NRE replied:

Mostly good bitumen all the way. some narrow bits so watch for road trains Mount Isa and beyond. Longest stretch would be Camooweal to Barkly HS Roadhouse =260km. so you will be fine. No idea abt dogs sorry.Enjoy your trip it is amazing country.

Member - Peter R (QLD) replied:

SKI'er,
Most of the trip there will be places to refill that will suit your range.

One part is the Barkly Highway from Camoolweal to the Three Ways (north of Tennant Creek) which though probably within your range can be thrown out by the heavy winds.

The Barkly Homestead which is along this route has fuel but be warned it is very expensive.

Incidentally if you don't particularly want to go to Tennant Creek turn right at The Three Ways and you are off to Darwin, turn left and Tennant Creek is down the road a bit.
Some pit stops i made on trip Gold Coast to Broome in 2005 were
dalbv 257
roma 286
augathella 264
tambo 117
barcaldine 206
longreach 117
winton 192
mckinlay 241
mtisa 236
c amoolweal 190
elliott 311
mataranka 298
katherine 106

I was running on LPG and needed to fill up at every spot that had it.

Pedro

DIO replied:

Travelling up north (dingo country) with dogs, be very mindful of the existence of baits. They can be found in many unexpected places. Domestic dogs are very good at finding them, with catastrophic results. Death is swift and not very nice to have to witness as ther's basically nothing you can do for your animal. Best advice, either leave your dogs at home or keep them on a lead at all times and preferably with a muuzzle on to prevent them from picking anything foreign up.

Member - MrBitchi (QLD) replied:

The worst bit is between Mt Isa and Camoweal. Road was very rough last time I did it in the Statesman. Apart from that its 100+kph all the way.
Longest stretch is across the Barkley (Camooweal to Three ways) but you can get fuel at the Barkley homestead. Don't buy fuel from Three Ways roadhouse. They're a rip off. Buy in Tennant Ck and save about 20c/lt.

Alan H (Narangba QLD) replied:

Between McKinley and Cloncurry watch out for the LARGE ROAD TRAINS.

They are no problem as such but are spectacular for photos. Some have 8 short ore trailers

Member - vivien C (VIC) replied:

SKI'er,

If you didn't want to double up some of the trip you can take the Tablelands Highway near Barkly Homestead which takes you up to Cape Crawford and then into the Stuart highway near Daly Waters.

The road is bitumen all the way and a bit narrow from Barkly up to Cape Crawford but once there the Carpentaria Highway from Cape C to the Stuart Highway is better.

You can camp and get fuel at Cape Crawford and do a tour by helicopter of the Lost City if you wanted to. The Tablelands Hwy takes you past some of the biggest cattle stations...like Brunette Downs and is quite an interesting drive.

Viv