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This 7-day Savannah Way itinerary from Cairns to Cobbold Gorge is a 1,000km self-drive loop through Queensland’s Gulf Savannah. Starting in Cairns, the route takes you through Forsayth, Cobbold Gorge, the Agate Creek Gemfields, Copperfield Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes, before returning via the Atherton Tablelands. This section of the Savannah Way combines sealed highways with graded dirt roads, taking you into remote outback landscapes where cattle outnumber people and you can travel at your own pace. It’s a practical, achievable road trip that showcases some of North Queensland’s most unique natural attractions. We’ve taken this trip many times, refining it into a proven 7-day itinerary that balances driving distances with touring, adventures and exploration. A 4WD is recommended, particularly for unsealed sections and access to places like Agate Creek. We take the caravan so we can take the dog, but if camping isn’t your jam, then you can stay accommodated at all of these destinations. The Gulf Savannah is a seasonal destination, open from April to October. During the summer wet season, road closures and flooding make travel difficult, and many attractions are not operating. If you’re planning a trip, timing is important.
Duration: 7 days
Start/Finish: Cairns
Vehicle: 4WD recommended
Road type: Sealed + unsealed
Best time: April to October
Savannah Way here we come! The first day of driving is a big one. We want to get you straight from Cairns out into the savannah, where adventures await. The distance between Cairns and Forsayth is 417km (if you choose the Gilles Highway, or 445km via the Kuranda Range and Atherton; if you are towing, we suggest the Kuranda Range route). The road between Cairns and Forsayth is mostly sealed. There are some single lane sections between Mount Surprise and Georgetown, and a short stretch of graded dirt road between Georgetown and Forsayth. It’s fairly easy driving and will take around 5 hours (longer if you are towing). If you wanted to break this driving day up, you could schedule a stop at Innot Hot Springs or Talaroo Hot Springs.
Forsayth is located 40km south of Georgetown and 70km west of Einasleigh, it’s a tiny outback town that packs a big punch of history.
Located in the Etheridge Shire and a part of the Etheridge Goldfields, Forsayth flourished when gold was discovered in 1871, and by the 1890s there were 5 hotels, a school and Court of Petty Sessions. However, the boom was relatively short lived and when gold was discovered on the Palmer River Goldfields, many prospectors headed north. Fun fact: The early departure of prospectors means that there’s still gold to be found around Forsayth and in 2025, one lucky man found a nearly 8 ounce nugget valued at nearly $50,000.
Today Forsayth has a permanent population of around 100 residents. The town’s pub, the Goldfields Hotel, offers hot and cold beverages, some grocery and pantry items and fuel. It also has an excellent display of agates, from the nearby Agate Creek Gemfields. It’s open 7 days a week throughout the year. Finnigan’s Rest is the place to stay in Forsayth, with powered camp and caravan sites, as well as a range of air-conditioned motel rooms. The camping ground has all the usual amenities for a comfortable stay.
Caschafor Park is a must-see on your stop at Forsayth. This lovely little park houses a range of memorabilia covering Forsayth’s mining and railway history, as well as several tree carvings by a local artist.
Highlights of the park include a Class DL3 ‘6” Gauge Diesel Locomotive, which was once used on the Etheridge Railway line and Willy’s Touring Car, once owned by Australian Stock Breeders and used to travel around cattle properties. There’s interpretive signage scattered around the park to support self-guided visits. Make sure you continue on to the heritage trail, with a visit to the Old Forsayth Lockup. Here you’ll find more information on Forsayth’s history, covering gold, local families, cattle grazing and more. The park is within walking distance of the Goldfields Hotel and Finnigan’s Rest and is open 7 days a week. It has established shade trees and picnic tables.
It’s an easy driving day today, with Cobbold Village just 46km down the road from Forsayth. Please note, the road is unsealed for most of the drive and consists of formed gravel with some corrugations. As such, we suggest allowing around 1 hour for this part of the journey. The road is maintained by Etheridge Shire, who grade it several times throughout the year. If you’re an early morning person and love a good sunrise, we highly recommend getting up early and heading over to Charleston Dam. The dam is only 4.5km from Forsayth and is home to a diverse array of birds and wildlife.
