De Down Onder

23 May 2026 – 23 May 2027 · by korlaar

Destinations

Melbourne, Australia

Arrival week. Sort SIM, settle in, shake off the jet lag. Dim Sims. Late-autumn 10-17C. Brunch, Queen Victoria Market, Hosier Lane, a quick Yarra loop.
Wagga Wagga City Council, Australia

Overnight stop on the XPT. Regional Riverina town - a walk along the Murrumbidgee, Victory Memorial Gardens, Botanic Gardens.
Sydney, Australia

Short visit, back in November. Bondi-Coogee coastal walk, family time at the farm and beach house, catch up with Ramzi. Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay ferry to Manly. Catch up with Lauren. **Day 1 - Aankomst en Verkenning van Sydney** Morning: Begin de dag met een heerlijk ontbijt in het centrum van Sydney. Verken daarna het iconische Sydney Opera House en loop langs de havens, waar je mooie foto's kunt maken. Afternoon: Maak een wandeling door de Royal Botanic Garden en geniet van de prachtige flora. Neem de tijd om te lunchen bij een van de cafés met uitzicht op het water. Evening: Geniet van een diner in Darling Harbour, waar je kunt kiezen uit diverse restaurants. Sluit de avond af met een wandeling langs de haven om de stad bij nacht te bewonderen. **Day 2 - Bondi Beach en Lauren Bezoek** Morning: Na het ontbijt reis je naar Bondi Beach. Geniet van de sun en wandel langs het strand om de surfers te bekijken. Afternoon: Bezoek je vriendin Lauren, geniet van een gezamenlijke lunch en bespreek herinneringen. Maak daarna een korte wandeling naar Bondi’s beroemde promenade. Evening: Verken de lokale eetgelegenheden en dineer met uitzicht op de oceaan. Maak de avond compleet met een cocktail in een bar aan het strand. **Day 3 - Coastal Walk en Familiebezoek** Morning: Start met een sterke koffie en begin aan de prachtige Coastal Walk van Bondi naar Coogee. Geniet van het uitzicht op de zee en de kustlijn. Afternoon: Neem een pauze om te lunchen in Coogee voordat je terugkeert. Ga in de namiddag op bezoek bij je familie in Sydney, deel verhalen en herinneringen. Evening: Geniet van een gezellig diner met je familie en ontspan samen met spelletjes of een filmavond. **Day 4 - Bl. Mnt Trip en Verkenning van de Omgeving** Morning: Na het ontbijt ga je op een avontuurlijke trip naar Blue Mountains. Geniet van het prachtige zicht op de natuur en bezoek enkele uitkijkpunten. Afternoon: Maak een wandeling door het nationale park en geniet van een picknicklunch temidden van de natuur. Neem de tijd om de watervallen en fauna te bewonderen. Evening: Keer terug naar Sydney en dineer in een van de lokale restaurants. Sluit de avond af met een rustige wandeling langs Circular Quay. **Day 5 - Cultuur en Geschiedenis** Morning: Begin met een bezoek aan het Australian Museum om meer te leren over de inheemse culturen. Ervaar de fascinerende tentoonstellingen en artefacten. Afternoon: Geniet van een lunch in het museumcafé en bezoek daarna het historische Darling Harbour. Verken het Maritiem Museum om meer te leren over Sydney's maritieme geschiedenis. Evening: Geniet van een diner in de buurt van de haven, gevolgd door een bezoek aan een lokale bar voor livemuziek en uitgaan. **Day 6 - Ontspanning en Vertrek** Morning: Voor je vertrek, geniet je van een ontspannen ontbijt in een café met een uitzicht. Maak een laatste wandeling door een van de parken in Sydney. Afternoon: Doe wat last-minute winkelen in de shoppingstraten van Sydney, zoals Pitt Street Mall. Geniet van een lichte lunch voordat je je voorbereidt op je vertrek. Evening: Pak je koffers en zeg gedag tegen Sydney. Neem de tijd om alles in je op te nemen, voordat je op weg gaat naar het vliegveld.
Bucca Wauka, Australia
Gloucester, Australia
Casino, Australia

Train transfer stop on the Sydney-Brisbane XPT route. Northern Rivers region.
Byron Bay, Australia

Three nights for the northern NSW reset after the long XPT day. Cape Byron Lighthouse walk past Wategos, the Pass surf break, Main Beach at sunrise. Humpback whales possible off the lighthouse in June. Slower coffee morning in town on day three.
Gold Coast, Australia

Two-night stopover before Brisbane. Without a car the hinterland (Lamington, Springbrook) and theme parks are out of reach, so this is really Burleigh Heads headland walk and the beach, maybe a swim. Skip the Surfers glitz. Hinterland waits for the 2027 loop.
Brisbane, Australia

Transit hub before the QLD rail loop. South Bank parklands and Streets Beach, GOMA, a stroll over the Goodwill Bridge, Kangaroo Point cliffs at sunset. A couple of nights is plenty.
Cooroy, Australia

Rail transfer on the Tilt Train — a short wait here before Sunbus 632 to Noosa.
Noosa Shire, Australia

Basing out of Noosa for the K'gari (Fraser Island) tour — Drop Bear Adventures or K'gari Safari, 3 days / 2 nights (Mon depart, Wed return). World's largest sand island, Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, 75 Mile Beach, Maheno shipwreck, possibly Champagne Pools. Back to Noosa Wednesday evening, then onwards to Hervey Bay Thursday.
Hervey Bay, Australia

6 nights (18-24 Jun) - base for K'gari and the southern reef. Mid-June is mild winter (days ~17-22C, cooler water), ideal for island/4WD trips and coastal walks. Ideas: 1) K'gari (Fraser Island) - the headline: world's largest sand island, 4WD day tour to Lake McKenzie, rainforest & Maheno wreck. 2) Lady Elliot Island - scenic-flight reef day trip; southern GBR coral cay famous for manta rays & turtles (premium, weather-dependent). 3) Urangan Pier - ~1km heritage pier for sunset, dolphins/rays; pier markets Wed & Sat mornings. 4) Botanic Gardens - native birds & plants, Chinese garden, orchid house (easy half-day). 5) The Esplanade - 17km beachfront walk/cycle (Point Vernon to Urangan), cafes & playgrounds. SEASONAL: humpback whale-watching season only starts ~12 Jul (to Oct), so mid-June is too early for whales - treat the whale cruise as a maybe/skip. WetSide Waterpark is seasonal & likely closed/reduced in winter - check hours first.4 nights (20-24 Jun) - base for K'gari & the southern reef; mild winter (days ~17-22C). BOOKED: K'gari Explorer Tours 2-Day/1-Night tour on 22-23 Jun (ref 23JT67, AU$556.69 paid). Depart 22 Jun: Hervey Bay courtesy pickup 7-8am, 9:00am ferry from River Heads; overnight at K'gari Beach Resort; return 23 Jun on the 5:00pm ferry, drop back 6-7pm. So the night of 22 Jun is spent ON K'gari (not in Hervey Bay) - leaves 3 nights actually in Hervey Bay. Tour covers Lake McKenzie, Maheno wreck, Eli Creek, The Pinnacles, 75 Mile Beach. Other Hervey Bay ideas: Lady Elliot Island scenic-flight reef day trip (manta rays/turtles, premium); Urangan Pier (~1km, sunset, pier markets Wed & Sat); Botanic Gardens (orchid house, easy half-day); The Esplanade 17km beachfront walk/cycle. SEASONAL: whale-watching season only starts ~12 Jul, so mid-June is too early - skip the whale cruise. WetSide Waterpark is seasonal/likely closed in winter.
Maryborough, Australia
Proserpine, Australia

Rail transfer stop — Whitsunday Transit coach to Airlie Beach from here.
Airlie Beach, Australia

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet (silica sand), sailing trips through the 74 islands, snorkelling on the fringing reef. Heart Reef scenic flight for something special. Dry-season peak.
Proserpine, Australia

Rail transfer back — Whitsunday Transit coach from Airlie Beach to the station.
Townsville, Australia
Magnetic Island, Australia

