Great Central Road

Difficulty: Difficulty 2/5 Suitable for: 4WD AWD Caravan Camper Motorhome Bike 
Great Central Road Part of the "Outback Way", the Great Central Road is the main thoroughfare through Central Australia and links WA to NT. It is widely used by buses, trucks, 4WD and occasionally 2WD vehicles.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesLaverton
FinishYulara
Distance1147.06 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed72.59 km/hrDriving Time15 hrs 48 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team | Page Updated: 23 Apr 2012

In this TrekNote

Description
Preparation
Trek Feedback
Interactive Route Map
Camp Sites & Accommodation
Related Travel Journals
Permits
History
Related Pages
Things to See & Do
Driving Directions
Related Shop Items

Go to top Description

The Great Central Road is the most accessible route linking the Red Centre to Western Australia and is well travelled by tourists throughout most of the year. In fact, the number of vehicles travelling the route each year is around 10,000.

The area however, is remote and the road is actually a sandy dirt track that weaves through extremely remote desert scrub country with very limited facilities and attractions for travellers. This is predominantly land occupied by aboriginal communities. It is advisable to travel in a 4WD vehicle, although a 2WD vehicle will make the trip. The track is frequently graded and it is generally ok for trailers including caravans however conditions vary from sand drifts and corrugations making driving far safer and comfortable in a 4WD vehicle.

The route also passes directly into Aboriginal communities in the Central Reserves and it is a legal requirement for travellers to hold a valid Transit Permit at the time of travel.

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.

Go to top Interactive Route Map

Loading...
Loading
Selected Item is not in View - Zoom Out, Pan or Click to Show....
Places

Zoom & Scale Help

Point Control


Point Features











Symbols

Linear Features



Overlays


Place Name Search Help

Enter the place you are looking for.

Address Search Help

Enter the full or part address you are looking for.
Locate Address

Lat/Lon Search Help

Enter the Lat & Lon you wish to view.
Show Position

Route/Driving Directions Help

Enter an address in the 'from and to' then click 'Create Route'.
Create Route

Select Data Format

GPX GeoRSS OziExplorer
CSV
KML WKT
NOTE: All downloads are strictly for personal use, all download activity is recorded and limits may be imposed.
Your download is being generated, you will be promoted to Open or Save this file
Full Screen

Great Central Road Help

From: Laverton
To: Yulara

This trek supports moving map, to take a virtual tour click on the Play button.
Mouse Position:
Map Legend

Go to top Permits

Part III of the AAPA Act, stipulates that transit permits are legally required for any person visiting or passing through an Aboriginal reserve unless they are of Aboriginal descent; a member of either House of Parliament of the State or of the Commonwealth; or is a person lawfully exercising a function under the AAPA Act or otherwise acting in pursuance of a duty imposed by law.

The Great Central Road actually requires 2 sets of Transit Permits because there are Aboriginal Communities on both sides of the border (NT/WA) and each state has its own Aboriginal Lands office and issues its own permits.

Ngaanyatjarra Council

For people travelling through Aboriginal Land in the Central Reserves of Western Australia to, or from the NT border to Laverton, please contact Ngaanyatjarra Council, Alice Springs on: (08) 8950 1711 or Aboriginal Lands Trust, Perth on: (08) 9235 8000
Website: Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation)

Central Land Council (CLC)

For people travelling through Aboriginal Land in the Northern Territory to, or from the WA border to Yulara, please contact Central Land Council (CLC) in Alice Springs on: (08) 8951 6320
Website: Central Land Council - Permits

Permit Application Process

Permits are free, however you must complete a written application form and wait for it to be stamped and returned to you with an approval stamp. It is a legal requirement that each vehicle carries the permit during travel on Aboriginal Land.

The application forms will require the names of all persons entering the land, with a nominated principal applicant who must also give their address and phone contact details. You will also be required to provide vehicle make, model, rego number and state. Note, one permit per vehicle. You will also need to describe the specific route to be taken whilst on Aboriginal land (ie. Great Central Road) and give an estimate of dates (maximum 21 days). Finally you must provide a reason for requesting access to Aboriginal Land, eg. "holiday transit en-route from Alice Springs to Perth".

