This route forms part of the main north south route through Central Australia.
Thus it travels in an essentially north south direction. It is dual lane and sealed.
0 km (661.2 km) Junction .. Carpentaria Highway .. east side. 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.
[3.7 km]
3.7 km (657.5 km) Junction .. west side .. turn off for Daly Waters. Large level, exposed truck parking area on east side of highway.
------------------------------
0 km .. turn west towards Daly Waters.
[1.7 km]
1.7 km Junction .. turn north (right) for airstrip .. after 0.8 km, turn right and travel 0.5 km into airfield parking.
We parked to the east of hanger .. some shade, rubbish bin in hanger, OK big rigs, very weak TV, OK CDMA,
lots of history re airfield in hanger.
* Class 3. 16° 15.85'S. 133° 22.61'E. Hema map 87, K 7.
[2.1 km] continuing ahead at junction.
3.8 km Daly Waters pub/caravan park. Pub has good reputation for meals .. $17.50 for barra or steak meal.
Class 1 (fee). 16° 15.29'S. 133° 22.19'E. at caravan park entrance. Hema map 87, K 7.
Normal caravan park facilities, $10 unpowered, $14 powered pvpn. OK CDMA.
------------------------------
CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN .. continued.
[25.5 km]
29.2 km (63.2 km) Gravel pit .. east side plus area at rear giving 40m max from 100 kph highway. Not investigated.
[25.0 km]
54.2 km (607.0 km) Alexander Fosset Commerative Cain .. west side. Small dirt area adjacent to highway.
Class 3. 15° 51.55'S. 133° 24.63'E. Hema map 87, J 7.
No shade, rubbish bin, adjacent to highway, not really practical to overnight.
[39.8 km] Turn off east to WWII number 45 hospital in this section.
94.0 km (567.2 km) Larrimah .. first servo, east side, turn west for historical hotel, interesting museum, remains of original
Darwin to Larrimah rail line with extensive loading/unloading area extending some 500m to the south.
Possible overnight parking around that southern end of loading/unloading facility. No facilities.
Class 3. 15° 34.87'S. 133° 12.93'E. Hema map 86, J 7.
[9.8 km]
103.8 km (557.4 km) Signed .. Gorrie WWII airstrip .. west side. We travelled in 3 km .. lotsa tracks but no airfield found.
Later info suggests one needs to take an unsigned track to the right when about 1 km from highway.
[30.0 km]
133.8 km (527.4 km) Rest area .. signed .. east side. Sealed loop off/on highway with further sealed loop at rear.
* Class 2. 15° 14.20'S. 133° 06.90'E. Hema map 86, H 7.
Covered table, very little shade, water, fireplace, rubbish bins, 60m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, no CDMA.
[15.7 km]
149.5 km (511.7 km) Warloch Ponds.
[8.8 km]
158.3 km (502.9 km) Junction .. east side .. Elsie Cemetry.
[5.5 km]
163.8 km (498.4 km) Junction .. east side .. Roper Highway.
[4.9 km]
168.7 km (492.5 km) Junction .. east side .. Elsie National Park.
[1.6 km]
170.3 km (490.9 km) Mataranka. Off road parking area .. east side. Medium size sealed area opposite supermarket, servo, museum.
Class 3 to 4. 14° 55.48'S. 133° 04.13'E. Hema map 86, H 7.
Some shade, 40m from 60 kph highway, OK big rigs. Tables, rubbish bins in adjacent park, OK CDMA.
A similar spot exists a short distance further north.
[0.1 km]
170.4 km (490.8 km) Mataranaka Post Office .. west side.
[0.5 km]
170.9 km (490.3 km) Junction .. east side .. Elsie National Park.
[55.1 km]
226.0 km (435.2 km) Junction .. east side .. Mainoru Road leaing to Central Arnhem Road.
[4.2 km]
230.2 km (431.0 km) Rest area .. east side. Long sealed loop off/on highway .. ends now blocked and access road into centre
of loop. Extra dirt parking areas at rear.