5 nights (2-7 Jul) at Nomads, Nelly Bay (booking 1482190591611830, 8-bed dorm). Laid-back island - 23 bays, koalas & rock-wallabies. June = dry season: warm sunny days ~26C, low humidity, calm seas and outside marine-stinger season, so good for swimming/snorkel. Ideas: 1) Forts Walk - WWII forts + wild koalas (in to-dos). 2) Horseshoe Bay - main beach, water sports, sunset (in to-dos). 3) Snorkel Geoffrey Bay & Nelly Bay fringing reef - turtles + the Moltke wreck snorkel trail off Geoffrey Bay. 4) Hire a 'topless' open-top car (Tropical Topless / Roto-Topless) - the classic way to loop the bays. 5) Bungalow Bay Koala Village (Horseshoe Bay) - hold a koala + wildlife park. 6) Bays walking tracks - Radical Bay, Balding Bay & Arthur Bay. 7) Rock-wallaby feeding at Geoffrey Bay, late afternoon. Get around by island bus or hired car/scooter.
Townsville, Australia

2 nights (7-9 Jul) back on the mainland before the morning train to Cairns. Tropical garrison city and reef gateway; June/July is dry season, warm & sunny ~25C. Things to do: 1) Castle Hill - drive or hike the pink-granite monolith for 360-degree city, sea & Magnetic Island views (great at sunrise/sunset). 2) The Strand - 2.3km palm-lined beachfront with rock pool, jetty, playgrounds & cafes; lovely evening stroll. 3) Museum of Tropical Queensland - maritime history incl. the HMS Pandora wreck; good half-day/rainy-day. 4) Flinders St heritage precinct & riverside dining. NOTE: Reef HQ Aquarium is CLOSED for a major rebuild (reopening ~2029) - don't plan around it. The V8 Supercars Townsville 500 is usually mid-July - check exact dates as it affects traffic/accommodation.
Cairns, Australia

Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef - peak season. Dwarf minke whale liveaboards run Jun-Jul on the Ribbon Reefs. Cairns Esplanade lagoon, Night Markets, Botanic Gardens. Savannahlander heritage rail Cairns-Forsayth 4 days, Gulflander Normanton-Croydon. Car purchase before heading west.
Cape Tribulation, Australia

PLAN CHANGE (from 16 Jul): spend these 2 nights in the DAINTREE / Cape Tribulation, NOT Port Douglas. FRI 17 Jul: drive Cairns -> Daintree (~2.5h); stock up on groceries + fuel at MOSSMAN (last supermarket - nothing north of the ferry). Do the CROC CRUISE at the Daintree Gateway (300m before the ferry; Crocodile Express, ~1h, departs 8:30/9:45/11:00/12:30/2:00/3:30 - book Fri morning). Ferry ~AU$49 return, runs 5am-midnight. CAMP: Noah Beach (Daintree NP, $7.25pp, car-access, composting toilets, no power) - or Cape Trib Camping / PK's Jungle Village for power+showers/dorms. SAT 18: rainforest walks (Marrdja + Dubuji boardwalks), Cape Trib beach, Kulki lookout. SUN 19: drive back and VISIT PORT DOUGLAS as a day-stop (Four Mile Beach, Macrossan St, Flagstaff Hill lookout), then on to Cairns for the night. MON 20: car in for service (oil leak + rocker covers). ||| ACTUAL (Sat 18 Jul, 10am): camped in Daintree VILLAGE last night + did the Upper croc cruise from the village jetty. Now heading N to Cape Tribulation. TONIGHT: Cape Trib Camping (beachfront, showers, walk-up ~$20-25pp) — or Noah Beach ($7.25pp) if the QLD Parks app shows a site free. 2nd included croc cruise (Gateway/Lower, 300m S of the ferry) = SUN morning ~8:30-9:45 on the way back, then Port Douglas -> Cairns.
Cairns, Australia
Atherton, Australia

Atherton Tablelands. Waterfalls circuit (Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Ellinjaa). Curtain Fig Tree. Platypus viewing at Yungaburra. — STAY: On the Wallaby Eco Lodge, Yungaburra (dorm ~AU$32-52; best budget pick). Suggest 2 nights — this is Day 1 of the westbound Cairns→Darwin drive. Also: Lake Eacham/Lake Barrine swims, Cathedral Fig, Gallo Dairyland. (Do the tablelands from ~Tue 22 Jul, after the car service.) LIVE PLAN (locksmith Tue 21 Jul 8am-12pm, leave Cairns ~12:15pm; all timed in Google Calendar): TUE 21 — southern-waterfalls drive up, via Palmerston Hwy (avoids the Gillies roadworks): Babinda Boulders (1:15-2pm; swim MAIN hole only, NOT Devil's Pool) -> Josephine Falls (2:15-3pm) -> Millaa Millaa Falls (~4:10pm) -> arrive On the Wallaby ~5:20pm BEFORE dusk (sunset 6pm; no night driving on the ranges). Dusk: platypus at Peterson Creek + Curtain Fig (torch hire at reception, ph 07 4095 2031). WED 22 — full Tablelands day near the lodge: Lake Eacham + Lake Barrine (crater lakes, AM), Cathedral Fig, Zillie & Ellinjaa Falls, Mt Hypipamee Crater/Dinner Falls, Gallo Dairyland or Nerada Tea. Optional lodge Night Canoe (dep 8pm). THU 23 — to Undara (~2.5-3h): via Herberton -> Ravenshoe -> Millstream Falls (Australia's widest single-drop) -> Innot Hot Springs -> Undara for a lava-tube tour + sunset bat emergence. All sealed/2WD. UPDATE 20 Jul (OPTION 1 — On The Wallaby only had 1 night, dorm, no campsites): ONLY 1 night at On The Wallaby (Tue 21->Wed 22). WED 22: crater lakes AM (Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine) near Yungaburra -> check out -> drive SOUTH via the Millaa Millaa waterfall circuit + Millstream Falls (Ravenshoe) -> arrive Undara ~4:30pm BEFORE dusk -> sunset bat tour. THU 23: morning guided lava-tube tour (BOOK ahead) -> ~2h to Georgetown. Dropped Mt Hypipamee + Cathedral Fig (off the southward route). Undara now Wed 22->Thu 23 (still 1nt); all downstream -1 day; total 311/365. Full timings in Google Calendar. LIVE UPDATE (Wed 22 Jul): Now 2 nights here. Mechanic hunt (Atherton → Mount Garnet) ate Wed — only did the 2 crater lakes + Millaa Millaa waterfall circuit; MISSED Millstream Falls. Free-camped at Archer Creek Rest Area (Kennedy Hwy, S of Ravenshoe) = 2nd night. Undara slipped to Thu 23. THU 23: 8am Oatsy's Mobile Workshop, Mount Garnet (full auto-trans fluid + filter change) → then west to Undara. Katherine trimmed 5→4 nights to reabsorb the day; Kakadu/Darwin unchanged.
Undara, Australia

