Alice Springs to Kununurra - quickest route ?

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 14:10
ThreadID: 40016 Views:7285 Replies:4 FollowUps:1
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Hi
Looking at going to the Kimberley's next June leaving from Melbourne. Once I reach Alice Springs would it be quicker going up the Tanami track and then turn right onto the Northern Hwy to Kununurra

or

head North on the Stuart Hwy and turn left onto the Buchannan Hwy then turning left onto the Victoria hwy.

The first option is 1381km the second is 1517km.
Is the Buchannan Hwy a quick run or can it be as slow as the Tanami ?

Thanks
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Reply By: Member - Nick (Kununurra) - Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 14:40

Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 14:40
The quickest way would be round the highway,as you know what the road conditions would be.Coming up here we left Alice,camped at Tennant Creek,Katherine and finally here.Coming up the Tanami in 2003 it took two nights on the track then one at Halls Creek and finally here.But in 2005 we did it one night on the Tanami, one at Halls Creek and here.
As for the Buchannan Hwy,havent done it yet.
AnswerID: 208322

Follow Up By: David from David and Justine Olsen's 4WD Tag-Along - Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 17:35

Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 17:35
We regularly do the Tanami to Halls Ck in 2 days. Another day to Kununurra would be no problem.
Of course in wet weather the Tanami track becomes the Tanami river :-) so that changes things quite a bit.
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FollowupID: 468289

Reply By: Turist (The Original One) - Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 17:31

Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 17:31
Buchannan H'Way, it's a doddle.

Bob
AnswerID: 208342

Reply By: Member - Arkay (SA) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 08:25

Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 08:25
We easily did Buchanan Highway from Dunmurra to Timber Creek in one day towing a C/T a couple of years ago. It is no highway, but was not hard, a bit slower at times NW of Victoria River Downs due ups & downs (pun!). You can refuel at Top Springs if needed, all the pumps have padlocks permanently on them, and a curious crowd watching your every move. The Dunmarra camping ground is very close to the Stuart Highway and the trucks pull up all night even when the servo is closed for a sleep. Only trouble is their refridgerator motors don't sleep and neither do you. Some people maintain it is quicker to stick to the bitimen and go via Katherine and the Victoria Highway. Further but time wise quicker. IMHO they are probably right.
Look at my speil on the Tanami in Post No.40011. We did Wolfe Creek to Tilmouth Well in one long days run - couldn't get off the road anywhere else due lots of rain and deep runoffs on either side of the Road. actually could get off but wouldn't have got back on for 2 to 3 days. That was in June.
AnswerID: 208454

Reply By: Richard O'Neill - Friday, Dec 22, 2006 at 17:07

Friday, Dec 22, 2006 at 17:07
Hi rene

this year - oct 2006 Buchannan hwy was very rough + stoney - several 40 km batches i was told

tanami has been is in relatively good nick - depending on rain - much of it 90 /100kph

we run tag along in June 2007 through art centres of tanami + with elders in Kimberley - see www.spiritsafaris.com or call 03 9017 6862

AnswerID: 211693

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