Carpentaria Highway

October Creek Rest Area
Carpentaria Highway Map
Daly Waters Pub
Daly Waters Caravan Park
Hi-Way Inn Caravan Park - NT
Not much has changed
Daly Waters Aviation Complex
Single lane
October Creek Rest Area
A long way from anywhere
Borroloola Police Station Museum
Cape Crawford Roadhouse & Heartbreak Hotel
Camping area view
Sept 2019 Bullwaddy Rest Area young Death Adder located base of water tank.
Cape Crawford
Leila Crossing (Carpentaria Hwy)
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesDaly Waters Pub
FinishBorroloola
DifficultyDifficulty 1/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance387.21 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed90.73 km/hr
Travel Time4 hrs 16 mins 3 secs
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021
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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 Route

  • 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 2026 mapset!

RouteID: 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 Route- 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

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 54 litres4cyl 63 litres4cyl 77 litres
6cyl 59 litres6cyl 70 litres6cyl 68 litres
8cyl 59 litres8cyl 64 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this route) and calculated based on route distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Mcarthur River Mine
Distance from Route Mid Point 135.42km E
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C36.035.234.934.732.229.730.032.035.337.838.637.7
Mean Min. °C24.924.723.420.616.412.412.213.317.221.124.124.9
Mean Rain mm208.5181.9148.932.77.61.72.40.44.720.753.9122.9
    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

Stuarts Tree - NTOverall Rating: 5/5

Historic Site
Position: -16.25861 133.3736

Daly Waters Aviation Complex - NTOverall Rating: 4/5

Tourist Attraction
Position: -16.26364 133.37669

Borroloola Police Station Museum - NT

Gallery,Museum
Position: -16.06797 136.30521

Facilities

Where to Stay

Hi-Way Inn Caravan Park - NTOverall Rating: 5/5

Caravan Park
Position: -16.30745 133.38547

Bullwaddy Rest Area - NT

Free Camp
Position: -16.44994 134.19572

Daly Waters Caravan Park - NTOverall Rating: 5/5

Caravan Park
Position: -16.25417 133.36972

Heartbreak Hotel - NT

Caravan Park
Position: -16.6841 135.72659

McArthur River Caravan Park - NT

Caravan Park
Position: -16.07 136.30721

Services & Supplies

Daly Waters Pub - NTOverall Rating: 5/5

Pub,Hotel
Position: -16.25361 133.36953

October Creek Rest Area - NTOverall Rating: 3/5

Rest Area,Day Use
Position: -16.63179 134.85881

Goanna Creek Rest Area - NTOverall Rating: 4/5

Rest Area,Day Use
Position: -16.70592 135.36534

Little River Rest Area - NTOverall Rating: 4/5

Rest Area,Day Use
Position: -16.70062 135.63931

The Hi-Way Inn Motel - NTOverall Rating: 5/5

Pub,Hotel
Position: -16.30827 133.38596

Heartbreak Hotel - NT

Caravan Park
Position: -16.6841 135.72659

Borroloola Dump Point - NT

Dump Point
Position: -16.0723 136.30662

McArthur River Caravan Park - NT

Caravan Park
Position: -16.07 136.30721

Wildflowers

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