The Ultimate Darwin to Broome Road Trip

This is the western half of the Savannah Way, if you are considering doing it all, then you will also need our itinerary and guide to the eastern half, Cairns to Darwin.

Starting in the country’s tropical Top End, this epic 2,000-kilometre Darwin to Broome road trip cuts through the vast wilderness of The Kimberley along the legendary Gibb River Road and ends in a pearling town where the desert meets the sea.

Here is your 10-day Darwin to Broome road trip itinerary covering the where, what and how.

Day one: Darwin to Nitmiluk National Park

After leaving the tropical city of Darwin, head south for three hours along the Stuart Highway towards Katherine, through the historic townships of Adelaide River and Pine Creek. Before hitting “K-Town", as it’s affectionally known, stop in for a dip at the pandanus-fringed Leliyn (Edith Falls) on Nitmiluk National Park’s west side.

Refreshed, drive another hour down the track to Katherine and onto Nitmiluk National Park, which has powered sites, cabins, and permanent tents.

Must-see

1. Litchfield National Park

The key attraction between Darwin and Pine Creek is Litchfield National Park, where you can swim in waterfalls such as Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls and Wangi Falls.

2. Pine Creek

Stop in this awesome little town for a dose of history, unusual buildings and memories of the old railway and telegraph line.

3. Edith Falls (Leliyn)

Dust yourself off from the drive before you reach Katherine with a swim at gorgeous Leliyn in Nitmiluk National Park, 60 kilometres north of K-Town.

Accommodation tip: Cicada Lodge

Day two: Nitmiluk National Park

Spend the day exploring Nitmiluk National Park, home to 13 dramatic gorges that rise up from Katherine River. Join a scenic cruise, swim at rock pools and waterfalls, hire a canoe to paddle the gorges, take a helicopter flight to see the landscape from above, or join a local Indigenous guide for a presentation on Jawoyn culture.

Make the drive one hour south of Katherine before the day’s out to the tiny town of Mataranka. Renowned for its sandy-bottom thermal pool, Mataranka was made famous by the novel We of the Never Never, which is about the nearby Elsey Station.

Must-see

1. Top Didj

Learn about fire-starting with sticks, spear throwing and painting with Aboriginal artist Manuel Pamkal, who shares his cultural insight on his tours at Top Didj.

2. Canoe at Nitmiluk Gorge

Hire a canoe from the visitors’ centre in Nitmiluk National Park and cruise at your own pace – you should reach the third gorge in a day.

Accommodation tip: Mataranka Homestead

Day three: Katherine to Lake Argyle

The drive into Western Australia will take most of the day via the Victoria Highway so get an early start and make sure you’re well-prepared for the drive with plenty of petrol and water. Stop at Timber Creek (two hours before the NT-WA border) for lunch and stretch your legs on the town’s two-kilometre Heritage Trail.

mountain views surrounding Lake Argyle in East Kimberley — Take a scenic drive via the Victoria Highway to Lake Argyle. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Strict quarantine laws mean you can’t carry any fresh food with you over the border, so stop at Kununurra, the first major town in Western Australia, to stock up on any supplies.

an aerial view of Lake Argyle in East Kimberley — Lake Argyle is the largest man-made lake in the southern hemisphere. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@saltywings)

Farewell the Northern Territory and head across the border, making a beeline for Lake Argyle, 75 kilometres south of Kununurra.

It’s not often you get the phrases ‘caravan park’ and ‘world-class pool’ in one sentence, but Discovery Parks – Lake Argyle hits the mark with its infinity pool. With views across Lake Argyle, this paradise is one of the Kimberley’s most Instagrammed.

a scenic view of Lake Argyle in East Kimberley — No wonder Lake Argyle is Kimberley’s most photographed spot. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Must-see

1. Keep River National Park

Just before the NT – WA border, you’ll find Keep River National Park, home to ancient Aboriginal rock art and Bungle Bungle-like sandstone structures.

2. Argyle Homestead Museum

Step back in time at the fascinating Argyle Homestead Museum, where you can walk through the 1890s home of the famous Durack family.