Undara Lava Tubes. Break up drive west. Atherton Tablelands. — STAY: Undara Experience campground (the only spot; unpowered/powered + swags). Book the guided lava-tube tour + the sunset bat-emergence. Sealed access, no 4WD needed. BOOKED (Thu 23 → Fri 24 Jul, 1 night): Discovery Resorts–Undara, conf #J-7100655, Unpowered Site–Van, AU$124.10 (incl. tour). THU 23: arrive from Oatsy's / Mount Garnet mid-afternoon → Kalkani Crater rim walk + sunset bat-emergence tour (lava tubes were sold out that day). FRI 24: Wind Tunnel Explorer lava-tube tour 8:00am (Rezdy order RNZWXDG, AU$75; meet at resort, arrive 7:45; TORCH + closed grippy shoes mandatory) → ~2h drive to Georgetown. === WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED (updated Sun 26 Jul) === This 4-night block is a CONTAINER for three different places — Stippl can't easily insert stops mid-list, so the real breakdown is: • Thu 23 → Fri 24: UNDARA (1 night, as booked, #J-7100655). Wind Tunnel lava-tube tour done Fri 24 8am. • Fri 24 → Sun 26: MOUNT GARNET (2 nights) — car back at Oatsy's Mobile Workshop, 3 Rutile St. The transmission job ran long and further repairs were needed. • Sun 26 → Mon 27: UNDARA AGAIN (2nd night). Left Mt Garnet ~15:15 Sun — too late to bother pushing on, so Mount Surprise was DROPPED and he stayed at Undara. KALKANI NOTE: it's a DRIVE not a walk — day-use area is ~17km from the Undara resort (gravel), then a 2.5km rim loop (~1hr full, ~25min for just the lookout-and-back). ⚠ OPEN ISSUE: the shuddering is a failing DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT, still not fixed. Calling ahead to Mount Isa (Isa 4WD Parts & Repairs; Secure Diesel & Automotive) — ask if they STOCK the uni joint, not just fit it. Everything from Normanton onward may move again depending on where/when this gets repaired. Drive gently; the Normanton→Mt Isa 490km leg and the Barkly are the worst places for it to let go. === FUEL — MEASURED (Sun 26 Jul) === 90L tank. Real figure: 198 km on 32.21 L = 16.3 L/100km (better than the earlier 21 L/100 scare). Plan at 18 L/100km for headwind/load. • Full tank ~500 km absolute, ~375 km to the 1/4-tank line. Never plan past 375 km between pumps. • MON 27 Undara->Normanton 452 km: exceeds one tank, MUST refuel en route. Gaps small (54/93/150/155). Fill at GEORGETOWN and again at CROYDON. No jerry can needed. • NORMANTON->MOUNT ISA 494 km: Burke & Wills Roadhouse at 194 km is the ONLY fuel; Cloncurry +180; Mt Isa +120. If B&W is dry, Normanton->Cloncurry is 374 km = exactly at the safe limit. FILL FULL AT NORMANTON; jerry can advisable. • THE BARKLY = the critical one. Mt Isa->Camooweal 188, Camooweal->Barkly Homestead 260 (ONLY fuel), then ~200 to Tennant Creek. Barkly Homestead has closed before (fire). If shut, Camooweal->Tennant Creek is ~450 km on one tank, zero margin. FILL TANK + JERRY CAN AT MOUNT ISA. • Stuart Hwy (Tennant Ck->Katherine): roadhouses every 90-160 km, no issue.
Georgetown, Australia

Savannah Way stop. Gold mining history, TerrEstrial Centre for gemstones, Cumberland Chimney. The historic Gulflander runs Normanton to Croydon. — 4WD TASTE (worth it, not too rough): detour to COBBOLD GORGE via Forsayth — well-graded gravel access in the dry, then you see the gorge on their guided boat + walk tour (no hairy driving). STAY: Cobbold Gorge Village campground; or in Georgetown the Midway Van Park / Latara. Good first outback-gorge for a new 4WDer. === NOW A PASS-THROUGH (updated Sun 26 Jul) === Dropped as an overnight to claw back a day lost to the car repairs. Mon 27 Jul: driving Mount Surprise → Normanton (398km, ~4h15) in one go, leaving ~07:00. • Georgetown ~08:15 — FUEL + the Ted Elliott mineral/gemstone collection at TerrEstrial. ~30 min. • Croydon ~10:30 — FUEL, heritage precinct, Lake Belmore, Gulflander station. ~45 min. • Normanton ~13:00. No gap over 155km on this leg, but top up at both towns anyway. GULFLANDER (the historic Normanton↔Croydon train): runs Normanton→Croydon WEDNESDAYS 08:30–13:30, returning Croydon→Normanton THURSDAYS 08:30–13:30, Feb–Dec. From ~$109. Arriving Normanton on a Monday means the next run is Wed 29 — catching the full return would cost ~5 nights in the area, so SKIPPED this time. Can still see the stations at Croydon and Normanton for free. Make the Mount Isa mechanic calls from here or Croydon while there's signal.
Croydon, Australia

CROYDON — 2 NIGHTS (Tue 28 – Thu 30 Jul). 368 km from Mount Garnet, ~4h15. Arrive ~15:10. SLEEP: Croydon Caravan Park (cheaper than the Club Hotel). FREE alternative: Croydon Freedom Camp, Temple Street — council-supported, toilets, right in town. EAT: Kickin' Kitchen (burgers). DO: - CROYDON HISTORIC PRECINCT + GULFLANDER STATION. End of the line for the historic Gulflander: old carriages, vintage station, a proper time-warp. Free. This is why we overnight here rather than Georgetown. Also True Blue Visitor Info Centre, old jail cells, machinery sheds, gold-rush history. - LAKE BELMORE. Man-made lake just out of town, good for a swim or a sunset sit, stocked with barra. Unexpected this far inland. GULFLANDER TRAIN: Normanton to Croydon runs WED 08:30, returning Croydon to Normanton THU 08:30, Feb-Dec, from ~$109. Riding it isn't practical - a return trip costs about 5 nights. Seeing both stations is the good-value version. Small gold-rush town, feels like an Aussie western. FUEL here. Normanton is 155 km on. === 🚂 GOLDEN SUNSET TOUR — BOOKED (Wed 29 Jul) === Queensland Rail ticket emailed 07:12 Wed 29 (gulflander@qr.com.au, PDF attached). Travel date 29/07/2026. Boarding: Croydon Railway Station, Helen St. CHECK IN 30 MIN BEFORE DEPARTURE — check the PDF for the exact time. Reservations 1800 577 245 (7:30am–4:30pm AEST). This is why Croydon became 2 nights and everything downstream moved +1 day. === 📸 THU 30: GULFLANDER AT BLACKBULL, 10:15 === Leave Croydon 09:00–09:15. Blackbull is 64 km west, directly ON the Gulf Developmental Road with the railway running parallel — no detour. The Thursday service departs Croydon 08:30 and stops at Blackbull for MORNING TEA at 10:15, so you get a stationary subject and time to work the angles. Station since 1890 (the 56-Mile mark): 1966 shelter shed, interpretive centre in the old railway workers' quarters, campground, toilet. Then 91 km on to Normanton — Krys, Purple Pub, station, FILL FULL — and Karumba for the Sunset Tavern.
Normanton, Australia

Gulflander railway (historic rail to Croydon). Giant croc statue (Krys). Gateway to Gulf of Carpentaria. Purple Mangoes. — STAY: Karumba Point Tourist Park (Gulf sunset + barra, 70km NW) or Normanton Tourist Park. ROUTE JUNCTION: from here go SEALED — Normanton → Cloncurry → Mount Isa (the next two stops are being repurposed to Mount Isa + Tennant Creek). Optional detour if keen: Lawn Hill/Boodjamulla (canoe the gorge) — ~100km corrugated gravel, doable but adds 2-3 days.
Karumba, Australia

KARUMBA — 1 night (Wed 29 Jul). Only 225 km from Croydon via Normanton — a short day on purpose. THIS is the payoff of the Gulf detour. WHY: one of the only places on Australia's EAST side where the sun sets over the OCEAN — the Gulf faces west. SLEEP: ✅ BOOKED & PAID — KARUMBA POINT **TOURIST** PARK, 2 Col Kitching Drive (NOT the Sunset Caravan Park on Palmer St — different business). Reservation 44503, invoice 4501, $43.00. Site U/P 06, unpowered, 24ft+, awning side. 1 adult, arrive 30 Jul, depart 31 Jul. Ph 07 4745 9306 · info@karumbapoint.com.au · Office 7am–5pm (bell/phone on office front after hours). CHECK-OUT 10:00. Keys in the letterbox at the front of the office on departure. No refunds for early departure. EAT / SUNSET: - SUNSET TAVERN — the spot. Barra on the plate, beer in hand, sun melting into the sea. The chicken parmy is meant to be excellent. Get there ~17:30 for a table facing out; sunset ~18:35. - ASH'S @ THE POINT (Karumba Point) — "an absolute gem", THE cafe in town. DO: - LES WILSON BARRAMUNDI DISCOVERY CENTRE, 149 Yappar St. Council-run hatchery, you can hand-feed the barra and sometimes pat one. Feeding runs at set times — ring ahead or check on arrival. - Croc & crab tours (half day) if you want more. - Karumba Point lookout; the wetlands for birdlife. FUEL: fill FULL at Normanton on the way out tomorrow — Burke & Wills is the ONLY pump in the next 194 km.
Cloncurry, Australia

