Binns Track - Alice Springs to Bonney Well

This section of the Binns Track follows the Ross Highway east from Alice Springs on bitumen but don't rush too fast past both Emily Gap and Jessie Gap as these are nice spots to stop for a short walk. Soon after you'll enter into 4WD country and you'll cross mostly dry river beds although the crossing of Ross River can become impassable after rain. You'll want to stop at N'Dhala Gorge and maybe stay at Ross River resort or the nearby camp areas. You could base yourself here to explore the wonders of the East McDonnell Ranges, particularly if you like hiking. Alternatively, its not far off the route to go to Trephina Gorge where there's a range of camping options, including a 4WD bush camp although bookings are required for all sites.

The Arltunga Historic area preserves an old gold mining area that can be an interesting place to explore but there's some a serious 4WD side track into the Ruby Gap Nature Reserve if you're looking for some more thrills.

The main Binns Track as per this route follows an easy 4WD track to the beautiful Hale River where you can stay on a working station and then along the Pinnacles Track and scenic Gardens Road to where it reaches the Plenty Highway near the Gemtree Caravan Park which is a handy place to top up on fuel and supplies if required.

The next section of the route enters cattle station properties and some of the tracks can be rough and narrow yet other sections will be open grasslands. There may be some rivers to negotiate - if travelling during the main suggested season these are typically dry but there may be water at other times. These are generally well travelled tracks suitable for offroad caravans and offroad camper trailers so don't be put off. The route is well signposted and is a tourist route. There's even a Meteorite Crater almost alongside the track so don't miss this small diversion.

After Derry Downs, the track finally swings back to the west where it eventually joins up with the Sandover Highway and you'll travel in a North Easterly direction until reaching Ammaroo at which point you'll turn off onto Murray Downs Road and head north before switching back to the east again on the Kurundi Road that brings you into the remote Davenport Ranges National Park. The navigation here would be confusing without the Trek route in the Traveller app so make sure you've got the maps setup on a device that is visible from your dash to make this easier to follow. Here's you'll appreciate the change of environment with rocky terrain and waterholes. The Old Police Station Waterhole is a pretty spot with a camping area along side permanent water accessed via the Frew River 4WD Track. The Kurundi road heads further north via Epenarra where you make the final swing to the west again and eventually you'll pop out onto the sealed Stuart Highway, slightly north of the Devil's Marbles (10 minutes drive, or 16km south). From the junction with the Stuart Highway, you are just 90km south of Tennant Creek.

Environment

This area features aboriginal paintings and rock carvings of significance to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. These can be found in the Heavitree Range and N'Dhala Gorge.
Arltunga is a former gold mining area and gemstones are found in Ruby Gap, and near Gemtree.
The Davenport Ranges is an important refuge for fauna, especially water birds due to an extensive network of waterholes.
The area is subject to frequent flooding during the hotter months (December to March).

History

Bill Binns was a ranger who worked with NT Parks and Wildlife for 32 years. Bill’s dream was to help visitors explore more of the Central Australia region – to discover its vivid colours, native wildlife and mighty rock formations. The naming convention of this group of tracks that have collectively become a signed 4WD tourist route known as Binns Track occurred in 2008. The Binns Track covers approximately 2000km and winds through many of the NT's lesser known nature reserves and National Parks.

TrekID: 28008

This trip offers a bit of everything but is 4WD only. Towing of trailers is ok provided they are built for heavy duty offroad conditions. The smaller the better. There are some excellent 4WD opportunities along this route as side trips, or stick to the provided route which is generally fine for offroad vans during dry conditions. Check local conditions as the many river crossings would pose a problem after heavy rains.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 126 litres	4cyl 145 litres	4cyl 179 litres
6cyl 137 litres	6cyl 162 litres	6cyl 157 litres
8cyl 137 litres	8cyl 148 litres

Best Time To Visit

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies