Great Central Road

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesLaverton
FinishYulara
DifficultyDifficulty 2/5
Suitable ForAWD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance1135.04 km
Minimum Days3
Average Speed41.71 km/hr
Travel Time1 day 3 hrs 12 mins
Page Updated: 18 May 2023

Description

The Great Central Road is the main vehicular route linking Central Australia to Western Australia and is well-travelled by tourists throughout most of the year, despite being an unsealed road. For travellers, the route offers a practical shortcut but the trade-off is limited facilities and few attractions for travellers. Total distance 1061km from the start of the Tjukaruru Rd (at Kata Tjuta in the NT) through to Laverton in WA.

The NT side of the Great Central Road is called Tjukaruru Rd and starts just 50km west of Yulara (at Kata Tjuta). From here the road heads west for 243km to the border of NT/WA. From the border to Laverton in WA is a further 868km.

The road passes through large tracts of aboriginal lands featuring a number of aboriginal communities and all travellers must have a permit to use the road, regardless of whether you stop at these communities. Be aware that you will need 2 permits - one for the NT side, and another for the WA side. Before planning your trip, ensure you read the conditions on these permits as there are certain restrictions. For details about where to get your permits, refer to the Preparation section.

Some of these communities have roadhouses where travellers can stop to refuel, purchase takeaway food, and even stay overnight in the adjourning caravan parks. However other communities are not open to the public so you must read the permit and road signage to comply with the regulations. A couple of communities have art galleries at the roadhouse and visitors are welcome to browse or purchase local indigenous artworks.

The Great Central Road traverses extremely remote, desert scrub country and it's a journey that should not be taken too lightly. Whilst there is nothing technical to the drive and can be traversed by most vehicles, and caravans, you should plan your daily travel distance to designated camps and be aware of your fuel requirements. You can expect a lot of dust, some potholes, corrugations, and road ruts.

It is advisable to travel in a 4WD vehicle, although a 2WD vehicle will make the trip. The road is wide and flat although the road surface is stony. For the most part of the journey, it is the stretches of corrugations that are the main consideration for 2WD travellers. Reducing tyre pressures is required to soften the ride, and improve vehicle handling, and your general comfort.

Outback Way

The Outback Way is made up of seven inter-connecting roads including The Great Central Road (WA); Tjukaruru Road, Lasseter Highway, Stuart Highway and Plenty Highway (NT); and Donohue Highway and Min Min Byway (QLD). Collectively these are called The Outback Way .

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

Driving the Great Central Road section of the Outback Way traversing the middle of the Shire is a great eco-tourism experience passing through the Rawlinson Range, Walter James Ranges, and Gill Pinnacle. Other sites along the way are Beadell's Tree and Giles Meteorological Station. Tjulyuru Cultural & Civic Centre displays some of the finest Aboriginal art in Australia.

History

The Warburton Mission ran from 1933 to 1973, run by William Wade and his wife. In 1961 the Dormitories closed, but the school continued to run. In 1968, due to the large population from the clearing of the Woomera rocket range, Docker River was opened. In 1975, 4 more homeland communities were developed. Tjirrkarli and Tjukurla, although smaller communities opened in the late 1980's.

Len Beadell

Len Beadell worked as a surveyor in the Australian Army (Army Survey Corps). In 1947, Len was asked by the government to build a road across the interior of Australia as part of the search for a suitable site for weapons testing. The main reason was to establish the weapons testing facility at Woomera, and also the place where the British atomic bomb was tested - Maralinga, which is aboriginal for ‘thunder’. These sites were surveyed and selected by Len, and during the 1940s and 1950s, was responsible for opening up the last remaining isolated desert areas of some 2.5 million square kilometers of central Australia. The Great Central Road is part of a network of desert highways built under the leadership of the famous surveyor, to service Woomera and the Giles meteorological station. There are a number of waypoints dedicated to Len Beadell, who is often regarded as the last true Australian explorer. These include: Giles Meterological Station where Len’s original grader stands in a large cage, Len Beadell Plaques - which were setup by the Gunbarrel Crew, and Mount Beadell where a memorial has been raised on top of the hill. In recent times, the newer Great Central Road has superseded some of Len's original tracks, by taking a more direct route. However, all of Len's original roads still exist such as Anne Beadell Highway, Gunbarrel Highway, Connie Sue Hwy and Sandy Blight Junction Road. These roads are increasingly popular with 4WDrivers and adventurers alike. Many sections are difficult going and almost all of them lie in aboriginal lands and require travel permits, as well as a great deal of preparation.

TrekID: 79

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

Fuel

Whilst diesel fuel is readily available, travellers will find that standard unleaded fuel is not available anywhere on the Great Central Road between Laverton (WA) and Yulara (NT). Instead, you can obtain Opal, which is an alternative fuel developed to discourage petrol sniffing in remote indigenous communities. OPAL unleaded fuel is available at all roadhouses along the Great Central Road, namely Warburton, Warakurna (Giles), and Docker River.

Permits

Transit permits are a legal requirement for any transiting between Central & Western Australia. These can easily be obtained online. Permits give you 3 days (2 nights) to travel from Yulara to the WA/NT border and another 3 days (2 nights) from the border to Laverton (or vice versa). You do not need to print your permit, just have it available on your email/on your phone, so it can be displayed if required.

Who to Contact:-

Central Land Council (CLC)

For the NT side (Yulara to WA/NT border), you need to use the Central Land Council website www.clc.org.au to obtain your permit.

Ngaanyatjarra Council

For the WA side (WA/NT border to Laverton) the permit is obtained online from the the Ngaanyatjarra Council website www.Ngaanyatjarra.org.au, you need to use the website www.clc.org.au to obtain your permit.

Fuel Usage

Diesel and Opal Fuel available from Warburton, Warakurna, and Tjukayirla. Be aware that Warakurna operates on Central Time Zone not WA and fuel is only available during trading hours at all roadhouses (bowsers are locked).

