Supplies Wiluna - Billiluna - Alice

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 15:53
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We are leaving Perth in a few months to head back home to Sydney.

Plan A is to head up the Canning from Wiluna. Turn right at Billiluna onto the Tanami and head for Alice Springs.

We are 4 up in a Land Cruiser so contemplating how to carry enough food fuel and supplies for this leg.

We have about 60ltrs of water capacity and I understand drinkable water is available at certain wells. The cruiser carries 260ltrs of diesel but I can fill up at Kunawaritji Community and at Billiluna if needed I'm told

but what about food supplies? is there basic supplies at these places too?

I'm looking at 3 weeks +or- a day or 2.
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Reply By: feathery - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 16:41

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 16:41
When through CSR in 2007 you could get basic things at these places but check the best by dates good luck and enjoy your trip
Greg
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:12

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:12
Thanks Greg, I guessing fresh milk and bread is out but did you see Long Life milk? drinking water in casks or bottles? maybe tinned foods? That sort of stuff.

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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 22:29

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 22:29
The water at Georgia Bore is really good including for drinking, as is water at Well 46 so you should estimate water allowances until you can top up at those wells.

Cheers,

Val
J and V
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Follow Up By: oldfart1953 - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 11:24

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 11:24
Hi all,
I'm currently living in Balgo, looking after the power & water here.
Good basic shopping can be done at Billiluna, Balgo & Mulan.
Good selection of frozen meat, fresh & UHT dairy, fruit & veg that would be equal to the quality that you get at your local Woolies. fruit & veg prices are very reasonable, meat & other basics are a little bit more expensive but do consider the cost of freight that has to be passed on to the consumer.
Billiluna shop hours are 8 to 11.00 then 2 to 4 Monday to Friday & 8 to 11 on Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Mulan & Balgo hours are similar
Mulan store 08 91688709
Billi store 08 91688076
Balgo store 08 91688894
Fuel (Opal & Diesel) is available at each community $2.50 to $2.80 a litre.
Water is available, just ask, all of these communities are tourist friendly.
Balgo has a fantastic art centre, 08 91688960 high quality, genuine local area art & crafts open Monday to Friday 9 to 5 prices range from cheap/reasonable to extreme depending on the artist & size of painting.
The dessert people here use vivid, bright colours in their paintings they look fantastic, so different to the browns & blacks used in other parts of Oz.
I thought (at first) the colours were a little over the top, but having been here at Balgo for a while now seeing the seasons change & depending on the time of day all of the colours are right before you, it is really beautiful.
Sally & Annette at the centre are very helpful.

Sorry for rambling on but there is plenty to see around here & I must say that I have no connection with the art center.


CU down the road
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 21:58

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 21:58
Thanks OF, that's great info
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Reply By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:13

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:13
There are good supplies at Wiluna, suggest you stock up most stuff there.
Kunawartji has basic supplies, lots of canned and dried and processes stuff, not much if any veges, fruit. Better off ducking up to Hall Creek than shopping at Billiluna add a day to your trip.
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:31

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:31
Thanks mate
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Reply By: Kim and Damn Dog - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:32

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 18:32
Gidday

The last time I was up that way was 2007. Wiluna has basic supplies (depending on the day). Billiluna not so much.

You can also get supplies at Balgo which is about 40Klms south of the Tanami.

Things may have changed since then.

Regards

Kim
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 19:16

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 19:16
Thanks Kim
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 20:45

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 20:45
Mulan has good supplies but you will need a permit to come off the Canning at Well 51 to get to Mulan, and you could wait a good while for someone to open the store
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Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 21:30

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 21:30
The track that Olsen's refers to follows the southern end of Lake Gregory and then turns north to Mulan. In a good rainfall season it’s a beautiful area to visit, but it’s also flood prone, so you will need to call ahead.

The administrator at Mulin was a bloke called Mark Sewell, but he’d be long gone by now. The administrator’s phone number is 91688939.

I wouldn’t be too bothered with a permit.Mulan is a good laid back settlement.

Regards

Kim

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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 21:35

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 21:35
Kim and Damn Dog

How long since you went through? New admin and new permits last two years.
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Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 22:00

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 22:00
As I said, around 2007.

It would surprise me a bit if permits are now being enforced.

The first time I visited Mulan was around 2003?

We got talking to the copper, and one of the local blokes, who offered to take us to an out station for the night and do a bit of shooting.

The local bloke lives directly opposite the store. You might know him.

Regards

Kim
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Follow Up By: Olsen's 4WD Tours and Training - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 22:11

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 22:11
Yep I know him.
It is not so much that they are being enforced, I have no idea, because I always arrange to have one. I think it is more that they are being used more constructively.
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Follow Up By: equinox - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 00:12

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 00:12
Hi there.

Would any of you have a picture of Point Alphonse?

I have always wanted to see what that looks like.

Cheers
Alan


Looking for adventure.
In whatever comes our way.



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Follow Up By: Mick O - Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 12:48

Tuesday, Mar 30, 2010 at 12:48
I passed through there in June last and camped at Handover (Paraku). The water level of the lake is a good couple of metres down meaning it's a couple of km walk to the water edge form the lakeside camp grounds. Handover site was in disrepair with no water, collapsed toilets and very little firewood. Amazing amounts of wild cattle and horses thriving on the grasslands surrounding the lake. Yenbu campsite was a little better in condition but still no water and a good hike through mud to the lake edge.

Permits are required particularly if you want to camp in the area. They may well ask for them at the community as you pass through.

Lake Gregory (Paraku) via Balgo and Mulan

Handover campsite - Paraku

Lake Gregory to the Canning


Cheers Mick
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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Reply By: Patrol22 - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 19:10

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 19:10
Don't do it Joff1 - head back to Sydney that is - put the map of Oz on the floor right now - spin around a dozen or so times - toss a dollar coin over your left shoulder and head off to wherever it (the dollar coin that is) lands. We headed home about this time last year......and while my head is back in town my heart is still out on the Gary Highway somewhere........
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 19:18

Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 at 19:18
I hear ya but the kids need a life too. And if I have to work and live in one spot I might as well do it near friends and family. It won't be forever :)
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Reply By: Adrian T - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 13:31

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 13:31
joff1. Do you have an exact date you are leaving? If mid June would you travel with another vehicle as our "other vehicle' has just retired due to work commitments.
Adrian
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 21:57

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 21:57
Hi Adrian, I'm going up there with some friends in July so I think we will be a way behind you.
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Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 20:21

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 20:21
Thanks for the info guys.
It has helped me out as well.
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Follow Up By: joff1 - Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 21:59

Sunday, Mar 28, 2010 at 21:59
get your own thread old mate ha ha
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Follow Up By: Richard W (NSW) - Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 05:17

Monday, Mar 29, 2010 at 05:17
LOL.
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