Whilst the "true" Binns Track section between Top Springs &
Timber Creek goes via the Judburra /
Gregory National Park it is not suitable for towing trailers so anyone towing needs to take the Buchanan Highway and for this reason we have included the route here as it is indeed signed part of the "Binns Track".
From the Stuart Highway near Dunmarra, the Buchanan Highway stretches north-west 400km to the Victoria Highway, some 30km east of
Timber Creek. Taking this route heading west provides a shortcut from the Stuart Highway through to
Kununurra - instead of continuing to
Katherine saving 175km. The highway is labelled as National Route 80.
The first section west of the Stuart Highway to Top Springs is a long graded gravel highway but it is recommended for 4WD vehicles and sturdy offroad vans/trailers. The section west of Top Springs however can become incredibly corrugated and rough and you must be suitably prepared for this.
The most scenic section of the trip is around
Jasper Gorge where there is camping in the Stockers Range chasm on the edge of a
permanent waterhole at Charlie's Crossing. You can also swim in the
Victoria River. Helicopter tours from
Victoria River Downs are also available.
Timber Creek is a historic locality and barramundi fishing destination. The main tourist attractions include the Police Museum, the
Gregory Tree, and the Nackeroo memorial.
How to Use this Trek Note
- To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.
Environment
The Binns Track begins at the southern border of NT/SA and is a series of outback tracks named about Bill Binns, a
ranger who worked with NT Parks & Wildlife for 32 years. Bill's Dream was to help visitors explore more of Central Australia to discover its vivid colours, native wildlife, and might
rock formations. There is an excellent contrast between open plains, mountain ranges and desert country that truly highlights the Outback in one complete package. 4WD skills and experience are advisable.
History
Nathaniel (Nat) Buchanan (1826 - 1901) was a pioneer pastoralist, drover and explorer, responsible for establishing the Barkly Stock Route and the Murranji Track. He led the largest, single, overland movement of cattle in Australian history in the 1880s and became noted for establishing a short cut that saved 600km off the droving distance between the
Kimberley cattle runs and the Queensland markets. Nat Buchanan was born in Ireland and buried in
Walcha NSW.
In 1966, the name Buchanan Highway was given to the route from the Stuart Highway near Dunmarra to Top Springs, then southwest to Wave
Hill and onwards the Western Australian Border near Nicholson. The name was chosen in recognition of Nat Buchanan's role in pioneering the beef industry and cattle droving in the Northern Territory.
The road from Top Springs via
Victoria River Downs to
Timber Creek was simply known as '
Victoria River Downs Road' until 1996 (some 30 year later) when the Buntine Highway was built north of Top Springs and the Buchanan Highway was reproclaimed to extend from Stuart Highway to Victoria Highway (via Top Springs &
Victoria River Downs).
The original droving track let the Stuart Highway to the west at
Newcastle Waters (approx 80km south of Dunmarra) following Buckett Creek before turning north-west. The routes of the Murranji and the modern Buchanan Highway converge north west of Murranji
Waterhole and proceed generally parallel to each other to Top Springs.
The modern highway alignment westward from the Stuart Highway built in 1966 was located to avoid a large area of flooded country during the wet seasons and provide a more convenient connection to the
Carpentaria Highway.
TrekID: 28012