Southern Cross to Menzies

Thanks for that Duncan, I don't know that area all that well and north of Southern cross, not at all. I did some security work on a mine at Marvel loche back in the mid eighties, so that area I am quite comfortable with. I think I shall have to go and get a newer map. Once again thank you Duncan.

Hi

Yes there are tracks/gravel roads across this area but debatable as to whether you would save any significant amount of time compared to just taking the standard route, in fact it may well be slower - certainly would be good for a change though.

Cheers
Greg

The gravel road has resently been graded so you should be able to sit at "comfortable" speed, if it rains at the time of your travels take the bitumen.

Regards,
Stamps

That should read "...or the lakes can be flooded..."

Hi

Southern Cross to Menzies, via the bitumen is ~ 355 km. I suspect there is no faster way ..unless you are practicing for the Australian Safari :) I would classify any "shortcut" this way as a "scenic route".

Cheers
Greg

Broodie H3,

It seems you are travelling the Great Central Road to Queensland and back.

My thoughts are that on the return journey you will be very pleased to be on bitumen once you arrive at Laverton and not feel inclined to go off it again for some time. You're also likely to be tired of travelling and just want to head home. The GCR is a LONG drive.

One advantage of heading north from Southern Cross, in particular if you head via the picturesque Helena and Aurora Range, and also via Lake Ballard with it's interesting statues in the lake, is that you feel like you're on holidays right in your own backyard and early on in the trip.

It will also be a shake down for annoying things that might go wrong. They are easier to get fixed in Leonora or Laverton before you head onto the GCR at Laverton and have to do roadside fixes with the next proper help several thousand km ahead.

We can often rush off to our destination and miss special parts of the journey that we never get around to going back to see.

Tim

There are many special places to go to and camp in that general area north of Southern Cross, its just a case of getting off the main formed road that by passes everything and exploring.

Hi Hj61, I am heading for Queensland via the GCR, and we shall be a bit pressed for time going over but coming back time will not be an Issue, so far I am allowing for seven days to get to Brisbane going via the GCR and two to three weeks coming back not towing anything just a tent and a swag like we used to do in the old days before the caravan, and grand Children, so I am looking forward to getting back to the basics of camping under the stars with the camp fire going of a night, and some peace and quiet. not a caravan park. And also of seeing some more of this great country of ours with such a young history, and seeing where people have gone with only horses and camels, and no toilet paper. I am now getting carried away with the trip as it is getting closer to leaving time so I am driving everybody in the family mad with talking about it and with preparation of the vehicle and everything else. I digress. thanks to everyone for their input