Binns Track - Alice Springs to Bonney Well

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesBonney Well Rest Area
FinishStuart Highway & Ross Highway
DifficultyDifficulty 2/5
Suitable For4WD Motorbike 
Distance894.04 km
Minimum Days3
Average Speed63.31 km/hr
Travel Time14 hrs 7 mins
Page Updated: 15 Mar 2023

Description

This section of the Binns Track follows the Ross Highway east from Alice Springs on bitumen but don't rush too fast past both Emily Gap and Jessie Gap as these are nice spots to stop for a short walk. Soon after you'll enter into 4WD country and you'll cross mostly dry river beds although the crossing of Ross River can become impassable after rain. You'll want to stop at N'Dhala Gorge and maybe stay at Ross River resort or the nearby camp areas. You could base yourself here to explore the wonders of the East McDonnell Ranges, particularly if you like hiking. Alternatively, its not far off the route to go to Trephina Gorge where there's a range of camping options, including a 4WD bush camp although bookings are required for all sites.

The Arltunga Historic area preserves an old gold mining area that can be an interesting place to explore but there's some a serious 4WD side track into the Ruby Gap Nature Reserve if you're looking for some more thrills.

The main Binns Track as per this route follows an easy 4WD track to the beautiful Hale River where you can stay on a working station and then along the Pinnacles Track and scenic Gardens Road to where it reaches the Plenty Highway near the Gemtree Caravan Park which is a handy place to top up on fuel and supplies if required.

The next section of the route enters cattle station properties and some of the tracks can be rough and narrow yet other sections will be open grasslands. There may be some rivers to negotiate - if travelling during the main suggested season these are typically dry but there may be water at other times. These are generally well travelled tracks suitable for offroad caravans and offroad camper trailers so don't be put off. The route is well signposted and is a tourist route. There's even a Meteorite Crater almost alongside the track so don't miss this small diversion.

After Derry Downs, the track finally swings back to the west where it eventually joins up with the Sandover Highway and you'll travel in a North Easterly direction until reaching Ammaroo at which point you'll turn off onto Murray Downs Road and head north before switching back to the east again on the Kurundi Road that brings you into the remote Davenport Ranges National Park. The navigation here would be confusing without the Trek route in the Traveller app so make sure you've got the maps setup on a device that is visible from your dash to make this easier to follow. Here's you'll appreciate the change of environment with rocky terrain and waterholes. The Old Police Station Waterhole is a pretty spot with a camping area along side permanent water accessed via the Frew River 4WD Track. The Kurundi road heads further north via Epenarra where you make the final swing to the west again and eventually you'll pop out onto the sealed Stuart Highway, slightly north of the Devil's Marbles (10 minutes drive, or 16km south). From the junction with the Stuart Highway, you are just 90km south of Tennant Creek.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

This area features aboriginal paintings and rock carvings of significance to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. These can be found in the Heavitree Range and N'Dhala Gorge.
Arltunga is a former gold mining area and gemstones are found in Ruby Gap, and near Gemtree.
The Davenport Ranges is an important refuge for fauna, especially water birds due to an extensive network of waterholes.
The area is subject to frequent flooding during the hotter months (December to March).

History

Bill Binns was a ranger who worked with NT Parks and Wildlife for 32 years. Bill’s dream was to help visitors explore more of the Central Australia region – to discover its vivid colours, native wildlife and mighty rock formations. The naming convention of this group of tracks that have collectively become a signed 4WD tourist route known as Binns Track occurred in 2008. The Binns Track covers approximately 2000km and winds through many of the NT's lesser known nature reserves and National Parks.

TrekID: 28008

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
This trip offers a bit of everything but is 4WD only. Towing of trailers is ok provided they are built for heavy duty offroad conditions. The smaller the better. There are some excellent 4WD opportunities along this route as side trips, or stick to the provided route which is generally fine for offroad vans during dry conditions. Check local conditions as the many river crossings would pose a problem after heavy rains.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 126 litres4cyl 145 litres4cyl 179 litres
6cyl 137 litres6cyl 162 litres6cyl 157 litres
8cyl 137 litres8cyl 148 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Territory Grape Farm
Distance from Trek Mid Point 59.51km SW
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C37.536.233.930.425.322.222.525.230.233.035.436.3
Mean Min. °C21.821.819.514.49.26.05.17.012.015.618.621.0
Mean Rain mm57.268.021.917.324.19.04.65.010.916.531.946.6
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

Working on it...

Get Traveller App Get the ExplorOz Traveller App to download all ExplorOz Treks for navigational use on your tablet, phone, iPad or laptop.
Embed this Map
Embed this trek map directly into your website or page. It is easy and free, click the button to retreive the embed code and copy and paste it to your website or page.
Download Trek
Use this download for GPX, Hema Navigator and OziExplorer. Geo data only no map included.