CLONCURRY — 1 night (Thu 30 Jul). 444 km from Karumba, ~5h15 — the longest day of this stretch, but all sealed with a roadhouse in the middle. Stopping here rather than pushing the extra 120 km to Mount Isa means you arrive fresh and get a proper crack at the mine tomorrow morning. SLEEP: Cloncurry Caravan Park / Discovery Parks, or Gilbert Park Tourist Village. DO: JOHN FLYNN PLACE, Daintree St. Cloncurry is where the Royal Flying Doctor Service began in 1928 and this museum tells it properly — one of the better small-town museums in outback QLD. Check closing time on arrival; regional museums often shut at 16:00. EN ROUTE TODAY: BURKE & WILLS ROADHOUSE at 194 km from Normanton is the ONLY fuel. If it's dry or shut, Normanton-Cloncurry direct is 374 km, right at your safe limit. So FILL FULL AT NORMANTON, and top up at the roadhouse regardless. TOMORROW: ring Outback at Isa tonight to book a MORNING Hard Times Mine tour — (07) 4749 1555. The whole day depends on that slot.
Mount Isa, Australia

REROUTE — use this stop as MOUNT ISA (sealed via Cloncurry), NOT remote Burketown. Suggest 2 nights: outback mining city — Outback at Isa / Riversleigh Fossil Centre, Hard Times Mine underground tour, Underground Hospital, Lake Moondarra sunset. STAY (cheap): Sunset / Copper City / Argylla caravan parks (camping). This swap skips the 14h unsealed Burketown->Borroloola leg. (If you'd rather keep the Gulf adventure: Burketown = Morning Glory clouds Sep-Nov, Albert River barra, Escott Station.) === ACCOMMODATION + SECURITY (26 Jul) === The Mount Garnet mechanic warned: Mount Isa is not a place you want to be stuck in — be careful with the car and belongings. STAY: **Sunset Tourist Park** — ~$33 powered site (2A), locally owned, magnesium pool, camp kitchen, laundry, free wifi. G'DAY PARKS MEMBER so G'Day Rewards gets ~10% off. sunsettop.com.au FALLBACK: Discovery Parks – Mount Isa — premium (~$139+ cabins), ensuite sites w/ concrete pads, also G'Day/Discovery so the card works. Some noise complaints. AVOID: Mount Isa Caravan Park ($20–35) — reviews flag security: fronts straight onto the highway, historically no gate (auto gates only recently fitted), a reviewer reported never feeling so unsafe camping. IF THE PARTS WAIT RUNS MORE THAN 1–2 NIGHTS: take a CABIN, not a site. A lockable door beats guarding gear, and if the car's in the workshop you're not watching an empty vehicle. Worth the extra $40–60/night. PRECAUTIONS: ask for an interior site away from the perimeter fence/road, within sight of reception; NOTHING visible inside the car (not a bag, jacket or cable); lock it even for the two-minute amenities walk; passport/laptop/cash/spare keys always with you; STRIP VALUABLES BEFORE handing the car to the workshop (behind their fence is safer than a park); park under lighting; photograph gear now for insurance. ALT BASE: Cloncurry, 120 km E, smaller and quieter — only viable while the car is still drivable. MECHANICS — ⚠ SUPERSEDED, SEE BELOW. (Was: Isa 4WD Parts & Repairs, isa4wd.com.au; Secure Diesel & Automotive.) FUEL: fill tank AND jerry can here before the Barkly — Camooweal→Barkly Homestead is 260 km with Barkly Homestead the only fuel, and it has closed before (fire). === ⚠ IT'S THE WHOLE TAILSHAFT, NOT JUST A JOINT (26 Jul) === The Mount Garnet mechanic says the shuddering means the DRIVESHAFT LIKELY NEEDS FULL REPLACEMENT, and to get a DRIVETRAIN SPECIALIST — not a general mechanic. That changes the geography completely. NO dedicated driveline specialist found in Mount Isa. It's a mining town so heavy-vehicle capability exists, but a car tailshaft would likely be sent to Townsville anyway = a longer wait, in the town the mechanic warned about. THE REAL SHOPS ARE EAST: • CAIRNS — Cashcor Engineering, (07) 4035 1588 / (07) 4035 1864. Shortens, extends and BALANCES automotive tailshafts; stocks flange yokes, uni joints, centre bearings, slip + stub shafts. Set up specifically so FNQ doesn't have to send shafts south. ~350 km east of Undara. • TOWNSVILLE — Driveline Services Australia, (07) 4774 2049, 91-93 Crocodile Cres, Mount St John. ~600 km. • TOWNSVILLE — Gearbox Reconditioning (TGR), (07) 4755 0866, 3/15 Gurney St, Garbutt. ASK EACH: (1) can you supply/build a replacement tailshaft for the make/model/year/engine, or recondition mine? (2) lead time on the shaft/parts? (3) when could you actually fit it in? (4) safe to drive ~350 km as-is or does it need trailering? (5) ballpark cost? ALSO: confirm roadside/towing cover — recovery from the Gulf without it is brutal. DECISION: make these calls BEFORE committing west. Turning back to Cairns costs ~350 km; a failure on the Barkly costs vastly more. Last cheap turn-back heading west is GEORGETOWN (Cairns ~5 hrs from there vs ~9 hrs from Normanton). === ⚠ NOT STAYING HERE — DAY VISIT ONLY (Fri 31 Jul) === The Mount Garnet mechanic warned Isa is not a place you want to be stuck, so: Cloncurry Thursday night, mine tour Friday morning, then straight out to CAMOOWEAL for Friday night. TIMING: leave Cloncurry 07:30, here ~09:00 (120 km). Mine tour ~10:00-12:30. Lunch + fuel 12:45-13:30. Camooweal by ~15:30. DO: OUTBACK AT ISA — HARD TIMES MINE, 19 Marian St. Underground with an ex-miner through a purpose-built training mine; overalls and hard hat. The one genuinely great thing here. ⚠ BOOK A MORNING SLOT AHEAD: (07) 4749 1555 — ring from Cloncurry the night before. Riversleigh Fossil Centre (UNESCO fossil fields) is on the same site. EAT: The Xtra Mile Cafe · Bambino Espresso. ⛽⛽ THE FUEL STOP THAT MATTERS — fill TANK **and** JERRY CAN here. Camooweal is 188 km; then Camooweal to BARKLY HOMESTEAD is 260 km and that roadhouse is the ONLY fuel on the Barkly — and it has closed before (fire). If it's shut, Camooweal to Tennant Creek is ~450 km on one tank with zero margin at 16.3 L/100km. Also: stock up on food + water, check tyre pressures. 🛏️ SLEEPING BAG: BCF Mount Isa is the first real chance to buy one. Buy on the COMFORT rating, not the headline number — a bag sold as "-5" is often only comfortable to about +2. A 0°C-comfort bag covers the Barkly (lows 5-12°C). Darwin has better range if you'd rather wait. IF you ever do have to overnight: Sunset Tourist Park (~$33 powered, G'Day Parks member so ~10% off with G'Day Rewards). AVOID Mount Isa Caravan Park — reviews flag security, it fronts straight onto the highway.
Camooweal, Australia

