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Carpentaria Highway

Start		Daly Waters Pub
Finish		Borroloola
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	387.21 km
Minimum Days	1
Average Speed	90.73 km/hr
Travel Time	4 hrs 16 mins 3 secs

Article By: ExplorOz Team

Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

The Carpentaria Highway is a bitumenised road with a narrow one lane strip across the mid-section of the Northern Territory connecting the Gulf country to Central Australia. It is the most northerly route across this part of the continent passable year-round. The terrain is mostly shrubby and the area marked with cattle, both synonomous with travel through the barren Barkly Tableland region.

If you're looking for a highlight along the way, make time to stop around sunset in the Bullwaddy area. A rest area just off the highway might bring delights of prolific birdlife if conditions are right.

How to Use this Trek Note

To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP	ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2025 mapset!

TrekID: 224

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP	Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 54 litres	4cyl 63 litres	4cyl 77 litres
6cyl 59 litres	6cyl 70 litres	6cyl 68 litres
8cyl 59 litres	8cyl 64 litres

Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Mcarthur River Mine

Distance from Trek Mid Point 135.42km E

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean Max. °C	36.0	35.2	34.9	34.7	32.2	29.7	30.0	32.0	35.3	37.8	38.6	37.7
Mean Min. °C	24.9	24.7	23.4	20.6	16.4	12.4	12.2	13.3	17.2	21.1	24.1	24.9
Mean Rain mm	208.5	181.9	148.9	32.7	7.6	1.7	2.4	0.4	4.7	20.7	53.9	122.9

Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Stuart Hwy & Daly Waters Turnoff to Hi-Way Inn Caravan Park

Driving: 3.81 km

Heading: 189°

Avg Speed: 104.67 km/hr

EST Time: 02:11

Drive south on 1/Stuart Highway. Continue on Stuart Highway. for: 3.75 km time: 01:48
Turn left. for: 0.06 km time: 00:23

Hi-Way Inn Caravan Park to Bullwaddy Rest Area

Driving: 90.87 km

Heading: 101°

Avg Speed: 100.26 km/hr

EST Time: 54:22

Drive northwest. for: 0.06 km time: 00:22
Turn right at the end of the road, onto Stuart Highway for: 0.04 km time: 00:06
Turn right onto Carpentaria Highway/1. for: 90.51 km time: 52:30
Turn right. for: 0.27 km time: 01:26

Bullwaddy Rest Area to October Creek Rest Area

Driving: 79.27 km

Heading: 106°

Avg Speed: 92.9 km/hr

EST Time: 51:11

Drive west. for: 0.23 km time: 01:11
Turn right at the end of the road, onto Carpentaria Highway for: 78.99 km time: 48:34
Turn right. for: 0.05 km time: 01:27

October Creek Rest Area to Goanna Creek Rest Area

Driving: 60.66 km

Heading: 99°

Avg Speed: 105.33 km/hr

EST Time: 34:33

Drive northeast. for: 0.05 km time: 01:22
Turn right at the end of the road, onto Carpentaria Highway for: 60.61 km time: 33:12

Goanna Creek Rest Area to Little River Rest Area

Driving: 30.11 km

Heading: 89°

Avg Speed: 105.39 km/hr

EST Time: 17:08

Drive east on Carpentaria Highway/1. for: 30.04 km time: 16:23
Turn right. for: 0.08 km time: 00:46

Little River Rest Area to Cape Crawford

Driving: 10.27 km

Heading: 78°

Avg Speed: 95.93 km/hr

EST Time: 06:25

Drive north. for: 0.08 km time: 00:39
Turn right onto Carpentaria Highway/1. for: 10.19 km time: 05:38
Turn right. for: 0 km time: 00:08

Cape Crawford to Leila Crossing (Carpentaria Hwy)

Driving: 15.8 km

Heading: 59°

Avg Speed: 60.35 km/hr

EST Time: 15:42

Drive north. for: 0 km time: 00:01
Turn right onto Carpentaria Highway/1. for: 15.8 km time: 15:42

Leila Crossing (Carpentaria Hwy) to Borroloola

Driving: 96.42 km

Heading: 39°

Avg Speed: 61.02 km/hr

EST Time: 01:34:48

Drive south on Robinson Road. for: 2.01 km time: 02:10
Turn right at the end of the road, onto Carpentaria Highway for: 8.2 km time: 05:50
Turn left at the end of the road, onto Carpentaria Highway for: 86.22 km time: 01:26:48

Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

Nearby ExplorOz Treks

Related Travel Journals

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