Outback Way Winton to Laverton

Brushmarx,

I have travelled Great Central Road twice and its a experience you won't forget.

I see three possible issues with your plans.

I have travelled only in winter and someone else will have to help you with summertime info regarding temperatures.

If you are taking it for a shortcut, well it just won't turn out that way. Timewise you would be advised to take the blacktop diversion. If the thought of that bores you as much as me than go for it. Great Central Road is 1200kms of dust, corrugations and rocks. I can't envisage you using either your winch or your straps. The road is pretty simple and the locals do it in Falcons, I even passed what looked like a little Mazda! These things are well possible, I just wouldn't like to be the owner of those vehicles after being subjected to the punishment!

Fuel. Not sure what the availability of petrol is mate. Perhaps that OPEL stuff will be available. Wouldn't see any problems with seasonal availability as quite a well travelled road, with a local community to supply year round.

I passed the Grader coming from both ends in late July.

I also smashed a rear window with rock/camper/trailer interaction. No I didnt have cardboard over rear window. I did when I got the 900 dollar replacement in Alice. You can't see out the back anyway from the dust so just cover it mate.

Despite my concerns over temperatures and strain on your vehicle, If you have no problems with overheating heading into Ayers Rock then you shouldn't be under much more strain on GCR. UHF wont be much help. Never had Sat phone so unsure of reliability.

Make sure you spend the night at Docker River campsite. Others have rubbished it on this forum and it is falling into disrepair, but it is a nice spot just the same. every where else you are basically in a compound with the wire facing out... that reminds me, you'll need access permits from two aboriginal corporations. Have a look at the trek notes on this site. Invaluable reading.

Basically you are a long way from home out there mate and this can be stressfull if you are travelling alone. But thats what adventure is I guess..

Cheers.

Ian,

the temps can be harsh and you would have to allow for that, sleeping can present a problem with the heat if you are not used to the conditions.

You would have to keep an eye on the weather, storms will be about around this time and the wet could start. You can get stuck and not be able to move for a week. You could have a few dramas getting off the road for trucks if it is wet.

Roads will not have had any maintenance done to them, this will start after the wet. Corrigations will be servere.

You can do it, just have a think wether you will enjoy yourselves.

Have a good one

I would not recommend that route at that time unless absolutely necessary.

Extreme heat extreme conditions would make for an unpleasant and possibly dangerous drive.

I have done the road in winter and would love to do it again, but not at Christmas.

Temps in the high 40s are the norm road temps of 50+ are not unusual, burst tyres from heat not unusual. heat exhaustion from minor maintenance not unusual.

My son was a cop at laverton and patrolled that road year round, he tells some great stories about how people come unstuck out there.

Why would you want to do this trip at that time of year ?

It will not be a pleasant trip by any route.

If you can FLY to Perth, it may be cheaper in the long run anyway.

Doubt you would have an issue. The road is usually corragated untl the WA border but after that should be straightforward. heat wise your vehicle should be fine if maintained as you will be pushing it alot less than you would on the bitumen.

bank on cruising at 80kph as while many sections are as good as bitumen some rougher or sandy stretches can wake you up if youve let the speed get up.
Fuel should be available as they are there to service the locals.

it would be a bit early in the year for storms which are more of a jan-march thing.

its about a day and a 1/2 -2 day drive

Ian

We have traveled it it's a good trip but not late in the year,, Sorry

But have a look at this site Outback Hwy make sure you call in at on of there sites they are OK

Richard

Thanks for your responses.
Ideally, we would take the trip in cooler conditions, but working in the building industry means chrissie is the main downtime.
I used my stored holidays last Nov and Dec with 7 weeks in intensive care, so am back to standard holidays.
We were planning a 10 to 12 day crossing, so taking it relatively easy on speed is OK, and we can hide in the shade in the worst time of the day if necessary.
We would be closely monitoring the weather before Alice Springs before making a firm decision, and are willing to go via the Nullarbor again if things look nasty.
Flying would probably be cheaper, but nowhere near as much fun, and time does not need to be of the essence.
I guess it's a case of "suck it and see", but I have no real wish to die again so soon.
Once again, thanks
Ian

Hi Ian,
Check the weather forecast in Alice before proceeding and also try phoning Giles weather station [08 8956 7358] and ask of pending rain, storms, temp etc in their immediate area. Then decide to go GCR or Stuart Hwy/Nullarbor.
Fuel or road surface conditions won't be the issue, instead rain and flooding is the only and main issue at that time of year [but gets worse in Jan-Mar]. Sat phone will work fine, UHF won't. Best to keep your tyres at highway pressure to avoid punctures. There's plenty to see, do and enjoy..so if the weather is OK...enjoy it. Also suggest you monitor www.outbackway.org.au as they sometimes alert travellers to road conditions and while at that website you can download plenty of info....you might even want to buy the Outback Way Atlas and Guidebook as it'll help you plan stops, camping, fuel, etc...cheers, greenextreme

Hi Ian
i have the same problem in building industry but mrs wants to go to winton this year so be it.
i am guessing you are from tropics with comment about cyclones and hiding under trees in shade, i worked in Kuwait after gulf war one night at 2am the air con packed it in so wound windows down to cool things down like you would on hot sticky evening up here but it was cooler with window up driving along very different kind of feeling, similar kind of heat to where you want to go.

Ped