CAMOOWEAL — 1 night (Fri 31 Jul). 188 km west of Mount Isa, ~2 hrs. Last town in Queensland. WHY HERE AND NOT MOUNT ISA: the Mount Garnet mechanic warned that Isa is not a place to be stuck, and staying here instead means you're already a third of the way across the Barkly before you sleep — which shortens Saturday nicely. SLEEP: Camooweal Roadhouse Caravan Park · Camooweal Billabong free camp (bring mozzie spray) · Nowranie Waterhole in Camooweal Caves NP. DO: - CAMOOWEAL CAVES NP, ~20 km south. Big sinkholes and limestone caves. You can't go into the caves, but the walks and views are worth it. - THE DROVERS CAMP — museum of the old droving life, one of the more authentic stops on this road. FUEL: top up here. Next pump is BARKLY HOMESTEAD, 260 km — the ONLY fuel on the Barkly, and it has closed before (fire). You should already have the tank AND jerry can filled at Mount Isa. NT BORDER just west of town: clocks go BACK 30 min to ACST (UTC+9:30).
Tennant Creek, Australia

REROUTE — use this stop as TENNANT CREEK (sealed Barkly Hwy from Mount Isa, via Camooweal Caves + Barkly Homestead). Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre, The Pebbles (Kunjarra), Telegraph Station, Battery Hill gold mine. STAY (cheap): Outback Caravan Park / Tennant Creek Tourist Park. From here head N up the Stuart Hwy to the DALY WATERS pub -> Mataranka -> Katherine. (If keeping the Gulf: Borroloola = McArthur River barra, Caranbirini sandstone pillars — very remote, fuel up.)
Mataranka, Australia

Mataranka thermal hot springs (Rainbow & Bitter Springs, 34°C crystal clear). Elsey National Park. 'We of the Never Never' country. — STAY: Bitter Springs Cabins & Camping (walk straight into the springs) or Mataranka Homestead. Cheap, sealed, no 4WD. === EAT / STAY (RatPack guide) === LITTLE ROPER STOCK CAMP — campfire dinners, curry and pizza nights. The guide's favourite in Mataranka. BITTER SPRINGS over the Homestead pool if you only do one — "more wild, more natural, one of the best swim spots on the whole road trip". Grab a noodle and drift. Mataranka Thermal Pool (Rainbow Spring) is the palm-fringed one at the Homestead. Territory Manor does barramundi feeding.
Katherine, Australia

Nitmiluk Gorge - 13 gorges by boat/canoe. Hot Springs. Edith Falls. DRY SEASON perfect. — STAY (cheap): Riverview Tourist Village or Nitmiluk campground (at the gorge); hostel: Coco's Katherine Backpackers. ROUTE: from Katherine do KAKADU next, THEN Darwin (Katherine → Pine Creek → Kakadu → Darwin) — this puts Kakadu before Darwin so you don't backtrack. 5 nts here is generous; you could trim 1-2 and give them to Kakadu. === ⚠ STOCK UP HERE BEFORE KAKADU === Do a full grocery shop in Katherine — prices inside Kakadu are brutal. Also fuel up. Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge: hire a kayak and paddle between the cliffs (the guide rates this over the cruise), or take a sunset cruise. Katherine Hot Springs is free and in town — easy arrival-afternoon dip. Free camp option: Low Level Nature Reserve. 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — NITMILUK: ⚠️ BUY NT PARKS PASS 1-MONTH $45 BEFORE ARRIVAL — online only, parkbookings.nt.gov.au (interstate visitors must; covers Nitmiluk + Litchfield). BOOK ~1-2 wks ahead, pick ONE: NitNit 2-gorge cruise 2h $139 (up to 7×/day) OR half-day guided canoe ~$129 (8:00 or 13:00, from 2nd gorge, runs Jul–Oct) — app.respax.com/public/nit or 08 8971 0064. Walks: Baruwei Lookout 1.8 km (sunrise/sunset) · Butterfly Gorge 12 km/4.5h Grade 3 (3L water, start early). Cutta Cutta tour ~$26, hourly 9–15h. EDITH FALLS: do on the way OUT Sun 9 Aug — turnoff directly en route to Pine Creek (~40 km up Stuart Hwy + 20 km sealed). Swim big plunge pool + Leliyn loop 2.6 km; 2–3h stop. ⚠️ LAST PROPER GROCERIES BEFORE KAKADU (Woolies/Coles): 3 days food + 10L water. Fill fuel; top up Pine Creek. Buy Kakadu pass $25 online (book.parksaustralia.gov.au) or at Katherine Visitor Centre.
Kakadu National Park, Australia

Ubirr and Nourlangie rock art, Yellow Water billabong sunrise cruise (crocs, birdlife), Jim Jim and Twin Falls if the road is open, Gunlom plunge pool. — MOVE THIS BEFORE DARWIN (Katherine → Kakadu → Darwin) to avoid backtracking ~500km; consider 3 nts. CAMP (dry season, cheap): Cooinda/Mardugal, Muirella Park, or Anbangbang. 2WD-OK sealed sites: Ubirr, Nourlangie/Burrungkuy, Yellow Water. Jim Jim & Twin Falls = 4WD + a creek crossing (your first proper 4WD test — try it if confident, else the sealed sites still make Kakadu worth it). 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — KAKADU 9–12 AUG: 🚫 JIM JIM + TWIN FALLS CLOSED ALL 2026 (roadworks; no tours either). Maguk also closed late Jul (50/50). Check kakadu.gov.au/news/access-and-alerts the week before + Bowali (08) 8938 1120. PASS: $25 (Jul–Oct discount), 7 days — book.parksaustralia.gov.au/passes/kakadu (or Katherine VC). NT pass NOT valid. CAMPS = FIRST-COME, NO BOOKING, CASH, arrive by ~15:00: • Sun 9: Mardukal One $15 (showers, 6 km from Cooinda, generators OK — pitch far from vans) • Mon 10: Djarradjin/Muirella Park $6 (showers+water+firepits, NO generators, 25 min to Nourlangie) • Tue 11: Merl $15 (3 km from Ubirr sunset; NO water — fill in Jabiru; MOSQUITO HELL at dusk, repellent + long sleeves) Fallbacks bookable: Cooinda camp (pool, ~$60-70), Kakadu Lodge Jabiru $68, Anbinik. BOOK NOW: Yellow Water SUNRISE cruise Mon 10, 6:45am, $130 — app.respax.com/public/kt (sells out days–2wks ahead). Guluyambi cultural cruise $92 Tue 13:00/15:00 — 1800 525 238. Optional Gunlom 4WD tour from Cooinda ~$250-300 (do NOT self-drive Gunlom Rd — 37 km corrugated 4WD). Free Ubirr ranger sunset talks via Eventbrite (kakadu.gov.au seasonal activities). PLAN: D1 (Edith Falls en route)→Motor Car Falls swim→Warradjan Centre→Mardukal · D2 sunrise cruise→Nourlangie art loop+Nawurlandja→Djarradjin · D3 Jabiru (Bowali, fuel, water)→Guluyambi→Cahills Crossing platform (high tide)→UBIRR SUNSET→Merl · D4 Mamukala wetlands→Darwin. SWIM ONLY: Motor Car Falls, Boulder Ck, Gunlom TOP pools (tour), Maguk if reopened. EVERYTHING else = salties. FUEL: Cooinda + Jabiru only (~$2.40/L); NONE at Mary River Roadhouse. Potholes — drive gently.
Darwin, Australia

Mindil Beach Market (Thu & Sun). Day trip Kakadu NP. LITCHFIELD NP - swimming holes, waterfalls, less crowded than Kakadu, great day/overnight trip. WWII sites. DRY SEASON peak. WEATHER: Jul = dry season, 19-31C, no rain. Best time to visit Top End. — STAY (hostels): Youth Shack, Melaleuca on Mitchell, or Chilli's (all on/near Mitchell St). Cheap car camping: Lee Point / Hidden Valley / Shady Glen. NOTE: better to reach Darwin AFTER Kakadu (see Katherine note) so you're not doubling back east. === EAT (RatPack guide) === FIN & TONIC — "the barramundi here is next level, hands down the best we've had anywhere." HOT TAMALES. MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKET — THURSDAY & SUNDAY ONLY, 4-9pm Thu / 4-8pm Sun. Global street food, crafts, live music, sunset on the sand. Bring a rug. 🛏️ SLEEPING BAG: Darwin has BCF and Anaconda with far better range than Mount Isa if you'd rather buy here. Buy on the COMFORT rating, not the headline number.
Litchfield National Park, Australia

