Member - Willem replied:

If you strike the Diamantina Developmental road and the Plenty Higway in good condition then you could make better time to Alice. If however, the stations have been trucking cattle, especially over the road from Boulia to Tobermorey then you will be in trouble. That section is prone to severe bulldust. Probably better to take the route through Port Augusta. The speed limit along the Barrier Highway is 110(NSW)110(SA allover) and unlimited in the Territory. Cheers, W

sean replied:

Maybe consider delete the Tanami if you head north from Newcastle, After Camooweal, go througth Alexandra Station, then onto the Barlkly Stock route, then along the Buchanan through Top Springs to WA. This I believe is a more interesting route than up the stuart highway - and it will give you plenty of dirt and VARIED scenery. You can be in Isa in 3 days from Newcastle all via bitumen. Then if you are in a hurry, total 5 looooooooong days to El Questro. Better still, take 7 days and relax. You can never see it all anyway. Just a thought.......

Sean

Steve replied:

Coops: instead of asking questions of the 'intelligentia' .. you would be better off calling up Tobermorey nearer the date and asking them the road conditions ! .... and whether they have trains in the area !!! With the 'net' and simple logic you can call these points of reference, (towns ), as you have mentioned are on your intended travel route and ask them for info !! The Plenty highway would be a tad tricky meeting a double B ... in spots,.... but that does not mean you should not go !! It's a good road and a regular sedan would have no trouble... weather providing !! If you need phone numbers for any places get in touch !! No risk but the Plenty route you are planning is by far the quickest, and the weather will probably be more appropriate !! Its a very good unsealed road with regular upgrades .. check out the police at Harts Range for more road info... Plan ahead as the locals on any route will give you more up to date info than most probably anywhere else ! .. Have a great trip, albeit a long one from Newcastle (NSW ?) with a six week limit !!

Steve

Steve replied:

Coops : just for starters The Australin Hotel at Boulia, where the dirt starts ..phone: 07-4746-63144 , and the Boulia Fire Station 07-4746-63052 then the Tarlton Downs Station of the Plenty 08-8956-6305.

If you look up the white pages and search using 'station' as name and then the state, plus a few details you will get phone numbers and usefull info from all those people !! Its all there and it helps if you have Broadband !!

steve