Tropical Highway

WHILE THE Victoria Highway is fully sealed, there are several sidetracks that lead to cattle stations, Indigenous communities and national parks along its length, and there are plenty of rest areas and campsites in strategic places to ensure travellers can pull-up and unwind when tired.

Despite being blacktop, the Victoria Highway is still subject to seasonal closures in the wet season. Some 86km west of Katherine is the turnoff to Flora River Nature Park, a 46km dusty drive to running springs and tufa dams that keep stunning crystal-emerald pools full to the brim. Camping is permitted here and tinnies with no more than a 15hp motor are allowed on the pool, allowing access to a spectacular waterfall. The fishing is also outstanding, with barramundi and sooty grunter present in decent numbers. No swimming, though, as crocodiles live here.

Farther west, the timbered country subtly changes to plains before hilly country abruptly encounters escarpments and cliffs, where the Moray Range rears up from the woodlands. Beyond here are the massive Stokes and Fitzroy Ranges. This is where the highway cuts through the Eastern Section of the Judbarra/ Gregory National Park, and the Sullivan Creek campground is the first encountered when entering the park.

Another 17km on you’ll find the Victoria River Roadhouse situated on the banks of the freshwater reach of the mighty Victoria, the largest tidal stream