Buchanan Hwy
Submitted: Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 19:18
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Greg & Dianne
We are starting to research for our next adventure, this time to the
Kimberley. Would anyone be able to give us some info on the Buchanan Hwy? Going across from Dunmarra to
Timber Creek probably via Top Springs as I don't think we would get through from Kalkaringa. We tow an off road van and are totally self sufficent. Thanks t0in advance to all and safe travels everyone. Greg & DI
Reply By: Kumunara (NT) - Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 22:13
Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 22:13
Greg & Dianne
The Buchanan Highway is a good gravel road. This takes you through
Jasper Gorge and is quite scenic.
You can also drive from kalkarindji to
Halls Creek. I haven't driven between Kalkarindji and
Halls Creek so I cannot comment on that bit of the road but I have driven to kalkarindji on a number of occasions on the Buntine Highway. One past Kalkarindji it is gravel road. Before Kalkarindji it is narrow bitumen.
Tjilpi
AnswerID:
532296
Follow Up By: Greg & Dianne - Monday, May 12, 2014 at 06:03
Monday, May 12, 2014 at 06:03
Thank you we wouldn't be travelling from Kalkindji to
Halls Creek but may chose the track north from there to
Timber Creek. Not sure which road north to
Timber Creek to take yet. Thanks for the
feedback. Cheers Greg And Di
FollowupID:
815547
Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, May 12, 2014 at 09:35
Monday, May 12, 2014 at 09:35
Greg & Dianne,
Drove a Holden ute down the Buchanan, over 40 years ago, and it was a good road then. Imagine it would have improved over the years, with continual upgrading to the road surface.
Jasper Gorge is the beginning of "charisma country", so is worth the drive.
Bob.
FollowupID:
815572
Follow Up By: Member - Greg H (NT) - Monday, May 12, 2014 at 11:55
Monday, May 12, 2014 at 11:55
Greg & Dianne.
Either way is good.
If you come from the Stuart Hwy (Buchanan dirt), get to Top Springs you have a choice of either going straight ahead on the Buchanan via Jasper to
Timber Creek (dirt road is being graded, rocky in some spots) or drop a lefty (Buntine) and continue to Kalkarindji, 170km bitumen narrow, then from Kalk onto
Halls Creek, 408km dirt. The dirt is being touched up by graders also at present.
Remember this is cattle/road train country so be aware.
Heading to WA in a couple of weeks from Kalk with the van so will be able to give an actual on the road conditions.
Cheers
Greg
FollowupID:
815585
Reply By: Kumunara (NT) - Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 08:57
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 08:57
Greg & Dianne
I forgot to mention but going from
Timber Creek to
Kununurra there is a quarantine inspection station on the border. There is info on the net as to what is not allowed. We normally stock up when we get to
Kununurra rather than waste food.
I am leaving
Katherine in two weeks to do the
Kimberley again.
Tjilpi
AnswerID:
532395
Reply By: Member Ray M (QLD) - Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 22:10
Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 22:10
Hi Greg, I am travelling that road tomorrow, so will have some info after that . All local reports are good just some roadworks . Cheers Ray
AnswerID:
532468
Follow Up By: Greg & Dianne - Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 06:54
Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 06:54
Thanks everyone just out of curiousity can you take
off road caravans into Bullita I am thinking not. Cheers all
FollowupID:
815764
Follow Up By: bob&loz - Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 12:34
Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 12:34
No problem getting our 20' van into there but had to pull out a few of the stupid bollards to drive through the
camp area.
FollowupID:
815780
Reply By: Carol and Tahi - Friday, May 16, 2014 at 01:58
Friday, May 16, 2014 at 01:58
We will be doing the Buchanan highway from
timber creek end this weekend, on our way to mt Isa and beyond. Will post an update about it. Tahi & Carol
AnswerID:
532531
Reply By: Member Ray M (QLD) - Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 13:03
Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 13:03
Hi Greg, just got off the Buchanan yesterday and no worries. From Dunmarra end to Top Springs is wide, straight and flat as a bitumen road, absolutely great. From Top Springs to VRD not as good but still easy, from VRD to
Timber Creek gets a bit rocky in
places but the drive through
Jasper Gorge is
well worth it, just make sure your camera has plenty of battery, not like
mine that went flat as we arrived there. Overall a very easy drive and fuel at Top Springs $2.20 We are in
Kununurra at the moment and heading for the Gibb tomorrow catchya later
Cheers Ray
AnswerID:
532625