Buchanan Highway

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 11, 2007 at 19:02

ThreadID: 43137 Views:8994 Replies:2 FollowUps:6

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Smudger

What's the latest on the Buchanan Highway:
We're heading off in June to Broome via Gibb River Road, only got 5 weeks so looking to save a few days getting from Sydney to the Gibb River Road. The latest threads I've been able to turn up on the Buchanan Highway are a few years old. has anyone been across it recently? We're travelling solo, towing a camper. And, what are the places to avoid bush camping?

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Reply By: Dave & Shelley (NT) - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 01:15

Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 01:15

Hi Smudger.

Did the Buchanan from Katherine to Halls Creek. Hard top to Wave Hill, but only that sort of semi-single lane. Dirt from Wave Hill to Halls creek. The road is pretty good (last July). You should be able to have a camp along the way no real dramas. I think the road to Top Springs from the Stuart highwayis dirt, but I only saw the turn off. The trip is an easy two days. Have fun

Dave

AnswerID: 226860

Follow Up By: Dave & Shelley (NT) - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 01:19

Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 01:19

Sorry, when I said an easy two days, it is a driving two days, not the stop and having picnics every 2 hours and having toilet breaks every 30 minutes. I have to clarify as my wife no realises a days drive can be very long.

Cheers and good luck

FollowupID: 487714

Follow Up By: Smudger - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 10:31

Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 10:31

G'day Dave,
I reckon we might be on different tracks. Katherine to Halls Creek takes you along the Victoria Hwy then onto the Buntine Hwy, which intersects the Buchanan at Top Springs.
Every 30 minutes hey ? Gotta presume you crack the fridge at your 2 hourly picnis.
I reckon you'd be a fun couple to travel with.
See ya out there one day.
Thanks you replying, Smudger

FollowupID: 487738

Follow Up By: Dave & Shelley (NT) - Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007 at 00:00

Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007 at 00:00

Hi Smudger,

Sorry about the confusion there. I did camp at Jasper gorge the other year which is actually on the Buchanan Hwy (hahahahahahahaha), about an hour away from the Victoria hwy. Excellent for an over nighter or lunch. I rate it about 4 empty cans out of five. Once on the hard top it is all down hill to Kununurra.

Happy motoring and don't follow my directions, I know I wont

Cheers

Dave

FollowupID: 487881

Reply By: Smudger - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 10:35

Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 10:35

Just to clarify ..I'm looking at leaving the Stuart at Dunmara, ten via Top Springs to Timber Creek along the Buchanan Highway.
For fear of causing confusion, looking at some of the old threads looks like it used to be called the Murranji track.

Smudger

AnswerID: 226908

Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 18:55

Monday, Mar 12, 2007 at 18:55

Smudger

Haven't been that way for a while now but it would not have changed much since.

First part is gravel road through the Mulga. Country is flat until you cross Coolibah Creek past Top Springs. Then there are a few hills, twists and turns in the road. The road is typical hard gravel with corrugations.

Top Springs Pub used to be an eye opener if you were there on Pay Day. Nice country through Jasper Gorge on the way to the Victoria Highway. You may also access Gregory NP along this route.

The real MurranjiTrack leads off from the Stuart Hwy 53km before the Buchanan Hwy turn off. It used to be a station track and I am not sure of its status these days. When I travelled thatway some years ago sidewall stakes were aproblem as the Mulga came right up to the track and turpentine would cut your tyres by breathing on them...lol

Cheers

FollowupID: 487812