Generally, the ALT can process applications in 24 to 48 hrs and it is the experience of the ExplorOz Team that they can be processed on the same day if travel is on the Great Central Road with no deviations.

Go to top Things to See & Do

Tour of the weather station at Giles, Lasseters Cave and the numerous rockholes in the area (if you can find them!).

Go to top Preparation

Fuel

OPAL unleaded fuel is now available at Warburton,Warakurna (Giles), and Docker River. This replaces AvGas (which many travellers didn't like to use) as the only fuel available for petrol vehicles to combat petrol sniffing in Aboriginal communities. Opal ULP has similar properties to AvGas to discourage sniffing and is a new product from BP.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolLaverton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Warburton Roadhouse, Warakurna Roadhouse, Docker River (Kaltukatjara) Aboriginal Community, Yulara Diesel4cyl 129 litres * ULP4cyl 186 litres LPG4cyl 229 litres
6cyl 149 litres *6cyl 178 litres *6cyl 161 litres *
8cyl 176 litres8cyl 190 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Docker River, Warakurna Roadhouse, Warburton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Cosmo Newbery.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Warburton Airfield
Distance from Trek Mid Point 97.99km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 37.936.534.129.3 24.320.720.723.0 27.831.634.336.6
Mean Min. °C 22.722.119.915.2 10.46.55.77.1 11.215.418.521.2
Mean Rain mm 27.633.829.519.0 15.718.013.110.2 5.914.023.332.2
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Laverton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse, Warburton Roadhouse, Warakurna Roadhouse, Docker River (Kaltukatjara) Aboriginal Community, Yulara

Go to top Camp Sites & Accommodation

Go to top 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.

Shop at ExplorOz.com for quality customer service
We remember service how it used to be. Talk to someone who knows the products they sell and then get it delivered to your door with our fast and secure overnight courier service.
www.exploroz.com/Shop/Default.aspx
Find genuine buyers here
ExplorOz readers are genuine buyers. Don’t waste time with tyre-kickers and scammers. Place a listing in the Classifieds and sell your car, boat, caravan FAST. Flat rate, no commissions. No fuss.
www.exploroz.com/Classifieds/Default.aspx
Want more? Get it all with EO Membership
Enjoy 12 months access to download GPS data; unlimited Classified Displays; EOTrackMe; 5% shop discounts; Members Voice newsletter; your own Blog, Member Profile, Member Messaging, Member Rewards etc!
www.exploroz.com/Shop/Membership/Default.aspx
 

