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GreGory’s 4WD ToUrinG AUsTrALiA
Photo: Wangi Falls cascades into a massive plunge pool, making it one of the most popular swimming spots in Litchfield nP.
4459 Darwin-Broome 16.0.indd 140-141
INFORMATION FOR TRAvelleRs
Broome visitor Centre
cnr broome rd & short st broome WA 6725
Ph: 1800 883 777 www.broomevisitorcentre.com.au
Derby visitor Centre
2 Clarendon st
Derby WA 6728
Ph: 1800 621 426 www.derbytourism.com.au
Katherine visitor Information Centre
cnr Lindsay st & stuart Hwy Katherine nT 0851
Ph: 1800 653 142 www.krta.com.au
Kununurra visitor Centre
Lot 75 Coolibah Dve Kununurra WA 6743
Ph: 08 9168 1177 www.kununurratourism.com
Nitmiluk visitor Centre
nitmiluk national Park Gorge rd
Katherine nT 0850
Ph: 08 8972 1253 www.nitmiluktours.com.au
Northern Territory
Tourist Commission
cnr mitchell st & Knuckey st Darwin nT 0800
Ph: 133068 or 136768 www.travelnt.com
Wyndham visitor Information
Kimberley motors
Great northern Highway Wyndham WA 6740 Ph: 08 9161 1281
Darwin to Broome
With a perfect climate in the dry season, Darwin is the ideal place to pause on the savannah Way adventure from Cairns to broome.
Darwin played a critical role in defending Australia during WWii – it endured 64 bombing attacks by the Japanese and hosted 15,000 allied soldiers. Darwin has also been subject to attack
by nature – the annual cyclone season brings winds of up to 300km/h, such as those experienced during Cyclone Tracy, which devastated the city in 1974.
not far from Darwin are several places of extraordinary natural beauty – the Tiwi islands to the north, Kakadu and Arnhem Land to the east and Litchfield national Park to the south. Visitors will find a huge number of activities in and around Darwin to keep them busy.
repairs to vehicles and equipment should be carried out in Darwin before heading west to broome. Do a thorough clean-up and a stock-up, and then head south to Litchfield to explore the sandstone plateau etched by water. The Daly river region is a popular stop for those who have time, and a visit to Upper edith Falls at the northern end of nitmiluk national Park is a must.
Katherine is the place to pick up any last-minute supplies
before turning west on the Victoria Highway. The first highlight
is the springs and savannah woodland of Flora river nature Park, where camping, fishing and boating are popular. The eastern section of Gregory national Park offers camping, boating and bushwalking, while the western section has some remote and demanding 4WD tracks. Keep river national Park, tucked into
the edge of the northern Territory, is the last attraction before
the Western Australia border, where all biosecurity threats, such as honey, fruit and vegetables, must be declared and surrendered.
Kununurra soon comes to the rescue with some of the best produce in the land. stop in at Lake Argyle on the way, or return from Kununurra for a sunset cruise.
The best and worst is saved for last – the challenge of the
Gibb river road. including the road up to Kalumburu, this bone-shattering slog will have you begging for bitumen at the
end of the 1000km. Fear not, broome waits like a sparkling
jewel to soothe away the stress of the journey. soon the shock
of the Gibb will be forgotten and only wonderful memories remain. For those who can’t face it, the Great Western Highway is the safer (though less exciting) alternate route.