Why is it called Fairfield-Leopold Downs Road?
Australia, oceania
125 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through Western Australia's Kimberley region? You've GOT to check out the Fairfield-Leopold Downs Road! This track is named after the Fairfield and Leopold Downs cattle stations it winds through on its way to the Gibb River Road.
Clocking in at 125 km (77 miles) between the Derby Gibb River Road and the Great Northern Highway, this unsealed road is an adventure in itself. While some brave souls might tow caravans during the dry season, a 4WD is definitely your best bet. Watch out for dips and washouts along the way! It's mostly flat, with inclines topping out around 3%.
Now, let's be real: this isn't a highway. Expect dust, potholes, and creek crossings. The stretch from Windjana to Tunnel Creek is particularly dusty (and popular with tour groups), plus expect heavy corrugations, and it's totally impassable during the wet season.
For the best experience, aim to hit this road between May and September. You'll be passing through Tunnel Creek National Park, and you won't want to miss it!
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 125 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in oceania
hardSawcut Gorge
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, so you're heading to the South Island of New Zealand? Sweet as! If you're looking for a place to cool off, you HAVE to check out the Sawcut Gorge. Trust me, on a hot day, those swimming holes are absolute bliss, and the rock faces are just epic. Now, getting there is part of the adventure! You'll be cruising along Ure Road, a 12-kilometer stretch that's mostly gravel. It's narrow and steep in sections, so keep your wits about you. But honestly, the scenery is so stunning, it's hard to keep your eyes on the road! Just drive carefully and soak it all in. You won't regret it.
moderateBerglund Road
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers! Tucked away in Victoria, Australia's dreamy Toomuc Valley, you'll find Berglund Road – and "brutal" barely covers it. This 2.8km stretch throws you into the deep end with gradients hitting a crazy 30%! Think loose gravel, hairpin turns, and views that'll make you forget how hard your car's working. Fun fact: you'll hit random patches of pavement where the gravel just couldn't handle the incline. And a heads up, truckies – this one's strictly for the smaller vehicles. Get ready for an unforgettable, challenging, and seriously stunning ride!
moderateHow to drive the defiant Ivanhoe Crossing in Australia?
🇦🇺 Australia
Hey adventure junkies! Ever heard of a wild ride across the Ord River in Western Australia's Kimberley region? Just 8 km north of Kununurra lies Ivanhoe Crossing – a super-remote, concrete causeway that's basically an Aussie rite of passage. Built way back in the '50s, this curved crossing stretches for 540 meters, offering a unique (and sometimes dicey!) driving experience. But fair warning: during the wet season (November to March), this baby's underwater and totally off-limits. Even when it's open, the current can be fierce, so high-clearance vehicles are a must! This place is seriously gorgeous! You might even recognize it from the movie "Australia." But keep your eyes peeled for saltwater crocs – definitely no swimming allowed! This crossing has a 15-tonne load limit. Heed the safety signs, respect the river, and you'll have an unforgettable adventure. Some folks have gotten a bit *too* confident and paid the price. Stay safe out there, folks, and soak in those epic Kimberley views!
moderateWhen was Moki Tunnel in NZ built?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, and you stumble upon the legendary Moki Tunnel! This isn't your average tunnel; it's a 180-meter-long, single-lane time capsule, hand-dug back in 1935. Seriously, picks and shovels! They even lowered the floor in '89 to make it taller. You'll find it on the Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) between Taumarunui and Stratford. It’s fully paved to the tunnel, and trust me, it's a drive to remember. Just beyond it, though, you're greeted by the incredible Tangarakau Gorge, but beware, the pavement ends and the gravel begins! Road can get slick when it rains too. Oh, and did I mention it's often called the "Hobbit's Hole"? Yep, there's even a sign! It's in Whanganui National Park and, heads up, anything over 4.5m can't squeeze through. It's super narrow! There is a little gravel parking area with an info sign. Get ready for a seriously unique off-the-beaten-path experience!