathtaking scenery to two-night stop at Gagadju Lodge. **Day 12: Kakadu Free Day** Plenty tours and excursions available. Plan ahead to maximize Kakadu time. **Day 13: Kakadu to Mary River (130km)** Last off-road day before Darwin with challenging sections. Old Jim Jim Road with water crossings and magical scenery. Mid-afternoon arrival Mary River Wilderness Retreat for pool swimming. **Day 14: Mary River to Darwin (113km)** Leave beautiful Mary River on sealed roads to Darwin. Stop famous Humpty Doo Hotel, refreshing Howard Springs break. Settle accommodation, dinner in town. **Day 15: Darwin to Sandy Creek Falls (154km)** Head out onto dirt roads to Litchfield National Park. Incredible scenery winding rough track to picturesque Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek Falls). Early arrival after lunch for camp setup and falls swimming. **Day 16: Sandy Creek Falls to Grove Hill (143km)** Exciting drive following Reynolds River south. Quite few creek crossings and tricky bits testing driving skills. Stop magic Surprise Creek Falls for swim, lunch, then old gold mining areas to Grove Hill overnight. **Day 17: Grove Hill to Victoria River (345km)** Follow famous Ghan Railway south to Stuart Highway. Stop last big town, stock supermarket and fill tanks. **Day 18: Victoria River to Fig Tree Yard (151km)** Early escarpment walk at sunrise. Stop Bullita Homestead in Judbarra/Gregory National Park, head overnight bush camp Fig Tree Yard. **Day 19: Fig Tree Yard to Kalkarinji (189km)** Amazing drive on tight 4WD tracks - rocky, sandy, muddy with heaps river crossings. First class travel. Usually catch barra at lunch spot for BBQ tonight. Continue south on NT's best tracks to Kalkarinji camp. **Day 20: Kalkarinji to Nicholson River (370km)** Morning fuel and supplies at Kalkarinji Community store, turn west onto Buntine Highway. One of north's great cattle roads through vast grasslands in NT's best cattle country. Big change from yesterday, relax heading into afternoon sun, cross into Western Australia to Nicholson River camp. **Day 21: Nicholson River to Lake Argyle Village (188km)** Short day starting early for Lake Argyle time. Sights along way, finish with sunset tour on lake. **Day 22: Lake Argyle Village to El Questro (173km)** Destination famous El Questro Station. Leave Lake Argyle for Kununurra, time to explore, provision fresh produce, restock beer. Refuel, cross massive Ord River, continue west on blacktop half hour before hitting eastern Gibb River Road. Short corrugations blast to El Questro arrival. **Day 23: El Questro – Free Day** Lots to do at El Questro. Enjoy peacefulness or tackle scenic tracks and walking trails. Range of tours from thrilling helicopter rides to relaxing boat cruises. **Day 24: El Questro to Mt Barnett (339km)** Sleep-in breakfast, continue deeper into Kimberley. Stunning views and great fun river crossings. Stop all morning for breathtaking scenery photos. Kimberley region of Western Australia is breathtaking. All day Gibb River Road to camp spot Manning River banks. **Day 25: Manning River to Windjana Gorge (213km)** Continue west Gibb River Road winding through dramatic King Leopold Ranges offering most spectacular Western Australia views. Day ends majestic Windjana Gorge with bushwalks and tours available. **Day 26: Windjana Gorge to Camballin (283km)** Continue south to Tunnel Creek where water carved tunnel through hill. If water level low enough, walk or swim end to end. After lunch and short blacktop stint, follow Fitzroy River to bush camp at Fitzroy River Barrage. **Day 27: Camballin to Banana Well (317km)** Follow Fitzroy River further, pass Camballin Irrigation Project ruins before rejoining Number One Highway cruising past famous landmarks. Afternoon back on sandy tracks for serious four-wheel driving action to overnight camp. **Day 28: Banana Well to Broome (133km)** Final day easy run into Broome with plenty sightseeing time and town tour once arrived. Farewell dinner tonight at historic Roebuck Bay Hotel.