Member - Phil B (WA) replied:

Hi JRoger,

I have had the same problem.
Print your completed application and fax to;
J. Groves
Permits Officer DIA
+61 8 9235 8093

cheers

smort replied:

Hi JR

I Have just completed the Gary Junction Road in my Izuzu camper from east to west - May 06 - permit is required from Ngaanyatjarra Land Council PO Box 644 Alice Springs 0871 NT Aust Telephone +61 889501711 Fax +61 8 89531892.

Transit permits are issued for three days only and are required for last bit of the Gary Junction Road in WA and a bit inside the Northern Territory. You will also need one from the Central Land Council PO Box 3321 Alice Springs 0871 NT Telephone +61 8 89516320 Fax +61 8 8953 4345 for a bit of the NT section.

Drop me a line direct if you want further info.

Hope this helps

SMORT

smort replied:

Hi Viv

The road is really not a problem except for quiet a few washouts - look out for the tell tale pile of sticks, rocks or the occasional star picket in the middle of the road - this is the local warning sign. Road in very good condition most of the way - surprisingly really - watch out for the burnt out landcruiser on the road. We had no trouble with the road or the vehicle.

Fuel a little expensive though at $2.30/litre at kunawarritji - a little cheaper at Kintore and kiwirrikurra at $1.80. Recommend you get as much as you can in Alice top up at kiwirrikurra so that you need as little as possible at kunawarritji. Apparently they colse the shop and fuel at kiwirrikurra on Monday afternoon to do the books - they wont leave you on your own - opened up for us after we knocked them up at home. Fuel is also available at Punmu if you run short ? price. you should then be able to get through to Marble Bar - presuming you are not doing the Wapet Road to 80 mile beach.

Finding the road to Kintore at Papunya is a bit of a problem - all road signs were gone - take a left as you get onto the bitumen and then I think the next dirt left near the store and church. The graders were working on the stretch just outside Papunya. Dont worry the locals seemed to get a fair bit of enjoyment watching us go round and round - they were very helpful though - eventually getting us pointing in the right direction.

Hope this helps

If you want to talk give me a call on 0407419684.

SMORT

smort replied:

Hi JR

another bit of info - permits are the easy part - you say that you are going to travel next summer - please check climate conditions for that time - it will be very hot prob up around 50 degrees c and can be very dangerous - many visitors and others have got themselves into trouble in central australia at this time - some (maybe you should read many) dying for their lack of preparation and/or knowledge etc.

Lets be clear - the marching season for this area is Australian winter - people do travel during the summer but most not by choice - I would suggest that you dont do it unless you are confident of your ability and well prepared - with vehicle in good condition, knowledge, experince, receovery equipment, communications, spares and lots of water.

I dont know what your knowledge of situation is but just in case you dont know - vehicle hire companies will take your money and wave and smile sweetly as you drive off - confident if you get into trouble that it is all your problem including recovery of the vehicle at your expense - read the contract - you also need to understand that there are very few people in this area and even few who might respond to a call for - you are on your own - even with communications - who are you goiing to call - ok if you get into a medical situation and trip an epirb or call on a satellite phone someone will respond. If you get into mechanical trouble that is another thing there are very limited facilities - a few mines and aboriginal communities - some with skills - all of this can be fixed with money - if you need to lots of it will be needed.

Hope this helps

PS I dont wish to alarm you but you need to know

SMORT

JRoger replied:

For first Thanks to ALL,
I've sent FAX ( at the number indicated by Phil, the official number on website doesn't engages) to WA DIA Permits Officier and I've quickly received the permit. (same day)

I think I got it too quickly...
wasn't I supposed to have a permit for a closed community along Gary Junction ??
On my permit it is not mentioned.

Someone know what happen if you are travelling outside the dates indicated on the permit? I mean ... it's quite hard to respect the three days term.

smort replied:

Hi JR

On the question of spares - how long is a piece of string - I cant say what you will need because I dont have knowledge of your vehicle and its condition or your driving behaviour.

However for my vehicle a latye model Isuzu truck in good condition I carry the following:
two spare tyres
two spare tubes
puncture repair kit and everything needed to change tyres and inflate them
spare clutch slave cylinder
full set radiator hoses
spare heater hose
spare water pump
spare power steering hose
adequate tools
enough oil for an oil change
gear and diff oil
grease
brake fluid
power steering fluid
oil filter
fuel filter
spare wheel nuts
repair manuals
electrical spares fuses wire globes terminals etc
lots of odds and ends and other things I cant think of at the moment
a lot of thinking about what else I might need as the spares

My process is to think about what I might do if I break down (including what might be the cause) and work back from there

Thankfully I have not had to use much of it

My vehicle it a truck and is therefore relatively understressed and this influences what might break - a landcruiser or similar full of gear and people and their supplies is usually near or over manufacturer's design weight.

The problem is yours you must decide what and what not to carry - there are plenty of net sites in OZ that will offer more advice on approriate spare parts - you cant carry everything and after the trip you have to get rid of it at great loss - I suppose it the classic cost benefit/risk management exercise - bit like insurance

If my experience is any guide you will carry all this stuff and never use it - I hope the same is your experience

Hope this helps

SMORT