Perth - Uluru

At that time of year for a novice go via Port Augusta. Give yourself plenty of time to see things on the way and it will be a great trip.

Chris

The Great Central would be OK as long as you watch the weather

The Great Central Road will be fine unless you have a break down and the chances of a break down will increase significantly as the shade temperature rises above 50C, which is highly likely.
The quality of the road is a minor issue.
It is more remote by a significant factor and help will be much harder to get, will take longer and cost a lot more, increasing the inconvenience and the real risks.
The chances of a break down going via the Nullarbor and Port Augusta due to extreme heat are probably just as high, but the consequences are not so serious.
There are other routes like the Gun Barrel and the Anne Beadell, but they are more remote again and would be a foolish choice at that time of year, IMHO.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

I'm with Peter.

You say you're a novice (nothing wrong with that we all had to learn at some stage), then I suggest you stay away from the GCR and go via Pt Augusta if you really have to travel in Jan.

Even with my 25 years of 4wdriving, much of it trackless desert travel, I wouldn't do the GCR in Jan its just too hot and risks are much higher.

The GCR might be shorter but you can travel faster on the tar across the Nullabor. Accommodation is a factor at that time of year. I've done Uluru in january and it was very hot all night. Our car thermometer registered 45 degrees at 8:30pm while we were waiting for the sun to go down at the sunset viewing area. It is very uncomfortable having a pile of people in a tent in that sort of weather. An air conditioned motel is a welcome relief especially if you have kids complaining. Anywhere further south and closer to the ocean will give you a more pleasant night. The road from Eucla to Port Augusta stays pretty close to the ocean most of the way.

I had to have a peek at this thread to see advice, having never done any of the GCR, or been to WA period.
Will hopefully be on a trip through the centre of WA mid next year.

Thought it would be interesting to see what Mr Google Maps had to say . . .
Google maps Perth to Uluru

Obviously it doesn't take into account weather, even most road conds, but usually Google tends to send people on mainstream routes capable of being traversed by most reliable motor vehicles, and not just 4WDs.

I find it strange that is says 26hrs for the 2051km journey, when usually as soon as you hit anywhere inland, off bitumen, the travel times in Google Maps seem to quadruple !!
(Actually, the flight time on Google of 11hrs 35mins is even more intriguing !!!)

That said, if you need a transit permit to Aboriginal Lands, it is getting out of the norm for most peoples view of regular highway travel.

And we don't know about you Gerard, or your experience travelling.
I think someone else (Zippo) mentioned important questions, like vehicle (type, age / condition), how you are travelling (tow, camp, motel . . . if any / many along the way), and adults or are children travelling too ?

How much of the GCR is sealed ?
It sounds like at least the NT section can be unsealed and rough at times.

Good insurance, top road cover, and very much only do it with 3 to 4 days of reasonable weather forecast (temps / rain) . . . keep in mind much of inland Australia's rainfall is through the summer.

I'd be very tempted to at least have a cheap reliable PLB (KTI etc) . . . or better, hire a sat phone for some peace of mind and extra insurance against breakdowns.
Though from what Ivan posted, it must be a busy route ?
(Summer may be much less though.)

Were you planning on the same return route ?