Driving from Perth to Melbourne via Alice Springs

We went thru the GCR in mid-July. Good formed road right thru to the WA/NT border, and even in the NT it was still fine. The few places it was corrugated, it was not all that bad, but I wasn't towing anything. Generally cruised at about 90, no probs.
Rain could be a problem, but by October, it should be pretty good and dry. Nice time then - after the rain, before the heat.
Even in Oct, expect chilly nights.
Tjukayirla has nice camping facilities and even internet and some good art for sale at good prices.
Diesel was $2.05 at Warburton. Avoid their egg/chicken burgers, tho. Even a local mangy dog turned up its nose when I offered it!
Nice art gallery there well worth checking out.
Nice scenic ranges around Giles, worth a pic or two.
And the weather station at Giles is worth checking out, I'm told (tho I still haven't done it myself)

cheers
Gerry

As said.
Did the run 2 weeks ago from Laverton to Uluru in 2 days and camped at the Warburton Roadhouse. Cooked my own dinner. ;)
Also stopped off to look at the Giles weather station and it is worth a look. A couple of original Len Beadell cartons are on the wall.

Very sound advice from Carl, Doinoz.

Apart from the duplication of the Nullarbor which is after all only two or three days out of your long trip, there are many options. We have enjoyed each of the seven times we have driven across it, and you can deviate around the Eyre Peninsular which is so good that we did as a tour on its own. Once past Pt Augusta, we have taken different roads each time for variety. Our trip to Tasmania was more direct to meet the deadline for the ferry and CP bookings and took two weeks, incorporating the Great Ocean Road. Our return took four weeks as we ambled through the Northern Flinders Ranges and on to places like Marree and Woomera, but the latter involved roads which may not suit your rig.

In My Blogs, you can check my trip reports for 2005 Eyre Peninsular, 2006 Tasmania and trips to get there and back. 2008 trips include the Great Central, but i do not recommend it for you rig. 2009 trips not finished or loaded yet.

Enjoy Tasmania; we loved every bit of it.

Motherhen

Motherhen,

You are right :oops, didn't read what type of van it was.
I probably wouldn't take a Jayco Stirling along the GCR although I passed a few semi offroad caravans en-route.