Australians are big on 4×4 driving. With the abundance of dirt roads, it’s no surprise that some of best off-road tracks are found in Australia. One of these roads is the Central Arnhem Road. It was voted as the #5 “must drive 4×4 roads in Australia”.
The Central Arnhem Road is a 412-mile long dirt road in the Northern Territory.
It is the main road for Eastern Arnhem Region and the Gove Peninsula. The route features river crossings and a drive through Aboriginal territory. An exciting aspect of this journey is that it is 412 miles of dirt road that is sparsely inhabited so you will be close to nature and far from the convenience of modern living. Tents and jerry cans are essential to this unique road trip. Isolation at its finest!
The trip starts from Katherine, which is a town on the southern end of the Central Arnhem Road. Before embarking on the journey, you need to get a permit from the Northern Council to travel on Aboriginal territory. It is a must to get the permit as there is a hefty fine for travelling on the Central Arnhem Road without it. You need to apply for the permit and wait around two weeks to a month before you get it.
If you really want to experience nature,there a couple of noteworthy sites around Katherine to visit. The Nitmiluk National Park is a good place to experience nature and the Aboriginal culture. The Edith Falls is also worth a visit as well as the Katherine Hot Springs and the pools of the Northern Rockhole.
Before leaving Katherine, better stock up on provisions such as food, water and petrol. The next stop is 150 miles from Katherine at the Mainoru Store and will be one of the few stops where you can get provision. The road from Katherine to the Bulman Community will be all dirt roads with some rough patches but you can get to 60mph in the clear stretches. You will pass the Mainoru River along the way and probably get a glimpse of fresh water crocodiles if you are lucky.
After the town of Bulman will be the Wilton River crossing which is around a foot deep and is a cemented causeway. The other river crossing will be at the Goyder River. Along the route from Bulman to Gove, there will be a number of gravel scrapes where you can set up your tent if you find yourself out on the road after sunset. There will be a turnoff to Lake Evella if you want to make a stop there.
At the end of the Central Arnhem Road is the Gove Peninsula which is home to spectacular unspoilt beaches and rock formations. The Kakadu National Park is also located here and definitely worth a detour. The Jim Jim Falls and Twin Gorge Falls are fantastic stops in the park. The Kakadu National Park has six different habitats and also six seasons. The Gove Peninsula is certainly a fitting reward for the long trip as it is one of the most beautiful places in the entire continent.
If you plan to take the Central Arnhem Road it would be best to plan the trip months in advance. You will need the permit and also know the best time to traverse the road as there are times that the river crossings are impassable. Stock up on supplies, petrol and bring a map (the paper one not the digital kind). The road is only fit for 4×4 vehicles with fjording capabilities. Better have your vehicle checked before leaving for the trip as there are no roadside repair shops along the route. Also, do a bit of planning for which sites you want to visit and where you want to spend the night. The few Aboriginal Communities would be the best place to stay for the night but you can also sleep under the stars if you wish. So take your time with this trip and travel safely. The trip to get to Gove Peninsula will surely be worth it!
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