Aputula (Finke) General Store opening hours
Submitted: Monday, Apr 01, 2019 at 14:22
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Member - Warren H
How reliable are the
general store's published opening hours (usual bh Mon-Fri, Sat morn). Can it be closed due to cultural obligations/activities?
I am planning a trip Mt Dare-Old Andadoo-New Crown-Finke-Lambert's Geocentre-
Kulgera which is around 500 km. If I can top up at Aputula I won't need to carry fuel as it will be an easy 300 km. The Pajero has a 88 L tank which should give around 600 km at 14 L/100 km towing the camper trailer, but being conservative I'd prefer to have a few more litres in reserve.
Reply By: Member - Warren H - Monday, Apr 01, 2019 at 17:29
Monday, Apr 01, 2019 at 17:29
Vehicle is a diesel. Refueling at Mt Dare still gives 500 km to
Kulgera via Old Andadoo-->New Crown-->Finke-->
Kulgera. The vehicle range from the 88 l tank is ~600 km at 14 l/100 km. Depending on the wind and my right foot, I get 13-14 l/100 km towing a 1600 kg camper trailer on the black top. Any sand and/or very slow going is likely to increase the consumption, so 500 km is sailing too close to the wind for my liking. Hence if diesel availability at Finke is questionable because of
shop closes while people are off attending to cultural matters, I will need to carry a couple of jerries of spare diesel. (There were obviously LR tank options but I've chosen not to go down that route given the approx $2K price tag.)
AnswerID:
624748
Follow Up By: rumpig - Monday, Apr 01, 2019 at 21:10
Monday, Apr 01, 2019 at 21:10
Did
Kulgera to Lamberts and back to
Kulgera again last July...that section of road was like a highway, a good quality gravel road (obviously conditions can change). Once you turn off to Lamberts you will strike sand, some of it in a few sections was quite soft, though for the most part the track from the turn off is fairly easy going.
FollowupID:
898258
Follow Up By: Member - nickb "boab" - Tuesday, Apr 02, 2019 at 06:59
Tuesday, Apr 02, 2019 at 06:59
The track between Mt Dare and new crown /old
Andado track is very soft thick bulldust in
places .
We did this July 2018
Ranger & camper no problems with fuel consumption although extra fuel in a long range tank . The road between
Kulgera to mt Dare via finke & lamberts t/o is very
well maintained road .
A consideration is the road from
Alice Springs to old
Andado via old
andado track to Mount Dare is a
well worthwhile easy Drive .
I like the security of a drum of fuel on board when doing such trips.
FollowupID:
898264
Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 02, 2019 at 08:32
Tuesday, Apr 02, 2019 at 08:32
I think it is good form to carry extra fuel when outback as you could get a fuel leak, the refueling point may be shut or they have run out of fuel. (have found both) Weather etc can vary access by tanker trucks.
I always carry 2 jerries of fuel as a backup with no plan to use them ( I have suitable racks to carry them) When almost
home I tend to empty the jerries into the vehicle so I do not have a storage problem when
home
AnswerID:
624758