The Gulf Savannah region is immense, covering nearly a quarter of the Australian continent. Stretching from the edges of the Atherton Tablelands to the Northern Territory border, the Gulf Savannah region is breathtakingly diverse. The main towns of the Gulf Savanna include Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Karumba, Normanton, and Burketown. With 1.9 million square kilometres to discover, there is something for everyone in the Gulf Savannah.
Explore historic frontier towns and the wide-open spaces of grassy plains. Discover escarpments, gorges, and rugged spinifex-covered hills. Watch the sun sink below the horizon over the Gulf of Carpentaria. See ancient Aboriginal rock art and intriguing lava tubes, and unearth old mining towns, hot springs, and some of Australia’s best fishing spots. Travel the Gulf Savannah, and you’ll discover the rugged natural beauty of this infinite land.
So much awaits your arrival in the Gulf Savannah. Amazing landscapes shaped by geological forces and sculptured by fierce weather, thousands of years of Indigenous culture, and recent changes fuelled by pastoralists, fishers, and miners. To see it all takes time. But regardless of whether you have a couple of days, a week, a month, or more, your Gulf Savannah experience will create lifelong memories.
Choose your ultimate Gulf Savannah tour based on your available time. To see the best of the region, take a look at our Outback Queensland, Central West, and Gulf tour. Our favourite Fun Over Fifty Gulf Savannah attractions includes Cobbold Gorge, Undara Volcanic National Park, the Barramundi Discovery Centre, a Mount Isa mine tour, and a visit to John Flynn Place.
Travelling by road allows you time to appreciate the vast open spaces of the Gulf Savannah. The epic Savannah Way is a 3700 km route linking Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley region with Cairns in tropical North Queensland. The natural wonders of this stretch of road make this a must-do route for any grey nomad, campervan backpacker, or caravanning family.
The Gulf Savannah train tours offers two unique travel experiences: the Gulflander and Savannahlander rail journeys. The Savannahlander tour departs from Cairns to wind its way through the wet tropics of the Kuranda range to Savannah country at Forsayth. The legendary Gulflander tour connects the once-bustling river port of Normanton to the goldfields of Croydon, showcasing heritage, wetlands, grasslands, and the arid Savannah. Both journeys venture through countryside, usually unseen; this is definitely the road less travelled.
The Gulf Savannah region is a vast area located in northern Queensland, Australia. It encompasses the remote and sparsely populated areas between the Gulf of Carpentaria to the north and the Great Dividing Range to the south. It’s known for its rugged landscapes, expansive grasslands, savannah woodlands, and diverse wildlife.
The most popular time to visit the Gulf Savannah region is the dry season, between April and September, when days are warm and sunny. However, even though the wet summer season (December to March) can be hot and humid, it can be a wonderful time to experience the power of nature in this region. Spectacular storms roll in, rivers flow, and the landscape springs to life with lush green foliage attracting colourful and rare birds.
The Gulf Savannah region is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Some common animal sightings include kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and various species of birds, including cockatoos, parrots, and waterbirds. It’s also known for its population of saltwater crocodiles, so keep those eyes peeled around waterways and follow all safety signs and guidelines.
The Savannah Way unfolds as a remarkable transcontinental journey spanning approximately 3,700 kilometres. Beginning in Cairns, Queensland, this iconic route traverses through diverse landscapes, showcasing the beauty of Australia's northern regions. The adventure concludes in Broome, Western Australia, where the red dirt meets the Indian Ocean.
The Savannah Way is not merely a road; it's a thread connecting two coastal gems, offering travellers over 50 a chance to explore the heart of Australia with a blend of nature, culture, and memorable experiences.
Embarking on the journey from Cairns to the Gulf Savannah offers a range of travel options tailored to your preferences. The most common route involves a scenic road trip along the Savannah Way, allowing you to savour the diverse landscapes of northern Australia.
For a more relaxed experience, consider joining one of our guided tours, where knowledgeable guides provide insights into the region's history and natural wonders on your journey.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
.png)
We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
Powered by EngineRoom
Fill out your details and we will get in touch with you to reserve your place on the tour.
We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
More on tour inclusions
.jpg)
.jpg)
_.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