Charleston Dam is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset, with spectacular golden light. This vast body of water is home to a diverse array of birdlife, including pelicans, black cockatoos, cormorants, kites and more.
There’s lots of ways to enjoy Charleston Dam. If you have your own SUP or kayak, take them over for peaceful exploring. We’ve done this several times and it’s just magic. Early morning serenity paddling through the lillypads, with a soundtrack of cockatoos and kites, is bliss. The dam is full of Sootys and Yabbies, so you can go fishing if that’s your thing. Public facilities at the dam include shaded picnic areas with electric BBQs and a toilet block.
Cobbold Village is the hub for people wanting to see Cobbold Gorge, which is only accessible on guided tour with departures from the Village. This is a little oasis in the outback with licensed bar and bistro, infinity pool, range of accommodation, camping and caravanning.
Air conditioned accommodation is available in various configurations, to meet the needs of solo travellers, couples and families. There’s also a range of powered and unpowered sites, including drive through sites and ensuite sites. Pets are welcome at Cobbold Village, as long as you have your own accommodation. Pets are not allowed in cabins or rooms, or on tour. Check-in at reception on arrival and they will provide directions and details on your stay. There’s lots of things to do at Cobbold Village and Gorge.
There’s a large freshwater lagoon at Cobbold Village, which is adjacent to the bar and bistro and some of the camping areas. This can be explored on the free kayaks provided by Cobbold Village, or on your own SUP or tubes. This is dog friendly too.
The lagoon is quite large with established shade trees around its edges, including large Eucalyptus. There’s a pontoon for easy water access with the kayaks. Guests are welcome to use these and you can also try Aqua Golf. There’s plenty of birdlife to see at the lagoon and if you wander over in the early morning or late afternoon, you might see kangaroos and wallabies coming down for a drink.
The Cobbold Pool is the place to be for guests visiting at the start and end of the season. In addition to providing sweeping overs over the lagoon, the infinity pool has a pool bar (seasonal) offering Cobbold cocktails and other refreshments.
Water access to the pool is via steps and for younger children, there’s an enclosed shallow area for splashing. The pool water temperature is refreshing, making it the perfect place to relax after a big day of exploring and touring. There’s sun loungers and shaded bench seating adjacent to the pool, so you can relax and enjoy the outback views. The licensed bar and bistro are also adjacent to the pool, convenient for drinks and snacks.
We love the Quartz Blow! This is the place to be for amazing sunset and sunrise memories. A large ‘chunk’ of quartz rises up out of the savannah grasslands, providing commanding views over the surrounding country.
The Quartz Blow is around 4km from Cobbold Village on Cobb Road, which is the road you came in on. Look for signage and then turn onto a track, travelling through open cattle country. There’s a river crossing, with water levels varying depending on the time of year. Drive to the conditions on the track and keep an eye out for wandering cattle, kangaroos and emus. Climbing the Quartz Blow is easy and you can take snacks, or pick up a cheese board from Cobbold Village (must be pre-ordered). Please take out everything you bring in, respecting the land and environment.
Cobbold Gorge is one of the key highlights on this Savannah Way itinerary, but it’s important to know that access is only available via guided tours departing from Cobbold Village. Planning ahead is essential, particularly during peak travel periods when tours can book out. Located within a privately owned Nature Refuge, Cobbold Gorge is Australia’s youngest gorge. It’s narrow in sections, reducing to just a couple of metres wide, with sandstone walls rising around 19 metres above the water. Conditions are calm, with permanent water in the gorge supporting a healthy population of freshwater crocodiles and fish. There’s three different Cobbold Gorge tours, we’ve done them all and provide a run down below for your reference. Please Note: For the best value tickets for Cobbold and the Undara Lava Tube Tours, book a Savannah Way Adventure Pass (details on the Cobbold Gorge website). If you want to include some downtime in your itinerary, book an additional night at Cobbold Village and do the tours over two days.
The 3 hour Gorge Tour provides a comprehensive introduction to Cobbold Gorge. It includes a Savannah Guide walk and interpretive commentary, through the sandstone, up over the escarpment and Glass Bridge, as well as boat ride through the Gorge.
