Buchanan Highway

It's a while since we did that trip, but a friend did it just a couple of weeks ago and said it was fine - the usual dips and corrugations in parts. They camped at the Top Springs pub and had a meal there.
When we did it a couple of years ago there was a decent free camp at Jasper Gorge.

Just be careful of the road trains in Jasper Gorge. This one put us off the road.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Plenty of recent reviews regarding T.S on goooogle ,
The road through there is pretty good in recent years & from what I have read on line lately. At top springs I would only stay in a secure location behind gate with others etc .
Happy travels

It’s been a couple of years since we did that section, as part of the full Binns Track from Mt Dare all the way through to Timber Creek.

The Buchanan is a major route for the transportation of cattle. Not sure how often it ever gets graded and this was one of the most corrugated sections for the whole drive.

We stayed behind the pub, no issues and had a meal there as well. Knowing what the road was like coming in from Dunmarra, we were not looking forward to the next section through to Timber Creek, or if you want, just head north from here where it is all bitumen .

We were not looking forward to the next section of drive from here, but the moment we left Top Springs heading for Timber Creek, the road was in great condition and a very enjoyable drive.

As with any Outback road conditions with change year to year depending on local weather conditions, how much rain there has been and when last graded. Best advise is lower your tyre pressures and drive to the conditions.

Did it last August. Towing a supposidly 16' semi off road caravan. Easy as. The pub is ok for an outback pub but we chose not to stay there and moved further on.

I'm also planning to do the Buchanan in a couple of weeks. My nephew flys choppers out of VRD and he said he's never seen as many caravans as this year. He said the road is corrugated, but he did see a grader when flying into Katherine last week, so hopefully it'll be good when I get there.

Youtube Buchanan hwy July 2025

Edit .majority of this video /track is from Timber Creek end to Top Springs probably considered the rougher end but a lot more beautiful and things to see , It looks like it's had an upgrade since the last time we did it (2018?) the other end Top Springs to Stuart Highway is pretty plain sailing .

Love that going past Victoria River Downs and seeing all the helicopters sitting there , we think there was about 20 little Choppers there one time we went past lol .

Hi Pig,

Any information you may get about the Buchanan Highway now, will also be “out of date” by the time you travel next year. Plenty of weather between now and then, may see the conditions completely different by then.

Macca.