Camping on the Tanami Track

Hi all, we are currently planning our WA trip for later this year, so I'm sure we will have lots more questions as the planning goes on! For now though, we will be travelling the Tanami from Alice Springs heading towards Halls Creek. Question is, what is the camping like for someone with a tent?

We've been researching and know that camping is basically just wherever you can find it along the track, but most forums and blogs mention people in camper trailers or roof top tents. So just wondering how people have found it when travelling with just a tent. Any problems? Any recommended spots to stop?
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Reply By: Member - mechpete - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 13:31

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 13:31
the last time my group of mates an I did it we just pulled off the road where there was shelter of trees ,far enough off the road so you can,t be seen threw out the swags .lit a nice camp fire an
enjoyed some rum cans
mechpete
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 13:38

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 13:38
My wife and I did much the same, only we had a tent (Black Wolf Turbo 210) and a nice red :-).
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Follow Up By: Member - Chargergirl76 - Friday, Jan 15, 2016 at 13:22

Friday, Jan 15, 2016 at 13:22
Sounds like we will be doing this too ...... but with a beer instead of the rum or red!
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Reply By: Bob R4 - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 13:43

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 13:43
Hi George and Shelly,
We travelled the Tanami track with a camper trailer in 2010, and stopped at Tilmouth Well CP. Easy camping, and a shower.
Next was Rabbit Flat, (no longer open), because we wanted to stop there before it closed down, even though it was equivalent to a bush camp with virtually no facilities.
Next was Woolfe Creek, with basic bush camp facilities, and a selection of level cleared sites close to the crater.
We never looked hard for any bush camp sites with intent, but we were happy with where we stopped.
Rabbit Flat had some areas where it looked possible to find somewhere off the track, to pitch a tent and spend the night.

Hope this helps,
Bob

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Reply By: Stephen F2 - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 14:36

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 14:36
Tanami Track love it, camp anywhere but if you get a chance go into Balgo Hills .The scenery just awesome, I was lucky and had good relationship with the Aboriginals so they showed me many places, Lake Gregory is the most beautiful place in the world in my opinion..its like so surreal..

Enjoy your trip drive safe...
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Reply By: B1B2 - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 16:37

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 16:37
Chargergirl,

One spot I really liked with the tent last year was - S22 09 17.7 E131 28 03.7 near Atlee Ck. (330km out of Alice)
Great view and plenty of wood about 1km off the track. There are a few prickly bushes there and a few less after we left. Have a look on Google Earth.

Cheers,
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Reply By: Member - Robert1660 - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 18:39

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 18:39
Hi George and Shelly,
We also stayed at Tilmouth Wells. Good facilities. At the other end of the the track, about 15 km south of Billiluna and just off the Canning Stock Route is the excellent camp site of Stretch Lagoon. It has very good composting toilets. Supposedly you book by dropping into the Billiluna store. Wolfe Creek Crater has a camping area but it is rather exposed with not a lot of shelter.
Robert
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Follow Up By: B1B2 - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 19:21

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 19:21
George & Shelley,

Stretch Lagoon is a beautiful spot. It took a concerted effort to clean up the brumby dung so we could pitch the tents (anywhere), but well worth it. The locals don't leave it too clean either, just work around these issues.
Bird life was fantastic.

Cheers,
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Follow Up By: Member - Chargergirl76 - Friday, Jan 15, 2016 at 13:27

Friday, Jan 15, 2016 at 13:27
We have checked out Tilmouth Well on the web and looks nice. And yes have read about Stretch Lagoon and will hopefully try and stay there ..... thanks for the tip about the cleaning issues, good to know beforehand! Hubby can have that job!
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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 21:09

Thursday, Jan 14, 2016 at 21:09
I endorse the comments above re Balgo Hills, Lake Gregory and Lake Stretch - just magic places and there aren't many travellers off the main track so the peace makes it even more special.

There is a good 4WD track from Mulan to join the Canning just near Lake Stretch before you get back to the Tanami at Billiluna. You need permission from the ranger at Mulan, but if you take it easy it's quite a good run and well worth the effort rather than back-tracking to the Tanami through Balgo.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chargergirl76 - Friday, Jan 15, 2016 at 13:28

Friday, Jan 15, 2016 at 13:28
Thanks for the tip on the other track, will check it out
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