Trek Home > All Treks > NT > Top End

Roper Bar

Start		Borroloola
Finish		Katherine
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	868.46 km
Minimum Days	3
Average Speed	73.54 km/hr
Travel Time	11 hrs 48 mins

Article By: ExplorOz Team

Page Updated: 14 Jun 2015

Description

If you have a 4WD the opportunities to experience solitude in the Northern Territory wilderness is not far away. This trek from Borroloola - Katherine passes through some of the most remote and unvisited areas of the Top End. From Borroloola we head north through the Nathan River HS towards Port Roper and finally at Roper Bar, once a secret with the locals it is now a popular spot for fisherpeople who want to catch big barramundi.

It is still a very quiet place, more so out of the peak barramundi season. Generally, very early in the dry the barramundi are at their prime. It is pretty much useless to attempt fishing here without a tinnie although fishing tours are available in season.

The approach from Roper Bar into Katherine passes the Elsey National Park and the nearby Mataranka Thermal Springs. After the long dusty route you've just travelled this oasis may be just what you need. The Katherine region is full of fabulous little spots, still remote and relatively untouched but gradually becoming better known with the massive increase in tourism in the Northern Territory as a whole.

How to Use this Trek Note

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Alternatively, if you already have another raster mapping software program (or an HN7 device) you can try downloading the route line data files via the Download Trek button shown below the map on this page (OR purchase EOTreks Route Files). Be aware that this doesn't include maps or text just the route line.

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TrekID: 19

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.

Permits

No permits needed.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 122 litres	4cyl 141 litres	4cyl 174 litres
6cyl 133 litres	6cyl 157 litres	6cyl 153 litres
8cyl 133 litres	8cyl 144 litres

Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Ngukurr

Distance from Trek Mid Point 77.67km NE

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean Max. °C	35.5	34.8	34.1	33.8	31.7	29.8	29.6	31.9	35.0	37.5	38.8	37.7
Mean Min. °C	24.9	24.7	24.0	22.0	19.1	16.2	15.2	16.2	19.2	22.6	25.0	25.5
Mean Rain mm	182.8	176.5	174.8	55.9	10.2	5.1	1.1	0.7	1.8	13.5	42.4	131.6

Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Borroloola to Leila Hill

Driving: 99.73 km

Heading: 218°

Avg Speed: 90.31 km/hr

EST Time: 01:06:15

Leila Hill to Leila Crossing (Carpentaria Hwy)

