Alice Springs to Broome

Viv, going flat out I'd anticipate 3-4 days to well 33 from Alice, 2 days on the Kidson and 1/2 day to Broome. That's if you don't have any delays and drive all day. I was out there last year and got stopped by rain. (well and truly).
Even though I'm on those tracks solo shortly, I wouldn't recommend a single vehicle. It's usually quite remote, especially the Kidson. If you do a clutch or radiator....its a long way to anywhere.
Of course if you are used to travelling remote areas by yourselves, forget what I've said, you already know it.

Thanks for that. Seems to me that I might be best advised to do a lot of homework, have a lot more time and find some others to do the trip with. Even though we've done a fair bit of travel off road we haven't been on any of the really remote tracks. That's going to change I think but first best to get better prepared and do a few smaller trips first.

I'm not giving up on doing those things lightly but I don't want to push ourselves or our vehicle and not enjoy what we're doing and seeing.

Thanks, Footloose. I think I was like a kid at the lolly store..I wanted to try everything... The time will come though.

Viv

We drove it last year as a different track to the Tanami as well.We were in a hurry(but had time if needed)and arrived in Broome on the sixth day.First night just out Glen Helen,then near Kintore,next Jupitor Well,next 1/4 of the way along the Kidson Track,then Sandfire RH and Broome.Now we struck the GJR in smooth as condition,just graded and apart from a few deep sandy sections you could easily sit on 100kph.The Kidson track was a pearler,slow,deep sand,rutted and narrow.There is no way I would do it on my own.We put in some big days but had a ball.
Its a great spot along these roads and I definately want to do them again.

Vivien

It is an easy run from Alice through to Kunawarritji along the Gary Junction Road. I haven.t done the rest but will do so this year. I suspect the road from Kunawarritji through to Marble Bar will be OK as 2wd's access it regularly.

If you are well set up then it should not be a problem going on your own. Don't listen to the detractors who say that of something goes wrong you will be up the creek without a paddle. Most likely nothing will go wrong and you will have a marvellous time.

Enjoy

G'day Viv,
that will be a great trip trough there and you could do it in 5 - 6 days, provided it doesn't rain.
You didn't say when you want to do it.
A couple of years ago we went that way and didn't meet another vehicle betw. Pupanya and the CSR.

However if you do find yourself in trouble I don't think it would be more than a day before someone else came along, as long as you are not travelling during the hot months.

Just be well prepared and have Emergency Comms. with you.
Of course it would be better to have another car going with you.

I don't think you would have time to spent in Rudal River N.P.

Enjoy the trip,
Mike

Hi Viv

Marble Bar was mentioned in some replies - please note that the shortcut from the Kidson to Marble Bar is heavily overgrown. For travelling to Marble Bar you would have to go all the way to the GNHWY and then heading south.

Cheers
Andy

Viv,

the road has improved a lot since 1993 but the mining town Shay Gap has been abandoned. Last time we have been through was winter 2003. There is more recent info on the road under postid 20817 on this forum.

There is a nice stop at an artesian bore (warm water!) on the left side of the road
(and very close to it) when travellin north. The turn off is approx 5 to 20 km south off the junction with the GNHWY. The distance is rather vague as I cannot find my notes anymore.

Have a pleasant trip
Andy