maroochydore qld to alice springs nt

Going via Mt Isa you can stay on bitumen highways. Taking the Plenty varies according to the conditions at the time and may not be such a short cut time wise.

Motherhen

Driving a 4x2 vehicle you have to stay on the "Roads" out that way.
You'll be on the blacktop till Charleville via the Warrego Hwy, then head west on the Diamantina developement road to Bedourie. Hang a right up the Ayre dev road to Boulia, then hang a left onto the Donohue hwy, which becomes the Plenty hwy when you hit the border of N.T.

I'd be checking ahead for weather & road conditions before starting out though. Those "Roads" can be a challenge when wet even for a 4x4.
That said, cockies have been driving them in holden utes for yonks.

The quickest way is accross the Simpson, but the 4x2 concept will force you to take the long way around.

The Finke races are worth the adventure though. Have fun.
Cheers,
Ozzie

I assume that it will not just be a van but towing a trailer as well. Using a bike in the race, I assume? So you will also have camping gear, spare bike parts, bike tyres and tools. Spare tyres for the trailer and van and some spare fuel for the van, not to mention fuel for the bike as well. All up a fair bit of weight.

I cannot see why you would have an off road trailer, so the trailer would also be 2WD (you know what I mean here). All this considered, I would take the Motherhen advice and miss the Plenty Hy and do Mt Isa to three Ways and then down.

Perhaps going back, follow some of the other competitors and go south to make the trip different.

In good conditions it is possible to do the Boulia Plenty Highway in a 2 wd if you take your time and are careful.

I have done it and I have seen a Datsun Bluebird and a heap of Citroen 2CVs that made it over the road.

Check conditions carry enough supplies and be careful.

Look at the redex trials in the 1950s and 60s they were all 4x2 vehicles and went over the worst roads.