Tanami condition 1st May
Submitted: Wednesday, May 02, 2018 at 21:33
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Crusier 91
Just completed the Tanami in the 100 series TD towing a 1300kg Tvan.
One spot light came loose and lost passenger headlight globe.
From east to west, as usual track good till the
WA/NT border. WA side is hell raising until the last 50km. Road is now being graded.
I've finally done the track and I now have a new appreciation for bitchumen.
Halls Creek $1.53 Diesel. Do not stay in
Halls Creek, youll know why when you get there. 100 km from HC head back towards
Derby is a place great place called Marys
Pool.........its
free camping
Went through 120L from Tillmouth to
Halls Creek.
Overnight stop at Mt Doreen's Ruin, approx 1.5km off the track. Make sure you go past the nissan hut to the actual ruin.
2nd overnighter at border .5km in from track.
Wolf Creek is badly corrugated via main entrance, via side entrance is ok until you hit the main track plus you need to go through half a dozen gates.
Mind you I also came up the
Oodnadatta Track a few days b4, A breeze compared to the WA Tanami
PS...........watch out for glass beer bottles on the WA side track, there's a few
Cheers
Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, May 02, 2018 at 23:58
Wednesday, May 02, 2018 at 23:58
Thanks for posting your report Cruiser.
We missed
Mount Doreen ruins - did not know where to find them.
We stayed at the caravan park in
Halls Creek without incident.
Peak season Mary
Pool does get crowded.
You mean they actually use a
grader on the WA side? Must be a rare event.
AnswerID:
618647
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 07:33
Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 07:33
Hi Cruiser
Yes the Tanami is a great drive when you drive to the conditions.
Not sure why you said that about
Halls Creek, we found it a friendly town and stayed there 2 days and no issues what so ever.
There is lots to see around
Halls Creek and even 2 days you still do not get to see it all.
Most people today that visit the town view it through it Rose Coloured glasses and because of the large Aboriginal numbers, get put off. Did you stop and have a chat with them? As we did and yes some are shy, but there are some that will have a good chat with you.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
618648
Follow Up By: mike39 - Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 09:18
Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 09:18
Two smaller towns that have improved dramatically over the last 15 years are
Halls Creek and
Tennant Creek.
I attribute much of this to the new Aboriginal Cultural centres being opened providing a better interaction between the races.
Comments on the condition of the Tanami are always interesting.
In her book "Icing on the Damper" Marie Mahood describes how in the 1960's they used their conventional station wagon for 700km. each way shopping trips to
Alice Springs from their property "Mongrel Downs" (now Tanami Downs) located on the NT/WA border.
Have had some interesting yarns with the
grader drivers in that outback region.
mike
FollowupID:
890690
Follow Up By: Member - nick b boab - Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 10:03
Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 10:03
Obviously Cruiser was there on pension day ...
All the bad press about
Tennant Creek must be false news ...
FollowupID:
890692
Follow Up By: Crusier 91 - Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 18:32
Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 18:32
Stephen, I have my reasons but i'll keep them to myself.
The old men are fine, the old women not so fine.............and the kids,
well they're just kids.
Cheers
FollowupID:
890699
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 19:29
Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 19:29
No problems Cruiser.
Have a great trip, and keep us all updated as you continue your travels.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
890700
Reply By: David I1 - Friday, May 04, 2018 at 11:02
Friday, May 04, 2018 at 11:02
Main reason many of these "towns" are now "cleaned" up is that you cannot buy full strength beer, wine, spirits, spirit mixers or fortified wines, at any grog outlet. At the pub you can buy these items at the bar but the staff regulate what each person buys and in what quantities. Also it is an offence to buy any alcohol for anybody other than yourself or people sitting on your table. Hence there has been a remarkable clean up of the town. For me its a bloody inconvenience that I am "lumbered" with restraints like verybody else, but at least the towns are far safer than they were 10 years ago!!
AnswerID:
618678
Reply By: This Troopy Life - Monday, May 07, 2018 at 14:27
Monday, May 07, 2018 at 14:27
Thanks for the update Cruiser
We have just completed Anne Beadell and Connie Sue Hghways ( joke that is calling them Highway) and are off to the Tanami mid month. Appreciate all the insights provided
Enjoy the rest of your adventure
AnswerID:
618727