Getting there is the easy part...

...leaving is another matter! Only six hours' drive from Cairns or Townsville, Cobbold Gorge is easy to access yet is missed by many who do not know of its hidden natural treasures. Whether you come by train, plane or automobile, making your way to the heart of the Gulf Savannah to experience the outback wonder of Cobbold Gorge, is no hassle.

By road

Regardless of what route is taken, most conventional vehicles will handle the journey to Cobbold Gorge with ease, including those towing caravans.

Travel by sealed road from Cairns, west along the Kennedy Highway through the pictureseque Atherton Tableland to Mt Garnet. From here, the famous Savannah Way continues via the Gulf Developmental Road to Georgetown or Einsaleigh. There is only 17 kilometres of formed, gravel road between Georgetown and Forsayth and a further 40km of unsealed road from Forsayth to Cobbold. 

The more adventurous might opt to take a gravel "shortcut" road from halfway between Mt Surprise and Georgetown, to Einasleigh or Forsayth.

From the south, take the Hann Highway via the Kennedy Developmental Road from Hughenden and Porcupine Gorge to the Lynd/Oasis Roadhouse.

From Charters Towers, take the Gregory Developmental Road to the Lynd Junction.

From the Lynd Junction to Cobbold, it is 185km of which 145km is gravel. 

Those who come by RV will be greeted by excellent camping and caravanning facilities as well as other self-contained accommodation.

Others may choose to stay in the nearby Gulf Savannah towns of Georgetown, Mount Surprise, Einasleigh or Forsayth, drive out for the day to join an expert guided tour and experience the magnificent Cobbold Gorge. Transfers from Georgetown and Forsayth are available every Thursday (April to October); as well as every Tuesday during the peak season (June to August).

Self drive travellers can make a round trip by arriving via The Lynd and Einasleigh on the Gregory Development Road/Georgetown-Mt Garnet Road and returning via Georgetown and Mt Surprise on the Gulf Developmental Road. Or else, continue west to Karumba to complete the first leg of the Savannah Way.

By air

Visitors on a tight timeline may choose to fly in to Cobbold, landing on the station's all-weather, 1000-metre airstrip and be transferred for tours and/or overnight stay. Airstrip coordinates are 143°28'E - 18°43'S and fuel is available on request.

By organised tour

Organised tours are another great way to discover Cobbold and other highlights of the North Queensland outback. Climb aboard the Savannahlander or a comfortable coach for the ultimate Queensland outback rail or road adventure.

So many outback holiday tours include Cobbold Gorge as a 'must see' destination. Each offers its own unique itinerary with various departure points and durations - it is really only a matter of picking which best suits you.

• APT 13 day “Kakadu to the Gulf trail” (Darwin–Cairns)
• Fun Over Fifty 16 day ‘Ultimate Queensland Outback Rail Holiday’ (Brisbane–Cairns)
• It’s Easy Tours 16 day ‘Gulf Savannah and Gorges’ (Sydney-Sydney)
• Northern Highland Travel 14 day ‘Across the Top’ (Darwin–Cairns)
• Outback Aussie Tours 10 night ‘Gulf and Savannahlander Adventure’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
• Outback Spirit Tours 15 day ‘Longreach and Outback Queensland Spectacular’ (Goldcoast-Cairns)
• Oz Tours Safaris 7 day Gulf Savannah tour (Cairns–Cairns)
• Oz Tours Safaris 9 day Gulf Savannah tour (Cairns–Cairns)
• Reef N Outback Rail 16 day ‘Ultimate Queensland Outback Rail Holiday’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
• Renaissance Tours 11 day ‘Queensland Outback Rail Adventure’ (Townsville-Cairns)
• Savannahlander Train 4 day (Cairns–Cairns)
• Seniors Holiday Travel 14 day ‘Gulflander and Savannahlander escorted tour’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
• Swagman Tours 14 day ‘Gulf Savannah camping’ (Cairns-Darwin)
• Swagman Tours 18 day ‘Outback Queensland Cattle Stations and Gulf Farm Tour’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
• Wilderness Challenge 9 day ‘Gulf Savannah Wanderer’ (Cairns–Cairns)
• Wilderness Challenge 9 day ‘Gulf Savannah Jackaroo’ (Darwin–Cairns or reverse)
• Young at Heart Holidays 16 day ‘Queensland Inland Explorer’ (Melbourne-Melbourne)

Planning your North Queensland outback holiday

To make the most of your North Queensland outback family holiday, contact us for friendly advice on accommodation, daily tours and self drive options; activities to suit children and useful tips about visiting us. A minimum stay of three days is recommended to fully appreciate the diversity and wonder of the Gulf Savannah's best-kept secret.

Cobbold Gorge is closed to visitors during the wet season between November 1 and March 31.

• • APT 13 day “Kakadu to the Gulf trail” (Darwin–Cairns).
  • Fun Over Fifty 16 day ‘Ultimate Queensland Outback Rail Holiday’ (Brisbane–Cairns)
  • It’s Easy Tours 16 day ‘Gulf Savannah and Gorges’ (Sydney-Sydney)
  • Northern Highland Travel 14 day ‘Across the Top’ (Darwin–Cairns)
  • Outback Aussie Tours 10 night ‘Gulf and Savannahlander Adventure’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
  • Outback Spirit Tours 15 day ‘Longreach and Outback Queensland Spectacular’ (Goldcoast-Cairns)
  • Oz Tours Safaris 7 day Gulf Savannah tour (Cairns–Cairns)
  • Oz Tours Safaris 9 day Gulf Savannah tour (Cairns–Cairns)
  • Reef N Outback Rail 16 day ‘Ultimate Queensland Outback Rail Holiday’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
  • Renaissance Tours 11 day ‘Queensland Outback Rail Adventure’ (Townsville-Cairns)
  • Savannahlander Train 4 day (Cairns–Cairns)
  • Seniors Holiday Travel 14 day ‘Gulflander and Savannahlander escorted tour’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
  • Swagman Tours 14 day ‘Gulf Savannah camping’ (Cairns-Darwin)
  • Swagman Tours 18 day ‘Outback Queensland Cattle Stations and Gulf Farm Tour’ (Brisbane-Brisbane)
  • Wilderness Challenge 9 day ‘Gulf Savannah Wanderer’ (Cairns–Cairns)
  • Wilderness Challenge 9 day ‘Gulf Savannah Jackaroo’ (Darwin–Cairns or reverse)
  • Young at Heart Holidays 16 day ‘Queensland Inland Explorer’ (Melbourne-Melbourne)