Crossing Plenty Highway late in August

If no one replies, suggest you just get to Gemtree early from Alice and wait until you see someone going passed and tag along/ talk to thyem on the UHF. Should be at least a few vehicles each day.

I travelled it 3 weeks ago and the road is in infinitely better condition than I expected, with substantial work this dry season.

Mark

DW,

I left Yulara on Wednesday morning 5th August, popped in to GemTree and stayed at Jervois for the night.

You don't say what you are driving or if the caravan or camper is an off road unit?

Roads are corragated but not to bad if let tyre pressures down and keep speed to a sensible limit.

At Jervois were a offroad camper trailer and a offroad caravan.
A Magna that stoped for the night was a little worse for wear and suffered a puncture.

Gem Tree to Mt Hart just corragations.
Mt Hart to Jervois corrigations and a little Bull Dust.
Jervois to Tobermorey some heavy corrigations and some stretches of bull dust.

I went north from Tobermorey to Urandangi then on to Mt Isa so I do not know what Tobermorey to Boulia is like.

There were 15 or so old Peugeots doing an around Australia trip.
There were struggling just a little with the dust and corrigations, I stopped for a chat while they were gaffer taping headlights in place on a 404.

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Peugeot around Australia
Daily Journal: Day 12. Thursday 6th August, 2009: Tobermorey Station to Alice Springs

We awoke to a crisp winter morning at our campsite at Tobermorey. Some of the Peugeot experts were already huddled under the bonnet of Rob's 404, searching for clues as to why it had been cutting out yesterday. Eventually, the aftermarket distributor was suspected, so it was replaced with an original Peugeot one. Not long after, the 404 spluttered back to life. Attention then shifted to Bob's 504 that was having its rear suspension attended to. Apparently, the rear stabiliser bar mount had broken, which was allowing the tyre to rub on the fuel tank. This would've gone unnoticed had it not been for a puncture yesterday that highlighted the problem.
We headed back onto the Plenty Highway to continue the rest of the dirt journey, hoping the road conditions would be a little kinder to us today. Initially, the road seemed more bearable than yesterday, but it wasn't long before the long stretches of corrugations returned. Most drivers found travelling at 85-90 km/h was the best compromise. Later in the journey, we heard over the CB that Rob's 404 was overheating, suffered a punctured fuel tank and was cutting out again. In order to keep the convoy moving, the 404 was hitched up to one of the support vehicle 4x4's and towed into Alice Springs. Chris had some electrical problems with the 505 wagon, but this was sorted out quickly. Lunch and refuel was at Jervois, and a short well deserved ice cream stop at Gemtree was enjoyed by some. Some even devoured two ice creams, but I guess tall people need more ice cream. Kerrie, on the other hand showed great self control and resisted the temptation. We were all pleased to return to the bitumen and I'm sure we all slept well that night.

by Leon & Kerrie de Waard Car 16
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Jervois

The Plenty is just fine Few dust holes and some corrugations. Towed a Quantum Offroad Camper no problems.