* Class 2. 14° 38.61'S. 132° 37.92'E. Hema map 85, J 6.
Covered table, Some shade, water, fireplaces, rubbish bins, 60m max from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs,
signed 24 hours, no CDMA.
[4.9 km]
235.1 km (426.1 km) King River.
[14.7 km]
249.8 km (411.4 km) Junction .. east side .. Cutta Cutta caves.
[13.6 km]
263.4 km (397.8 km) Junction .. west side .. RAAF Tindal.
[15.0 km]
278.4 km (382.8 km) Junction .. east side .. signed caravan parking. Large parking area behind info centre.
Shopping centre (including Wollworths) next door.
NOTE .. info August '05 .. Katherine showgrounds now out of council hands .. being run by show society ..
overnight camping about $15 pvpn .. ? re just for big rigs/folk travelling with animals.
[0.4 km]
278.8 km (382.4 km) Junction .. centre of Katherine .. east side .. Giles Street .. road to Katherine George.
-----------------------------
0 km .. Turn east towards Katherine George.
[2.8 km]
2.8 km Signed parking .. north .. actually northern end WWII airstrip. We traveled to southern end and parked overnight.
* Class 3. 14° 27.02'S. 132° 16.59'E. Hema map 86, G 6.
No facilities, no shade, OK big rigs, OK TV, OK CDMA.
[0.3 km]
3.1 km .. north side (opposite hospital) .. signed entrance to museum. DUMP POINT at rear of museum office building.
Not real good acces for big rigs. On rear wall of office building is a fresh water facilty .. fee $2 in slot.
Access to above points via main museum entrance or from side via airstrip.
-----------------------------
CARPENRARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN .. continued.
[93.0 km]
371.8 km (289.4 km) Junction .. east side .. Edith Falls .. signed 21 kms.
[45.2 km]
417.0 km (244.2 km) Junction .. west side .. to Copperfield Dam, Umbrawarra George etc.
------------------------------
0 km .. turn west.
[0.1 km]
0.1 km Cross roads .. old highway section .. number of overnight spots possible. We parked just to the north.
* Class 3. 13° 51.00'S. 131° 50.23'E. Hema map 85, G 4.
Very limited shade, 150m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[1.8 km] Gravel road commences.
1.9 km Turn north (right) for Copperfield Dam.
[1.1 km]
3.0 km at side of dam .. turning area near dam. Camp spots are about 150m from water.
Class 2. 13° 50.72'S. 131° 49.07'E. Hema map 85, G 4.
Toilets, little shade, water from dam, fireplaces, rubbish bins, quiet, barely OK big rigs, 72 hour limit for
maximun 8 vans, no TV, no CDMA, caretaker. Grassfires burning right at area, so we didn't stay.
------------------------------
CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN .. continued.
[2.9 km]
419.9 km (241.3 km) Junction .. west side .. southern entrance to Pine Creek.
-----------------------------
0 km turn west to Pine Creek town.
[0.9 km]
0.9 km Post Office .. Pine Creek.
There is a DUMP POINT at western end of Millar Terrace, north side in front of ? council depot.
Water is non potable. 13° 49.46'S. 131° 49.93'E. Hema map 85, G 4.
[0.5 km] past Post Office to Ah Toys store on Main Terrace.
1.4 km Ah Toys store .. day parking area opposite, toilets with signed drinking water available.
[1.2 km] Follow Main Terrace north to northern junction with Stuart Highway.
2.6 km Junction .. Stuart Highway .. northern entrance.
-----------------------------
CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN .. continued.
[2.0 km]
421.9 km (239.3 km) Junction .. east side .. Kakadu Highway to Jabiru.
[0.5 km]
422.4 km (238.8 km) Junction .. south west side .. northen entrance to Pine Creek.
[18.9 km]
441.3 km (219.9 km) Junction .. west side .. signed "WWII (Mc Donald) airstrip".
We travelled in 3.2 km on what appeared to be old section of highway. Creek and overnight parking smallish
units .. track to left before creek. Not investigated. Road continues ahead! Airfield not found!
