Getting here

Your journey to Croydon is part of a fantastic experience.

Coming from Cairns your jouney might include visiting the lush Atherton Tablelands and following their Waterfall Way between villages. Continuing south on the Kennedy Highway and turning into the Gulf Development Road you'll feel like you have definitely arrived in the Outback. Key stops for westbound drivers include: the Undara Lava Tubes, Talaroo Hot Springs, and Cobbold Gorge. 

Coming from the west you may be driving the Savannah Way or have been on the Matilda Way and are now heading for the coast. Perhaps you've taken in Mt Isa and Cloncurry, explored the Riversleigh World Heritage Area and Boodjamula National Park, taken a hot air baloon ride over Burketown, or done some fishing in Kurumba. 

So many different experiences.

If you are travelling between November and March, the wet season, do keep an eye on the Queensland Traffic web site for the most up to date infomration about road closures. 

Visit QLD Traffic here: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

Don’t have a car

Well that’s ok, a family bus company Trans North Bus and Coach runs a service to all of the towns on the Savannah Way from Cairns to Karumba.

Alternatively, you can fly to Normanton on Rex Airlines and hire a vehicle locally.

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From Cairns

One of the best ways to come to Croydon is on the Savannah Way through Kuranda, Mareeba, Atherton, Mt Surprise, Georgetown then Croydon. Travelling out here it’s about the journey rather than a particular destination.

The Savannah Way: http://www.savannahway.com.au/

Kuranda is known as the “Village in the Rainforest” and has many great attractions including Kuranda Heritage Markets, Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Sky Rail.

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If you love coffee, Mareeba can be a great place to go with a number of Coffee Plantations located in the area combine this with many other great food experiences, it will be a different experience on your Savannah Way journey. The surrounding area has many great attractions to visit. 

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The next part of your journey is all about natural wonders, this includes Innot Hot Springs, Undara Lava Tubes, Talaroo Hot Springs, and Cobbold Gorge - all totally different experiences.

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From Cloncurry

Travelling along the Matilda Way, or National Route 83, you may be drawn in by the Quamby Pub or the Burke and Wills Roadhouse. Or decide on a detour to take in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Boodjamulla National Park. Known locally as the Burke Development Road, this route is sealed all the way from Cloncurry to Normanton, where you can see Krys the Croc the largest Croc ever shot, and Kurumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Karumba is known for its sunsets and fishing.  

The road from Normanton to Croydon is sealed and dual lane. As with all roads out this way watch out for cattle and kangaroos.

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From Hughenden

From Hughenden, you'll travel about 500 kilometres to Croydon via Richmond and the Richmond Road. The road is mostly sealed with some gravel sections. 4WD drivers will have no troubles; if you are driving a 2WD or are towing a caravan or boat, do take care at the creek crossings even in the dry as the dips can come up suddenly. Hughenden to Richmond is part of the Australia Dinosaur Trail. If there have been recent rains, it's best to make local inquiries about the road conditions before taking this route. 

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From Charters Towers

Departing Charters Towers on Route 63, which is part of the Great Inland Way, you can enjoy a pretty straight forward drive on sealed roads the whole way. There are some single lane sections, so do take care on these. Along the way are several road houses providing food, fuel, and generally camping or accommodation. At The Lynd you have two choices: the fully sealed Kennedy After turning right on Kennedy Development Road you will come across “The Lynd Oasis Roadhouse”. You have two choices, continue along a sealed Kennedy Development Road before turning left onto the Gulf Development Road and joining the Savannah Way or, if you are feeling more adventurous and have the right vehicle, you can take the unsealed road to Einasleigh and the partially unseal road to Forsyth and Georgetown. Along this route you can visit Einasleigh Gorge and Cobbold Gorge. Before taking the unsealed option, it's best to ask locally about the conditions or check on line at: http://www.etheridge.qld.gov.au/road-conditions or https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/

Travelling on the Gulf Development road, which is sealed but with some single lane sections, is generally an all-weather road but closures do occur for short periods after heavy local falls. Fuel is available at Mount Surprise and Georgetown.

Coming in the Wet

Visiting Croydon and the Gulf Savannah region during the wet season provides a totally different experience, especially January and February when the highest rainfall occurs. The pastures turn green, the water holes fill up and the creeks and rivers flow. These days, with improved roads, Croydon is rarely cut-off for any period of time. Coming from Cairns and Georgetown, there can be occasional short road closures. From Normanton, these sometimes stretch over longer periods. Drivers should be aware that localised flooding may occur after heavy rain.

Temperatures in January and February can be slightly cooler than December or March and humidity in the region isn't too bad as it is a drier heat. When the storm fronts come through, you may experience some pretty amazing lightning shows.

Use local Council Road Conditions reports and use the Bureau of Meteorology River Conditions Reports

 

Access Local Council Road Conditions Reports

 

Water Holes fill up

Water Holes fill up

 

The Rivers flow

The Rivers flow

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