The Savannah Way, linking Cairns in Queensland to Broome in WA, is one of Australia’s most incredible drives. Heading west from Burketown to the Northern Territory, the Savannah Way passes through Doomadgee, with the Nicholson River providing some picturesque views right along the roadside. There are plenty of photo opportunities to be had along the drive, so be sure to stop and stretch your legs and soak in the wonder that is the Savannah country. 

50 kilometres from the Northern Territory/Queensland Border is Hell’s Gate Roadhouse. The Roadhouse is located on Cliffdale Station, a 171,000 hectare cattle property. The current owners, John and Jenny Hays and family, took over the ownership of the Hell’s Gate Roadhouse and Cliffdale Station in December 2015. The Roadhouse officially opened in April 1986, assisting travellers and settlers in this remote part of the country to safely reach their destinations. For those curious about the name Hell’s Gate, the name comes from the small gap in the escarpment that the road passes through, one kilometre south of the Roadhouse. Back in the early days when the Gulf was being settled, a police contingent would escort travellers and settlers to the ‘portals of Hell’s Gate’. After this point, they were on their own until they reached police protection at Katherine in the Northern Territory.

The roadhouse, open seven days a week from 7.00am to 8.30pm, also has a range of accommodation, from en suite cabins with air conditioning, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities to unpowered camping. Meals are available all day, and there is also a restaurant and fully licensed bar. Doubling as a mini-store, you can purchase basic groceries and supplies for your trip.

Not only is the roadhouse a stopping point for fuel and food, but it is also the central hub for locals and outlaying stations and is the place to be on Melbourne Cup Day. Also Ladies day is a great event to be involved in, with guest speakers and lunch. These are accompanied with other events held throughout the year.

So if you are travelling along the Savannah Way, take a break and stop for a night, or even a few, and enjoy the fabulous hospitality from the friendly staff, who go out of their way to make sure you have a wonderful stay.

Visit Hells Gate Roadhouse for more information.