Class 2. 13° 43.99'S. 131° 42.17'E. Hema map 85, G 4.
Travelled back to a position 200m from highway .. had lunch. Posible overnight parking.
Class 2. 13° 42.64'S. 131° 41.81'E. Hema map 85, G 4.
no facilities, little shade, just OK big rigs.
[12.6 km]
453.9 km (207.3 km) Emerald Springs.
[15.1 km]
469.0 km (192.2 km) Junction .. east side .. Grove Hill.
[8.4 km]
477.4 km (183.8 km) Hayes Creek .. west side .. roadhouse, caravan park.
[6.1 km]
483.5 km (177.7 km) Junction .. west side .. Dorat Road. This road runs to the west and essentially parallel to the main
highway .. which it rejoins at Adelaide River. It gives access to roads further west .. to the Douglas Daly area
and to Daly River area. It is sealed and dual lane .. somewhat narrow .. suggest just wide enough for 2 cars to pass.
------------------------------
0 km turn off north west on Dorat Road.
[3.2 km]
3.2 km Junction .. north east side .. shortcut back to Stuart Highway.
[2.1 km]
5.3 km Junction .. south west side .. to Douglas Daly area.
--------------------
0 km turn south west to Douglas Daly area.
[9.7 km]
9.7 km .. Junction .. west side .. signed entrance WWII Fenton airfield.
Travel in 0.8 km (initially sealed road) to junction with airstrip and interperitive sign.
* Class 2. 13° 37.25'S. 131° 20.34'E. Hema map 85, F 3.
No facilities, little shade, quiet, OK big rigs. Later info .. park off strip as it is sometimes used???
[16.8 km]
26.5 km Junction .. south east side .. Douglas Hot Springs Nature Park. Gravel road to pay camping facilities.
Road continues from hot springs to Butterfly George. All this, not investigated.
[7.9 km]
34.4 km Douglas Daly Tourist Park .. west side. Pay ($20 unpowered, $26 powered) camping (lots of) facilities.
[ 0.3 km]
34.7 km Douglas River.
[2.7 km]
37.4 km Middle Creek, Liddey Bridge .. cross bridge, 150 m on east side is a track back along road to circular
turning/parking area (all dirt) with facility of parking alongside waterhole. Apparently, spring fed about 1 km upstream.
* Class 1. 13° 48.63'S. 131° 20.34'E. Hema map 85, G 3.
Shade, water from creek, OK big rigs, no time limit, no TV, no CDMA.
--------------------
DORAT ROAD (back at Douglas Daly turn off) .. continued.
[24.8 km]
30.1 km Junction .. west side .. Tipparary Station.
[4.4 km]
34.5 km Junction .. west side .. Daly River turn off. Medium size levelgravel/dirt parking area .. north west corner.
Class 2-. 13° 28.77'S. 131° 11.16'E. Hema map 85, F 2.
Some shade, rubbish bins, 25m max from roads, OK big rigs.
[5.9 km]
40.4 km Junction .. east side .. just north Burrell Creek bridge .. dirt road 100m in to rough circular parking/turning
area beside creek .. road rough, limited parking, but water holes in creek.
Class 2-. 13° 26.54'S. 131° 10.07'E. at turn off. Hema map 85, F 2.
Some shade, water from creek (not checked), barely OK big rigs.
[11.9 km]
52.3 km Junction .. west side .. Robin Falls. Information was road was narrow with overhanging branches .. also the
parking/turning area was inadequate for turning medium to big rigs .. especially if others were parked there.
[14.3 km]
66.6 km Entrance .. south side .. Adelaide River showgrounds/caravan park. Nice shady area!
* Class 1 (fee $16 pvpn powered). Forgot to take lat. and long. Hema map 85, 2.
All caravan park facilities, plenty of water, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[0.2 km]
66.8 km Entrance .. south side .. railway museum. Old Adelaide River railway station .. parking/turning OK big rigs.