The journey starts with an air conditioned coach ride to the Gorge, during which you’re given a fascinating overview of the Gorge’s European history, past owners and bush tucker. Then it’s into the Gorge for the guided tour, which either starts or ends with the boat ride. This tour requires reasonable fitness and mobility, walking on paths, staircases and elevated boardwalks, to access and cross the escarpment. The Glass Bridge is a highlight, providing views straight down to the water below and up and down the gorge itself. The boat ride puts you up close to the walls, where you can admire the changing colours and patterns. Keep an eye out for crocodiles and fish, with St Andrew’s Cross spiders on the walls. These tours include return transfers from Cobbold Village and must be booked in advance to avoid disappointment (they do book out during peak season, in the middle of the year).
Cobbold Gorge is an amazing place to SUP. The 1.5 hour SUP tour takes you from the boat launch, up along the gorge and back again. Conducted in early morning or late afternoon, watching the lights change on the gorge walls is stunning.
Jump aboard the air conditioned bus at Cobbold Village, for your 15-20 minute transfer to the Gorge. On arrival, your guide takes you down to the SUP area and provides everyone with a life jacket, helmet, SUP and paddle. A quick introduction on technique is provided, as is assistance to get on and off your SUP. You can paddle standing, seated or on your knees, whatever is most comfortable. You have an hour to paddle up and down the Gorge, take your time and slow down to soak it all in. The guide is with you in a kayak for safety and assistance, but there’s no interpretive commentary provided on this tour. There’s no prior SUP experience necessary and because the water in the Gorge is calm with no waves, it’s the perfect place to try SUP for the first time. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old. Book ahead to secure preferred date and time. Check out our Cobbold Gorge SUP Tour Review.
Flying over the sandstone country of Cobbold Gorge and its surrounds is mind blowing. It provides a real insight into the size and scale of not only the gorge, but the country and its geography. Gaze into the escarpments, with cracks and fissures and ponder what else is out there.
We’ve done the 15 minute Sandstone Discovery flight and the 1 hour Sunset Heli Picnic, both are amazing and it’s a real bucket list experience. For our son, this was his first heli flight and something he will never forget. The Sunset Heli Picnic includes a cheese platter and beverages; your pilot takes off from Cobbold Village and lands at an elevated location aptly named, Sunset Point picnic area. Here you can relax on chairs and enjoy the changing colour of the sky, as day transitions to night. Top tip: Outback sunsets are epic and if you’re planning a proposal or celebrating a special occasion, this is hard to beat. Other Cobbold Gorge scenic helicopter tours are a 30 minute Property Tour and half day Heli Fishing adventure.
The Agate Creek Gemfields are a 37km drive from Cobbold Village. Please note this will be the toughest driving conditions of the itinerary and takes around 50 minutes, each way. Leaving Cobbold Village you’ll turn right and follow the signage to the Gemfields. Along the way, cross the Robertson River and several other, smaller waterways. It’s graded dirt for most of the way and road conditions vary, you can expect to encounter corrugations and washouts. Always drive to the conditions and take plenty of drinking water with you.
Agate Creek is known for its coloured agates and is one of the most accessible fossicking locations in North Queensland. It’s suitable for beginners, with many visitors finding stones on the surface or in dry creek beds without needing specialised equipment.
Cobbold Village has maps showing the Agate Creek Gemfields, including various locations on the fields. We’ve always enjoyed the Black Soil Creek area for easy finds and shaded fossicking. We once visited a site called Fridge Door, where the ground was covered with tiny agates. If you’re planning a visit, bring basic gear such as a bucket, small shovel or trowel and plenty of drinking water. Conditions can be hot and exposed, particularly later in the day, so an early start is recommended. Please note you do need a fossicking license for this activity, which can be purchased from the Queensland Government online.
Check out our Fossicking At Agate Creek Review.
Pack down your camp at Cobbold Village, it’s time to hit the road and continue your Savannah Way adventure. Today you’ll be driving around 261km, about one third to one half of this is on graded dirt / gravel roads. We backtrack to Forsayth, where you can refuel and refresh your supplies, before continuing to Einasleigh to see Copperfield Gorge and then over to Pinnarendi Station Stay.
