Plenty Highway

Hi Adrian
called plenty highway because there are plenty of dead tires along the side of the road, the road is fine or was when we travelled it just a lot of sharp rocks in different places, if u are heavily loaded u should just take it a bit steady(we just travelled at 80-90km/h)

Mattie

This track can be an easy shortcut or a "bit more challenging", depending upon conditions. If it rains then all bets are off. Boulia to Alice in 1 day is possible, but there are far less hassles if you camp along the way. Boulia to Jervois (fuel, camping, limited other stuff) is an easy day if you start early. The track is known for its ability to turn expensive tyres into junk at the drop of a hat but don't let that put you off. Keep the speed way down and enjoy the drive.

G'day Adrian F, We did the Plenty, but from Alice to Boulia, yeah man take your time, a few traps as far as bulldust(if it hasn't been graded). If you have the time don't rush it, we found good camping spots off the road eg gravel pits. But as stated there a designated camping areas if that's what is needed, Gem Tree, Jervois, Tobermoray
Yes! take two spare wheels and whatever else you normally take. Be prepared for on comming traffic, two wheel drivers ( normally European tourists, who were sold a cheap car and told 'no worries this is a beast and will make the trip across the Plenty , no worries').
Adrian, have a good trip, take it easy and don't hurry
andy

The road is formed up for quite a way these days and is nowhere near as tuff as it used to be, however there are bulldust holes so just take it easy and you will be fine

In '02 when the Centre was choccers with the Year of The Outback I came across from the Alice end. Around Maree, heading out, while interviewing people coming the other direction at the petrol bowsers (as you do) we began to hear stories of a guy in a Patrol who had done all four on a grid lip almost exactly 1/2 way between Jervois and Tobermory. Scavenged a couple off other vehicles and had a mate drive him to Jervois return to repair another two. Whole party apparently camped on the road overnight. Anyone heard of this legend? Was it you?

FWIW I found it can be a bit soft in spots and there had been a lot of traffic by the end of July on '02. I was certainly no better or worse than the Oodnadatta that year. Graders do a fair bit from the NT end but they can't do to much down the other end because of water availability to dampen the works apparently.

Once was racing to Boulia (dog ate dog bait), was going way to fast, nearly rolled it in a bulldust hole I couldnt see.

Advice? Take it easy, you wont have problems.

Cheers
Pedirka

Ps. Dog survived.

We towed a van along the Plenty back in 2004 no problems. Some of our coments re the trip can be found in message 4 at http://tinyurl.com/9z3ty if you want to have a read. Enjoy the trip we did.

Was there in Aug 05 and travelled from Alice to Longreach road was good until the border were it got a bit rough. No punctures at all.
Not the worst road I've been on.