[0.1 km]
66.9 km Junction .. Stuart Highway.
------------------------------
CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN (back at Dorat Road turn off near Hayes Creek) .. continued.
[61.3 km] This section not travelled, distance taken from maps.
There is a (reported) good rest area about 19 km north of the first Dorat Road turn off (not investigated).
544.8 km (116.4 km) west side .. turn in to parking area .. old raiway loco on display .. OK big rigs.
East side .. sharp turn into Haynes Road .. 50m on south side is a gravel pit.
Class 3-. 13° 14.51'S. 131° 06.85'E. Hema map 85, E 2.
No shade, 25m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs, should have TV and CDMA.
[0.3 km]
545.1 km (116.1 km) Adelaide River .. centre of bridge.
[0.2 km]
545.3 km (115.9 km) Junction .. east side .. to service road and road to War Cemetry .. on south side of the war cemetry
road is a rest area (extending about a km between road and river), but no camping signs!
Covered tables, shade, water taps (don't work), $1 gas BBQ's, rubbish bins.
[0.2 km]
545.5 km (115.7 km) Adelaide River Country Store .. take away LARGE size barra pieces $6.
[26.0]
571.5 km (89.7 km) Signed rest area .. east side .. Coomalie .. sealed road into sealed turning parking area on edge flowing creek.
Class 5 (no camping signs). 13° 00.89'S. 131° 07.37'E. Hema map 85, E 2.
Tables, some shade, water from creek, rubbish bins, 40m from 100 kph highway, OK big rigs.
Caravan park to south .. $5 pppn, $4 extra powered.
[1.8 km]
573.3 km (87.9 km) Junction .. west side .. Batchelor, Run Jungle, Litchfield National Park.
------------------------------
0 km .. turn off west.
[12.1 km]
12.1 km Junction .. north side .. to Batchelor town centre.
[7.4 km] following signs to Litchfield.
19.5 km Junction .. Litchfield to left, Rum Jungle ahead. We travelled down that road 1.6 km to where a sign said
"road ends 200m ahead". There were numberous levelled areas close to road, but general area was signed "access
limited to road only". So, we came back to the corner and took the Litchfield Road.
[3.4 km]
22.9 km Junction .. south side .. Peott Road to Rum Jungle Lake. We took this road.
[2.1 km]
25.0 km Large sealed reasonably level parking area. Signed (seen July '05) "area closed for camping for 12 months
.. rehabilitation of Rum Jungle South mine site". A track continues ? down to edge of lake.
Class 5. 13° 02.48'S. 130° 59.80'E. Hema map 85, E 2.
Toilets, some shade, rubbish bins, quiet, OK big rigs.
------------------------------
CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN .. continued.
[6.5 km]
579.8 km (81.4 km) Junction .. east side .. Lake Bennett.
[0.2 km]
580.0 km (81.2 km) Junction .. east side .. signed Miles WWII airstrip.
[8.0 km]
588.0 km (73.2 km) Junction .. west side .. Manton Dam. we travelled in 3.6km to large sealed parking/boat ramp area.
Class 5. 12° 51.75'S. 131° 07.27'E. Hema map 85, D 2.
Tables, shade, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, open sunrise to sunset.
[23.2 km] Arcadia store .. west side .. is in this section .. signed fuel, budget camping.
611.2 km (50.0 km) Junction .. east side .. signed Hughs WWII airstrip. Travel in 0.9km to southern end of strip.
* Class 2. 12° 41.49'S. 131° 05.45'E. Hema map 85, D 2.
Little shade, bush fireplaces, quiet, OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV.
[2.5 km]
613.7 km (47.5 km) Junction .. west side .. to Berry Springs, Mandorah, Dundee Beach.
------------------------------
We travelled to stay with friends in the Dundee Beach area.
0 km .. turn off west.
[8.5 km]
8.5 km Berry Springs.
[10.1 km]
18.6 km Junction .. south side .. Darwin River Dam.
