Savannah Way (Gulf Section)
Road Connectivity
An integrated and efficient road transport network is critical for economic stability and growth in Far North Queensland, a region of 380,000km² which includes some of the nation’s most remote communities. The region’s inland roads and Cairns’ access to the northern beaches and Tablelands play a vital role in enabling the productivity of northern Australia and the contribution to the national economy through improved connectivity to southern markets. The disruption and dislocation to these road networks in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper have underpinned the importance of these links to the region and indeed, to the nation. Growth in population, employment, tourism and freight volumes coupled with the increasing importance of food security, means safety and capacity requirements will only be exacerbated. Investment in FNQ’s road connectivity is crucial to avoid nationally significant productivity losses, to connect rural and remote communities and to ensure continued regional and state economic development.
The Savannah Way traverses northern Australia, linking Cairns in FNQ to Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. The route is about 3700km long, crossing 15 national parks and five World Heritage areas as it navigates the Top End.
Considered to be in the top 10 road trips of Australia, the self-drive tourism market delivers $69.8m annually into the Gulf region[i], with 38% of visitors starting the journey in Cairns.
The Gulf section of the Savannah Way takes in 888km from Forty Mile Scrub west of Mt Garnet to the Northern Territory border, with significant sections of the road already sealed. However, there are many substantial sections that require pavement upgrades, bitumen seal, minor realignment of substandard curves, concrete causeways, and four major river crossing upgrades.
Recognising the need to seal the Gulf section of the Savannah Way, in 2019 the Australian and Queensland Governments committed $62.5m for road upgrades through the Roads of Strategic Importance – next priorities initiative. This will be spent across various shire councils, with a prioritised list formulated in 2021. The Mt Garnet to Carpentaria Shire border section is 510km and requires funding to upgrade the road and floodways for reliability and to meet current construction and safety standards for heavy vehicles, tourists and commuters. This includes approximately $25m to upgrade the low-level river crossing at Gilbert River between Georgetown and Croydon. The river crossing is vital to the Gulf Savannah region and highly susceptible to flooding with unsafe entry and exit points[ii].
Burke Shire to the Queensland border requires further sealing, widening and improvements, including upgrading the causeway crossings at Gregory River (near Tirranna Springs Roadhouse) and Nicholson River (near Doomadgee).
Upgrading the remaining sections is estimated to require
• $40m to seal 72km between Normanton and Burketown[iii].
• $41m to seal 55km between Hells Gate and the Queensland border.
• $25m to upgrade the Gilbert River crossing.
[i] Gulf Savannah Development, Tourism Survey Report, March 2018, https://www.burke.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/522/gsd-tourism-report-2018
[ii] Gulf Savannah Development, 2024-25 Queensland Budget submission
[iii] NWQROC, Developing Northern Australia Conference Paper, July 2023
Benefits to the region
• Increased economic and social outcomes, opening up potential new dormitory suburbs for a growing and linear city.
• Improved regional connectivity particularly in isolated and remote communities.
• Improve safety and security.
• Supports local workforce development and retention.
Recommendation
The Australian and Queensland Governments support the sealing and improved flood resilience of the Gulf section of the Savannah Way by investing:
• $40m to seal 72km between Normanton and Burketown.
• $50m to seal 63km between Hells Gate and the Queensland border.
• $60-$80m to upgrade the Gilbert River crossing.
With priority given to upgrades to widen the road between Mount Surprise and Croydon, including the Gilbert River Crossing.
To maximise the value of roads investment in Queensland, and to bolster defence, biosecurity, community connectivity, progress northern Australia development and give a future to the youth in communities such as Doomadgee and Robinson River, the Australian Government is encouraged to partner with the Northern Territory Government to continue to seal roads beyond the Queensland/Northern Territory border.
Last updated: July 2025
Advocacy