Directions

Bonney Well Rest Area to Kurundi Waterhole
Driving: 53.63 km
Heading: 98°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 51:36
  • Drive north. for: 0.05 km time: 00:04
  • Turn left onto 87/Stuart Highway. for: 0.52 km time: 00:07
  • Turn right onto Kurundi Road. for: 53.06 km time: 51:25
Kurundi Waterhole to Lookout
Driving: 55.26 km
Heading: 84°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 53:10
  • Drive northwest on Kurundi Road. for: 55.26 km time: 53:11
Lookout to Kurundi Epenarra Hatches Road & Canteen Creek Rd
Driving: 26.01 km
Heading: 160°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 25:01
  • Drive east on Kurundi Road. for: 26.01 km time: 25:02
Kurundi Epenarra Hatches Road & Canteen Creek Rd to Binns Track & Old Policemans Waterhole Rd (4wd track)
Driving: 18.82 km
Heading: 165°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 18:06
  • Drive south on Kurundi Road. for: 18.82 km time: 18:07
Binns Track & Old Policemans Waterhole Rd (4wd track) to Old Police Station Waterhole
Driving: 9.17 km
Heading: 216°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 08:49
  • Head southeast on Kurundi Road for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn right for: 9.16 km time: 08:48
Old Police Station Waterhole to Old Policemans Waterhole Track & Frew River 4WD Track
Driving: 1.44 km
Heading: 16°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:23
  • Head north for: 1.44 km time: 01:23
Old Policemans Waterhole Track & Frew River 4WD Track to Binns Track & Frew River 4WD Track
Driving: 15.02 km
Heading: 132°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 14:27
  • Head northeast for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn right for: 15 km time: 14:25
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Kurundi Road for: 0.01 km time: 00:00
Binns Track & Frew River 4WD Track to Hatches Creek Mine
Driving: 13.43 km
Heading: 227°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 12:55
  • Drive southwest on Kurundi Road. for: 13.43 km time: 12:55
Hatches Creek Mine to Coulter Waterhole
Driving: 24.57 km
Heading: 228°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 23:38
  • Drive southwest on Kurundi Road. for: 24.57 km time: 23:39
Coulter Waterhole to Kurundi Road Junction
Driving: 32.17 km
Heading: 248°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 30:57
  • Drive northwest on Kurundi Road. for: 32.17 km time: 30:58
Kurundi Road Junction to Crossroads Murray Downs Road
Driving: 75.85 km
Heading: 137°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:12:59
  • Drive east on Murray Downs Road. for: 75.83 km time: 01:12:58
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Murray Downs Road for: 0.02 km time: 00:01
Crossroads Murray Downs Road to Ammarro Junction
Driving: 23.69 km
Heading: 187°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 22:47
  • Drive south on Murray Downs Road. for: 23.69 km time: 22:48
Ammarro Junction to Sandover Hwy & Binns Track
Driving: 27.7 km
Heading: 241°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 26:39
  • Drive southwest on Sandover Highway/14. for: 27.68 km time: 26:38
  • Turn left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:02
Sandover Hwy & Binns Track to Irrultja Bypass
Driving: 18.32 km
Heading: 135°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 17:37
  • Drive southeast. for: 18.31 km time: 17:34
  • Turn left onto Binns Track. for: 0.01 km time: 00:04
Irrultja Bypass to Derry Downs Bypass Track
Driving: 23.77 km
Heading: 114°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 22:52
  • Head east on Binns Track for: 9.96 km time: 13:30
  • Go straight onto Binns Track for: 13.78 km time: 09:21
  • Make a slight right for: 0.03 km time: 00:01
Derry Downs Bypass Track to Western Side of Bundey River
Driving: 9.77 km
Heading: 174°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 09:24
  • Head south for: 9.77 km time: 09:24
Western Side of Bundey River to Bundey River Crossing Track
Straight: 0.69 km
Heading: 104°
Bundey River Crossing Track to Carbine Bore Corner
Driving: 4.26 km
Heading: 226°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 04:05
  • Drive south. for: 4.26 km time: 04:06
Carbine Bore Corner to Turn off to Crater
Driving: 57.15 km
Heading: 189°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 54:59
  • Drive southwest. for: 57.15 km time: 55:00
Turn off to Crater to Plenty Hwy & Arapunya Rd
Driving: 39.05 km
Heading: 196°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 37:34
  • Drive west. for: 39.05 km time: 37:34
