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Post Info TOPIC: Savannah Way
John Lohf


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Savannah Way
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any one done the Savannah Way recently with a van.

would interested in conditions as I'm planning a trip.



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Dreamcatcher


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What section of the savannah way are travelling on as some is easy and some I wouldn't take a van on

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Possum3


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Travelled it twice this year east to west May/June, West to East July Sept - Free camped all the way 3 Tonne multi terrain van Nissan Patrol tug - No problems with road condition - other than held up due to minor flooding near NT border for 8 days.

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Possum3


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See www.australian-4x4.com.au/savannah-way.html


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Peter_n_Margaret


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As Dreamcatcher asks, 'which part of the Savannah Way'? It runs all the way from Cairns to Broome.
Not recent, but this slide show might give you some idea of the bit along the Gulf?
Conditions will vary depending on the time of year and the recent grading and traffic. Asking now will have absolutely no relevance to what it will be like after the next wet season.

s246.photobucket.com/user/Peter_n_Margaret/slideshow/07%201%20To%20the%20Gulf

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Possum3


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Peter I can't open comes up with error.


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Peter_n_Margaret


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s246.photobucket.com/user/Peter_n_Margaret/slideshow/07%201%20To%20the%20Gulf

Try again......??? Fingers crossed.....

Cheers,
Peter

 

EDIT...seems to be the same - sorry folks. About time I gave Photobucket away. Always breaking down and too many adds....
I will post a few pics of the road if John, the OP asks.....

 

Cheers,

Peter



-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 15th of December 2016 07:55:58 PM



-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Thursday 15th of December 2016 07:56:48 PM

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rockylizard


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Gday...

Try the link now - here -

http://s246.photobucket.com/user/Peter_n_Margaret/slideshow/07%201%20To%20the%20Gulf

Cheers - John 



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Possum3


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Great show - I don't know about swimming with water monitors though - certainly braver than I.

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chappy


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Please take into account the wet season! Late or early rain up here in the tropics can just bucket down in one day! Even sealed major roads are made impassable for days/weeks at a time. Start looking around on BOM for  the daily extremes of weather to get an idea of what can happen. As FNQ locals we are very aware of weather events. Another great resource is the local ABC news site. We have found the Qld Dept of Transport site and the NT similar site only average. However the WA site is really up to date (or was in 2011) even informing of where they had machinery placed ready to repair the roads. Always have Plan B and maybe C.

 



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Mutley


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Borroloola to Doomadgee is a fantastic road for a made dirt road, especially on the NT side. There is a gorge on the eastern end of that section that has a large bull-dust wallow on a bend, but other than that, only wet weather would cause any issues. A few water crossings, one of which may require you driving up & out in 4L, depending on the weather.

Borroloola to Roper Bar is a different story though! It's tar till the Nathan River Road junction, then made dirt. I've travelled a lot of made dirt roads & would put that road down as rough. The scenery is great though & Lorella Springs is worth the detour. There are water crossings.

Roper Bar to Mataranka = about 40km of very good made dirt road, then single lane tar all the way.

I think the rest of the Savannah Way is tar? So, easy going all the way!

All of the above is quite doable with a caravan if you're an experienced made dirt road traveller. Just do what you would do on any other, similar road; ie tyre pressures down on the dirt, seal everything that lets dust in, put a trampoline style stone guard between the car & the van, cover the back window of the car, pay attention & drive defensively!

It is remote on the sections I mentioned though, so travel with all of your remote area spares/tools/communications/first aid stuff/extra food & water etc. I travelled that road last year & only saw one other car between Doomadgee & Borroloola & none on the Nathan River Rd, other than in camp sites. There is no fuel between towns, other than at Lorella Springs.

EDIT: there is fuel at Hells Gate roadhouse!


Enjoy your trip! :)



-- Edited by Mutley on Tuesday 27th of December 2016 11:47:53 PM

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Cheers,

Mutley :)
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