Alice Springs, through Papunya and Kiwirrkurra to Gary Junction and on to Newman
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010 at 23:49
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Gladdy
Hello to all. This is my first entry on the
forum after having been a regular reader for 2-3 years of some very interesting,informative and funny at times items.
I am now seeking some help and guidance. We are experienced outback travellers but have not been in this particular area before.
A two vehicle party of five "boys" are to begin this trek in late July and would like to hear from anyone who has been this way recently and can give some idea of the road conditions, what permits we require and any other pertinent and useful information we may need.
The vehicles are 2009 Nissan Patrol turbo diesel and 2008 3 litre turbo diesel (inter cooled) Toyota Hi Lux utility.
Reply By: Member - Bucky - Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 06:44
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 06:44
Gladdy
There is a comprehensive guide to permits, on the articles section of this site.
Your Vehicles will have no troubles, but drop your speed down to about 70-80 km/hr, and your tyre pressures to about 22-25 psi, as it will smooth out things good.
We travelled most of the length you are describing, but we went thru
Nullagine, along the Scull Sprins Road, then up to
Marble Bar, to Shea Gap, and out to the Great Northern Highway.
Fuel was $160 a Lt, at
Kintore, $2.80 at
Kiwirrkurra, $3.20 a lt at Kunawarratji, but you have to have it, so just get what you need it.
Road was all good last July, except for about 40-60 km near the WA-NT Border.,
But a lot can happen in that short time, in the Outback.
Enjoy, it's beautiful out there
Cheers
Bucky
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 08:10
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 08:10
Skull Springs Road has just been graded and is in great condition (on it Monday).
Gary Junction is in good condition all the way to Rippon Hills Road.
Marble bar road is reasonable with a few bumps south of Blue cloud down to
Newman.
Cheers Mick
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 04:26
Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 04:26
You back Mick ?
So how is the new beast going ?
Cheers
Bucky
FollowupID:
693032
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 07:38
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 07:38
We have driven the
Gary junction Road a couple of times.
Last time was 2008.
We enjoy this route.
Not too much traffic, road is usually pretty good. The odd corrugated bit in the pics is about as bad as it gets.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
AnswerID:
422543
Follow Up By: Graham & Ann - Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 15:15
Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 15:15
Excellent slide shows you have got Peter, we've been viewing many of them in the past, (along with your comments on various forums) checking out
places we want to go with the van, they give us good indication of the road, creek/river crossings etc. conditions.
Just wondering if there is anywhere that we can see a list of the slide show urls?
Thanks for your input.
FollowupID:
693070
Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 08:12
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 at 08:12
Great drive through there, we done it with 5 vehicles in 2005 but continued on up the Kidson Track.
You will need two permits, one for the NT side then one for the WA side.
We found that on arrival at a few communities, the
general store's were shut up but upon finding the care takers they were only too happy to open up and supply us fuel and stocks.
Make sure you stop for a night at Jupiter
Well, great spot.
We had a ball, great drive, great people great fun.Enjoy
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Gladdy - Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 00:06
Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 00:06
Thanks very much to those who have replied. The information gleaned has been most valuable and also alarming in the amount of "stuff" that we didn't know and haven't arranged,yet....
Just goes to show, you are never too old to learn.
Have just been reading another thread about the desirability for the use of politeness, tolerance and understanding for people asking questions on this
forum and couldn't agree more.
I have been treated with the greatest courtesy and am greatly appreciative of the advice and assistance given.
Thanks everyone.
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Reply By: Graham & Ann - Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 16:06
Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 16:06
Gladdy, we look forward to your feedback, as we've got the same/similar trip on the planning board. Although I assume you plan on heading down from
Gary Junction then across the
Talawana Track into
Newman, probably a bit much with our van on the back, if so will have to stick to the Talfer
Mine Rd. then on into either
Marble Bar or
Nullagine revisiting Carawine Gorge/
Running Waters area that we did in 2005.
Happy travels...
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422692
Follow Up By: Gladdy - Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 17:53
Thursday, Jul 01, 2010 at 17:53
G'day Graham & Ann;
Yes we will go down CSR for a while and onto
Talawana Track then into
Newman.
We plan on spending a day or two in Karijini Nat.
Park if we can find anything to look at then on through
Millstream-Chichester Nat.
Park, across to
Karratha then a quick run to
Marble Bar just so that we can say that we have a beer at
Marble Bar pub.
Then up to
Broome for a day or two, up
Cape Leveque for another day or two then start for home down Tanami Track to Alice. We hope to be able to take a flight over Lake Eyre from probably Maree, before heading home to Melb.
If I can figure out how to put photos on here when we get back I will do so.
We leave on 18th July and have a 4 week leave pass from TWMBO.
Regards, Gladdy
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Follow Up By: Graham & Ann - Friday, Jul 02, 2010 at 13:00
Friday, Jul 02, 2010 at 13:00
Looking forward to your pics and comments, especially on the section from "down CSR for a while and onto
Talawana Track then into
Newman." as to how towing our van would go thru that section. Rough don't matter it's just really soft sand hills and very sharp drop off's/exits into/from creeks etc. photos usually give a good indication.
We loved Karijini Nat.
Park allow min of 2 days (1 night) the spider walk is great, as is the
Fern Pool and other sights.
Camp at
Dales gorge end and do the other gorges as you head off to
Millstream, or if you have time
Tom Price is worth a look good
mine tour. And many folk miss
Hamersley gorge as they head over to
MIllstream via the short cut, it's worth a look as is sheila's
lookout on the short cut road to
Millstream.
Enjoy
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Follow Up By: Wompoo - Thursday, Jul 08, 2010 at 17:19
Thursday, Jul 08, 2010 at 17:19
G'day Gladdy:
Just wanted to wish you all
well on your trek and to encourage you to make sure you take time and enjoy the scenery. I did this journey in September of 2008 and had a blast. As a Canadian guy I am an experienced wildlife researcher and bush traveler but Aussie outback is a different habitat for sure. Not as mean as snow and ice I found but still one has to be super careful. As others have probably mentioned always err on taking a bit too much fresh
water.
My favorite section of the trip was between Kwikirrua and the where the
Gary Junction Rd meets the
Canning Stock Route. I still dream about waking up in my tent in the dead quiet of such a beautiful landscape with all of those red dunes and whispering casuarinas. Nothing but the sound of Singing honeyeaters and the warm breeze.
Your welcome to have a look at my blog if you like here: The blog is about parrots as I was looking for the rare Princess parrot along west of Kwikirrura. If you scroll down you can see some pics form the area. And yes I did indeed find them.
http://polytelismedia.wordpress.com/2008/09/
This is one gorgeous area and I hope you have a safe time and enjoy yourself there.
Cheers!
Don
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