Accommodation tip: Discovery Parks – Lake Argyle

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Day four: Purnululu National Park

Continue on to Purnululu National Park, home to the fascinating Bungle Bungle Range, a maze of orange and black-striped sandstone domes.

two people walking toward The Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park — See enormous striped rock formations at The Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Hike through the Bungle Bungles, marvel at the acoustics of Cathedral Gorge and wander through the narrow red walls of Echidna Chasm.

a person standing between the red walls at Echidna Chasm — Enter the narrow passageway through the red walls of Echidna Chasm. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Must-see

1. Fly over Purnululu National Park

Take to the skies on a scenic flight and pass over the domes and Piccaninny Gorge, where the ochre escarpment abruptly ends, plunging hundreds of metres down to a lush green floor.

an aerial view of orange and black-striped sandstone domes in The Bungle Bungle Range — The Bungle Bungle Range is dotted with giant rocky domes. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Accommodation tip: Bungle Bungle Caravan Park

Day five and six: El Questro Station

Head north to El Questro Station this morning, a 283,000-hectare property that was a former cattle station in the heart of the Kimberley, located on the legendary Gibb River Rd.

a couple on top of a grassy land at El Questro Wilderness Park, Kimberley — Admire scenic sights atop El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

El Questro Station, 11 kilometres from Kununurra, is synonymous with just about every Aussie adventurer’s bucket list.

a couple sipping their morning coffee outside their tent at El Questro Wilderness Park, East Kimberley — Camp on the grounds of El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

This vast cattle station turned tourism venture, is peppered with boabs, spinifex plains, river as wild as the crocodiles that inhabit them, and gorges so perfectly shaded with palms you’d think a landscaper has been at work.

a couple enjoying a dip in Zebedee Springs, El Questro Wilderness Park — Soak in serenity at Zebedee Springs. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Join a cruise to Chamberlain Gorge, relax in the thermal pools of Zebedee Springs, take a trek to Emma Gorge or even take a dip in remote waterholes only accessible by helicopter.

a river flowing through the Emma Gorge hike trail — Journey through the Emma Gorge hike trail. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Must-see

1. Horse trek at El Questro

Take a two-hour ride from El Questro Station to get even more off the beaten track and experience otherwise inaccessible areas on horseback.

2. Swim at Emma Gorge

Take the challenging walk to Emma Gorge – one of the best known and spectacular gorges of the Kimberley.

the spectacular Emma Gorge with a swimming hole in El Questro Wilderness Park, Kimberley — Dip in the swimming hole of Emma Gorge. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Accommodation tip: El Questro Homestead

Day seven: Ellenbrae Station

Top up on petrol and supplies before leaving El Questro and head west along the Gibb River Road, stopping at the Cockburn Ranges Lookout for a spectacular view of the 600-metre-high sandstone escarpment.

an aerial view of an unnamed waterfall which runs into the King River, Cockburn Range — A scenic waterfall runs into the King River at Cockburn Ranges Lookout. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Stop in at Ellenbrae Station, a 400-hectare station for a dip in the swimming holes or to try one of their famous scones. Continue west along the rugged Gibb River Road towards Mount Barnett Roadhouse, the entrance point for Manning Gorge and a great spot for supplies and petrol.

the Cockburn Ranges along Gibb River Road — Meander across the vast rugged landscape at Cockburn Ranges along Gibb River Road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Must-see

1. Cockburn Ranges Lookout

Walk the 1.8-kilometre loop from the front gate at Home Valley Station on Balanggarra country to catch the great views of the Cockburn Ranges and the meteorite crater.

a scenic helicopter ride above Cockburn Ranges Lookout — Hover above the Cockburn Ranges Lookout on a helicopter ride. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. Ellenbrae baths

Wash away the Gibb River Road dust and soak in a tub at Ellenbrae Station, which you can hire for one-hour sessions. You can also add a grazing platter to the experience.

two bathtubs at Ellenbrae Station — Take a rejuvenating dip in one of the tubs.

Accommodation tip: Ellenbrae Station

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Day eight: Manning Gorge

On the grounds of Mt Barnett Station, take the three-kilometre trail from the campsite to the top of Manning Gorge. The trail includes a swim across the Manning River (or you can take the rope-guide with floats to ferry your belongings) and has views out to the ranges and savannah woodland. The gorge has several waterfall-fed pools, which are perfect for swimming and rock hopping.

Must-see

1. Adcock Gorge

From Mt Barnett Roadhouse it’s 34 kilometres to Adcock Gorge, a picturesque swimming spot on Mt House station.