Distances between Fuel Availability:
Yulara to Warakurna = 335km
Warakurna to Warburton = 228km
Warburton to Tjukayirla = 245km
Tjukayirla to Laverton = 304km
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 127 litres *4cyl 184 litres4cyl 227 litres
6cyl 148 litres *6cyl 177 litres *6cyl 159 litres *
8cyl 174 litres8cyl 188 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Warburton Airfield
Distance from Trek Mid Point 98.05km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C38.036.533.929.324.320.720.723.127.931.634.336.6
Mean Min. °C22.922.119.915.110.46.45.77.111.215.518.521.3
Mean Rain mm28.536.731.418.015.417.912.99.85.714.824.731.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Laverton to Deba Gnamma Hole
Driving: 36.73 km
Heading: 33°
Avg Speed: 43.48 km/hr
EST Time: 50:41
  • Drive east on Augusta Street. for: 36.73 km time: 50:41
Deba Gnamma Hole to Giles Breakaway Camp 2
Driving: 14.2 km
Heading: 47°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 23:01
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 14.2 km time: 23:02
Giles Breakaway Camp 2 to Bullrush Rockhole
Driving: 19.22 km
Heading: 26°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 31:10
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 19.22 km time: 31:10
Bullrush Rockhole to Murrays Bore
Driving: 30.41 km
Heading: 46°
Avg Speed: 37.19 km/hr
EST Time: 49:03
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 30.41 km time: 49:05
Murrays Bore to Eurothurra Rockhole
Driving: 111.37 km
Heading: 78°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 03:00:36
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 111.37 km time: 03:00:37
Eurothurra Rockhole to Great Central Road & David Carnegie Rd
Driving: 76.87 km
Heading: 34°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 02:04:39
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 76.87 km time: 02:04:40
Great Central Road & David Carnegie Rd to Tjukayirla Roadhouse
Driving: 15.68 km
Heading: 59°
Avg Speed: 35.9 km/hr
EST Time: 26:12
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 15.45 km time: 25:03
  • Turn left. for: 0.23 km time: 01:09
Tjukayirla Roadhouse to Terhan Rockhole
Driving: 25.63 km
Heading: 61°
Avg Speed: 37.25 km/hr
EST Time: 41:16
  • Drive east. for: 0.23 km time: 01:09
  • Turn left onto Great Central Road. for: 25.39 km time: 40:07
Terhan Rockhole to Babool Rockholes
Driving: 21.03 km
Heading: 83°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 34:06
  • Drive east on Great Central Road. for: 21.03 km time: 34:07
Babool Rockholes to Wahlgu Rockholes
Driving: 18.02 km
Heading: 104°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 29:13
  • Drive east on Great Central Road. for: 18.02 km time: 29:14
Wahlgu Rockholes to Muggun Rockholes
Driving: 16.39 km
Heading: 67°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 26:34
  • Drive east on Great Central Road. for: 16.39 km time: 26:35
Muggun Rockholes to Great Central Road & Hunt Oil Road Intersection
Driving: 39.73 km
Heading: 60°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 01:04:25
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 39.73 km time: 01:04:25
Great Central Road & Hunt Oil Road Intersection to Great Central Rd & Heather Hwy
Driving: 88.39 km
Heading: 42°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 02:23:20
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 88.39 km time: 02:23:20
Great Central Rd & Heather Hwy to Blacks Lookout
Driving: 33.3 km
Heading: 67°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 54:00
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 33.3 km time: 54:00
Blacks Lookout to Warburton Roadhouse
Driving: 3.31 km
Heading: 53°
Avg Speed: 35.82 km/hr
EST Time: 05:32
  • Drive east on Great Central Road. for: 3.17 km time: 05:09
  • Turn left onto Second Street. for: 0.1 km time: 00:12
  • Bear left onto Motel Street. for: 0.01 km time: 00:04
  • Bear left. for: 0.02 km time: 00:07
Warburton Roadhouse to Palytjikata
Driving: 115 km
Heading: 50°
Avg Speed: 36.84 km/hr
EST Time: 03:07:17
  • Drive northeast on Motel Street. for: 0.04 km time: 00:11
  • Bear right onto Second Street. for: 0.1 km time: 00:10
  • Turn left onto Great Central Road. for: 114.49 km time: 03:05:42
  • Turn right onto Jameson Wanarn Road. for: 0.38 km time: 01:15
Palytjikata to Warakurna Roadhouse
Driving: 114.1 km
Heading: 61°
Avg Speed: 38.85 km/hr
EST Time: 02:56:12
  • Drive north on Jameson Wanarn Road. for: 0.38 km time: 01:08
  • Turn right onto Great Central Road. for: 111.92 km time: 02:49:41
  • Bear left onto Nineteenth Street. for: 1.48 km time: 04:26
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto First Street for: 0.23 km time: 00:28
  • Turn right. for: 0.09 km time: 00:28
Warakurna Roadhouse to Giles Weather Station
Driving: 1.13 km
Heading: 347°
Avg Speed: 20.29 km/hr
EST Time: 03:20
  • Drive northwest. for: 0.09 km time: 00:28
  • Turn left onto First Street. for: 0.4 km time: 00:36
  • Turn right. for: 0.64 km time: 02:17
Giles Weather Station to Great Central Rd - Gunbarrel Hwy & Giles Mulga Park Rd
Driving: 27.5 km
Heading: 122°
Avg Speed: 34.61 km/hr
EST Time: 47:40
  • Drive southwest. for: 0.64 km time: 02:16
  • Turn left onto First Street. for: 2.11 km time: 05:16
  • Turn left onto Great Central Road. for: 24.74 km time: 40:07
Great Central Rd - Gunbarrel Hwy & Giles Mulga Park Rd to Schwerin Mural Crescent Sign
Driving: 36.36 km
Heading: 44°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 58:57
  • Drive east on Great Central Road. for: 36.36 km time: 58:58
Schwerin Mural Crescent Sign to Len Beadell Blaze Tree
Driving: 3.55 km
Heading: 55°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 05:45
