BING BONG TO BORROLOOLA (included) TO CAPE CRAWFORD TO STUART HIGHWAY (near Daly Waters).

CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY.

This route forms an essentially east west connection throught the mid northern section of the Northern Territory.
It is north south from Bing Bong to near Boroloola (sealed dual lane), then north east to south west from Boroloola
to Cape Crawford (sealed dual lane as far as Mc Arthur River mine, then essentially sealed single lane with a dual
lane section near Cape Crawford), then east west from Cape Crawford to the Stuart Highway (mainly sealed single lane
with progressively more dual lane sections as one approaches the Stuart Highway.
Where single lane sections exist, they are sealed dual lane at "floodways".

0 km (441.8 km) Bing Bong .. at mine loading facility entrance .. facility is a restricted area. From this spot there
is a 5 km (reported) road south to Mule Creek (apparently a fishing area) .. signed "4 WD access only, no camping".
To the north (just 50m) there is a dirt circular turning area containing an observation tower. There is a walkway
access to the ocean. We parked overnight in this area.
Class 2. 15° 37.72'S. 136: 23.17'E. Hema map 89, A 12.
Little shade, rubbish bin, no TV, no CDMA, considerable noise from mine facility at times, just OK for big rigs.
[20.2 km].
20.2 km (421.6 km) Junction .. west side .. no sign.
[16.3 km]
36.5 km (405.3 km) Junction .. King Ash Bay Road .. east side.
------------------------------
0 km turn off east .. King Ash Bay (Malten) Road.
NOTE: This section is corragated gravel and rough over most parts. Reported to be graded just before the wet season.
[21.6 km] This section took us 1 1/4 hours!
21.6 km km Servo/store and fishing club caretaker. 15° 56.00'S. 136° 23.17'E. Hema map 89, A 12.
It is possible to stay in powered facilities at fishing club for $110 per week.
Apparently, to obtain water from the servo/store, one must join the fishing club .. $25 fee.
[8.0 km]
29.6 Extremely large level (some grassed) camp areas (some) right at waters edge .. Junction of Batten Creek,
Carrington Channel and Mc Arthur River.
* Class 1. 15° 53.73'S. 136° 31.79'E. Hema map 89, A 12.
LImited shade, no rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs, no time limit, no TV, no CDMA.
. ------------------------------
BING BONG TO BOROLOOLA TO CAPE CRAWFORD TO STUART HIGHWAY ..continued.
[2.0 km]
38.5 km (403.3 km) Junction .. loop in old road .. ? possible parking.
[11.7 km]
50.2 km (391.6 km) Junction .. Boroloola .. south east side. The main highway continues ahead.
------------------------------
Taking the route via Boroloola.
0 km .. turn off south east .. this next section was badly corragated dirt and sand!
[5.3 km]
5.3 km Junction .. Main Street, Boroloola .. turn south. Post Office/Paperbark Cafe on north east corner.
[1.8 km]
7.1 km Gulf mini-mart/servo west side. Plenty of parking opposite.
[1.8 km]
8.9 km Junction .. Savannah Way .. west to main highway/Cape Crawford. Checked road to east .. 2.7 km to Mc Arthur River
ford (single lane). We continued over ford then turned around. Possible parking spots in area, ? frequented by
aboriginal people .. suspect is aboriginal land!
[8.2 km]
17.1 km Junction .. main highway 12.3 km from initial Boroloola turn off .. (having taken western turn).
------------------------------
BING BONG TO BOROLOOLA TO CAPE CRAWFORD TO STUART HIGHWAY .. continued.
[12.3 km]
62.5 km (379.3 km) Junction .. Sanannah Way .. above point.
NOTE .. This section of the Carpentaria Highway is also The Savananah Way.
[18.5 km]
81.0 km (360.8 km) Junction .. Savannah Way/Roper Bar .. east side.
[14.7 km]
95.7 km (346.1 km) Junction .. Caranbiri Conservation Reserve .. east side.
[0.6 km]
96.3 km (345.5 km) Gravel pit .. east side .. large level open area adjacent to road .. uninvestigated track into rear.
Class 2-. 16° 16.41'S. 136° 04.64'E. Hema map 89, B 11.
Some shade, 100m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, no CDMA.
[20.1 km]
116.4 km (325.4 km) Junction .. Mc Arthur River mine .. east side.
[7.0 km]
123.4 km (318.4 km) Junction .. Merlin Mine .. east side.
[3.5 km]
126.9 km (314.9 km) Junction .. Eight Mile .. west side.
[39.1 km]
166.0 km (275.8 km) Junction .. Tablelands Highway .. south side.
On south west corner .. Heartbreak Hotel .. roadhouse/caravan park.
* Class 1 (fee $22 pvpn powered). 16° 41.02'S. 135° 41.03'E.at entrance. Hema map 89, C 11.
All roadhouse facilities, caravan park, shade, lots of water (no problem washing vehicles etc.),
good TV, no CDMA, public phones outside.
[2.2 km]
168.2 km (273.6 km) Junction .. north side .. to Roper Bar etc.
[8.5 km]
176.7 km (265.1 km) Little River .. rest area (no sign) .. east side of bridge, south side of highway.
Short 50m track into small level circular turning/parking area beside waterhole.
* Class 2. 16° 42.63'S. 135° 38.37'E. Hema map 89, C 11.
Some shade, water from waterhole, bush fireplace, rubbish bin, 60m from 100 kph highway,
OK big rigs (space for about 2), no time limit noted, no TV, no CDMA.
[30.4 km]
207.1 km (234.7 km) Signed rest area .. north side 200m long sealed road to small sealed turning/parking area.
Class 2. 16° 42.19'S. 135° 22.02'E. Hema map 89, C 10.
Covered table, little shade, water, fireplace, 200m from 100 kph highway, just OK big rigs, good views.
[17.8 km]
224.9 km (216.9 km) Junction .. to Broadmere .. north side.
[43.3 km]
268.2 km (173.6 km) Rest area .. signed .. south side .. track 30m in to gravel loops.
Class 2. 16° 37.90'S. 134° 51.51'E. Hema map 89, B 10.
Covered table, little shade, water, bush fireplce, 60m max from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, no TV or CDMA.
[81.3 km]
349.5 km (92.3 km) Rest area .. signed .. south side. Sealed road into sealed loop with numberous cleared areas further back.
* Class 2. 16° 27.01'S. 134° 11.76'E. Hema map 89, B 8.
Covered table, shade, water, bush BBQ, rubbish bins, 200m from 100 kpgh highway, OK big rigs, no TV, no CDMA.
[92.3 km]
Last 10 km has detour road parallel and to south of highway .. should offer numberous parking possibilities.
441.8 km (0 km) Junction .. Stuart Highway. Roadhouse/caravan park on south east corner.
Class 1 (fee). 16° 18.43'S. 133° 23.12'E. Hema map 87, K 7.
All roadhouse facilities, some groceries, bread, tyre repairs etc.

To send an e-mail to Ron, use the "Back to RONS HOMEPAGE" facility below.

There is a "Send an e-mail to Ron" link at the bottom of that HOMEPAGE.

Back to Rons home page.