Sally & Matt replied:

Hi Mark, we're towing a trailer round Oz on our trip & are planning to go south from Halls Creek to Alice on the Tanami in November 2001. All the people I've spoken to supplemented with all the research I've been doing suggest that it's okay to tow along the Tanami. As for travelling clockwise or anti clockwise, that's a personal decision & it seems your plans are right on track given the season you're starting your travels. We're leaving Gisborne (60 kms north-west Melb) in August 01, heading to Mungo NP, then to Broken Hill, then Peterborough to meet up with a convoy, to Marree (leaving trailer with Andrew Dale the local copper for 2 weeks), then Birdsville, across the Simpson (east to west), then back down the Oodnadatta to Marree to collect trailer, back up the Oodnadatta to Finke, onto Darwin for a couple of months, back down the Tanami to Alice, then south for Xmas to Eyre Penninsula, then clockwise across the Nullabor, south coast of WA, Perth & so on & so on until we get to Cape York on June/July 02. Home in Aug/Sept 02 down the east coast! It seems as though we're doing it a strange way, but is there really a "right" way to go? Whatever suits you I say! Hope you have a great trip! Sal & Matt.

Stephen Frawley replied:

Anticlockwise is best as you are travelling with
the winds that blow out in an anticlockwise
direction from the high pressure ridge that sits
over the continent at that time of year.
The most likely chance of headwinds are the
south/southwest seabreezes along the western WA
coast in the afternoons.

joseph baz replied:

Mark I lived in Halls Creek for nearly eight Years
crossed the Tanamy at least 8 or 10 times and there is no problem in crossing it towing a trailer with a reasonable clearance,I allways done it over the two day period,driving only during daylight,and if u r like me and enjoy a bit of day dreaming it is a beatifull place to do it
Enjoy it
Cheers
Joe

Graham Comitti replied:

Most reports seem to favour the anti clockwise route when towing becasue of the winds..and if it fits your plans then fine, I can tell you we towed into some pretty strong headwinds towing van back down south to Sunbury from up FNQ year before last. Sometimes you haven't got the choice of following the winds.....In 3 years time we're off for a 3 year or so trip around/criss crossing Oz, and we will be going about 50% in each direction but hopefully with the ind mostly...

Enjoy the trip

Brian Noyes replied:

I came across the Tanami this time twelve months ago and you will have no trouble towing a trailer. I have done a fair bit of travelling and don't have a 4WD but a VS Commodore Station Wagon. I admit I did not have it on the Tanami but I have a Camp-O-Matic Converter camper trailer and I would take on the Tanami in the Commodore. A few places would slow you down but you will tow a camper trailer with no worries. Just check on what days Rabbit Flat Roadhouse are open as it closes for three days and WILL NOT OPEN so either carry extra fuel or plan your trip around Rabbit Flat. Most of all enjoy the Tanami as it is a beautiful part of the world.