Magnetic Termite Mounds. Florence Falls, Wangi Falls swimming. — STAY: Wangi Falls or Florence Falls campground (in-park, cheap; book NT Parks). Sealed/2WD, ~1.5h SW of Darwin. Great swimming holes (obey croc/closure signs). 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — LITCHFIELD ~19–22 AUG: ⚠️ BOOK WANGI FALLS CAMPGROUND NOW — parkbookings.nt.gov.au, $15/adult/night, ONLINE-ONLY (no pay-on-arrival), sells out in Aug. Cafe+showers+wifi, swim hole 200 m. NT 1-month pass ($45, bought for Nitmiluk) covers entry. Fallback: Florence Falls 2WD camp or the "4WD" camp (road actually SEALED) — same $15. Quiet alt: Walker Creek walk-in $10. Commercial: Litchfield Tourist Park Batchelor; Adelaide River Showgrounds ~$32 powered (no bookings, call same morning). Cancellation: ≥2 days 100%, 1 day 50%, day-of 0. ROADS: whole main loop SEALED incl. Wangi→Berry Springs. NO fuel in park — fill Batchelor/Adelaide River. GROCERIES IN DARWIN before leaving. PLAN: D1 Darwin→Berry Springs swim→Wangi (setup, loop walk 1.6k) · D2 Florence Falls EARLY (beat 10am buses)→Buley Rockhole (park at Florence, 3.2k track if carpark full)→Magnetic Termite Mounds→Tolmer lookout→Wangi sunset · D3 The Cascades (quiet tiered pools). 🚫 SKIP Lost City + Reynolds Track/Tjaynera/Sandy Ck — corrugated 4WD, driveline-killer. EXIT Sat 22: NO sealed southern exit — backtrack Batchelor (fuel)→Stuart Hwy→Pine Creek→Katherine (fuel/groceries)→Victoria Hwy→Timber Creek. ~510–540 km sealed, EARLY START (no night driving!). Croc check day before: nt.gov.au "check park open — Litchfield".
Timber Creek, Australia

Gregory National Park. Victoria River gorge. Remote Top End. Fuel stop between Darwin and Kununurra. GUIDES (Britz/RAC): Victoria River country — barramundi fishing (all year), sunset boat cruise, ancient boab trees. Judbarra/Gregory NP walks (Escarpment, Joe Creek). STAY: Big Horse Creek campground (Judbarra NP, cheap) or Timber Creek Hotel campground. Sealed/2WD, easy. Fuel up — long empty legs both sides.
Kununurra, Australia

Gateway to East Kimberley. Lake Argyle. Ord River cruise. GUIDES (Britz/RAC): Kimberley hub. Lake Argyle (sealed ~70km SE — sunset cruise, infinity pool), Mirima NP ("mini Bungle Bungles", minutes from town, easy walks), Ord River. Optional Wyndham detour (~100km N, sealed): Five Rivers Lookout, Warriu Dreamtime Park. Stock up on fuel/produce/mangoes. STAY: Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort or Kimberleyland (cheap camps); hostel: Kimberley Croc Backpackers (YHA). 4WD VERDICT: everything here is sealed & easy — all worth it, no rough driving. 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — KUNUNURRA 23–27 AUG / BUNGLE BUNGLES: ✈️ PURNULULU = FLY, NEVER SELF-DRIVE (53 km high-clearance 4WD track, 2–3h one-way, corrugation hell — driveline-killer). DECIDE + BOOK NOW (2–4 wks lead, dry-season peak), Aviair 1800 095 500 / aviair.com.au: • Adventurer flight-only ~2h (Bungles + Lake Argyle + diamond mine) — $430 • Wanderer full day fly-in: land Bellburn, guided Domes + CATHEDRAL GORGE walk + lunch — $999 (daily; Sept departs 6am) • Heli add-ons from Bellburn (HeliSpirit): $359 (18 min) – $649 (42 min) WA PARKS: entry $17/vehicle/park/day or Holiday Pass (4-wk $70 — buy timed to start at KARIJINI, not here; gap Kimberley→Karijini >4 wks). Mirima NP in town = sealed, easy sunset walk. El Questro is next stop — see Gibb River Road notes.
Gibb River Road, Australia

Gibb River Road highlights. El Questro. Manning Gorge. 4WD essential. NO INTERNET. GUIDES + 4WD PLAN: Your 4WD taste. El Questro access = ~40km graded Gibb + station tracks with a couple of shallow crossings — fine for a cautious novice in the dry; go slow, ask the station about current conditions on arrival. EASY / worth it: Zebedee thermal springs, Emma Gorge walk, El Questro Gorge, Chamberlain Gorge cruise. Leave the hard tracks (Saddleback Ridge, Explosion Gorge) to guided trips. NOTE: you're NOT driving the full Gibb west — after El Questro you backtrack to the SEALED Great Northern Hwy via Halls Creek (right call for a novice; the western Gibb is rough & remote). STAY: El Questro Station campground (base). 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — EL QUESTRO 27 AUG–2 SEP (Kununurra-based taster CONFIRMED right call): Open until ~30 Sep — our window fine. Operated by Discovery Parks. Book Station campsite ~2 wks ahead: elquestro.com.au, sites ~$49–79/night (permit incl.). ROAD: Gibb SEALED past the EQ turnoff; only final 16 km dirt + shallow creek crossings to Station ("4WD required" officially — fine taken SLOW in the dry). Emma Gorge is just off the sealed Gibb (2WD OK). DO: Zebedee Springs 07:00–12:00 ONLY, ranger-capped — arrive 7am sharp · Emma Gorge walk 3.2 km (droplet-pool swim) · El Questro Gorge / Pigeon Hole lookout as confidence allows. 🚫 FULL GIBB (Windjana/Bell/Manning) stays refuted: hundreds of km heavy corrugation, recovery costs in the thousands — not with this driveline. Exit west via SEALED Great Northern Hwy (Halls Ck→Fitzroy→Derby) as planned.
Halls Creek, Australia

Wolfe Creek Crater (meteorite impact crater, 2nd largest). China Wall natural quartz formation. Gateway to Bungle Bungles from south. GUIDES + 4WD VERDICTS: China Wall (quartz ridge, short easy drive). Purnululu / Bungle Bungles is near, BUT the 53km Spring Creek access is rough 4WD (2-3h, river crossings) — NOT novice self-drive: take a scenic flight from Halls Creek instead (worth it for the aerial domes). Wolfe Creek Crater = ~150km unsealed each way (remote Tanami) — skip for a novice, or fly. STAY: Halls Creek Caravan Park (cheap). Fuel up.
Fitzroy Crossing, Australia

1-night stop; Geikie boat tours closed since 2023 flood, walking trail still open. Windjana + Tunnel Creek day trips happen on the preceding Halls Creek leg. GUIDES: Danggu (Geikie) Gorge is the draw — verify current cruise status before relying on it (Fitzroy Bridge/flood recovery). Windjana Gorge (freshies) + Tunnel Creek (wade 750m through a cave — bring torch + water shoes) are on the unsealed-but-graded Fairfield-Leopold Rd; doable if dry, check conditions. STAY: Fitzroy River Lodge campground or Tarunda Caravan Park (cheap).
Derby, Australia

Boab Prison Tree (1500yr old). Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek day trips. King Sound tides (11m range). Gateway to Gibb River Road. GUIDES: Derby Jetty sunsets over the mudflats; Horizontal Falls tour (boat/seaplane from Derby — pricey but iconic, worth it). Highest tropical tides in Australia. Good base for the Windjana/Tunnel Creek day trip. STAY: Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park (cheap).
Broome, Australia

Cable Beach camel rides at sunset, Staircase to the Moon (Town Beach at full moon), pearl luggers history at Streeter's Jetty, Gantheaume Point dinosaur footprints, Chinatown. Dry-season crowds peak here - lodges fill fast. STAY (cheap): Broome Caravan Park or Roebuck Bay Caravan Park; hostels: Kimberley Klub YHA or Beaches of Broome. TIP: Staircase to the Moon needs a full moon (Mar-Oct) — check whether one lands in your early-Sep window. 7 nts = a well-earned rest after the Kimberley.
Eighty Mile Beach, Australia

