TRAVEL BUG WITHIN - Adventure, Road Trips, Travel Tips and Reviews

Travel writer Jennifer Johnston shares her travel experiences and tips inspiring midlife adventurers to explore further.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Australia
      • Queensland
      • Northern Territory
      • New South Wales
      • South Australia
      • Tasmania
      • Victoria
      • Western Australia
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Hong Kong
      • Japan
      • Thailand
      • UAE
      • Vietnam
    • Fiji
    • Europe
    • Iceland
    • United Kingdom
      • England
      • Scotland
    • USA
  • Travel Advice
    • Hotel and Restaurant Reviews
    • My Top Five or Ten
    • Book Reviews
    • Solo and Single Parent travels
      • Solo travel stories
      • Travel stories as a single mum
  • Who am I?
    • My story
    • Work with me
    • Contact Travel Bug Within
Home » Destinations » One of Australia’s most unique 4WD adventures – an epic road trip from Brisbane to Broome and back again

One of Australia’s most unique 4WD adventures – an epic road trip from Brisbane to Broome and back again

July 25, 2018 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Last updated 18 March 2022

One couple’s classic Aussie 4WD adventure involved a 15,000 kilometre road trip from Brisbane to Broome and back

Table of Contents

  • Explore more of Australia on a road trip
  • During COVID
  •  Adventures on the open road
  • Mapping out the Brisbane to Broome road trip
  • Jen’s road trip tips

Explore more of Australia on a road trip

My friends Cyndy and David have become Australian explorers via their caravan and 4WD vehicle.

They love nothing more than planning a route, checking on the weather forecasts (Australia has its fair share of wild challenges including bushfires, floods and cyclones) then packing up the van and heading out on the open road.

These middle-aged explorers, along with many grey nomads, (and millennials too) are embracing an adventurer’s life, preferring to head outdoors to explore over sitting at home (obviously I’m not referring to the lockdown periods.)

You only have to pick up a copy of a 4WD magazine or do a google search to find hundreds of websites catching on to this caravan, motorhome, and camping ‘phenomenon.’

I wrote a story for Unsealed 4×4 Magazine issue #52 on Cyndy and David’s epic Brisbane to Broome 4WD trip the title was originally called, One couple’s search for their holy grail – now updated to Brisbane to Broome (a boring title!)

As I update this post in March 2022, I’m reflecting on the last two years of the pandemic when Australia closed down to the rest of the world. Those Aussies unable to leave for overseas holidays in possession of a caravan, motorhome or camper trailer turned to the highways and dirt tracks to explore the length and breadth of this great country.  (Oh, except for Western Australia – the state only recently opened their borders again.)

During COVID

“Caravan and camper-trailer sales are booming as travel-starved Australians hit the road, and the tracks, on their post-lockdown adventures,” says Marcus Craft, Editor of online website Carsguide.com.au 

In the same article, Billy Falconer, marketing/sales and dealer development manager for Australian owned Company Avida Motorhomes and Caravans, said sales of their products were up by 100 percent on last financial year.

“Stock is a challenge, and I think it’s a challenge everywhere at the moment,” he said.

So, if you managed to order and now have your hands on a brand new off road or 4WD vehicle – this article is for you. Especially the ‘what they learnt‘ sections.

 Adventures on the open road

For anyone who owns a caravan, campervan, motorhome, or off-road vehicle, maybe Cyndy and David’s journey (and Cyndy’s stunning images) will inspire you to consider following in their footsteps.  The open road is waiting for you!

The eastern section of the 660 kilometre Gibb River Road – Image: Cyndy Heard

Camooweal free camping spot Image: Cyndy Heard

 

Mapping out the Brisbane to Broome road trip

David and Cyndy broke their journey into sections – and depending on where you live, you could do this too.

Image of a map of Australia on Google Maps showing points of interest in the state of Queensland

Road trip from Brisbane to Camooweal section taken from Google Maps

Image of a map of Australia with points on interest and lines showing roads from one regional town to another

Camooweal NT – to Kununurra WA taken from Google Maps

Image of a map of Australia with a section from Broome to Kunnnunurra highlighted showing the road

Kununurra to Broome taken from Google Maps

Jen’s road trip tips

I love a good road trip and although I don’t have a 4WD I’ve clicked up a few kilometres in a sedan.  Including discovering Yeppoon for the first time and heading out west from Brisbane to Charleville and Charlotte Plains – Beyond the Warrego Highway Thankfully no tyre punctures or car issues.

For anyone planning on taking to the open road:

  1. Be PATIENT. There is no place for road rage. There’s always been plenty of caravans on the roads, but now that more people have discovered the joys of van life, there are going to be many more recreational vehicles to contend with. And the road trains delivering essential food and goods to remote regions – are a constant. 

  2. Only overtake when it’s safe to do so. Remember the road trains sharing the highways with us can be long (many containers) and really should not be overtaken unless you are absolutely sure its safe to do so. (Refer to point 1.)

  3. Take regular rest breaks. Always better to arrive late to a destination, than not at all!

Australia is a diverse and scenic-rich country that’s just waiting for you. And remember, those more remote regions are always looking for an injection of cash into their communities.

While we’re unlikely to be travelling overseas for a while, let’s make the most of what we have here in Australia.  Road trips are a hot ticket holiday – provided you do a little pre-planning!

A different kind of traffic – the Broome camels on Cable beach Image Cyndi Heard

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia Tagged With: #4WD, Brisbane to Broome, Driving from Brisbane to Broome, Grey nomads in Australia, Tips on driving Brisbane to Broome, where to drive in Australia

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Copyright Jennifer Johnston 2021 • Site by Swish Design