TRAVEL PLANNER
WHERE: Borroloola is a town in the Northern Territory on the eastern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, 670km south-east of Katherine.
MAPS: Hema’s Australia Road and 4WD Atlas. Google Earth satellite photos should be downloaded prior to departure.
ACCOMMODATION: King Ash Bay Lodge, Borroloola (call Katie on 0477 294 172). The sinkhole track is completely selfsustaining camping, with no facilities available at all (even the road is optional).
FUEL AND SUPPLIES: Fuel available at AFD Gulf Mini Mart, Borroloola (phone: [08] 8975 8790). This is the first servo as you arrive into town, and Leslie and her crew provide mouth-watering meals for dine-in or takeaway. A small variety of groceries are also available here.
RESTRICTIONS AND PERMITS: No permits are required to visit Borroloola. However, permission from the traditional owners is required to visit the sinkhole. Contact Daniel at NLC Borroloola (phone: [08] 8975 7500).
VEHICLE SET-UP: A high-clearance vehicle is required, and the paintwork will get scratched. Also bring along spare tyres, GPS navigation, recovery equipment and a satellite phone. The trip to the sinkhole isn’t suitable for camper trailers. Experience in remote travel is required, as is being able to use only GPS co-ordinates to navigate. Explorers also need to be self-sufficient when camping, and bring plenty of drinking water, as well as a remote first-aid kit (including snake-bite kit). Don’t travel alone!
GPS LOCATION: The co-ordinates to locate the sinkhole are 12°58’37.39”S and 136°04’09.62”E. Make sure you constantly check your status as you near the co-ordinates to ensure you don’t drive off the ledge if you are approaching when the sun has faded or it’s dark.