Gunbarrel Highway abandoned section

Submitted: Monday, Apr 25, 2016 at 19:49

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Gunbarrel Highway

The Gunbarrel Hwy is one of Australia's most famous roads being the first of many desert tracks built by surveyor Len Beadell. Today, this track remains isolated and remote - for experienced desert

Gunbarrel Highway

Section: Treks

The Gunbarrel Hwy is one of Australia's most famous roads being the first of many desert tracks built by surveyor Len Beadell. Today, this track remains isolated and remote - for experienced desert

Member - Ozymandias

We are planning to travel the Gunbarrel early June and want to include the abandoned section. There has to be at least two vehicles traveling together to get a permit, anyone interested or already planning to do this?

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Reply By: david - Monday, Apr 25, 2016 at 21:53

Monday, Apr 25, 2016 at 21:53

Hi Ozymandias, sorry can't help to make up numbers. We just got back last week from the Gunbarrel....fantastic drive.
Wiluna-Carnegie to the Wiluna shire border was a dream run.
After Mungilli claypan the road can be variable....stony, rough, washouts & corrrrrugations to Jackie Junction.
Jackie Junction to Mippittjarra like a Hwy. After that was one of the great outback drives I have done through Desert Oak/sandhill country. Took us a while as we had to clear a lot of burnt vegetation from the track as we went along (1st ones through for a while). Only problem we had was the flies....about 3 Billion of them, shouldn't be a problem in June.
Enjoy the drive

Cheers David

David

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Follow Up By: Member - Ozymandias - Monday, Apr 25, 2016 at 22:18

Monday, Apr 25, 2016 at 22:18

Hi David, thanks for your response, sorry we will not be able to link up. Your description of the route makes me salivate even more! Really looking forward to the trip.

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Follow Up By: Nelson Nomad - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 07:14

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 07:14

We are planning to do the Gunbarrel in July, west to east. David, did you travel along the old Gunbarrel between Heather Jcn intersection & Jackie Jcn? My understanding is that we will have to go down the Heather and along the Great Central Hwy thru Warburton to get to Jackie Jcn

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Follow Up By: david - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 11:47

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 11:47

Yes we did travel between Heather Hwy. intersection & Jackie Junction. Just make sure you have the right permits before you go.

David

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Follow Up By: Nelson Nomad - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 12:40

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 12:40

Thanks David. Did you get your permit from Ngaanyatjarra Council or is there someone else who will issue a permit for that section?
Ngaanyatjarra have indicated that they don't issue permits for that section of the Gunbarrel

Cheers

Jeff Simpson

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Follow Up By: david - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 18:04

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 18:04

Hi Jeff. We went through Dept. Aboriginal Affairs here in WA (online), apparently they pass it on to the NT side where the approvals come from.(permits came back via email from WA DAA)
The permit covered:
1..Gunbarrel Hwy/Great Central Road via Wiluna
2..Abandoned section of Gunbarrel Hwy.
No mention of not being able to travel on any sections, so long as more than 2 vehicles were going, sat phone etc. (if they think you are going alone, may be the reason for not issuing permits).

Cheers David

David

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Reply By: vk1dx - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 09:28

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2016 at 09:28

Abandoned section? Can't help bit it sounds interesting for us maybe next year. Tell me more. And will try it solo as well.

So far have been able to sell solo trips to the councils but am a realist in that we may be knocked back as well. But if you don't ask then . . . . .

Phil

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