Birdwatching paradise (migratory shorebirds). Shell-covered beach stretching 220km. Caravan park campground. Stunning sunsets.
Port Hedland, Australia

World's largest iron ore export port. Watch massive ships load at night (lit up). Staircase to the Moon (full moon Mar-Oct). Pretty Pool.
Karratha, Australia

Murujuga (Dampier) rock art — largest concentration of Aboriginal petroglyphs in the world. Dampier Archipelago, Karratha Back Beach. Useful break between the Pilbara coast and Karijini.
Karijini National Park, Australia

Gorges: Hancock, Weano, Joffre, Knox. Eco Retreat. NO INTERNET. 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — KARIJINI ~16–21 SEP (5n): ⚠️ BOOK DALES CAMPGROUND TODAY — parkstay.dbca.wa.gov.au (account, Visa/MC only), $15/adult/night + $17 entry. 180-day window ALREADY OPEN for Sep and it books out. 6 loops — REQUEST NON-GENERATOR loop (Cockatoo = generator loop). Pit toilets, no water/bins/fires; $-showers at Visitor Centre. Dingoes — food in car. Weano-side alt/nights 3–5: Karijini Eco Retreat camp ~$50 (solar showers, restaurant) — bookings.karijiniecoretreat.com.au / 08 9286 1731. Overflow camp Jun–Sep max 2n if full. Full fallback: Tom Price Tourist Park ~$40, day-trip 50–90 min sealed. 🎉 ROADS: 2024-25 upgrade SEALED 41 km — Weano/Hancock/Joffre/Knox + Dales↔Weano all sealed now. 2WD-fine; driveline worry moot. Gravel left: Kalamina 6 km, Mt Bruce 3 km, Hamersley ~55 km (skip or from Tom Price side). BUY WA 4-WEEK HOLIDAY PASS $70 (shop.dbca.wa.gov.au) timed to START HERE — covers Cape Range + Kalbarri + Pinnacles after. PLAN: D1 Visitor Centre + Fortescue Falls/FERN POOL · D2 Dales rim+floor loop + Circular Pool · D3 relocate Weano side — Joffre + Knox · D4 Weano Handrail Pool + Hancock Spider Walk/Kermits (CLASS 5 — go mid-morning with other walkers around, NEVER alone in high water) · D5 Mt Bruce dawn or Hamersley on exit. FUEL: Tom Price or Auski only. 3L water/day, swim shoes. Alerts: alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au
Exmouth, Australia

10 nights at Ningaloo. Manta rays and turtles year-round right off the beach at Turquoise Bay. Whale sharks are gone (season ends Jul 31) but humpback swims run Aug-Oct. Cape Range NP for gorges and Osprey Bay camping. Navy Pier shore dive needs a permit booked ahead. 🏞 PARKS PLAYBOOK (29 Jul) — CAPE RANGE/NINGALOO 21–28 SEP: ⚠️ BOOK OSPREY BAY (or Kurrajong/Tulki/Mesa) TODAY — parkstay.dbca.wa.gov.au, $15/adult/night + $17 entry (once if consecutive). 180-day window OPEN; shoreline sites sell out near-instantly and late Sep runs into WA school holidays (late Sep–mid Oct). If missed: watch cancellations DAILY — they're common. Fallbacks: Yardie Homestead (outside gate, $50 deposit, power restrictions) or Exmouth town parks (40–60 min out — then WA Holiday Pass pays for itself on daily re-entry). TURQUOISE BAY DRIFT SNORKEL: enter SOUTH end, drift north over reef, EXIT WELL BEFORE THE SANDBAR POINT — strong rip through the reef gap, no lifeguards. Light-wind mornings best. Sealed roads throughout (Yardie Creek Rd, ~45–55 min from town). Generators: north area only at Osprey 8am–9pm. No water at DBCA camps — carry.
Coral Bay, Australia

Ningaloo snorkeling off beach. Manta rays! SCUBA available.
Carnarvon, Australia

Space & Tech Museum. Fruit plantations. Break up drive.
Monkey Mia, Australia

Wild dolphins every morning! Stromatolites. Shell Beach. Shark Bay World Heritage.
Kalbarri, Australia

Kalbarri NP - Nature's Window, Z-Bend. Coastal cliffs. Wildflowers starting!
Geraldton, Australia

Coastal city. HMAS Sydney II Memorial. Supplies stop.
Cervantes, Australia

Nambung NP - The Pinnacles. Lobster Shack.
Perth, Australia

Five nights in Perth on the way back through. Kings Park wildflowers in spring, Fremantle for the weekend markets and Little Creatures, Rottnest for the quokkas and the Basin/Pinky Beach loop. Car maintenance window before the long drive south and east. Spring temperatures, 17-22C.
Sydney, Australia

Sixteen nights in Sydney. Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Circular Quay ferries, Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, Manly ferry across the harbour. Day trip out to the Blue Mountains — Katoomba, Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls. Spring weather, 22-25C — warm enough for swims at Bondi and Balmoral. Art Gallery of NSW, Royal Botanic Garden, a wander around Barangaroo in the evening, markets at the Rocks on the weekend.
Perth, Australia

Return to Perth Airport for the car, same day onwards to Bunbury.
Bunbury, Australia

Dolphin Discovery Centre, Back Beach, Koombana Bay. Gateway to the southwest — quick stop before Margaret River.
Margaret River, Australia

6 nights in the Margaret River region, peak-season booking needed. Cape to Cape track sections, Surfers Point, Mammoth and Lake caves. Wineries tilt premium — Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate are the classics, Voyager has the best grounds. Boranup Forest drive is free and underrated.
Pemberton, Australia

Gloucester Tree - climb 60m karri! Treetop Walk nearby.
Walpole, Australia

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. 400-year-old tingle trees.
Albany, Australia

Whaling museum. Natural Bridge. ANZAC history. Spring wildflowers.
Stirling Range National Park, Australia

Bluff Knoll hike. Wildflower hotspot in Sep!
Esperance, Australia

Lucky Bay — turquoise water, kangaroos on the white sand. Cape Le Grand National Park loop (Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove, Frenchman Peak), Great Ocean Drive coastal circuit. Wave Rock detour possible if time allows — 400 km round trip from Hyden.
Norseman, Australia

Gateway to Nullarbor. Last major town. Fill up!
Balladonia, Australia

Start of the 90 Mile Straight — 146 km, the longest straight stretch of sealed road in Australia. Balladonia Museum has the Skylab debris that famously landed here in 1979.
Eucla, Australia

Old Eucla telegraph station ruins half-buried in the dunes. Bunda Cliffs lookouts and Great Australian Bight stops along the way. WA/SA border — clocks forward by 45 minutes.
Ceduna, Australia

First SA town. Oyster capital!
Streaky Bay, Australia

Murphy's Haystacks (ancient granite inselbergs). Fresh oysters from local farms. Point Labatt sea lion colony. Eyre Peninsula coastal scenery.
Port Augusta, Australia

Hub of SA. Crossroads of outback highways.
Adelaide, Australia

Central Market. Barossa Valley wine day trip. Hahndorf village.
Flinders Ranges, Australia

PHASE 2. Spring is beautiful (wildflowers). Wilpena Pound. Brachina Gorge. Aboriginal rock art. Good hiking weather in spring/autumn.
Barossa Valley District, Australia

Wine country — Seppeltsfield, Penfolds, Jacob's Creek. Tanunda and Angaston villages, Mengler Hill lookout, Maggie Beer Farm.
Clare, Australia

Clare Valley Riesling Trail — cycle or walk the 35 km rail-trail between cellar doors. Sevenhill Cellars (oldest winery in the region), Martindale Hall.
Cape Jervis, Australia

Ferry terminal for the SeaLink crossing to Kangaroo Island. Short walk around the headland while waiting — Backstairs Passage views.
Kangaroo Island, Australia