Iconic outback pub opposite Copperfield Gorge. Built in 1908, this heritage listed timber building was one of five hotels serving the needs of local miners back in the day. Today, it’s the only one in Einasleigh and an awesome photo opportunity.
The Einasleigh Hotel made headlines earlier this year, when in January 2026 it and the surrounding town were flooded by the Copperfield River. This 2-storey quintessential outback pub survived the floods and is open to provide visitors with a country meal and cold drink. Stop in and say g’day, it’s an easy way to support the locals and they’ll be grateful you did. The Einasleigh Hotel is right over the road from Copperfield Gorge.
Copperfield Gorge is different to Cobbold Gorge in almost every aspect. Copperfield has a wide opening and dark grey basalt walls. It is people and puppy friendly and we all went for a swim here in the cool freshwater.
The water levels of Copperfield Gorge can vary dramatically over the course of the year. In the summer months, monsoonal deluges can cause Copperfield River to flood the Gorge, which happened in January 2026. In the middle of the year, the river can stop flowing and you are left with pools of water at the bottom of the gorge. Copperfield Gorge is a short walk from the Einasleigh Hotel. Access to the gorge is free. If you wanted to explore the upper ledges of basalt, try to avoid the middle of the day as it can be very hot. Check out our Copperfield Gorge Review.
Our next attraction stop on the Savannah Way loop is the Undara Lava Tubes, which is a National Park. As were we travelling with our dog, we stayed at the nearby Pinnarendi Station Stay and what an excellent choice it is.
Family owned and operated, Pinnarendi Station Stay and Café has been operating since 2016 and has gathered a large fan base of those who stay or drop into the café. The station offers a range of powered and unpowered sites and has all the usual facilities and amenities needed for a comfortable stay. It’s adjacent to the Forty Mile Scrub on the Kennedy Highway. Their camp sites are spacious with landscaping providing privacy. If you are doing an Undara Lava Tubes Tour, then they can provide a dog sitting service, but this must be arranged in advance and is subject to availability. Check out our Camping at Pinnarendi Station Review.
Pinnarendi Pizza Nights for the win, on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Delicious wood fired pizza with homemade sourdough bases and a range of toppings, cooked fresh in a brick oven. Monday night is Lasagne Night and Thursday night is Karumba Barramundi Night.
The Brick Oven Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as refreshments and snacks. You do not need to stay to visit the café. Breakfast is from 8-10.30am, Lunch between 12-2.30pm and Evening meals from 6.30pm. Their focus is on freshness and flavour, showcasing local produce wherever possible. In addition to the meals, the Brick Oven Café serves up hot and cold beverages, including milkshakes and smoothies, and has a daily selection of homemade cakes. Advance bookings for the evening meals are essential. You can also pick-up ‘Last Night’s Pizza’ from the café, to cook at your own site.
Today we stay close and road trip over to the Undara Volcanic National Park, to check out the local attractions. Undara is around 40km from Pinnarendi Station Stay (80km return trip), all on sealed roads with easy driving. You should book your Undara Lava Tube Tours in advance to secure your preferred date and time, as tours do get busy and fill up.
The Undara Lava Tubes are part of one of the longest lava tube systems in the world, formed by ancient volcanic activity that created extensive underground channels. Visitors descend into the tubes via formed paths and stairs, where temperatures are noticeably cooler than above ground.
The Undara Lava Tubes are protected within the Undara Volcanic National Park, which covers an extensive area of around 65,000 hectares. Access to the tubes is by guided tour only, with multiple departure times available during the season. The standard tour runs for approximately 3.5 hours and includes visits to several sections of the lava tube system, along with surrounding savannah landscapes. A Savannah Guide leads the experience, providing context on the volcanic history, formation of the tubes and the local environment. Tour availability can vary depending on the time of year, and some features such as water inside the tubes are seasonal. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly during school holidays and peak travel periods. Check out our Undara Lava Tube Tours Review.
Kalkani Crater is also in the Undara Volcanic National Park. It provides the opportunity to take a self-guided walk through the grasslands, to and along the rim of this scoria cone crater. Maximum elevation of just 50m so not a strenuous walk, enjoy panoramic views along the way.
