Good Morning Everyone
I have recently travelled another iconic highway that has been on our bucket list for quite some time....the Central Arnhem Highway.
Over the last few years
Nhulunbuy has suffer like many
places around Australia with its
population dropping overnight from 4000 people to 2000 when Rio Tinto closed processing of Bauxite at their facilities there and now ship the raw product out to be processed overseas.
The town suffered greatly with a number of businesses having to close their doors and now they are pushing for Tourism to be their saviour. The end result is now permits are even easier to obtain and even the friendly and very helpful staff of the Northern Lands Council in
Katherine are pushing to get more people out there to experience one of Australia's last great travel destinations.
Between 2012 and 2014 The Federal Government spent over $40 Million dollars in road and
bridge upgrades to keep access open for longer during he wet season and the biggest upgrade was the very large
bridge and new road over the Goyder River.
The new road now puts all maps out of date
The new Goyder River Crossing - consists of 3 bridges
The is the new main river crossing bridge of the Goyder River
The Goyder River from the new bridge
The Central Arnhem Highway with give all drivers a mix of every type of driving conditions, from single lane bitumen for the first 70 odd kilometres and then a mix of deep bull dust holes, severe corrugations ( unlike say the
Anne Beadell Highway where they go for ever, the Central Arnhem Highway will only go for less than a kilometre at a time ) gravel to firm hard compacted dirt that is like driving on concrete.
Them to top off the drive, there are the countless river crossings that are crystal clear and look so inviting for a swim on a hot day.....but do not be fooled, this is
home to one of Australia's number one apex predators......crocodiles, or just commonly known as salties. The scenery is just unreal and it is ever changing along its complete length and for me ranks as one of our best outback trips.
Camping is not a problem, with only one designated place
camp site along the way at the Mainoru, or else the countless bush camps along the way. Fiona and I travelled the route solo and you will never be along out there, with the longest time between seeing another vehicle for us was around an hour.
Then when you get to
Nhulunbuy there is just so much to see and explore, that is a story in itself. So if you have ever thought about travelling to Eastern Arnhem Land and are looking to explore new territory, then start to plan your trip now and you will not be disapointed.
Here are some images of the drive along the Central Arnhem Highway to hopefully temp you to see for yourself just how good it is out there.
Happy Planning
ps....thanks Chris for pushing me to get out there
Stephen and Fiona
The start of the Central Arnhem Highway, mid way between Katherine and Mataranka.
All roads open to Nhulunbuy
The offical end of the bitumen at Beswick
With over 600 kilometres of dirt, it was time to drop tyre pressures on the car and camper
Corrugations will be found on all dirt roads, some just worse than others
There are countless creek crossing and the water is crystal clear....but home for salties......
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
While you are concentrating on the road, your navigator will find many worthwhile things to see along the way
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
All roads are very well signposted, so you will not get lost
Mainoru is the only official place to stop for fuel along the way
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Do not under estimate your fuel usage, as it will be a long walk if you run out of fuel
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Old gravel pits make great camps sites
You will get to see some serious giant termite mounds right alongside of the road
There are a number of large new river crossings along the way
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
There were roadwork in a number of places along the way.
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Magnetic termite moulds along the way
Changing scenery along the Central Arnhem Highway
Locals call this lookout "Jurassic Park" and we camped here on our return leg of our trip
Depending on the time of day, there is no shortage of water buffalo