Broome to Darwin road trip

[leocarp]

Hi all,

So decided to make the move and I'm currently based in Broome. I wanna do a road trip to Darwin around March. What should I look out for and where are the best stops?

TIA

[aussieflyboy]

Hi all,

So decided to make the move and I'm currently based in Broome. I wanna do a road trip to Darwin around March. What should I look out for and where are the best stops?

TIA

Cows and British backpackers would be your biggest threats. Can’t beat the KNX Hotel for a $10 steak on Thursdays.

[leocarp]

Thanks for the reply. Forgot to mention, I saw that the Victoria Highway is closed due to extensive rainfall and therefore flooding. I was wondering if the chances of more flooding will occur around late feb-march which could lead to more road closures?? I'm new to the area so go easy on the replies.

Thank you

[compressor stall]

Yes always a risk. Normally not the damage that’s just happened tho.

[megan]

Do a web search, there are government run sites that provide state of the roads information.

[Hoosten]

Can’t beat the KNX Hotel for a $10 steak on Thursdays.

That must be some prime beef for that price :ooh:​​​​​​​

[Bend alot]

That must be some prime beef for that price :ooh:
1 beer on order, 1 beer & 1 beer to finish the meal = a profit an a certainly edible steak.
​​​​​​​

[Global Aviator]

Have fun! I’ve never done the Gibb, flown over it a gazillion times always wanted to drive it.

[thunderbird five]

KNX hotel also has prime beef hanging just out of reach over the bar. You can get one for free if you can grab it in one try, or else you pay $100.
I didn't try. The stakes were too high.

[leocarp]

Do a web search, there are government run sites that provide state of the roads information.
Thanks megan,
Yep done that. I just wanted to know from anyone that's done the drive in the past or recently if they could provide any info on the driving conditions.

[illusion]

KNX hotel also has prime beef hanging just out of reach over the bar. You can get one for free if you can grab it in one try, or else you pay $100.
I didn't try. The stakes were too high.
reminds me of a skimpy bar back in the 80's......

[john_tullamarine]

Have a look on the caravan and 4WD sites and you will read more than you can fit in in one day ....

[mmm345]

The main (paved) road from Broome to Kununurra is open. The road from Kununurra to Darwin is currently closed and will likely be a few weeks until it opens due to damage from flooding etc. The Gibb River Road, which is the gravel road between Kununurra and Derby/Broome would be closed in the wet season.

Hope this helps.

[CoodaShooda]

Haven’t driven it for a few years.

Keep monitoring the road and weather reports. If we get late monsoonal rains or a cyclone the road could be closed into May. There’s currently a couple of metres over bridges around Bradshaw/Timber Creek.

Once the road is open, it’s a fairly straightforward drive.

Things to watch out for are washouts, wandering stock, kamikaze kangaroos, emus (if one runs across the road there’s usually a few more following) and the tedium of driving to the speed limits rather than the conditions.

Depending on car and driver, Broome to Kununurra can be a day trip. Same with Kununurra to Darwin. Otherwise, Fitzroy Crossing Resort may be a mid-trip stopover. (It’s been a while since I’ve visited.)

Fuel stops are adequately spaced. Just plan around your car’s mileage capacity and leave some in reserve.

And if you’re not used to sharing the road with road trains, they’re longer than you think, so don’t rush things.

[Propstop]

Advice for outback road trips, stop for a break at roadhouses, fill up with fuel no matter that you still have over half a tank. The next planned stop may not have fuel or no power.

[Bend alot]

Advice for outback road trips, stop for a break at roadhouses, fill up with fuel no matter that you still have over half a tank. The next planned stop may not have fuel or no power.
Yep good idea - got to Fitzroy Crossing no fuel not expecting any for another 4 days!

Quick thinking - airport got a tank full after a call out fee, credit card fee $ bloody expensive avgas price - grumpy refueler said don't tell anyone else. We got airside by telling him we needed fuel for a chopper, he worked it out when we filled the car.

[Mach E Avelli]

Unless you have a truck with a bullbar, don't drive at night or until at least two hours after dawn or near dusk. A low speed impact with a relatively small 'roo can do a lot of damage to the average car.
A high speed impact with a large 'roo can do a lot of damage to the driver.

[Kunnas]

The main (paved) road from Broome to Kununurra is open. The road from Kununurra to Darwin is currently closed and will likely be a few weeks until it opens due to damage from flooding etc. The Gibb River Road, which is the gravel road between Kununurra and Derby/Broome would be closed in the wet season.

Hope this helps.
The Victoria Highway between Kununurra and Katherine opened yesterday.

[displaced gangster]

Plenty of sound advice already posted…

Fuel - Ensure adequate fuel carried, most remote suppliers generate their own electricity, if the gensets fail you wont get fuel.
Tyres - Make sure all tyres including spare are suitable for the task and inflated to the correct pressure, a 20% underinflated tyre will overheat and self destruct. .
Road trains - Some. sections of “beef roads” single lane with steep shoulders, Road trains will not get of the bitumen.
The Gibb - Have had cricket ball size rocks from vehicles launched at me.

[The Wawa Zone]

I'd avoid traveling at night and before 8am unless you've got a good roo bar.

[compressor stall]

I'd avoid traveling at night and before 8am unless you've got a good roo bar.

I hit 5 between Katherine and Timber one evening. They were everywhere hopping straight out of the long grass on the roadside. Even travelling at 60…
3 nights later saw none on the return