As the world dries out and the roads open up, many of our remote National Parks and Reserves become more accessible. The thrill of getting away from it all, of finding a river somewhere or a quiet campsite where you can watch the stars at night are things that make our Territory lifestyle something to be treasured.
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Driving in remote areas can be challenging. A traveller in the Gulf country along the Savannah Way will need to be aware of many differences between urban roads and remote highways.
Always check the road report website before heading out.
Access to the Gulf region is improving with the construction of the Roper and Wilton River bridges. Travellers must remember that road conditions can vary enormously from year to year. Always check the road report website before heading out. Corrugations, dust, sharp rocks and wandering animals can all result in abrupt changes to travel plans.
The Carpentaria and Roper Highways are busy thoroughfares. They lead to the communities of Borroloola and Ngukurr and cater for people in these and other smaller communities nearby. In addition to this, these narrow single lane roads give access to road trains that supply cattle stations, transporting livestock in and out of the area.
The normal protocol for these single lane highways is that if you approach an oncoming vehicle both travellers should pull off the tarmac slightly, allowing space to pass safely. Larger vehicles such as trucks and caravans are not easily able to do this, particularly if the shoulders of the roads are wet or damaged. Semi-trailers are not able to pull off the road at all and must stay on the bitumen.
If you are travelling to remote areas let a responsible person know of your plans – where you are going and when you expect to return. Communications can be difficult so a satellite phone and a personal locator beacon are useful additions to your kit.
Visitors to remote Parks and Reserves should always stay vigilant while driving on remote highways. It is safer to pull completely off the road and stop your car when passing a larger vehicle than to try to share the road. When planning your trip always allow more travel time than usual. Leave early in the day to ensure that you reach your destination before evening. Take your time and enjoy the drive and always remember that the destination is only half the journey.
