4WD from Adelaide to Alice Springs

Hi guys. That trip is quite do able , even for novices. A couple of pieces of advice, if I may.

1. Remember to stay on the correct side of the track.
2. Make sure that you know how to change a tyre, and where the gear to do this is located in your hire vehicle.
3. Travel to conditions. On bush tracks 80km/h is plenty, not 120!
4. Take extra water.
5. Make sure that you have some form of communications on board, just in case things do go pear shaped.
6. Don't rush it. Bring a sense of humour and enjoy yourselves.

Gert & Emmelie, On the way from Kings Canyon to Alice, call into Rainbow Valley, on the right after the camel farm. Also a good over night trip from Alice is a visit to Chambers Pillar.

The only other thing I would say, if you don't all ready know, is learn about tyre pressures suitable for outback tracks etc, makes it much easier on the tyres and the vehicle.

Have a great trip.

Gert
From Mount Dare, travel to Finke via Old Andado and the Old Andado Track. This is a very under rated track in Central Australia and takes in all types of driving. It should be high on your list. We have travelled it 4 times and will do it again.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi Gert and Emmelle,

As Footie has said, this sounds a great trip and is not too challenging. You will see some very attractive country.

A few thoughts -

(you might care to have a look at our "Destination Kimberley" blog on this site for some information on our recent trip through some of the areas you're planning on.) Shopping - there isn't much opportunity to buy food away from the "major" towns. Around Adelaide, Alice Springs and Yulara no problem, also Coober Pedy and Leigh Creek, but options are pretty limited elsewhere.

When are you planning on coming to Australia? Not in summer (November to February) when it's very hot in central Australia?

A good place to stop for the night is Farina (an historic abandoned town) - great for rough inexpensive hospitality.

Another good overnight option is in the painted desert - we stayed some years ago at Copper Hills, and there are other stations there who welcome visitors too. Very spectacular country and the warmth of the hospitality is something special.

Dalhousie Springs is a must. Very special place and expect to spend some time in the water. Mount Dare is an essential fuel stop and a chance to buy an ice cream, or even a meal or to sleep in a bed!

From Mt Dare, you might consider travelling to Alice via Old Andado, rather than the more obvious track through Fink. (The Fink track which will take you more directly to Ayes Rock.) Suggest ask the folk at Mt Dare about the condition of the Old Andado track; the southern part was very heavy going (rutted and lots of bulldust) when we were there 6 months ago. Travelling by Old Andado will give you a small taste of the red sand dunes of the Simpson Desert. If you did travel this way it might be worth travelling with another vehicle (it's not unusual to team up with someone else for the more lonely stretches. It's good for both groups to have the security of the second vehicle). Overnight at Old Andado to meet other travellers and enjoy a hot shower (there aren't a lot of these out there!)

As you leave Coober Pedy heading north, do a loop around through the Breakaways. this is a minor detour through some awe inspiring country. (Get details from the local tourist bureau people.)

Allow time to explore the country to the east and west of Alice.

Just a final comment - Footie has mentioned the need to carry water. Carry lots, enough for a week is good practice, though you will probably not need it. Communications - mobile phones do not work away from the bigger towns. A cheap handheld UHF radio will allow you to talk to other travellers over a few kilometres. Possibly your hire vehicle will already have one fitted. The other options are well covered on this site, though hiring a satellite phone (expensive) is probably the obvious option for a visitor. You will be spending some of your time in fairly remote areas, so please make yourself aware of the safety issues which are dealt with very well on this site and numerous other places.

And above all - have a great trip.

John

In June of last year we went to Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta Track. An invaluable booklet is "Oodnadatta Track - The Outback Travellers Guide" which I bought through this site. It was all fairly easy but take note of the advice given here ref tyre pressures, speed etc and have a great time. Look forward to your report after it is done.
M.