Go to top Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Laverton to Euro Rockhole 222.87 km NE 59° 2 hr 26 min
Euro Rockhole to Great Central Road & David Carnegie Rd 78.38 km NE 34° 50 min
Great Central Road & David Carnegie Rd to Tjukayirla Roadhouse 15.58 km NE 59° 13 min
Tjukayirla Roadhouse to Terhan Rockhole 26.81 km NE 60° 19 min
Terhan Rockhole to Babool Rockholes 22.67 km E 84° 17 min
Babool Rockholes to Wahlgu Rockholes 22.32 km E 103° 20 min
Wahlgu Rockholes to Muggun Rockholes 15.91 km E 68° 11 min
Muggun Rockholes to Great Central Rd & Hunt Oil Rd 39.02 km NE 60° 26 min
Great Central Rd & Hunt Oil Rd to Great Central Rd & Heather Hwy 89.9 km NE 42° 59 min
Great Central Rd & Heather Hwy to Blacks Lookout 33.38 km NE 67° 21 min
Blacks Lookout to Warburton Roadhouse 2.9 km NE 53° 4 min
Warburton Roadhouse to Palytjikata 114.1 km NE 50° 1 hr 14 min
Palytjikata to Warakurna Roadhouse 113.72 km NE 61° 1 hr 15 min
Warakurna Roadhouse to Giles Weather Station 0.66 km N 351° 1 min
Giles Weather Station to Great Central Rd - Gunbarrel Hwy & Giles Mulga Park Rd 25.98 km SE 121° 18 min
Great Central Rd - Gunbarrel Hwy & Giles Mulga Park Rd to Schwerin Mural Crescent Sign 36.29 km NE 44° 25 min
Schwerin Mural Crescent Sign to Len Beadell Blaze Tree 3.53 km NE 55° 3 min
Len Beadell Blaze Tree to Great Central Rd & Sandy Blight Junction Rd 9.21 km NE 44° 7 min
Great Central Rd & Sandy Blight Junction Rd to Docker River (Kaltukatjara) Access 23.01 km E 93° 18 min
Docker River (Kaltukatjara) Access to Docker River - Campground 1.93 km E 111° 2 min
Docker River - Campground to Docker River (Kaltukatjara) Aboriginal Community 0.53 km SE 141° 2 min
Docker River (Kaltukatjara) Aboriginal Community to Lasseters Cave 40.45 km SE 117° 29 min
Lasseters Cave to Tjunti 0.75 km NE 67° 2 min
Tjunti to Puta Puta 25.46 km E 104° 18 min
Puta Puta to Tjukaruru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd 116.24 km E 104° 1 hr 30 min
Tjukaruru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd 39.67 km E 89° 29 min
Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre 7.86 km S 164° 5 min
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to Uluru Carpark 1 km E 79°
Uluru Carpark to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre 1 km W 259°
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd 7.86 km N 344° 5 min
Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Yulara 8.06 km N 344° 6 min
Laverton to Yulara 1147.06 km     15 hr 48 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.
Roads and Tracks We Have Traveled (Part 6
A trip to Sydney driving up the highway… No way, so how to get there and enjoy the drive. Finding an alternative route was easy as I had previously read of such a trip in an aging 4wd book that took you there via the North Eastern Victorian Alps
Burton's Perth to Cape York Birdsville to
Dawn is the best time. Flies are minimal, coolish breeze and so very quiet, except for the damn corellas! We were leaving Birdsville today and intending to head to Bedourie and Boulia for an overnight stop.
The Happy Walk - Sydney Coast Happy Walk Pt4
Day 3 Tuesday 6th March La Perouse to Bondi I was prepared with my breakfast this time. Knowing the kitchen would be shut when I checked out I had bought some fruit the day before and had filled the water bladders up before going to bed.
Joel & De’s Big Loop – 4. Tin Can Bay to Mackay
Arriving in Tin Can Bay we got a powered site for the night at Kingfisher Caravan Park. We had just done a big grocery shop at Coolooa (just before Tin Can Bay). We have learnt that we need a powered site after a big shop to keep our fridge running
Roads and Tracks We Have Traveled (Part Three
The Pilbara region as well as being the largest shire in Australia, would have to be one of our favourite regions. Each time we have visited this area the enjoyment we have experienced has been reflected in the beautiful colors of those hills,
Roads and Tracks We Have Traveled (Part two
Planning the trip across the Anne Beadell Hwy, Connie Sue Hwy, The Gary Hwy and back via The Gary Junction Rd brought up some interesting challenges. The several permits required was time consuming but easy however time line also included our 40th
2011 MUTAWINTJI NP..WHITE CLIFFS..TILPA..
This is our final blog for 2011 and completes our 5 month trip that was built around our attendance at the 2011 Exploroz Annual Gathering at Silverton. Fri 29th Sept –Thurs 6th October The Exploroz Gathering for 2011 ended on the 29th
Roads and Tracks We Have Traveled (Part one
This series will be based on our many travels across the continent, but because of the digital support will relate mainly to the last five or six years. We have been to some memorable places including :- - the desert tracks of
Lake Eyre and then where? (Part 5 National
A few years ago we were told of a lovely undeveloped beach town just north of Maryborough Qld. It has always been on our books to call in and have a look-see. So from Isla Gorge we head via some interesting towns - Theodore (and its Bakery),
Lake Eyre and then where? (Part 3 Western Qld
