mount augustus western australia

we are planning a trip to WA from April to June
one question : can we drive to Mount Augustus from Carnarvon with a Toyota Hilux 4WD and a standard normal van "billabong eagle bay"
Tank you

Andre & Colette
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Reply By: Wayne's 60 - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 11:55

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 11:55
Hi Andre & Colette,

According to the information in this article, you should not have any issues.
As always, drop your tyre pressures, drive to the conditions and be considerate of other road users.
More information here
Have a great trip.

Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.
AnswerID: 543708

Reply By: Zippo - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 13:04

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 13:04
Without wanting to re-open the "air-down/don't-air-down" debate, on my exprience on this route with standard street tyres I wouldn't contemplate any issues with your rig assuming you drive to conditions, and I wouldn't air down.

AnswerID: 543713

Follow Up By: Ron N - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 13:30

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 13:30
I'm in agreement with Zippo, I don't see any need to "air-down" on the roads in this stretch of country - they are good, regularly-maintained gravel roads.

If you do "air-down", it's important to recognise that the sidewalls of your tyres are flexing a lot more - this allows more sway to occur, and more importantly, it increases heat build-up in the tyre overall, possibly leading to tyre failure.

As a result, if you're running with aired-down tyres, this means it's critical to reduce your travel speed by a serious amount, and to keep a constant check on tyre temperatures.

Cheers, Ron.
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FollowupID: 830738

Follow Up By: Zippo - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:12

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:12
More importantly in my view, that additional sidewall flexing makes them markedly more prone to sidewall damage from sharp stones than the tread belt.
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FollowupID: 830766

Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 14:23

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 14:23
Coming from via Landor the road had sharp stones and the many tyres left along the side was telling. While there are two thoughts on this, letting tyres down does help in both minimising tyre damage and internal caravan damage, as does travelling slowly. If you come in via Cobra, that road is well maintained since Mount Augustus become a high profile tourist destination. If you choose this route, head north via the Kennedy Ranges, where there is a National Parks campground.

Motherhen

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AnswerID: 543721

Follow Up By: Zippo - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:17

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:17
We reached Mt Augustus from Meeka via Landor. I'd suggest those carcases were a testament to the failure to drive to conditions rather than an inevitable result of traversing that route.
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FollowupID: 830768

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:51

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:51
The stones were sharp when were were there Zippo, and the tyres were a stark reminder to slow down. We got up next morning to to find a flat on the camper.
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FollowupID: 830770

Reply By: Road Warrior - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:07

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:07
Coming from C'von via Kennedy Ranges the dirt road is billiard table smooth, As far as the Kennedy Range turnoff anyway. The rest of it shouldnt pose a problem for you.
AnswerID: 543728

Reply By: rocco2010 - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:59

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 16:59
Gidday

As others have said with the usual provisio that if it rains, as it did when we were up that way late April last year, roads may be closed.

Have a plan B

Its great country. Enjoy the trip

Cheers

AnswerID: 543733

Reply By: peppylepiou - Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 22:07

Sunday, Jan 04, 2015 at 22:07
Thank You all for your advice..we certainly will take care and drive to condition....as for plan B. We will miss it all together
AnswerID: 543756

Reply By: Member - Kiwi_In_Aussie(Wagga) - Thursday, Jan 08, 2015 at 05:32

Thursday, Jan 08, 2015 at 05:32
I have done the "loop" (Canarvon - Mnt Augustus - Gascoyne Junction) around Mnt Augustus towing my Conqueror UEV490 and had no issues - did drop tyre pressures from 40 to 35 - but I do this when on any dirt roads but the roads were in excellent condition both times.

Worth doing a bit of research on Mnt Augustus ( compared to Uluru) and Charles Kingsford Smith (his early beginnings prior to his flying exploits) and also the "Coffee Royal" incident.
AnswerID: 543903

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