Savannah Way Feedback
Submitted: Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 16:48
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Member - colin M (NSW)
When we did the trip in 2005 we stopped at a small
camping area at Butterfly Springs which was west of Hells
Gate and before the Calvert
Hill turn off but I am having trouble locating on my new maps there is near a rangers office and there were drop dunnies there and a beautiful
swimming hole with a waterfall. Cant find it in Camps 5, can you tell me what its called as I hope to drive the
Savannah way again in August on my way back from delivering a surf boat to
Darwin?
Reply By: Old Mal - Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 17:18
Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 17:18
Hi Colin,
We did the
Savannah Way in 2007 and camped at Butterfly Springs and swam with a fresh
water croc too ! It truly is a lovely spot. Check out the link below which should give you the details you require. Also, if you have not been there before, recommend you take a side trip into the "Lost City". There are two "Lost Cities" but the one we visited and which is very accessible is just a bit south of Butterfly Springs. The turn off is on the west side of the
Roper River Rd. We thought it was equally as spectacular as Purnululu (aka the Bungle Bungles) in WA
http://www.exploroz.com/Places/76652/NT/Butterfly_Springs.aspx
Cheers, Old Mal
AnswerID:
376015
Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 18:04
Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 18:04
The range station is at Nathan River and not normally open to public access as it's their residence..
The lost city is called the
Southern Lost City, and yes it is awesome.
Camping is limited to the
carpark (basically hard dirt road), has benches and fire grates for those wishing to
cook or sleep off the ground in swags. Drop dunnies there as
well.
Similar at Butterfly Springs; slightly better
camping spots (especially if you are the first ones there). Great spot to visit.
There is also a great
camping spot right along the Limnen River (track leads to the east just before the road crosses the river)... no facilities. Don't forget crocs inhabit these river systems.
AnswerID:
376024
Reply By: Member - Ron M (NSW) - Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 20:22
Friday, Jul 24, 2009 at 20:22
I came through that way a few days ago and the road is bloody terrible the
camp toilets are over flowing and is not worth wrecking your gear for what you see ..
Ron
AnswerID:
376051
Follow Up By: Member - colin M (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 07:32
Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 07:32
Ron were you towing the van in your profile? I will only have my tray top camper this time last time I had an Assie Swag camper trailer and roads were not that bad.
Has it deteriorated that much in a couple of years and the
camp was clean and tidy when i was therte in 05, if so that is sad.
Colin
FollowupID:
643478
Follow Up By: joff1 - Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 12:18
Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 12:18
Colin, The road aint that bad but I wouldn't like to be hauling a big van along it like Ron's. We were there a couple weeks ago and at that time there were some corrugated sections and a bit of bull dust.
Ron M, How are ya mate? you may remember we met in
Broken Hill. We were having a chat about HF clubs.
FollowupID:
643502
Follow Up By: Member - colin M (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 14:53
Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 14:53
Joff,
Were the facilities as bad as Ron's report perhaps he struck a day before they were cleaned?
Colin
FollowupID:
643529
Follow Up By: joff1 - Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 15:17
Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 15:17
Dunno mate, we only stopped for a dip and didn't need to partake in the facilities.
FollowupID:
643533
Reply By: Member - Min (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 15:19
Saturday, Jul 25, 2009 at 15:19
Hi Colin,
We were at Butterfly Springs on 11th July and found it peaceful and beautiful. There was no paper in the loo but otherwise all good! Didn't
camp there.
The
Savannah Way was no problem - some corrugations, some fine sand patches (not true bulldust) and all the crossings were fine. We were in a 'Classic' AussieSwag i.e. not an off roader, towed by a Prado. The worst road was driving in to Lorella Springs but still not a problem.
Having said that, we all know that things can change quickly.
AnswerID:
376162