Tropical North Queensland’s Gulf Savannah introduces the wide open spaces, rich red soils and pioneering history of the Australian Outback. Contrasts do not come much bigger than this. The coastal region is thick with lush vegetation, hugging the landscape and creating an impenetrable jungle. Just drive west for 1.5 hours and you are in the Gulf Savannah, a completely different world to explore.
Covering 186,000 sqkm, the Gulf Savannah occupies the space between Queensland’s Great Dividing Range and the Northern Territory border. Some of this area was heavily populated in the early 1900s, as gold fever struck and various mines were set up across the interior. Today, it is the wide open spaces, tree studded grasslands, winding rivers and pristine waterfalls that draws visitors.
This unique area starts at Mount Garnet, on the Atherton Tablelands and extends up to Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria. A massive space, comprised of six shires and not many people, this is a part of Australia’s great ‘empty’ interior.
Attractions and experiences, include fossicking at an old gold rush town, whip cracking, indigenous rock art and interpretation, dinosaurs and exploring remote, but stunningly beautiful gorges and rivers, including Lawn Hill and Cobbold Gorge.
The closet attraction to Cairns is the Mareeba Tropical Savannah and Wetlands Reserve, which is about 1.5 hours drive west from Cairns. This 2,000 hectare sanctuary is home to placid pools and wetlands, providing habitat for hundreds of bird species. African safari-style tent accommodation is available on site and activities include hiking, bird watching and canoeing.
Deeper into the Gulf Savannah, particularly around Karumba and Sweers Island, fishing is the thing to do! These waters are rich with fish and you expect to catch barramundi, mangrove jack, coral trout, barracuda, king salmon and black jew, to name just a few.
If you are around Burketown at the right time of year, between September and October, then you might be lucky enough to witness a rare meteorological phenomenon, the Morning Glory Cloud. These amazing clouds can be up to 1,000 kilometres long (longer than Britain), stretch from horizon to horizon and travel at speeds of up to 60km per hour! Cloud height varies, but can be between one and two kilometers high.
Accommodation options range from camping, to caravan parks, historic hotels and motels, railway carriages and lodges. There are also farm stays, at working cattle stations, introducing you to life on the land and the chance to have billy tea and bush tucker.
Driving around is half the fun:
The Outback is not for the faint hearted and those planning to drive it should be prepared for long distances, with few services. It is really important to have your vehicle checked before you leave, to ensure it is in good condition. It is also a good idea to have spare tyres and any parts you may need for roadside repairs.
The Gulf Savannah roads are in good condition and accessible by all types of vehicles for most of the year. Some areas are prone to flooding in the wet season (December to March), so it always a good idea to check conditions before you leave at www.racq.com.au or www.mainroads.qld.gov.au
