Gunbarrel Highway Feedback

Submitted: Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 21:23

ThreadID: 53223 Views:2760 Replies:2 FollowUps:3

This Thread has been Archived

Gunbarrel Highway

The Gunbarrel Hwy is one of Australia's most famous roads being the first of many desert tracks built by surveyor Len Beadell. Today, this track remains isolated and remote - for experienced desert

Gunbarrel Highway

Section: Treks

The Gunbarrel Hwy is one of Australia's most famous roads being the first of many desert tracks built by surveyor Len Beadell. Today, this track remains isolated and remote - for experienced desert

Member - John R (QLD)

I noticed the revamped EO Gunbarrrel trek write-up still says you can get a good range of supplies at Carnegie Station. When we were there in August 07 though, they had no supplies whatsoever (apart from fuel & camping), and the staff said they were not going to keep supplies in future, as sales were too unreliable.

There also seems to be some doubt whether you can do the bit of the original Gunbarrel between Jackie Junction west to Mt Samuel, part of the "abandoned" section. This is what our Ngaanyatjarra Council permit conditions for the "adandoned" section said:
"Entry to the Abandoned Section of the Gunbarrel Highway must be through
Warakurna at the East end or Warburton at the West end. Entry into the
Abandoned Section of the Gunbarrel Highway is not allowed through Jackie
Junction (see attached map)".
The WA DIA website has a map that appears to say exactly the opposite though. Anyone able to clear this up?
Cheers, John

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 21:57

Monday, Jan 07, 2008 at 21:57

Truly a shame if that is the case

.
Time is an illusion produced by the passage of history
.

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message
Moderator

AnswerID: 280376

Reply By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 08:43

Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 08:43

HI John
We have permits and are doing the abandoned section in June. Took about 3 weeks for permits to be approved. We will be coming from Giles and have been told when we get to Jackie Junction, it is a closed road down to Warburton, so we will be heading further west and coming out on the Heather Highway, then back up to Warburton.

Cheers

Stephen

Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 280421

Follow Up By: Member - John R (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 13:49

Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 13:49

Hi Stephen
Interesting! Which organisation did you apply to for your permit? Of course, going over to the Heather Hwy and back down to Warburton will be a bit longer and bumpier but more scenic than straight down from Jackie Junction. Hope your trip goes well, anyway.

Cheers, John

FollowupID: 544685

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 18:59

Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 18:59

Hi John
We applied over the internet to the Ngaanyatjarra Council for 4 permits to travel from:

1 WA/NT Border to Giles
2 Abandoned Section of the Gunbarrell
3 Great Central Road from Warburton back to Giles
4 The Sandy Blight Junction Track.

Seeing that we were not travelling straight through the Great Central Road, we then had to then get approval from the various aboriginal communities whose land we would pass through.

This is when the Perth and Alice Springs Offices became involved. I thought that 3 weeks was not bad, as we have waited far longer in the past for other transit permits through aboriginal lands.

Should be a great trip providing that it is not wet.

Cheers

Stephen

Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 544721

Follow Up By: Member - John R (QLD) - Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 23:08

Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008 at 23:08

Thanks Stephen

Sounds like the Gunbarrel permit ambiguities have been sorted out then. Yes, it is good timing for all those permits, Sandy Blight Junction Track included.
Cheers, John

FollowupID: 544767