Travelling the Central Arnhem Road, NT. Katherine to Nhulunbuy.

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 14:06
ThreadID: 100319 Views:5724 Replies:3 FollowUps:1
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Hi all,
Looking for first hand current road conditions, and experience of possible conditions early March.
Relocating to Nhulunbuy for a year and have 2 options:
1. Take a chance and drive. Pajero NM petrol and gas pulling a 4m offroad tradies trailer. I'm advised road is open atm, wet and muddy, river crossings ok, there's been a lot of rain, and it's chopped up, but with extreme caution, is driveable.

2. Put the car and trailer on the boat out of Darwin. It gets there approx a week later. So we fly in ($700) and pay Toll Shipping $5K.

Would like the challenge, the experience and the excitement of the drive. The NM is pretty stock, the trailer also set up for camping, lots of water and petrol storage, with heaps of clearance, so although the drive is approx 750k, prepared to take 2 or 3 days to get there.

So.....anyone out there done it???
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Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 16:00

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 16:00
I haven't been up there for ages but the road is OK. Here is a link to some photos of it. March is a bad time of year. Feb March are the wettest months normally. If it were me and the weather was OK, I'd drive it and allow 4 days or so for delays.

Link Here
AnswerID: 503871

Reply By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 19:13

Saturday, Feb 02, 2013 at 19:13
Hi J&R,

Cannot give any updated road conditions but we lived in Nhulunbuy some years ago and, I guess like you, had to make a decision about 'to drive or not to drive'. We drove in.
It was not that bad at all and if anything the track in has improved over the years. If you have any off road experience then drive in. Take the mandatory care at creek crossings, ensure you have enough fuel and enjoy the drive.

Nhulunbuy is a great place and you will enjoy your stay.

If I can help more send me an MM.

regards
MJ

AnswerID: 503881

Reply By: Member - Gaz@Gove (NT) - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 20:38

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 20:38
Michael, the "track" is open as far I'm aware, but just to be sure ring Dhimurru, 08 89392700. If it is open, allow yourself a full day, 12 - 14 hours from Katherine. I'm not aware of the conditions at the Katherine end, but we've had bugger all rain this end so it it should be good this end.
When the track is good it's really really good, have done it in 8 and a half hours, with the camper on the back. Give me some time and I'll do some ringing around and get back to you.
When you get here give us a yell, 89873893.
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Follow Up By: Member - Gaz@Gove (NT) - Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 20:42

Monday, Feb 04, 2013 at 20:42
bleep , bloody old timers got me again, March/April are normally our wettest months. All I can advise for then is to keep in contact with Dhimurru and/or give me a call.
Sorry about the stuff up.
Gaz.
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