PLENTY HWY and DONOHUE HWY

Hi Peter,
I travelled from the opposite direction 2 years from Boulia to Alice Springs. We took two days as the road was very rough, but you could do it in one if pushing it. It would then be one days drive to Birdsville.

You can read my notes on my site 4wdadventureoz

Cheers

Have travelled Isa to Alice and also Boulia to Alice in one day - daylight hours.

The western Qld roads are VERY rocky and can inflict a lot of stone and suspension damage, moderate your speed to minimise it. The Qld end of the Plenty is usually a series of bulldust holes which can also occur on the NT eastern end.
From the border to the Stuart hwy the Plenty gradually improves but can be stony and corrugated depending on how long since the last grade.

Two days is usually possible with a third up your sleeve allowing for weather and whether or not the roads been recently graded......as Bob has said there's been a bit of rain up north, if it pushes through the lakes the Simpson may be cut off. We've only had a few mm rain here though, pretty darn dry. If you're passing Peter, drop in and say gidday. I'll treat you to a great coffee.

Did Birdsville to Boulia easily in a day. Always some part of Donohue/Plenty that is rough and slow - usually need 2 days to do Boulia-Alice. Recommend a stay at Gemtree caravan park - great place to stay and try fossicking for gemstones, as well as exploring the nearby tracks in Hartz Ranges.