Accommodation tip: Manning Gorge

Day nine: Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park

Rise early and fuel up for the drive to Windjana Gorge, where you’ll stay the night at the large campground. Spend the afternoon exploring the 3.5-kilometre gorge, which was once the bottom of a tropical sea. Fossilised remnants are visible in its limestone walls. At its centre, the Lennard River is home to a huge concentration of freshwater crocodiles, so stay safe and don’t go in the water.

a freshwater crocodile at Windjana Gorge National Park — Spot freshwater crocodiles at Windjana Gorge National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Must-see

1. Gorge Walk Trail

Take plenty of water and set off on the Gorge Walk Trail, which winds through Windjana Gorge for 3.5 kilometres each way.

2. Time Walk Trail

Discover the marine life forms fossilized within the limestone of the walls of Windjana Gorge.

people on a walking trail along Windjana Gorge National Park — Go on a winding walk trail across Windjana Gorge National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Accommodation tip: Windjana Gorge Campground

Day 10: Broome via Derby

You’re on the final stretch! The Gibb River Road ends in the small town of Derby today, located on the edge of King Sound, its streets lined with boab trees.

a Boab tree near Derby at night — Boab trees glow differently at night on the streets of Derby. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@aeroture_au)

For those wanting to see the famous Horizontal Falls, stay overnight in Derby and join a day tour to this natural wonder. If you want to stay longer at the Horizontal Falls, book a night on the vessel Jetwave Pearl, which offers luxury rooms for a maximum of 20 guests.

After a break in Derby, continue along the Great Northern Highway to Broome. This small multicultural pearling town is where the desert meets the sea and your final destination on this epic outback road trip.

Must-see

1. Mowanjum Arts

In the Mowanjum community art centre near Derby, visitors can view and purchase artworks by custodians of Wandjina law and iconography from the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal tribes.

See artworks by custodians of Wandjina law at Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. Boab Prison Tree

One of the finest examples of a Kimberley boab tree is the Boab Prison Tree found just 6km south of Derby.

Accommodation tip: Birdwood Downs Station

Important information

Distances on this Darwin to Broome road trip are approximate. The best time to travel is in the dry season, from May to September. Check seasonal information before travelling.

Many sections of this Darwin to Broome road trip are suitable for 4WDs only – don’t attempt it in a 2WD.

Be sure to fuel up your car regularly as petrol stations are few and far between, particularly on the Gibb River Road. Carry a couple of jerry cans with you just in case.

Always carry ample water; around five litres per traveller is recommended.

While you should have phone reception in most major towns, other areas of this road trip will have sketchy connections. A satellite phone is recommended.

Consider hiring a campervan if you’d prefer to be more flexible with your itinerary.

For more information read our survival guide on driving in the outback and this story on driving in the NT.

Original article written by Megan Arkinstall, updates by Leah McLennan.

Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

“The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

“It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

Getting there

Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore. — Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

At one with nature

East Arnhem’s landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

“I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

“I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

Immersing in local culture

A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land. — Experience authentic moments with the locals.

Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

“I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

“A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me… and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

Spotting local wildlife

An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance. — Step into a world where nature reigns.

The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

“Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

“As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

“Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

“The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.

This is the western half of the Savannah Way, if you are considering doing it all, then you will also need our itinerary and guide to the eastern half, Cairns to Darwin.

Day one: Darwin to Nitmiluk National Park

Must-see

1. Litchfield National Park

2. Pine Creek

3. Edith Falls (Leliyn)

Day two: Nitmiluk National Park

Must-see

1. Top Didj

2. Canoe at Nitmiluk Gorge

Day three: Katherine to Lake Argyle

Must-see

1. Keep River National Park

2. Argyle Homestead Museum

AI Prompt

Day four: Purnululu National Park

Must-see

1. Fly over Purnululu National Park

Day five and six: El Questro Station

Must-see

1. Horse trek at El Questro

2. Swim at Emma Gorge

Day seven: Ellenbrae Station

Must-see

1. Cockburn Ranges Lookout

2. Ellenbrae baths

Day eight: Manning Gorge

Must-see

1. Adcock Gorge

Day nine: Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) National Park

Must-see

1. Gorge Walk Trail

2. Time Walk Trail

Day 10: Broome via Derby

Must-see

1. Mowanjum Arts

2. Boab Prison Tree

Important information

For more information read our survival guide on driving in the outback and this story on driving in the NT.

Fly to the NT from $199 with Qantas’s 72-hour sale

Land a free flight to the Red Centre when you book by the end of November

Revealed: This Aussie experience just made Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best List

Darwin’s new cultural centre is shaped like a tawny frogmouth

Getting there

At one with nature

Immersing in local culture

Spotting local wildlife