gunbarrel

No thanks :))

Hope ya got air/cond

not having been there myself, my reply may have no merit, but being a sand groper, I would imagine the heat at that time of the year would be horendous (40+), and thats still cyclone season, so if a large cell was to move that far in you would need to think about extending the duration of your trip by a week or 3.

I would guess, from past experience and the knowledge found within the 'brain bank' of this forum and site, if it was recommended that it only be travelled on may 31st at 3pm, then that would be the only time to travel.

Hi toro,

I am from Central Europe and have been downunder several times. Because of the nature of my job I could take holiday only in December and January. I travelled many of outback routes including Gunbarrel and Simpson Desert at that time. Maybe you will find some of my hints usefull.

1. As a tourist you will probably have a hired 4 wd car (dont think about 2 wd). Before you set out have it checked for example by NRMA. A couple of dollars are worth to spent. Think about buying another spare wheel at a car wrecker´s. You sell it back on finishing your trip. Definitely read some of thousands advices concerning trip planning, preparation and car recoveries. They were written by experienced guys who know the topic better then we do.
If you travell alone(= one car) like me, hire a satelite phone as other means of communication like UHF will probably not be available to you.
What I am going to write is not a commercial: Your life depends 80% on your car.

2. Simple truth: If you don´t have a fly net, the trip may turn into your worst nightmare.

3. What you can expect:

In (Australian) Summer it can be really hot. I experienced +55 Centigrade (in shade) in January 2003 crossing Simpson Desert. This is one of reasons why Aussies do not go often to these areas and main reason why I go there.

Travelling Gunbarrel I didn´t meet a soul from Willuna to Yullara except Carnegie, Warburton and Giles. If you like to be alone for a couple of days, Gunbarrel is the right place.

Dont forget about permits. It is a nuisance but you need it.

On telling Aussies where you want to go, prepare to be considered a stupid tourist. Be broadminded. On the contrary to towns where you see a policeman only when you are fined for speeding, in Outback you can ask a policeman about many things, like road conditions, etc. They are very helpful.

Cheers

Lech

Not trying to scare you, but in Australia, we have tourists (and sometimes locals) die every year out in the desert heat. Its a very real problem.

I worked swinging a pick and shovel on gridlines one summer at Horseshoe Lights, a December working on the roads between Hedland and Marble Bar and some time in March as a drillers offsider at Telfer.

Believe me mate, it is sh*thouse.

I used to live at Uluru and during my stay was lucky enough to be 2OIC of the Ayers Rock Emergency Services Unit. During this time I was lucky enough to have traveled most of these roads sometimes for pleasure and other times searching for lost persons that were not prepared.

It can be very very hot and I would not advise the experienced to do it let alone the not so experienced. A station owner once said to me " a 10 minute trip to check a fence can be life threatening", and this is coming from a person that grew up there. 10 minutes exposed to that heat in the wrong circumstances could spell the end. Anybody remember the girl from Europe that passed away at Lake Eyre some years back. She was a triathlete and was very very prepared however all the food and water in the world did not save her.

Be very careful.

Toytruck