If Lake Munmorah is in WA, then you should know that the road from Roper bar to Burketown is very coragated and has quite a few water crossings. It is normally a 4wd track, and should be treated as such.You should be OK, if the water is low, and your shockys are good.The rest is bitumen. I hope this helps you. Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Sunday 24th of February 2013 07:59:23 PM
Hello all, this is our first post on your site and after reading it, I think we will have all our questions answered. My query is about the above road. We will be leaving Lake Munmorah at the end of June for a long trip and we are considering doing Sav Way, but we are a bit wary of our new van, a Sterling 19 footer Off Road and towing with a Ford Ranger,4 x 2.
Can't help you with your query. I am sure you will get the answer you want from the forum . Very helpful lot they are .....A big welcome to the forum.....Good luck....Alan the Mongrel....
By July, the graders should have been over the unsealed sections, though the dry season traffic may be causing some corrugations by then. It really is a matter of driving slowly and carefully - most problems on that type of road is caused by going too fast for the conditions, often combined with overloading the vehicle.
By July, there should not be too much water in crossings like the Robinson and Calvert Rivers. There is a causeway at the Nicholson River crossing at Doomadgee, but that may well be dry by then, anyway.
Check out the fuel supply scenario. There should be fuel at Borroloola. Hells Gate Roadhouse did re open after being closed for a while, but check if they will be supplying fuel this season, if you might need it. Should be fuel at Doomadgee roadhouse.
Lorella Springs looks like a very interesting place to stay - between Roper Bar and Borroloola - google it and have a look.
Kingfisher Camp - a bit west of Doomadgee - is great, and worth the diversion.
Also highly recommend turning south - bit west of Burketown - and heading down to Gregory Downs then Adels Grove/Lawn Hill National Park. Wonderful place, not to be missed.
We did "The Savannah Way" last May June From East to West. after doing the "Outback Way" Perth to Noosa Via Alice
Avan Cruiseliner with the Mitsubishi Challenger 4x4 towing. Loved the whole trip. Just keep asking questions (whenever you can) about the road ahead from everyone you meet coming the other way.
Lot of water crossings, but all were shallow at about 150mm (deepest was about 300 to 400mm). Roads were mostly Good and sections Corrugated here and there were mild to teeth rattleing. Lorrela Springs was Great but the Road in was Rough. Think that was our deepest water crossing.
Take your time. Dust Proof the Van. Reduce Tyre Pressure. You know all the usual stuff, be safe and have a great trip.
You can do an awfull lot of it on the Alternative Sealed Roads "Savannah Way" of course.
Welcome...sounds like you have a similar rig to us...Jayco Stirling 21ft and towing with Ford Ranger 4x2....Had some trouble parking the van on a wet gravel drive with a bit of an incline. A friend in a 4x4 came to our rescue!! Sure hope the 4x2 is going to be ok!!!
Jayco "off-road" vans are good for dirt roads if they arent too rough, but definitely not for long corrugated road sections. Be careful with water crossings that the water isnt up to floor level, you'll void the warranty. Whilst they have a heavier chassis, they still have the same internal fittings as the Highway-only vans. We had planned to do the GRR in ours, and were talked out of it by another owner of a van like ours. Very glad we didnt do it, we had enough problems with drawers and microwave coming off mountings on the shorter 20-30km sections we towed over. eg Highway to 80mile beach =20 k's, mildly corrugated dirt. We'd do it all again though, everything has been fixed, Jayco after-sales service is better than most.
Yes it is a very good site, but it has made me a little nervous about the Savannah Way!!!!!! Thanks Andy
I would personally not be doing it with a two wheel drive vehicle.
But having said that I did meet a lot of 4x2 wheel jobs on the dirt. You only need a bit of rain to bring you to a stop on those roads. You have an advantage with 4x4 tug and options. I drive in 4H all the time on the dirt roads. If the road is realy good I will put it into SUV 4 wheel drive mode.
The Savannah Way publicity map we had, showed the Dirt road highlighted and also the sealed alternative highlighted. You could try a bit of each.
