An incredible driving adventure, the Savannah Way takes you on a journey across the vast expanse of Northern Australia. The route follows Highway 1, but unmade roads make up a good portion of the distance; making it a challenge for both car and driver. The journey takes travellers through the vast savannahs that give the route its name, tropical tablelands and lush rainforests; as they make their way from Cairns in Queensland, through to Broome in Western Australia. The trip has numerous opportunities to stop and discover the local wildlife, geological formations, mining towns and Aboriginal heritage.
Here is an ideal chance to take a break and head off to the reserve where the visitor centre at the side of a vast lake serves coffee and cakes. Relax on the veranda and enjoy the spectacle of the famous black swans, kangaroos and emus in comfort. Boat trips are available to go searching for some of the rarer species that frequent the area.
Located on a tributary of the Herbert River, Millstream Falls are known as Australia’s wildest waterfall. One of a number of falls in the Atherton Tablelands, the water tumbles spectacularly over an ancient lava flow of basalt rock.
Afterwards, you could spend the night in Ravenshoe (pronounced Ravens Hoe,) which is the highest town in Australia.
Gold in Croydon
Croydon is one of a few towns that you will encounter that started life during the gold rush of the 1880s. Once the fourth largest towns in Queensland, it has now dwindled in size as the gold has been commercially exhausted. There are still plenty of remnants from the gold rush days, including a mining museum. If you rented your four wheel drive from somewhere like Alamo Car Hire, now would be a good time to check oil, water and tyres before the rest of the trip.
Normantown
The wetlands around Norman town are famous for crocodile spotting; and in the centre of town is a statue of one called Krys, a life size replica, it is 8.64m long, the largest ever caught.
One of the high points in a trip that has so many, standing on the fiery red cliffs and looking down into the vibrant green Lawn Hill gorge is worth the trip alone. You can explore the area on foot but the best way is to hire a canoe. The park is home to some of the best Aboriginal cave art, but the rocks hold another secret; they contain one of the most significant fossil beds in the world.
Finally to Broome
Gateway to the Kimberley region, Broome is s town famous for its pearls and pink diamonds. Cable Beach is well known for its stretches of pure white sands where you can join a camel ride and head off into the sunset.
