Darwin to Broome 10 Day Self Drive Itinerary
DOWNLOAD: DARWIN TO BROOME SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY
Another a great itinerary from our Res team taking you on a 2200km journey from Darwin across to Broome. As this trip takes you through country subject to flooding in the wet season (November - May) timing of your trip is particularly important.
- Darwin to Kakadu
- Kakadu to Katherine
- Katherine to Kununurra
- Kununurra to Halls Creek
- Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing
- Fitzroy Crossing to Derby
- Derby to Broome
Distance: 2200km
View Larger Google Map
Day 1. Darwin
Pick up your campervan or car in Darwin today. If you are travelling in a campervan allow at least 1 hour for the check-in process so that you are familiar with the vehicle before leaving the depot. Before commencing your journey across the Top End ensure that you stock up with supplies and water. There are supermarkets at Palmerston and Coolalinga on the Stuart highway about 22kms south of Winnellie.
Stay: Big 4 Howard Springs Holiday Park, Darwin
Day 2. Darwin to Kakadu
Head south on the Stuart highway and turn left along the Arnhem Highway for a 2 day stop over in Jabiru. Checkout Yellow Waters, Mamukala, Iligadjarr, Ubirr and Bubba wetland. Jim Jim Falls is probably out of reach for most as it requires a 4 wheel drive 4 hour round trip - possible to jump on a tour out of Jabiru to make the trip.
Distance: 255km, 3 hours 20 minutes
Stay: Kakadu Lodge - Cabins, Powered and Unpowered sites, great Pool, bistro & bar
Day 3. Jabiru to Katherine
Depart this morning and head south for Katherine. Travel along the Kakadu Highway and back onto the Stuart Highway via Pine Creek and arrive into Katherine around midday.
The Katherine River flows through 13 separate gorges that carve their way through the Arnhem Land Plateau. You can canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges, and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on the rock faces. Waterfalls and rock pools are found along over 100 kilometres of walking tracks, beginning at the park’s visitor centre.
Katherine offers a wide range of accommodation, facilities and attractions, including museums, art galleries, character-filled pubs and historic sites. Other attractions within easy reach of the town include the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, the Katherine Hot Springs and Leliyn (Edith Falls).
Distance: 303km, 3 hours 50 minutes
Stay: Big 4 Katherine Holiday Park - powered sites
Day 4. Katherine to Kununurra
Travel west along the Victoria Highway/National Highway 1 into Kununurra. Kununurra is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘meeting of big waters; the town is the hub of industry, agriculture and mining in the east Kimberley. Kununurra is one of the youngest towns in Western Australia
Distance: 514km, 6 hours 20 minutes
Stay: Hidden Valley Tourist Park Kununurra - powered sites
Day 5. Kununurra
The Kununurra region is beautiful with unique wildlife, swimming, fishing, boating and bird watching. Near Lake Kununurra lies the magical Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park. Visit the Bungle Bungles, boat cruises or canoeing safaris along the beautiful Ord River, visit El Questro Wilderness Park, or visit the Argyle Diamond Mine. Take your pick of a number of great excursions, ½ day tours & full day tours in the Kununurra region.
Day 6. Kununurra to Halls Creek
Travel south along the Victoria Highway/National Highway 1 into Halls Creek. On the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, Halls Creek is the town closest to Purnululu National Park, the park of the famous Bungle Bungles. Also nearby is Wolfe Creek Crater, the second largest meteorite crater in the world. Tours of the crater and the Bungle Bungles are available from the town.
Distance: 360km, 2 hours 50 minutes
Stay: Halls Creek Caravan Park - powered sites
Day 7. Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing
Travel along the Great Northern Highway/National Highway 1 into Fitzroy Crossing. The gateway to Geikie Gorge National Park, a spectacular waterway with soaring weathered cliffs and abundant wildlife.
Explore Tunnel Creek National Park and Windjana Gorge National Park, Barramundi fishing, Helicopter flights or a Geikie Gorge river cruise. Indigenous tours also offer an excellent insight to local Indigenous history and culture, including bush tucker and medicine.
Distance: 289km, 3 hours
Stay: Fitzroy River Lodge - powered sites
Day 8. Fitzroy Crossing to Derby
Travel along the Great Northern Highway/National Highway 1 before turning right onto the Derby Highway. The town of Derby is located on the tidal mud flats on the edge of the King Sound. It has the highest tidal range of any port in Australia.
The boab tree is a major feature of Derby. It has been used as a street tree and many of the larger growing natural specimens have been preserved. The famous Boab Prison Tree is located 7 kilometres from the town. Derby is the main base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the Kimberley. The base was established in Derby in 1955.
Distance: 295km, 3 hours
Stay:Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park Derby - powered sites
Day 9. Derby to Broome
Travel along the Derby Highway before getting back onto the Great Northern Highway/National Highway 1 as you make your way into Broome.
Broome is a cosmopolitan town that has an interesting history and stunning natural beauty. Linked to its pearling and multicultural population, Broome has a reputation for its vibrant social life. Located in the attractive Roebuck Bay region, Broome is surrounded by sweeping white beaches, rich red outcrops and blazing turquoise water.
View the sunset on Cable Beach, Camel ride along Cable Beach, visit Gantheaume Point, Japanese Cemetery, Matso’s Brewery, Pearl Luggers Museum, China Town, or the Broome Crocodile Park are some of the sights you can visit in Broome.
Distance: 222km, 3 hours
Stay: Cable Beach Caravan Park Broome - powered sites
Day 10. Broome Drop Off
Today you will need to return your vehicle to the depot and prepare for your departure home or stay longer to soak up the character of unique and exotic Broome.
DISCLAIMER
DriveNow's suggested itineraries are made available to assist travellers create and build personalised journey plans. DriveNow does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of these itineraries and they are provided as is and as advisory only.
Special caution and planning should be taken when travelling in remote areas to ensure sufficient provisions, fuel and prescribed medicines are carried.
Weather conditions can make sealed roads impassable particularly during the northern Wet season. All rental vendors in Australia have restrictions on where their vehicles can be taken, therefore it is recommended that you consult with your vehicle provider on your intended journey when collecting your vehicle. Travelling where restrictions are imposed voids all insurance cover.
You acknowledge that any reliance on or use of any itinerary shall be at your sole risk.
