Rabbit Flat Roadhouse Opening Times

Rabbit Flat is CLOSED :: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ..open the rest of the time...You can get fuel at Tilmouth Well....provided thay are not empty..which should see you through to Hall's Creek..

Doug,
My approach is to avoid Rabbit Flat entirely by not travelling on the days it is open as it means fewer drunks and fools on the road. You can get fuel at Yuendumu and Billiuna and don't need Rabbit Flat.
Ian

Thanks Ian and Steve, Good point about "overfull tanks" being a danger. I can carry 280 litres in the tanks of an 80 series, so have a fair bit of flexibility on availability and pricing with a bit of forward planning.

Doug S..

Hi Doug.

Did the trip couple of years ago. All comments so far are on the money, BUT you could carry MAX fuel at all times, and you can camp at Rabbit Flats as they have set up their own area for camping. It is handy. The owners there have seen it all and experienced all sorts of problem travellers and locals, so it is all about being the genuine traveller out to enjoy it all , and the diversity of characters and scenery.

Good travelling.

As for fuel prices...well don't even ask ...fill up before and after the Tanami..with 280 litres you should almost do it both ways without a re-fuel !!! Given all the talk..a 'pop in' visit to Rabbit Flat is almost worth the effort !!! Have to see the set-up to believe!!!

I really need to get out there again, sounds like it has changed a bit since I was last there in 1984 when i was flown out that way to do mechanical repairs on a drilling rig which was looking for gold deposits at The Granites. The crew and I drove or it was more like 4 wheel driving, to Rabbit Flats pub, still have the stubbie cooler somewhere.
Chris

Doug ,

A further note of warning . We turned up to camp the night and were told that "as we are closed tomorrow , you can't camp tonight"

They are not easy people to get on with .

Cheers ,

Willie .

Gee wizz, you'se are a bit hard on them.Imagine living out there, hundreds of kays from anything, i reacon after all them years youd go nutty too.
We called in twice now and both times found them very friendly and helpfull.
IMHO you have to call in there if you do the tanami.

One piece of advice.....

If you can avoid Yuendemu and do the extra 100k's to Tillmouth I would do this.

One look at Yuendemu, you'll understand. Not really somewhere you'd stop to relax......

Doug

The Tanami is a pretty boring run. If you want some variety, turn off to the settlement of Balgo and proceed on to Mulan (approx 80 K's). Contact Mark Sewell (Administrator) on Tel (08) 91688939 (if he's still there). The community is quite progressive, and I now believe they have there own fuel supply.

In a good season, Lake Gregory (to the West) is a great place to camp and I don't think the Elders will deny you access.

From there you can travel around the Southern edge of the lake and come out at Well 51 on the Canning Stock Route. Approx 100 K's or so after that will bring you to Billiluna and back on to the Tanami.

One other point to note. Since 2004 there have been some good seasons up there. Whilst most of the comment focus's on corrugations, you should be aware the Tanimi can be a difficult Rd in the wet.

Have a good trip

Regards

Kim

I called in there when I travelled the Tanami 'Highway' a couple of years ago. I went in to 'shop' [like something out of Mad Max and quite unnecessary I would think] and asked if I could have some diesel. A woman behind the security bars repeated the request to someone in the gloom behind her - I couldn't see who it was she was addressing but a voice answered her: "wait!-I'm getting the food ready!!"

I went outside to the tank and started talking to an interesting local chap about the exceedingly humourous film made in the area - the one about the bush mechanics.

After a while I asked: "how long will it be do you think?" - the local chap was waiting to be served petrol.

The local said: "he (indicating the owner of the place) always makes us wait".

I said "well....I understand you have to put up with this but I don't have to - all the best" and I bad him farewell and we went - I had plenty of diesel in jerrys and decided to move on, bush camp and top up with my own fuel instead of buying. The price was very high too.

Had a peaceful camp on the opposite side of the road to a mobile phone (I think)tower to the North just up the road from Rabbit Flat.

Happy days

George

Doug,

I would avoid buying fuel there if you can help it. Its expensive and also amazing how he managed to get 110 litres of fuel into my 94 litre Landcruiser fuel tank.
Hmmmm