Brisbane to ayres rock

There are many other routes you can take but you want to check first if you're allowed to drive the hire car on dirt roads over distance.

You could go to Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Tennant Creek and drop down to Alice then to the Rock.

Or Along the Development roads to the Plenty highway and down to Alice.

Hello,

with a hire motorhome you'd be best advised to stick to the bitumen.

That being ther case heading to Broken Hill, Port Augusta then up, or up through Mt Isa to the Three Ways and south.

The Plenty Hwy heads west from Boulia to north of Alice Springs but it's dirt for most of the way.

Have you considered doing a loop and heading south and coming back to Brisbane from the north.

Another option would be a Britz Landcruiser Troopy camper. That would handle dirt roads and allow you to cut across the middle.

Plenty to see.

Steve

Hi Debbie
We live just west of Ipswich and that trip last June, we went from Longreach to Winton, then to Boulia. From there we traveled along the Plenty Hwy west to meet the Stuart Hwy just north of Alice.
This saved around 1000k not going up to Mt Isa from Longreach and back down to Alice, it was a more interesting route but a lot of dirt, and some severe corrugations in places.
Depending on weather, amount of traffic, and if it has been graded recently it may or may not be suitable for a motorhome.
We towed a pretty heavy camper trailer and did it with out to much drama, a few bits and pieces rattled off from the corrugations.
If you do the Plenty stop in at Tobermorey, and Gem Tree, they are great overnight stops. Also Boulia is a great little town to visit.
Have a look at my blog for some more detail.
Cheers
Dave T

Totally agree with eighty matey: drive the loop on bitumen. Barkly Hwy first and Port Augusta/Broken Hill for return. Plenty to see and way more interesting than Plenty Hwy.

Barbera72 is right, the Port Augusta, Broken hill, Brisbane drive is very nice, we did it on our return trip last year and saw some great places.
Wether it is more or less interesting than the Plenty hwy depends on what you are looking for, but the choice is not between those two routes its between the Plenty and the Barkly, if you want to see the outback and be a little adventurous, go the Plenty, if you want to see the main road attractions stay on the tar and go Longreach, Mt Isa, Alice.
Im sure you will have a great time whichever way you go.
Cheers
Dave

Hi Debbie,

Camps Australia shows many free campsites, as well as having a full set of maps. You can buy it on this site - have a look here.
Whichever way you go you will be travelling through remote country so some decent paper maps are essential. Carry plenty of water too, and have a great trip. I agree with others who have suggested a round trip. Its a long way but dont be tempted to try to travel at night - there is a high risk of hitting animals around dusk and dawn.

Cheers,

Val.

Thanks everyone for your replies, very helpful.