PHASE 2. Best in warm months (Nov-Mar). Wildlife: sea lions, koalas, penguins. Remarkable Rocks. Flinders Chase NP. Ferry from Cape Jervis (SA).
Cape Jervis, Australia

Ferry return from Kangaroo Island. Short stop before the drive up to the Fleurieu wineries.
McLaren Vale, Australia

Fleurieu wine country — Shiraz and Grenache. Onkaparinga Gorge, d'Arenberg Cube, Port Willunga beach at sunset.
Mount Gambier, Australia

Blue Lake crater. Umpherston Sinkhole. Break up drive to Melbourne. PHASE 1 ENDS.
Port Fairy, Australia

Historic whaling village — heritage streets, Griffiths Island lighthouse walk with nesting shearwaters, Battery Hill lookout. Quiet coastal stop before the Great Ocean Road.
Great Ocean Road, Australia

Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, Gibson Steps. Otways rainforest waterfalls (Erskine, Triplet), Kennett River koalas, Bells Beach surf break. Best with a full day of good weather — drive slow, stop often.
Melbourne, Australia

Phase 2 base for VIC/NSW exploration. Coworking, cafe hopping, social life. Queen Victoria Market (night market Wednesdays in summer), Hosier Lane, Fitzroy and Collingwood walks, Carlton Gardens, MCG if there's a match, Yarra walk, Royal Botanic Gardens. Summer highs 20-30C.
Mornington Peninsula, Australia

Stony Point train line + ferry to Queenscliff makes a nice day loop. Cape Schanck lighthouse and boardwalk, Peninsula Hot Springs, Red Hill wineries, Sorrento beaches.
Phillip Island, Australia

Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach (sunset). Nobbies seal colony viewing, Cape Woolamai coastal walk, Koala Conservation Reserve, MotoGP circuit (mid-Oct).
Wilsons Promontory, Australia

Mt Oberon summit walk (3-4 hr, huge southern views), Squeaky Beach, Tidal River, Norman Beach, Whisky Bay. Southernmost tip of mainland Australia.
Ballarat, Australia

Sovereign Hill gold-rush recreation (a full day easily), Lake Wendouree, Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Easy V/Line train from Melbourne.
Bendigo, Australia

Historic gold-rush town — Central Deborah Goldmine tour, the vintage Talking Tram, Rosalind Park and the Poppet Head lookout. Victorian streetscapes. V/Line train from Melbourne.
Grampians National Park, Australia

MacKenzie Falls, The Pinnacle lookout via Wonderland, Boroka Lookout, Reed Lookout / Balconies. Aboriginal rock art sites (Bunjil's Shelter). Halls Gap for base.
Belgrave, Australia

Puffing Billy Railway through the Dandenong Ranges — the original 1900s narrow-gauge steam train, legs dangling out the windows.
Devonport, Australia

Arrival port for the Spirit of Tasmania. Coles Beach, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse walk, Bass Strait horizon. Stretch the legs before the Tas loop.
Bombo, Australia

Basalt columns. Kiama blowhole. South coast day trip from Sydney.
Cradle Mountain, Australia

Dove Lake circuit (~2 hr), Marions Lookout for the classic view, Waldheim chalet, Ronny Creek wombats at dusk. Overland Track starts here for the six-day traverse south.
Launceston, Australia

Cataract Gorge — chairlift across, basin swim, cliff walks. Tamar Valley wineries just north. City Park, Princes Square.
Freycinet National Park, Australia

Wineglass Bay lookout (classic hike; longer loop down to the beach and over Hazards Beach), Friendly Beaches, Cape Tourville. Orange-lichen granite boulders.
Hobart, Australia

MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), Salamanca Market Saturday mornings, Mt Wellington (kunanyi) summit road, Battery Point, Port Arthur historic site day trip.
Strahan, Australia

Gateway to the Tasmanian wilderness west coast. Gordon River cruise into the World Heritage area (Heritage Landing, Sarah Island), Henty Dunes, Ocean Beach at sunset.
Devonport, Australia

Departure port for the return Spirit of Tasmania crossing back to Melbourne.
Melbourne, Australia

Same-day stopover — Melbourne Airport to Alice Springs flight, car stays parked.
Alice Springs, Australia

Red Centre base. Desert Park, Anzac Hill sunset, Todd Mall galleries, Telegraph Station, West MacDonnells day trip (Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge). 4WD pickup here.
Kings Canyon Resort, Australia

Rim Walk (6 km, 3-4 hr) — one of the best day walks in central Australia. Garden of Eden waterhole, Lost City formations. Kathleen Springs a gentler alternative.
Uluru, Australia

Uluru base walk (10 km loop) at dawn, Field of Light at dusk, Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds, Cultural Centre. Sunset viewing from the platforms.
Sydney, Australia

Same-day arrival from Uluru — straight onto the XPT sleeper south to Melbourne to retrieve the car.
Melbourne, Australia

Arrive off the overnight XPT, collect the car from long-term parking, onwards east to the coast.
Lakes Entrance, Australia

Ninety Mile Beach, the Entrance itself (where the lakes meet the sea), Metung, Buchan Caves detour. Quiet seaside base.
Jervis Bay Territory, Australia

Hyams Beach (reputedly some of the whitest sand in the world), Booderee National Park, Cave Beach, Murrays Beach, dolphin cruises. Easy bushwalks, excellent cafés.
Narooma, Australia

Montague Island seal colony and little-penguin tours, Glasshouse Rocks, Bar Beach. Good oysters at Wagonga Inlet. Central Tilba heritage village inland.
Sydney, Australia

Same-day stopover — drive ends in Sydney, flight out to Lord Howe Island.
Lord Howe Island, Australia

UNESCO World Heritage island, 400-visitor cap keeps it pristine. Mt Gower day hike (legendary 8-9 hr guided climb), Ned's Beach fish feeding, Lagoon Beach snorkelling, Malabar Hill lookout. Bike-everywhere island, basically no phone signal.
Sydney, Australia

Same-day return from Lord Howe. Pick up the car, head south along the coast.
Merimbula, Australia

Sapphire Coast — Merimbula Wharf, Short Point, Top Lake oyster leases, Bournda National Park, Pambula rivermouth. Whales on migration.
Eden, Australia

Whale-watching harbour (Killer Whale Museum — Old Tom's skeleton). Twofold Bay, Boyd's Tower, Ben Boyd National Park.
Katoomba, Australia

Blue Mountains — Three Sisters from Echo Point, Scenic World railway and skyway, Wentworth Falls walking track, Weeping Rock. "The Fish and The Chips" corner shop.
Dubbo, Australia

Taronga Western Plains Zoo — big open-range zoo; a whole day easily. Old Dubbo Gaol.
Lightning Ridge, Australia

Opal country — black opal is the local specialty. Artesian Bore Baths (hot all year), self-guided Car Door Tours of the fields, Chambers of the Black Hand underground carvings.
Bourke, Australia

Back o' Bourke Exhibition Centre, Darling River paddlewheeler, Mt Oxley lookout, Jandra riverboat. Outback NSW properly.
Charleville, Australia

End of Westlander line. Cosmos Centre stargazing! Optional: Quilpie/Cunnamulla. Returns Wed & Fri.
Winton, Australia

Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum, Dinosaur Stampede at Lark Quarry (fossilised tracks), Waltzing Matilda Centre, Arno's Wall.
Carnarvon National Park, Australia

Carnarvon Gorge main walk — Art Gallery rock art, Wards Canyon tree ferns, Moss Garden, Cathedral Cave, Boolimba Bluff. Sandstone country.
Canberra, Australia

Parliament House tour, Australian War Memorial (easily a half-day), National Gallery of Australia, National Museum, Lake Burley Griffin loop, Mt Ainslie lookout.
Melbourne, Australia

Final 28-night base to decompress. Autumn in Melbourne — 10-20°C, café weather. Laneway wanders, NGV exhibitions, day trips to Yarra Valley / Daylesford / Macedon. Trip wrap.