The savannah: you might picture lions, zebras, elephants and rhinos, but think again. Here in Australia, it’s kangaroos, emus, crocodiles and flocks of galahs that call the Savannah Way home. Among wide-open skies, spectacular gorges, pioneer towns, bird-rich wetlands and the vast Gulf Country plains, these unique habitats unfold before you. As you travel across the north of our country, you’ll have the chance to share in their beauty and diversity.
A spectacular 3,700km route encompassing three states and five world heritage sites, the Savannah Way winds its way between Cairns in Queensland’s tropic north to the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. Most travelers will begin their journey at the east terminus, ticking off the first of five world heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef, but before that, we have some crucial information that will make sure your RV gets you from east to west (and back) in one piece.
Before You Roll
Seasons and Roads
Most of the Savannah Way is sealed, but the long mid-section between Normanton (QLD) and Roper Bar (NT) includes unsealed patches. During the worst of the wet, stormy season (January-March) it is not recommended to undertake the route as you may be stuck for many days or even weeks in certain areas. With an RV, it isn’t recommended to travel the Savannah Way during any part of the stormy season (October-March). Instead, opt for the dry season (late April-early October) where roads are much less likely to be flooded and the weather will be much milder and easier to predict.
flooded road in australia with flood indicator
Make Your Drive as Smooth as Possible
Using traffic reporting resources will help you plan your trip and avoid as much road work and road incidents as possible. On the open roads of northern Australia, there shouldn’t be much traffic, but knowing the road ahead of you can be the difference between getting to camp before dark.
QLD: https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/
NT: https://roadreport.nt.gov.au/home
WA: https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/
Croc Country
From Cairns, through the Gulf and across the Top End, follow local “Be Crocwise” guidance (keep well back from water’s edge, heed signs, never clean fish at the water). Kakadu has specific safety advice.
QLD: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/living-with/crocodiles/becrocwise
NT: https://becrocwise.nt.gov.au/
WA: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/safety
Kakadu: https://kakadu.gov.au/plan/plan-your-trip/staying-safe/
crocodile sliding into water from sandy bank
Getting Your RV Road-Ready
This should apply daily when on the road, let alone at the beginning of your trip, but doing a quick check of your RV before taking off across the top of the sunburnt country is important if you don’t want to be changing tyres before you reach the Gulf.
What to look for:
Tyres
Tyres are important, we all know that. They’re the only things keeping you, your family and your RV connected to the road (bitumen or otherwise). It’s always worth giving them a once-over before you hit the road and these are the three things to check:
- Pressure: Check and adjust according to the terrain. A loss of a few PSI overnight may not be visually noticeable, but it’ll make a difference to handling, tyre wear, safety and potential failure.
- Tread and Sidewalls: Look for cuts, cracks, or bulges. Pay particular attention to the sidewalls as damage here can result in premature and dangerous tyre failure.
- Nuts and Bolts: Wheel nuts should be tight. Carry a torque wrench to ensure they’re correctly tensioned. (Now, I’m not saying you need to torque your wheel nuts every single day, but you should be re-torquing them every so often and visually checking them daily).
Fluids and under bonnet checks
Your RV's fluids endure hell in the Australian heat. Pop the bonnet and check:
- Engine Oil: Ensure it’s within the recommended range.
- Coolant: Vital for avoiding an overheating disaster. Top up if needed, and make sure you’re using the right colour/type!
- Brake Fluid: Crucial for safe stops, especially when towing.
- Power Steering and Transmission Fluids: Don’t neglect these, transmission fluid checks are especially important if you’re towing.
- Air Filter: The air filter should be free from debris, clean and allow unrestricted airflow to the motor. Resist the urge to remove the filter and bang it on your bullbar, this only knocks the dust closer to the element.
- Radiator Hoses: Squeeze the radiator hoses. If they feel crunchy or show signs of damage, etc., consider replacing them. If you’ve done your homework and packed properly, you’ll already have a spare hose on hand.
- Batteries: Avoid potential electrical fires and gremlins by checking your battery terminals are tight and there’s no loose connections.
- Belts: Check your vehicle's accessory belts are in good condition, at the correct tension and free from cracks and damage.
Pro tip: Keep spare fluids and a funnel in your kit.
Suspension and Underbody
Your vehicle’s suspension works overtime on some of the Savannah Way’s corrugated roads and gnarly tracks. Take a torch to the underside of your RV and check for the following:
- Leaks in shocks or struts.
- Loose bolts, bent brackets, or cracked components.
- Pay attention to bushes and mounts—they take a beating.
Underbody of vehicle
Brakes
Feel your brakes during your morning drive. If they’re spongy, noisy, or pulling to one side, address the issue immediately. For caravans, check the electric brake controller and ensure the braking system is synced.
Visual Checks
Visual checks are simple and important. Walk around your RV, paying particular attention to the undercarriage of the vehicle and checking for leaks, wet patches and loose components. A pro tip when checking for damage is to use dust and debris to your advantage. Look for spots where dust may have filled in and outlined a crack, or a clean patch that was once covered by a nut, washer or other component.
Common Touring Hazards and How to Prevent Them
Dust Ingress
Dust isn’t just annoying; it clogs filters and infiltrates electrical components, gets absolutely everywhere and likely isn’t great to ingest. Change engine and cabin air filters regularly, keep your A/C on recirculate and keep the windows up.
Overloading
It’s tempting to bring everything but the kitchen sink (and you might in a motorhome), however, an overloaded rig is a recipe for disaster. Distribute weight evenly and stick to your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross Combined Mass (GCM) limits.
Heat Management
Australian summers are brutal and while the summer is not recommended for travelling the Savannah Way, winters up there offer little respite. Apart from avoiding flooding and some cooler nights, the sun will still beat down on you and your RV as you travel. Keep your engine cool by ensuring the radiator is clean and your coolant is topped up. If you are driving and notice your engine coolant temperature increasing due to ambient temperatures, towing or other factors consider slowing down and dropping a gear. If you’re towing, consider fitting an external transmission cooler.
RV driving in coastal area
Daily vehicle checks may feel tedious, but they’re the cornerstone of safe and successful touring and the more you do them the quicker they get. Treat your RV like the lifeline it is. By dedicating a few minutes each morning to a thorough inspection, you’ll not only avoid unnecessary breakdowns but also gain the peace of mind to fully enjoy the Savannah Way’s breathtaking landscapes and gain some mechanical knowledge while you’re at it!
Now that you and your RV are prepared for the Savannah Way, it's time to put rubber to road. Check back into the Big Lap next week for the first stretch of the journey where we explore the Queensland stretch and all it has to offer.