Prado and T-Van from Leonora WA North East to Alice Springs

Submitted: Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 00:15
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My wife and I plan to drive from Canberra across Nullarbor beginning mid-June, to SW of WA, then to Alice Springs via Leonora, heading essentially NE. Can anybody advise me of the anticipated road conditions and camping (not free camping) locations, -this part of trip beginning in late July 09. Also any "Must see" places, please.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 00:58

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 00:58
Hi moggy

The Great Central Road from Laverton to the Kata Tjuta end of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP is a typical corrugated outback road of varying conditions. It would not present any undue difficulties for your rig. Take your time, drive according to the conditions, and watch out for camels. Don't drive after dark.

A must see place is the Giles weather station. Camping is at the rear of the Warakurna RH which is quite pleasant, to be ready to see the weather balloon go up in the morning and take the weather station tour.

Camping can be found at the road houses, Tjukayirla RH is recommended by others although we did not stay there.Check out the distance between Leonora and Tjukayirla - it may be too far for one day. We bush camped in a large rest area along the way.

You will receive information on the roadhouses when you get your permit for the WA section. You need a separate permit for the NT section.

Enjoy WA

Motherhen
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Follow Up By: moggy45 - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:32

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:32
Thanks motherhen. moggy45
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Reply By: Member - Rick P (NT) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 08:15

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 08:15
Hi Moggy
The GCR is fine till you get into NT where it get's a bit rough in places. While you are in Leonora check out Gwalia and the Historical Mine Site just out of town. Tjukayirla and Warrakurna Road houses are fine to stay at, we were not keen to bush camp on our own along the way, you will know what I'm talking about when you get there. Count the wrecks on the side of the road we got to 158 at Curtin Springs.
Safe travelling guys
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 09:12

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 09:12
Interesting diversion on a long distance run is to count the wrecks. I made it an average of one vehicle wreck every three km from Laverton to Yulara. A lot of the wrecks are very old they do not rust much out there :-))

.
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Follow Up By: moggy45 - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:33

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:33
Thanks Rick P and Kiwi Kia. moggy45
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Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 09:14

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 09:14
Hi,
Be sure to go in to the Head of the Bight whale watching area. link
Whales start to come in about June. The viewing areas allow you to be very close to the whales that come up right under the cliffs. It will probably be cold and windy but if you rug up you will have a memorable visit.

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
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Follow Up By: moggy45 - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:34

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:34
Thanks John and Val W. moggy45
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Reply By: MAVERICK(WA) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 19:12

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 19:12
Departing Peth near the 20July for a 5 day run to Ayers Rock via the GCR and some side trips. Feel free to drop in if you see us camped along the way. At this stage 3 other vehicles. rgds
Slow down and relax......

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Follow Up By: cobber - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:37

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:37
We are leaving on the 1st July to do Leonora to Winton then up to Cairns at this stage, so it looks like a lot of traffic on the road at that time of the year..
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Follow Up By: moggy45 - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:35

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:35
Thanks Mav and Cobber. moggy45
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Reply By: troopy 2005 - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:37

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:37
On aboriginal land you are not allowed to camp except in road houses .They dont sell petrol at all the roadhouses and you cant buy alcohol.Get your permits online before you leave home through the land councils of NT & WA.Be polite & respectful and do your research and you be fine.
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Follow Up By: cobber - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:43

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 17:43
Hi Troopy, which road houses dont sell petrol ?........the Outback Way Book says that they all do sell petrol (Opal) I dont want to get stuck along the way...lol
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Follow Up By: troopy 2005 - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:37

Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:37
I might be a bit out of date ,we went pre OPAL days about 3 -4 years ago in our petrol landcruiser when they sold deisel or avgas.Made live a bit more interesting even with a longrange tank and a fuel pump that died 60km south of warburton.
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Follow Up By: moggy45 - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:36

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:36
Thanks Troopy 2005. moggy45
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 21:21

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 21:21
Not quite true - there are campgrounds near but away from Docker river comunity
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Reply By: moggy45 - Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:32

Monday, Apr 27, 2009 at 20:32
Thanks to all respondents. I have more confidence now and will be OK. moggy45
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