[6.9 km]
25.5 km Junction .. south side .. Litchfield National Park .. dirt road. Up to about this point, the area along
the roadside is fairly well built up with farms etc .. so limited overnight parking possibilities!
[11.4 km]
36.9 km Junction .. Junction .. south side .. Cox Peninsular, Mandarah ahead, turn south for Dundee Beach.
Info is that overnight camping is possible at Mandarah Hotel for $12 unpowered, $15 powered. From Mandarah,
there is a ferry service across the harbour entrance to Darwin city.
[4.9 km]
41.8 km start of gravel road.
[10.5 km]
52.3 km start of sealed section.
[8.1 km]
60.4 km Junction .. north side .. Crab Claw Island.
[4.6 km]
65.0 km north side .. Sand Palms Hotel Motel.
[12.1 km]
77.1 km Dundee Road windmill. From this general area to the ocean, the ground appears to be all subdivided.
The number of blocks must be in thousands! Various overnight parking possibilities exist.
[3.3 km]
80.4 km start of gravel road.
[11.7 km]
92.1 km Junction .. left side .. Launceston Road .. we stayed along that road.
From that point it's about 7 km to the Lodge (hotel, fuel, camping, boat ramp) and access to beach.
However, there are other beach access points via roads to the left prior to the Lodge. That access would
be best explored by a small vehicle (or local knowledge).
------------------------------
CARPENTARIA HIGHWAY JUNCTION to DARWIN .. continued.
[4.6 km]
618.3 km (42.9 km) Noonamah. Servo, pub on east side. Parking available behind pub .. medium to large size level area.
See Scott, who is developing the area for travellers. Patronage of pub appreciated .. ex. meals, reasonable prices.
* Class 1. 12° 37.98'S. 131° 04.49'E. Hema map 85, D 2.
Toilets, hot showers, rubbish bin, 120m from highway, OK big rigs, no time limit, good TV, good CDMA, free
laundry, power. Servo, store, Post Office next door.
[7.6 km]
625.9 km (35.3 km) Junction .. east side .. Arnhem Highway.
[5.7 km]
631.6 km (29.6 km) Junction .. traffic lights .. Coolalinga. Woolworths shoping + fuel (good price, poor access) .. west side.
[0.1 km]
631.7 km (29.5 km) Parking spot for big rigs .. just off highway adjacent to shopping centre car park .. dirt area.
Further north, there is an independant fuel supplier .. good price (but no Woolworths discount), access for big rigs.
[4.5 km]
636.2 km (25.0 km) Junction .. south west to Palmerston, north east to Howard Springs.
[3.3 km]
639.5 km (21.7 km) Junction .. south side .. to Palmerston.
[2.0 km]
641.5 km (19.7 km) Highway veers right at lights .. Palmerston hard left.
[4.9 km]
646.4 km (14.8 km) Junction .. south side .. Tivendale Road .. travel down 0.2 km and take next right signed Berrimah Prison
and Robbie Robbins Reserve. Travel ahead about 400m to gate 4 .. through that gate to travellers parking area.
* Class 1 (fee $15 pvpn unpowered, $20 pvpn powered). 12° 26.43'S. 130° 56.39'E. Hema map 85, C 2.
Showers, shade, water, rubbish bins, close to highway (noisy), no time limit, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
DUMP POINT .. north side of most western toilet block .. limited acess, small diameter pipe! 12° 37.98'S. 130° 56.31'E.
[6.0 km]
652.4 km (8.8 km) Junction .. south side .. Hook Road. Travel down Hook Road 0.2 km .. entrance to Greyhound Club on left.
Through entrance and on right is a DUMP POINT. For camping it's necessary to check in at office .. $16 first night,
then $11 pvpn, but no power, or water hook up available. Doesn't seem popular!
Class 2 (fee). 12° 25.69'S. 130° 53.68'E. Hema map 85, C 2.
Some shade, water at dump point, 100m from side road, OK big rigs, good TV, good CDMA.
[8.8 km] This section not traveled, distance taken from a map.
661.2 km (0 km) Northern end Stuart Highway, Darwin.
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