Broome to Darwin

Head from Broome to Darwin including the Gibb River Road in 14 days for the perfect taste of 4WDing in the Australian outback, or complete the journey starting in Darwin by following our Darwin to Broome itinerary.

Leg 1 Broome to Windjana Gorge 370 kms 5 hours

Broome is a compact town to explore and attractions are all within 15 minutes drive.

Must see & do:

• Camel ride on Cable Beach
• Matso’s mango beer brewery
• Fishing
• Whale Watching
• Pearl tour
• Sunset

Head to Windjana Gorge National Park and take a trip out to explore Tunnel Creek.

Stay at the Windjana Gorge Campground.

Leg 2 Windjana to Bell Gorge and Silent Grove 179 kms 2 hours

Explore and swim at the waterfalls including Bell Gorge along the lengths of the Gib River Road.

Silent Grove campsite is the best area to set up camp and to see Bell Gorge and Bells Falls, which are about 11km to the north-west of this campsite.

Leg 3 Bell Gorge and Silent Grove to Manning Gorge 122 kms 1.5 hours

Enjoy a bushwalk and experience the tranquility of Manning Falls.

Manning Gorge is a great place to camp for the night.

Leg 4 Manning Gorge to El Questro 344 kms 4.5 hours

On your way to El Questro, visit Barnett River Gorge and enjoy the hospitality of a pioneering family-owned cattle station and explore the magnificent waterholes on the property.  Look out for incredible Aboriginal art on the rock walls surrounding the waterholes.

Spend a couple of days exploring the El Questro park. Visit the thermal pool at Zebedee Springs, Emma Gorge or take a boat down the Chamberlain Gorge and fish for barramundi.

Stay at El Questro’s campsite.

Leg 5 El Questro to Purnululu National Park 265 kms 3.5 hours

Bushwalking, plane or heli-tours, bus tours, station tours and more. From Bungle Bungle Caravan Park there is 70-80km of rough 4WD road to either Echidna Chasm or Cathedral Gorge. Plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to visit a few attractions.

Start by heading to the visitor centre, Cathedral Gorge and Picaninny Creek Walk – including Whipsnake Gorge and Picaninny Lookout. The park’s main feature, the Bungle Bungle Range, stands 300 metres above the spinifex covered plain and is dominated by the famous orange and black banded beehive-shaped dome.

The park has limited accessible drinkable water, however our off-road safari campers can hold 160 litres of drinkable water!

Stay at the Bungle Bungles Caravan Park.

Leg 6 Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) to Kununurra 252 kms 3 hours

If time permits, make a quick stop a Lake Argyle. It is the largest lake in Australia and home to abundant wildlife.

Check in at one of the many campsites available in Kununurra such as Ivanhoe Village Resort.

Leg 7 Kununurra to Katherine Gorge 541 kms 7 hours

Nitmiluk National Park has 13 stunning gorges which can be explored by foot, canoe, boat or helicopter. The most popular ones are Edith Falls and Katherine Gorge. If you have time for a walk, Sweetwater Pool can be reached by a short 4.5 kilometre walk from Leliyn / Edith Falls.

Powered and non-powered sites are available near the Gorge Caravan Park and non-powered sites are available at Leliyn (Edith Falls).

Leg 8 Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park to Kakadu 328 kms 4 hours

Kakadu is by far the most popular place in the Top End. It is Australia’s largest national park covering 20,000 hectares with stunning landscapes and amazing Aboriginal rock art sites.

There are many options for campsites and would depend on how far you drive in the national park.

Explore Kakadu National Park

Explore on foot, join a cruise or guided tour, spot crocs or birds and make a splash in one of the many waterfalls.

Leg 9 Kakadu National Park to Litchfield National Park 341 kms 4.5 hours

Litchfield National Park  is home to amazing waterfalls. It is a popular day tour destination but we would recommend staying overnight in order to explore as much as you can. It is possible to swim (even under the waterfalls!) and there are many beautiful walks starting from most popular sites.

Camping is available year-round at Wangi and Florence Falls. Four-wheel drive camping areas are available at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), Surprise Creek Falls and Florence Falls.

Explore Litchfield National Park

A summary of activities you could do during your time at Litchfield:

• Swimming
• Camping
• Bushwalking
• Wildlife spotting
• Visit scenic lookouts
• View historic ruins at Blyth Homestead and Bamboo Creek
• Four-wheel driving.

Leg 10 Litchfield to Darwin 159 kms 2 hours

Drive back to Darwin. On the way stop at the Territory Wildlife Park to see wildlife up-close in their natural habitats. A fantastic stop for the children. Or you could visit Crocodylus Park in Berrimah, which  is the best place in Australia to come face to face with the largest reptiles. There is also a crocodile park located in the city, where you can also swim safely next to a 5m+ Saltwater crocodile.

Total kilometers: 2,901
Total travel hours: 37

Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h, the maximum legal speed while towing is 100km p/h and should be adjusted to suit road conditions and weather. The travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic, fuel, food and bathroom stops. Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only, along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.

Images: Courtesy of Tourism Western Australia and Northern Territory