It was obvious to us that from Birdsville we would need to head east towards Windorah but from there it was to be where the whim of the day took us. In other words we really had no plan for the next few weeks travel.
Lake Eyre and then where? (Part 1 The Flinders
Home after a three month trip overseas we landed back in Central Victoria in the middle of June. Now for the last 10 years we haven't spent winter at home and my wife,
2011 Stanage, Nugga Nugga NP, Ka Ka Mundi,
]23rd – 21st July Stanage & Nugga Nugga National Park After a fantastic time on North Stradbroke Island we made our way north spending time in Caliope, Yeppoon, Byfield National Park, Rockhampton then to the Stanage. The 100km,
Canning Stock Route Canning Stock Route
The Canning Stock Route is a long-distance remote stretch of track through the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. No longer in use as a stock route this is now a vehicular track allowing access to the wells [Feature Story]
Trek Search Trek Search
ExplorOz Trek Notes are detailed, factual reviews of destinations in Australia to which you can plan a self-drive camping trip. This page will enable you to access these trek notes,
Gunbarrel Highway Gunbarrel Highway
The Gunbarrel Hwy is one of Australia's most famous roads being the first of many desert tracks built by surveyor Len Beadell. Today, this track remains isolated and remote - for experienced desert
Anne Beadell Highway Anne Beadell Highway
An inland alternative to travelling the Nullarbor, the Anne Beadell trek offers remoteness, isolation and unique vegetation and wildlife.
Goldfields Loop Goldfields Loop
Go back to the turbulent days when new towns sprouted soon after a gold find only to turn to ruins after the gold dried up. The trek paints the picture of the gold rush days in WA,
Connie Sue Hwy Connie Sue Hwy
Named after the daughter of Len and Anne Beadell, the very remote Connie Sue Highway runs over 650kms from the railway town of Rawlinna to the Aboriginal community of Warburton.
Sandy Blight Junction Road Sandy Blight Junction Road
The Sandy Blight Junction Road is one of those great four wheel drive trips that one visit will not be enough to experience the true beauty of this remote part of Outback Australia.
Tjukayirla Caves Tjukayirla Caves
The Tjukayirla Roadhouse situated approximately half way between Laverton and Warburton in Western Australia on the Great Central Road now has something very special on offer besides a top place to stay –
Carnarvon Range Carnarvon Range
The little known Canarvon Range is nestled between the Canning Stock Route and Kumarina Road House. Originally discovered by John Forrest,
Northern Yilgarn Conservation Reserves Northern Yilgarn Conservation Reserves
The area covered by this trek is very ecologically diverse; containing woodlands, heathlands, iron ore range country and extensive mulga in the north.
David Carnegie Road David Carnegie Road
The David Carnegie Rd is a little travelled track between the Great Central Rd and the Gunbarrel Hwy. It is a spectacular piece of country with rocky outcrops,
Bullfinch to Goongarrie Station Bullfinch to Goongarrie Station
Bullfinch to Goongarrie Station takes the traveller through part of the Great Western Woodlands, and into remote country near the Mount Manning Nature Reserve.
Hunt Oil Road Hunt Oil Road
This remote trek links the Gunbarrel Hwy with the Great Central Road. It passes via Mount Worsnop and past the Hunt Oil road camps and drilling sites.
Agnew Loop Agnew Loop
The Agnew Loop is one of two Leonora loop treks, each providing two very different themes. Starting at Leonora, located in the Northern Goldfields of WA, this trek focuses on the Social History,
Darlot Loop Darlot Loop
The Darlot Loop is one of two Leonora loop treks, with this one taking you through the many and varied landscapes of the north eastern Goldfields.
Heather Highway Heather Highway
This track is a quick and easy way to get from the Great Central Road through to the Abandoned Section of the Old Gunbarrel Highway. Even though it does not offer many of the scenic features that other
West Great Victoria Desert West Great Victoria Desert
This trek covers the western section of the Great Victoria Desert and is definately 4WD country. If you take this route you will follow in the footsteps of explorers Frank Hann,
Rason Lake Road Rason Lake Road
For those people that are travelling the Great Victoria Desert area and are looking for an alternative route to or from the Laverton area, the Rason Lakes Road makes a very interesting drive,
Puntawarri Track Puntawarri Track
The Puntawarri Track is an east-west track situated between Jigalong and the Canning Stock Route (CSR). The track joins the CSR at Canning’s Cairn in the Durba Hills.
Eagle Hwy Eagle Hwy
The Eagle Hwy is a very isolated track in the Gibson Desert. At the northern end it can take you to the Gary Highway or the Talawanna Track and the southern end finishes at the Gunbarrel Hwy

Go to top Trek Feedback
You must be registered and logged in to 'Have Your Say'



Registration is free and takes only seconds to complete!