Driving: 1.82 km

Heading: 251°

Avg Speed: 101.75 km/hr

EST Time: 01:04

Leila Crossing (Carpentaria Hwy) to Heartbreak Hotel

Driving: 15.82 km

Heading: 239°

Avg Speed: 92.5 km/hr

EST Time: 10:15

Heartbreak Hotel to Cape Crawford

Driving: 0.62 km

Heading: 305°

Avg Speed: 49.3 km/hr

EST Time: 00:45

Cape Crawford to Leila 1st Crossing

Driving: 15.16 km

Heading: 341°

Avg Speed: 66.48 km/hr

EST Time: 13:40

Leila 1st Crossing to Batten Creek

Driving: 35.69 km

Heading: 5°

Avg Speed: 68.47 km/hr

EST Time: 31:16

Batten Creek to Lorella Springs Station

Driving: 82.73 km

Heading: 354°

Avg Speed: 59.32 km/hr

EST Time: 01:23:40

Lorella Springs Station to Southern Lost City

Driving: 47.19 km

Heading: 244°

Avg Speed: 54.24 km/hr

EST Time: 52:12

Southern Lost City to Burketown Crossing

Driving: 51.93 km

Heading: 351°

Avg Speed: 67.55 km/hr

EST Time: 46:07

Burketown Crossing to Cox River

Driving: 21.26 km

Heading: 341°

Avg Speed: 67.3 km/hr

EST Time: 18:57

Cox River to Maria (Wamungku) Lagoon

Driving: 12.72 km

Heading: 77°

Avg Speed: 55.72 km/hr

EST Time: 13:41

Maria (Wamungku) Lagoon to Limmen River Campground

Driving: 7.43 km

Heading: 58°

Avg Speed: 39.25 km/hr

EST Time: 11:21

Limmen River Campground to Maria (Wamungku) Lagoon

Driving: 7.43 km

Heading: 238°

Avg Speed: 39.25 km/hr

EST Time: 11:21

Maria (Wamungku) Lagoon to Cox River

Driving: 12.72 km

Heading: 257°

Avg Speed: 55.72 km/hr

EST Time: 13:41

Cox River to Towns River

Driving: 37.52 km

Heading: 335°

Avg Speed: 75.52 km/hr

EST Time: 29:48

Towns River to St Vidgeon Ruins

Driving: 48.66 km

Heading: 310°

Avg Speed: 79.05 km/hr

EST Time: 36:56

St Vidgeon Ruins to Lomarieum Lagoon

Driving: 0.54 km

Heading: 312°

Avg Speed: 81.07 km/hr

EST Time: 00:23

Lomarieum Lagoon to Queensland Crossing

Driving: 46.54 km

Heading: 252°

Avg Speed: 73.52 km/hr

EST Time: 37:58

Queensland Crossing to Roper Bar

Driving: 21.13 km

Heading: 336°

Avg Speed: 74.77 km/hr

EST Time: 16:57

Roper Bar to Leichhardts Caravan Park

Driving: 0.84 km

Heading: 59°

Avg Speed: 70.59 km/hr

EST Time: 00:42

Leichhardts Caravan Park to Roper Bar

Driving: 0.84 km

Heading: 239°

Avg Speed: 70.59 km/hr

EST Time: 00:42

Roper Bar to Mt Price Rest Area

Driving: 38.42 km

Heading: 256°

Avg Speed: 77.62 km/hr

EST Time: 29:41

Mt Price Rest Area to Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort

Driving: 146.18 km

Heading: 269°

Avg Speed: 93.97 km/hr

EST Time: 01:33:20

Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort to Mataranka

Driving: 8.71 km

Heading: 270°

Avg Speed: 70.85 km/hr

EST Time: 07:22

Mataranka to Stirling Mill Rest Area

Driving: 14.6 km

Heading: 313°

Avg Speed: 88.5 km/hr

EST Time: 09:53

Stirling Mill Rest Area to Mataranka Station

Driving: 0.46 km

Heading: 292°

Avg Speed: 102.75 km/hr

EST Time: 00:16

Mataranka Station to King Rest Area

Driving: 43.79 km

Heading: 301°

Avg Speed: 102.51 km/hr

EST Time: 25:37

King Rest Area to Katherine

Driving: 47.98 km

Heading: 297°

Avg Speed: 90.56 km/hr

EST Time: 31:47

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

Excellent barramundi fishing, remote NT outback country, bush camping, thermal springs

Facilities

Where to Stay

Heartbreak Hotel - NT

Caravan Park

Position: -16.68432 135.72598

Batten Creek - NT

Camp Free

Position: -16.30202 135.7074

Lorella Springs Station - NT

Population - Station,Homestead

Position: -15.72222 135.64084

Cox River - NT

Camp Free

Position: -15.32233 135.34511

Limmen River Campground - NT

Camp Free

Position: -15.2655 135.50153

Towns River - NT

Camp Free

Position: -15.04184 135.2117

St Vidgeon Ruins - NT

Camp Free

Position: -14.78046 134.88519

Leichhardts Caravan Park - NT

Caravan Park

Position: -14.72242 134.50624

Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort - NT

Population - Station,Homestead

Position: -14.92144 133.13074

Stirling Mill Rest Area - NT

Camp Free

Position: -14.83907 132.97287

King Rest Area - NT

Camp Free

Position: -14.64411 132.63271

Services & Supplies

Lorella Springs Station - NT

Population - Station,Homestead

Position: -15.72222 135.64084

Wildflowers

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