Sunday, May 03, 2015 at 11:19
HI Margaret,
You won't have any problem in your Xtrail pulling a camper.
There are plenty of designated
camp sites along the GRR.
They aren't free but the fees are reasonable.
Try to get some GRR info before you go as there are many things to see.
Take your time if you've got it and try to see it all.
The road is typical of any outback road, it can be heavily corrugated in sections.
My experience was that it was not too bad - except the
kalumburu road which had the worst corrugations I've ever seen. We turned back as a result. I'll put
Mitchell Falls on the list for a later date. I was happy with what we saw without going there...
You shouldn't need fuel as there are fuel stations along the way.
But it wouldn't hurt to take 5 or 10 litres as a backup.
Your Xtrail should handle the water crossings without any concern.
The Pentecost is quite rocky so you could have a few bumps underneath especially if the rear end of your car is sagging due to towball weight. So try to pick your line going across - watch others make the crossing first, to see if they hit any big rocks and then pick your line around them.
Otherwise you will be fine.
I would just take some drinking water with you, other than that there is an abundance of water available along the way.
Drive to the conditions, slow down and avoid rocks protruding from the road. If you strike one of them on the sidewall of your tyre you could tear a hole in it.
Don't be phased by other drivers. There are plenty of idiots that drive way too fast on dirt roads. If you see oncoming vehicles that are driving too fast, pull over and wait for them to pass. That way you won't be driving blindly through their dust or get sprayed with rocks. You'll find that they have no consideration for you what-so-ever.
The ones that are coming up behind you will try to pass you regardless of the conditions and again have no regard for you at all.
If you see them behind you through the dust slowly pull over and let them pass. Otherwise they will put you at risk by passing through the dust and also spray you with rocks.
Other than that, it is one of the best experiences I've ever done and I'm sure you and your friend will have a great time.
Cheeky
AnswerID:
553223
Follow Up By: kym111 - Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 21:59
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 21:59
Hi Margaret, somewhere about half way along, you'll find big holes of bulldust. The best indicator for these is the trees and shrubs covered in red dust. If you notice these, slow down! We saw an Apollo van nearly roll due to hitting a massive bulldust hole! We were coming the other way and had slowed down due to his erratic driving, then realised as we reached
the spot that it was a massive bulldust hole! Poor bloke! Also, download Wikicamps ($7.49) if you have a smart phone or tablet. It will give you plenty of camps along the way.
El Questro is expensive, but the gorges are beautiful if you are fit and able. There are a couple of rubbish collection points along the way, there's a
campground at Mt Barnett Roadhouse (and a
waterhole, plus an awesome
gorge to hike to and swim at), another fuel stop a bit further down towards
Derby. We also saw
Tunnel Creek (day stop only),
Bell Gorge,
Windjana Gorge. These are all national parks, fees apply but have
toilets and hot showers in the
camp grounds. For us, in October 2014, the road was beautifully smooth, no traffic and very pretty.
Mitchell Plateau had just closed so missed that one. We had our tyres around 20psi and had no dramas with flat tyres. The bitumen starts about 50km out of
Derby. Before that there are a few patches, but don't pump your tyres up too soon, like we did!
Good luck, and enjoy!
REgards
Kym
FollowupID:
839554