Gary Hwy conditions and POI's

Sapper,

I was on it twice this year and last year as well. Mixed bag of conditions. If you are going up it from Alice, I'd consider going out the Western Macs and into Papunya via Haasts bluff. The conditions between Papunya and the bitumen of the Tanami is atrocious at the best of times. If you do go that way there is a good spot to camp just over The Derwent some 18 km east of Papunya. - Turn left immediately after crossing the creek and drive south along its western bank as far as you like. Claypans, plenty of wood and some great views of Haasts bluff.

Mixed bag of conditions along the route with conditions worst around communities. Mostly rocky but the road is maintained (occasionally). We met the grader near Kintor this year...what a blessing. Sandier up the western end but only in places and not deep sand, just a red road. Good camping in the Dover Hills. If you decide to camp amongst the magnificent Desert Oaks of Jupiter Well, pick up firewood before you get there, same for the Gary Junction itself.

3 days to Kurnawarritji (Kmart) from Alice. Super-highway from Kmart to Woodie Woodie Mine.Camp at Carrawine Gorge or head out the Skull Springs Road to Eel Pool (Silent Waters) and then take the Rippon Hills Road into Marble Bar.

Nice little camp spot hidden behind dunes a few kms west of Punmu ( 21°57'17.29"S 122°59'46.66"E).

Mate I've written extensively of my last 8 trips on the road including camp sites. Conditions don't change that much unless you are fortunate enough to meet the grader somewhere.


Gary Junction Blog list (some of them)


Cheers Mick

Our preferred route to the Kimberley.



Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome