Hi from British Columbia!
Back in June '12 I took a self-drive from Alice to
Broome via the Tanami, and then back to
Darwin via the Gibb in a 4x4 bush camper. So, although I would by no means consider myself even close to a seasoned Outback traveler, I feel I have a base-line understanding of what to expect from Outback tracks and how to drive them - at least under ideal circumstances as they were then!
I may have the opportunity to come back in late May/early June of next year, but for a fairly short period of time so I want to focus on a single drive. I was considering driving from Alice to
Perth via the GCR but diverting up to the Gunbarrel Hwy at the Heather Hwy and taking it to
Wiluna (and then continue over to the coast and down to
Perth to fly
home). This would be again in a 4x4 camper (e.g. Britz) with a long range fuel tank, over the course of 9 days - provided, of course that I get all the necessary permission, permits, the weather cooperates, etc.
Much of what I've read about the Gunbarrel Hwy being a real challenge appears to focus on the abandoned sections east of the Heather Hwy
junction, which I would not be taking. But I wanted to ask for opinions on this - would the western section of the road be acceptable for travel in early June, say over 4 or 5 days (e.g. taking it nice and slow)? Anyone really advise against it and/or want to suggest a completely different drive for that time of year and time frame?
Thanks everyone,
Steve