The Kalkani Crater walk is a 2.5km circuit track. You do not need a great level of fitness to do this walk. Keep your eyes peeled along the way to spot local wildlife, we saw several Pretty-faced wallabies and a cluster of Green Jewel Bugs. You can catch glimpses of inside the cone from the top, but the highlight of the walk is taking in the views of the surrounding savannah plains. Interpretive signage supports a self-guided informative walk. Please note there’s not much shade during the walk, so make sure you have sun protection and take some water. Check out our Kalkani Crater Review.
All good road trips must come to an end, and that time is now. Pack up and start the return drive to Cairns. You can go the way you came, either using the Gilles Range Road or Kuranda Range Road. The distance is 216km or 245pm pending preferred direction of travel. It is all on sealed roads.
If you wanted to extend your road trip, there are several attractions and destinations you may to include on your return journey. This includes but is not limited to Innot Hot Springs (50 minutes drive from Pinnarendi Station Stay) for a soak in the warm thermal waters, Millaa Millaa Waterfall, Lake Eacham, Lake Tinaroo or Mareeba. We hope you like this Savannah Way itinerary, it’s packed with adventures and outback highlights. We will continue to add self drive itineraries into the site in coming months, to help you plan your next adventure.
Forsayth is located 40km south of Georgetown and 70km west of Einasleigh, it’s a tiny outback town that packs a big punch of history. Located in the Etheridge Shire and a part of the Etheridge Goldfields, Forsayth flourished when gold
Caschafor Park is a must-see on your stop at Forsayth. This lovely little park houses a range of memorabilia covering Forsayth’s mining and railway history, as well as several tree carvings by a local artist. Highlights of the park
Charleston Dam is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset, with spectacular golden light. This vast body of water is home to a diverse array of birdlife, including pelicans, black cockatoos, cormorants, kites and more. There’s lots of
Cobbold Village is the hub for people wanting to see Cobbold Gorge, which is only accessible on guided tour with departures from the Village. This is a little oasis in the outback with licensed bar and bistro, infinity pool, range
There’s a large freshwater lagoon at Cobbold Village, which is adjacent to the bar and bistro and some of the camping areas. This can be explored on the free kayaks provided by Cobbold Village, or on your own SUP or
The Cobbold Pool is the place to be for guests visiting at the start and end of the season. In addition to providing sweeping overs over the lagoon, the infinity pool has a pool bar (seasonal) offering Cobbold cocktails and
We love the Quartz Blow! This is the place to be for amazing sunset and sunrise memories. A large ‘chunk’ of quartz rises up out of the savannah grasslands, providing commanding views over the surrounding country. The Quartz Blow
The 3 hour Gorge Tour provides a comprehensive introduction to Cobbold Gorge. It includes a Savannah Guide walk and interpretive commentary, through the sandstone, up over the escarpment and Glass Bridge, as well as boat ride through the Gorge.
Cobbold Gorge is an amazing place to SUP. The 1.5 hour SUP tour takes you from the boat launch, up along the gorge and back again. Conducted in early morning or late afternoon, watching the lights change on the gorge
Flying over the sandstone country of Cobbold Gorge and its surrounds is mind blowing. It provides a real insight into the size and scale of not only the gorge, but the country and its geography. Gaze into the escarpments, with
Agate Creek is known for its coloured agates and is one of the most accessible fossicking locations in North Queensland. It’s suitable for beginners, with many visitors finding stones on the surface or in dry creek beds without needing specialised
Iconic outback pub opposite Copperfield Gorge. Built in 1908, this heritage listed timber building was one of five hotels serving the needs of local miners back in the day. Today, it’s the only one in Einasleigh and an awesome photo
Copperfield Gorge is different to Cobbold Gorge in almost every aspect. Copperfield has a wide opening and dark grey basalt walls. It is people and puppy friendly and we all went for a swim here in the cool freshwater.
