Gulf Savannah and Outback

Stretching from the Great Dividing Range in the east to the Northern Territory border in the west, the rugged grasslands of Gulf Savannah tells a story of gold rushes, pioneers and wandering indigenous tribes.

Covering an area of 186,000 square kilometres, the region offers stunning open spaces and a flora and fauna unique to Australia.

This is pioneer territory, where drovers, fishing enthusiasts and fossicking treasure hunters walk shoulder to shoulder in the footsteps of Australia’s first settlers.

Take a 4WD through the arid grasslands and stunning coastal landscapes leading up to the tranquil oasis of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park where dramatic sandstone escarpments meet clear fresh water gorges.

Another way to experience the region is on the scenic Savannahlander train route starting in Cairns and continuing through the Kuranda range and country towns out to the famous lava tubes of Undara.

Fishing enthusiasts will find their angle in the fresh water river mouths of Karumba where the Outback meets the Gulf of Carpentaria and the seasonal monsoons turn the coastal areas into a birdwatcher’s paradise.