Roper Bar to Borroloola

Submitted: Monday, Apr 18, 2022 at 20:52

ThreadID: 143575 Views:7362 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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Roper Bar

This part of Australia is extremely remote and uninhabited. A 4WD trek through these parts can be an extension of the Gulf Track on your way further up North to Darwin or Arnhem Land.

Roper Bar

Section: Treks

This part of Australia is extremely remote and uninhabited. A 4WD trek through these parts can be an extension of the Gulf Track on your way further up North to Darwin or Arnhem Land.

Gazza70

Good evening all,

Just wondering what the road from Roper Bar to Borroloola (via Limmen) is generally like in the dry season. Have driven the road from Daly Waters across to Borroloola , Hells Gate Roadhouse, Doomadgee etc many years ago. Will have a small off-road Caravan in tow.

Cheers

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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Monday, Apr 18, 2022 at 22:19

Monday, Apr 18, 2022 at 22:19

Always the caveat that conditions can change daily/weekly due to weather and grader .... but when we last did that run a couple of years back it was a perfectly good gravel road with just the odd rough patch or dip. Driven carefully, should pose no problems.

Wildmax
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Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022 at 12:18

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022 at 12:18

As Wildmax says conditions change. We went across that way in late 2019 & found it to be quite heavily corrugated with only sections of bulldust to offer relief. That said it was worth every bump in the road to see both Lost Cities. They are each quite a different experience. We camped at Towns River, Butterfly falls & the Southern Lost city. Also at Lorella Springs.

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We also enjoyed camping out by the river at Doomadgee, took the station roads from Doomadgee down to Lawn Hill before looping back up to the Savannah way via Leichhardt Falls. Roads improved at the Qld
Border.
Borroloola to the Daintree

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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022 at 22:58

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022 at 22:58

Second the comments on the Lost Cities, and we also had good camps at Butterfly Falls and Lorella Springs. Some fabulous 4Wd tracks all over Lorella Springs, hidden waterholes etc.

Wildmax
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022 at 15:58

Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022 at 15:58

Depending on the wet season, that road can be closed until repairs are done.
We spent 2 weeks waiting at Lorella Springs in 2007 until it opened further north in early May.
Look for the paving job we did around the bar and "OKA196" engraved in the corner. :)
Cheers,
Peter
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Reply By: Member - nickb boab - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2022 at 14:54

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2022 at 14:54

When we did it last year in the dry it was not to dad but would get very rough stoney & rocky in parts round the lost city area that would need slowing down to take care, also creek crossing can be a bit rough aswel. We did come across a van at one of the spots that had ripped out there axle on a tandem caravan. The road from sturt hwy out to roper bar was busy narrow & lots of road works .. The only other thing i would say is don't set you expectations to high for the trip, lost city being the highlight.

Cheers Nick b

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Reply By: Kumunara (NT) - Wednesday, May 04, 2022 at 14:46

Wednesday, May 04, 2022 at 14:46

It is an unsealed road. No worse or better than most I have driven. Very poor wet this season so likely to be less damage. Drive at an appropriate speed and you will not have a problem.