Wolf & I Co. Blog | Adventures Of The Wolf Pack

We’re Kyla and Waugh and we are currently travelling around Australia in our 79 Series LandCruiser with our two-year-old Australian Kelpie, Bonnie. When we decided to make our way from Darwin to Cairns, we knew we didn’t want to simply take the highways. Instead, we wanted to see more of the country, find some remote camping spots and make the journey part of the adventure.

That’s where the Savannah Way came in.

Originally from country Victoria, we’re doing a lap of Australia with no end date, which means we have the luxury of taking our time and choosing the scenic route whenever we can.

Travelling with Bonnie definitely takes a little more planning, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Life on the Road with Bonnie

Bonnie is a two-year-old Australian Kelpie and has become a pretty important part of our travels.

She has her own dog box in the back of the ute, where she hangs out while we’re driving and sleeps at night. She’s also the most friendly dog ever and will happily try to kiss absolutely everyone she meets, so thankfully, she’s pretty happy wherever we are.

Travelling with a dog does mean we have to think a little more carefully about where we stop and what we can do, but we’ve found plenty of dog-friendly places along the Savannah Way.

Some locations require a bit more planning than others, so we usually look into the rules before arriving and work out what we can do with Bonnie and what might need a little more thought.

Instagram has actually been one of our best resources. Other travellers regularly share their favourite camping spots, swimming holes and places to visit, which has helped us discover some amazing locations we probably wouldn't have found otherwise.

Travelling North in Winter

The winter weather up north has been pretty ideal for travelling.

Winter doesn’t really exist in the same way it does down south, so while the days have been hot, they’ve generally been bearable. The nights have been even better, with temperatures that are perfect for sleeping.

Coming from country Victoria, we’re definitely appreciating the change from cold winter mornings!

Preparing Bonnie for the Trip

Before heading north, we took Bonnie to the vet to make sure she had everything she needed for the trip.

She has her monthly NexGard Spectra and has also been wearing a flea and tick collar, which has worked well for us so far.

Travelling through northern Australia also means being aware of the wildlife around us. Crocs, snakes and other wildlife are something we take seriously, particularly around rivers, creeks and other waterways.

We make sure Bonnie stays close to us and is always supervised in areas where there could be potential dangers.

Our Favourite Stops Along the Savannah Way

There have been so many memorable stops along the Savannah Way, and each one has offered something completely different.

Some of our favourites have included:

• Leichhardt Falls
• Tomato Island
• King Ash Bay
• Foelsche River Camp
• Gregory River
• Karumba
• Lake Belmore
• Normanton
• Adels Grove
• Mount Surprise

Whether we were fishing, camping, swimming or simply finding somewhere beautiful to pull over, every stop added something to the journey.

Normanton

Normanton was a fun stop, particularly for the photo opportunities.

It’s home to some pretty memorable landmarks, including Krys the Croc, the Big Barra and the famous Purple Pub. It was one of those places where we could stop for a look around, grab some photos and experience something completely different from what we’re used to back home.

Adels Grove

Adels Grove was particularly useful for us as dog owners.

While Lawn Hill Gorge itself isn’t dog-friendly, Adels Grove has beautiful swimming spots and also offers dog sitting.

That made a huge difference for us because it meant we could leave Bonnie somewhere safe while we went off to explore the gorge.

It’s something we’ve learnt while travelling with a dog: sometimes you just need to find places that make it easier to experience the attractions while still making sure your dog is looked after.

Exploring by Boat with Bonnie

Having our own tinny has also made a huge difference to our lap of Australia.

We love fishing and exploring waterways, and having the boat with us has opened up so many more opportunities along the way.

Bonnie absolutely loves the boat too.

Being in croc country can make things a little nerve-wracking, though, so we’re always cautious about where we take her. We keep her on a short lead that is securely tied to the boat and are very careful about the waterways and areas we explore.

It’s definitely a different experience compared with boating back home, but being able to explore these remote places from the water has been incredible.

The Reality of Fuel Costs

One thing we’ve definitely noticed while travelling the Savannah Way is the cost of fuel.

Once you get into the really remote areas, fuel prices can be pretty high, and with a 79 Series LandCruiser, fuel is obviously something we need to keep an eye on.

We’ve worked hard to save for this trip, so while fuel is an expense we keep in mind, it hasn’t stopped us from enjoying the journey.

For us, that’s one of the trade-offs of travelling this way. The more remote you go, the more you have to plan and budget, but you also get to experience places that you simply wouldn’t see if you stayed on the main highways.

Our Savannah Way Highlight: Gregory River

Without a doubt, our favourite stop on the Savannah Way was Gregory River.

Bonnie was absolutely obsessed with floating down the river — and honestly, so were we.

After all the driving, it was the perfect place to slow down, cool off and spend some time together.

There’s something pretty special about being able to find a beautiful spot, set up camp and spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing with your dog.

Gregory River was exactly what we had imagined when we decided to take the scenic route across Australia.

Is the Savannah Way Worth It?

Absolutely.

We’d definitely say the Savannah Way is a destination in itself, rather than simply a route from Darwin to Cairns.

There is heaps to see along the way, although you do need to be prepared for plenty of driving.

For us, that’s part of the appeal.

We love being able to take our time, stop whenever we like and experience places we probably wouldn’t have seen if we’d simply stuck to the highways.

It’s not necessarily the quickest way to get from Darwin to Cairns, but that was never really the point for us.

The journey is the adventure.

What's Next? Cape York

Since finishing the Savannah Way, we’ve made our way to Cairns and are now getting ready for Cape York.

We’re so excited.

We’ve heard it’s a fantastic place to travel with a dog, so we’re looking forward to seeing what it has to offer and finding even more remote places to explore.

After Cape York, we’ll be heading south down the east coast, with the plan to be home for Christmas.

Then, next year, we’re planning to tackle the other half of Australia.

There’s still a lot of country left to see, and we’re lucky enough to have no end date on this adventure.

Follow Our Australian Road Trip

If you’d like to follow along with our lap of Australia, you can find us on Instagram at @clockinkms, as well as Facebook, TikTok and Threads.

We’ll be sharing more of our adventures, favourite camping spots, dog-friendly destinations and everything that comes with travelling Australia with Bonnie.

And there might even be something new coming soon - follow us to find out!