Our next attraction stop on the Savannah Way loop is the Undara Lava Tubes, which is a National Park. As were we travelling with our dog, we stayed at the nearby Pinnarendi Station Stay and what an excellent choice it
Pinnarendi Pizza Nights for the win, on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Delicious wood fired pizza with homemade sourdough bases and a range of toppings, cooked fresh in a brick oven. Monday night is Lasagne Night and Thursday night is Karumba
The Undara Lava Tubes are part of one of the longest lava tube systems in the world, formed by ancient volcanic activity that created extensive underground channels. Visitors descend into the tubes via formed paths and stairs, where temperatures are
Kalkani Crater is also in the Undara Volcanic National Park. It provides the opportunity to take a self-guided walk through the grasslands, to and along the rim of this scoria cone crater. Maximum elevation of just 50m so not a
All good road trips must come to an end, and that time is now. Pack up and start the return drive to Cairns. You can go the way you came, either using the Gilles Range Road or Kuranda Range Road.
Yes, this section of the Savannah Way is suitable for travellers with basic off-road experience. Most roads are well maintained during the dry season, but drivers should be comfortable on gravel roads and aware of changing conditions.
Yes. While much of the route between Cairns and Forsayth is sealed, several sections beyond Georgetown and around Cobbold Gorge and Agate Creek are unsealed. A 4WD is recommended, especially for accessing the Gemfields and travelling comfortably on corrugated roads.
A minimum of 7 days is recommended to comfortably complete the loop. This allows time to explore Cobbold Gorge, visit Agate Creek and experience Undara without rushing. For a more relaxed pace and rest time during your trip, you might like to add additional stops, such as Innot Hot Springs or Talaroo Hot Springs, and spend more time at Cobbold Village.
The drive from Cairns to Cobbold Gorge takes approximately 6 to 7 hours without extended stops, covering around 417–445km depending on your route. Most travellers break the journey with an overnight stop in Forsayth as part of a multi-day itinerary.
The majority of the road between Cairns and Forsayth is sealed. There are some single-lane sections between Mount Surprise and Georgetown, and a short unsealed section between Georgetown and Forsayth. Road conditions are generally good in the dry season.
The best time to travel is between April and October. During the summer wet season, heavy rainfall can cause flooding and road closures, making parts of the Savannah Way inaccessible. Additionally, tours and attractions are not operating or open between November and March.
Yes, many travellers tow caravans on this route. The main roads are suitable for caravans in dry conditions, and there are powered and unpowered sites at key stops including Forsayth, Cobbold Village and Pinnarendi Station Stay. Care should be taken on unsealed sections.
Yes, fuel is available at all key locations along the way including Ravenshoe, Mount Surprise, Georgetown and Forsayth. It’s important to fill up regularly and not rely on a single stop, as distances between towns are large.
Mobile coverage is limited once you leave major towns. There is reception at Forsayth, Cobbold Village, Einasleigh and Pinnarendi Station Stay. There is no reception at Cobbold Gorge, Agate Creek and remote sections of the route. Download maps and travel information in advance.
Yes, if you are travelling with your own accommodation such as a caravan or camper. Locations like Cobbold Village (camping areas) and Pinnarendi Station Stay are pet friendly. Dogs are not permitted on guided tours, in cabin accommodation, or inside National Parks such as Undara.
Yes. Tours at Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes operate daily during the season but can book out, especially during school holidays. Booking in advance is recommended to secure your preferred dates and times. Check out the Savannah Way Adventure Pass for the best value tickets to Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tube Tours.
Yes. A fossicking licence is required to collect agates at the Agate Creek Gemfields. This can be purchased online through the Queensland Government before your visit.
Pack plenty of drinking water, food supplies, a first aid kit, spare tyre, recovery gear and sun protection. Conditions are remote, and services can be limited between towns.
The Savannah Way is a 3,700km road trip connecting Australia’s east and west coast, between Cairns and Broome. We are yet to do this journey, but plan to do it at some stage. Our 7-day itinerary has been prepared to provide an achievable Savannah Way adventure, showcasing natural attractions and outdoor adventures. It is not too far from Cairns and can be slotted into school holidays or annual leave. As noted, you will need a 4WD for this trip. You can stay accommodated or camp, with excellent facilities at all the destinations included. You can take your dog, if you take your own accommodation. Please note the Savannah Way is a seasonal destination, open between April and October. Tours operate every day but should be booked in advance to secure your preferred dates and times. The Savannah Way Adventure Pass provides the best value tickets to Cobbold Gorge and Undara Lava Tube Tours.
© I Love Cairns 2026
