Tanami Track

It will be well travelled....
You wouldnt be able to cook your lunch without being waved at...

Hi Smudger, Do you need company ? Depends, like all remote roads it's a blood.. long way to civilisation if you need a tow. The road is wide, long straights to the horizon, almost flat and very corrugated. Road condition depends on the recent weather and if the road has been cut up when soft. Some people travel at high speed (over 80 kph) others take it slower and shake a lot. After you pass the normal fuelling points you have to look fairly hard to find any little tracks to get off the road for camping. Busy? you might see 3 or 4 vehicles per hour. There's bound to be someone on here that's been through recently and can give you a more up to date report. How sure are you that your trailer can stand multi-million corrugations with out suffering any damage?

Gday,
The track could change dramatically between June and now, when you get within a week or so put another post on and Ill ask someone who travels it regularly.
But basically if its open its usually a corrugated dirt road that does get a fair bit of traffic and you wouldn't have too much trouble getting help if something went wrong . Would be expensive though if you had to pay for help! Travelling with someone would be better.

Cheers
Ps. get right off the road for the trucks, they wont!

The Tanami is definitely shorter, but quicker I'm not so sure about. If it has just been graded then it is not bad and will be quick. If it is cut up it can be quicker going any other way. If you are going to put it in your plan I would come home that way but go up on the black top. We have been on it as a single vehicle a couple of times. It has varied from smooth graded surface to unbelievable corregations, dust pits and wash outs. Have seen plenty of CT's going that way also. Most are travelling pretty slowly though. If you are starting at the northern end of the GRR then you tend to be heading to Kununurra. This makes using the Tanimi questionable. If you are starting at the Broome end then Tanimi makes a lot of sense time wise. You will see a few cars, it is not deserted. I don't tow anything so not really in a position to comment on that part but it can be a punishing track for the vehicle. Hence the suggestion that you use it on the way home. The Tanimi is a track that every trveller should use once for the experience. Personally I'd rather drive down the CSR on the way home. It might take an extra few weeks but it is much more plesent!

Steve

In your planning, remember Rabbit Flat RH isn't open every day so if you need to get fuel half way, you will need to allow for this.

as of yesterday there is much water everywhere around the granites gold mine area - and extends all over the place including rabbit flat and through to halls creek (hwy1). with any luck all should be good within a couple of months with plenty of flowers things to look at. there are also a number of sidetracks (lots actually) but you need to be aware these are not maintained - which is good as it keeps the terrorists away - and they lead to some interesting places. ring the rabbit flat store before you leave alice and see how the road is - during the dry the conditions vary from very very flat and good to holy sh.. its corrugated - just drive to suit the conditions - and don't rush......there is plenty to see. rgds

when it rains for long periods - or lots for short periods - the road will be closed. 2006 I think it was shut for 2mths after the March floods. ring rabbit flat a week or so before you wish to travel to check if it's ok. and as with another reply to your query - when you see trucks move over as far as possible and stop......it is not wise to go up against something that big that puts out that much dust. rgds