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 3.55 km time: 05:46
Len Beadell Blaze Tree to Great Central Rd & Sandy Blight Junction Rd
Driving: 8.83 km
Heading: 44°
Avg Speed: 36.95 km/hr
EST Time: 14:20
  • Drive northeast on Great Central Road. for: 8.82 km time: 14:19
  • Turn left onto Tjukurla Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:02
Great Central Rd & Sandy Blight Junction Rd to Docker River Community Entrance Rd
Driving: 23.25 km
Heading: 93°
Avg Speed: 54.44 km/hr
EST Time: 25:37
  • Drive southeast on Tjukurla Road. for: 0.01 km time: 00:01
  • Turn left onto Great Central Road. for: 23.24 km time: 25:36
Docker River Community Entrance Rd to Docker River Campground Camp 4
Driving: 0.3 km
Heading: 271°
Avg Speed: 22.71 km/hr
EST Time: 00:47
  • Drive east on Tjukaruru Road. for: 0.04 km time: 00:02
  • Turn right. for: 0.25 km time: 00:45
Docker River Campground Camp 4 to Docker River (Kaltukatjara)
Driving: 3.17 km
Heading: 114°
Avg Speed: 45.4 km/hr
EST Time: 04:11
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.25 km time: 00:40
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Tjukaruru Road for: 1.7 km time: 01:13
  • Turn right. for: 1.08 km time: 01:56
  • Turn right. for: 0.07 km time: 00:14
  • Turn left. for: 0.07 km time: 00:08
Docker River (Kaltukatjara) to Lasseters Cave
Driving: 40.19 km
Heading: 117°
Avg Speed: 37.35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:04:33
  • Drive north. for: 0.07 km time: 00:07
  • Turn right. for: 1.31 km time: 03:07
  • Turn right. for: 0.03 km time: 00:12
  • Bear left. for: 0.3 km time: 00:55
  • Turn right onto Great Central Road/C4. for: 38.48 km time: 01:00:14
Lasseters Cave to Tjunti
Driving: 0.28 km
Heading: 59°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 00:27
  • Drive east on Tjukaruru Road/C4. for: 0.28 km time: 00:27
Tjunti to Puta Puta
Driving: 25.54 km
Heading: 104°
Avg Speed: 37 km/hr
EST Time: 41:24
  • Drive east on Tjukaruru Road/C4. for: 25.54 km time: 41:25
Puta Puta to Tjukaruru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd
Driving: 114.58 km
Heading: 104°
Avg Speed: 38.37 km/hr
EST Time: 02:59:10
  • Drive northeast on Tjukaruru Road/C4. for: 114.54 km time: 02:59:05
  • Turn left onto Kata Tjuta Road. for: 0.04 km time: 00:05
Tjukaruru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd
Driving: 40.38 km
Heading: 89°
Avg Speed: 94.73 km/hr
EST Time: 25:34
  • Drive southwest on Kata Tjuta Road. for: 40.28 km time: 25:25
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Uluru Road for: 0.09 km time: 00:10
Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
Driving: 8.31 km
Heading: 163°
Avg Speed: 70.44 km/hr
EST Time: 07:04
  • Drive southeast on Uluru Road. for: 7.94 km time: 06:08
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Uluru Road for: 0.29 km time: 00:23
  • Turn right. for: 0.08 km time: 00:34
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to Mala Carpark (Uluru)
Driving: 2.76 km
Heading: 13°
Avg Speed: 38.11 km/hr
EST Time: 04:20
  • Drive west. for: 0.09 km time: 00:33
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Uluru Road for: 2.67 km time: 03:48
Mala Carpark (Uluru) to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
Driving: 2.75 km
Heading: 193°
Avg Speed: 42.27 km/hr
EST Time: 03:54
  • Drive south on Uluru Road. for: 2.67 km time: 03:23
  • Turn left. for: 0.08 km time: 00:30
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd
Driving: 8.42 km
Heading: 343°
Avg Speed: 68.7 km/hr
EST Time: 07:21
  • Drive west. for: 0.09 km time: 00:33
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Uluru Road for: 0.28 km time: 00:26
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit, onto Uluru Road for: 8.05 km time: 06:22
Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Yulara
Driving: 8.36 km
Heading: 345°
Avg Speed: 72.21 km/hr
EST Time: 06:56
  • Drive northwest on Uluru Road. for: 8.33 km time: 06:44
  • Make a sharp right toward Yulara Drive/Yulara. for: 0.03 km time: 00:12
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Whilst there is very little in the way of specific tourist attractions along this route visitors should try to go to the Giles Weather Station. Whilst they no longer offer tours, visitors are welcome to watch the twice-daily balloon release from outside the boundary fence. This occurs at Warakurna at 8.45am and 8.45pm daily (CST - Central Standard Time).

You should also try to visit one (or both) of the art galleries at Warakurna, and Warburton. Some of the best dot paintings in the nation have been produced by people in these communities so it's well worth dropping in to take a look.

There are many "gnamma" holes (rockholes) along this route - whilst they might just appear to be a hole in the ground, these were of great significance to the aboriginal people and early explorers as they provided a life saving water source. Stop to take a look at some.

Facilities

Where to Stay

Whilst the 3 roadhouses (Warakurna, Warburton, and Tjukayirla) offer campgrounds with amenities and facilities, there are a number of rest areas, and bush camps where you might like to pull up a camp. Use the ExplorOz Traveller app during your travels so that you can locate these.

Services & Supplies

From east to west, the only services available between Yulara and Laverton are at the 3 roadhouses - Warakurna, Warburton, and Tjukayirla. All 3 offer campgrounds, amenities and a shop. There is no aboriginal community at Tjukayirla and consequently, the store here offers less food/supplies.

In addition, at Warburton and Tjukayirla you can access an air compressor and tyre changing equipment.

Wildflowers

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