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Plenty Highway for: 0 km time: 00:01
Plenty Hwy & Arapunya Rd to Gemtree Camp 7 30th May 2024
Driving: 96.61 km
Heading: 267°
Avg Speed: 64.8 km/hr
EST Time: 01:29:27
  • Drive west on Plenty Highway/12. for: 96.18 km time: 01:27:18
  • Turn left. for: 0.43 km time: 02:10
Gemtree Camp 7 30th May 2024 to Pinnacles Rd & Turnoff to Fossicking Area
Driving: 15.36 km
Heading: 145°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 14:46
  • Drive northwest. for: 0.43 km time: 01:03
  • Turn right onto Plenty Highway/12. for: 7.7 km time: 03:04
  • Turn right onto Pinnacle Road. for: 7.23 km time: 10:40
Pinnacles Rd & Turnoff to Fossicking Area to Pinnacles Bore
Driving: 31.39 km
Heading: 192°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 30:12
  • Head southwest on Pinnacle Road for: 15.09 km time: 14:31
  • Continue straight to stay on Pinnacle Road for: 16.31 km time: 15:42
Pinnacles Bore to Hale River Homestead at Old Ambalindum
Driving: 56.49 km
Heading: 110°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 54:21
  • Head southwest on Pinnacle Road for: 0.83 km time: 00:49
  • Turn left onto The Garden for: 19.65 km time: 18:57
  • Make a slight right to stay on The Garden for: 35.75 km time: 34:28
  • Turn right for: 0.21 km time: 00:06
  • Make a slight right for: 0.05 km time: 00:02
Hale River Homestead at Old Ambalindum to Claraville
Driving: 7.86 km
Heading: 79°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 07:33
  • Drive north on The Garden. for: 7.12 km time: 06:47
  • Bear right. for: 0.63 km time: 00:36
  • Turn left. for: 0.11 km time: 00:11
Claraville to Altunga Rd & Ross Hwy Junction
Driving: 12.15 km
Heading: 201°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 11:41
  • Drive west. for: 0.11 km time: 00:11
  • Turn left. for: 0.39 km time: 00:23
  • Bear right onto The Garden. for: 11.5 km time: 10:56
  • Bear left onto Ross Highway. for: 0.06 km time: 00:04
  • Make a sharp right. for: 0.09 km time: 00:07
Altunga Rd & Ross Hwy Junction to Bitter Springs
Driving: 31.07 km
Heading: 251°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 29:53
  • Drive west on Arltunga Road/8. for: 31.07 km time: 29:54
Bitter Springs to Grave Site Of George King
Driving: 3.57 km
Heading: 226°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 03:26
  • Drive south on Arltunga Road/8. for: 3.57 km time: 03:26
Grave Site Of George King to Ross River Resort
Driving: 8.33 km
Heading: 121°
Avg Speed: 81.51 km/hr
EST Time: 06:07
  • Drive west on Arltunga Road/8. for: 0.92 km time: 01:51
  • Turn left onto Ross Highway. for: 7.36 km time: 04:09
  • Turn left onto Ross River Resort - Airport Track. for: 0.06 km time: 00:09
Ross River Resort to N'dhala Gorge Campground
Driving: 12.28 km
Heading: 212°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 11:49
  • Head northwest on Ross Highway for: 0.78 km time: 00:10
  • Turn left onto N'Dhala 4x4 Track for: 11.5 km time: 11:39
N'dhala Gorge Campground to Ross Hwy & Nummery Rd
Driving: 59.55 km
Heading: 249°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 57:18
  • Head east on N'Dhala 4x4 Track for: 3.49 km time: 07:08
  • Make a sharp right for: 13.76 km time: 07:02
  • Make a sharp right onto Binns Track for: 42.3 km time: 43:08
Ross Hwy & Nummery Rd to Jessie Gap
Driving: 12.51 km
Heading: 275°
Avg Speed: 62.44 km/hr
EST Time: 12:01
  • Drive southwest on Ross Highway/8. for: 12.48 km time: 11:45
  • Turn right. for: 0.02 km time: 00:08
  • Turn right. for: 0.01 km time: 00:07
Jessie Gap to Emily Gap
Driving: 7.49 km
Heading: 276°
Avg Speed: 72.32 km/hr
EST Time: 06:12
  • Drive west. for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:05
  • Turn right onto Ross Highway/8. for: 7.31 km time: 05:33
  • Turn right. for: 0.16 km time: 00:33
Emily Gap to Stuart Highway & Ross Highway
Driving: 9.61 km
Heading: 272°
Avg Speed: 62.35 km/hr
EST Time: 09:14
  • Drive south. for: 0.16 km time: 00:27
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Ross Highway for: 9.12 km time: 08:09
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Ross Highway for: 0.33 km time: 00:39
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

Related Travel Journals

The following are links to Members' Blogs that contain the words Binns Track - Alice Springs to Bonney Well. Creating Blogs is restricted to Members only. Not a Member? Join here.

There are no blogs available. Results based on search "Binns Track - Alice Springs to Bonney Well"

Comments & Reviews

Post a Comment
Loading...

Sponsored Links