Boulia to Alice Springs WHICH WAY ?????

The run west of Mt Isa is very boring in my view (except for Camooweal) - I'm yet to do the Plenty (weather ruled it out for me last year) but from all reports it is a very interesting tour overall. Your hardware sounds to be suited ok for that region - why not check here just before the decision needs to be made. Also, "local knowledge" in Boulia might be hard to beat as the best source of up to date info.

Your car sounds fine, but If you do the Plenty make sure you have spare spares or at least adequate tyre repair gear and compressor. The Plenty highway can be tough on tyres, but otherwise a good but lonely outback drive, just take it easy and get a last minute road report before you leave.
Tony

G'day Dave. A friend of mine came across west to east the weekend before last, in a mazda 4wd, and he reckons it could be done by the family commodore at the moment, as lots of grading has and was taking place. He said the country was beautiful, lush and green as you would expect after all the rain. They went west via the Barkley two weeks earlier, and said they really enjoyed the run back across the Plenty. He also said there was fuel available at Tobermorey, where they filled 2 jerry cans.
Maybe ring the Police at Boulia ??

Fred.

Hi Dave,

I came across the Plenty last year towing my van and thought it wasn't too bad. Certainly more interesting than going via the tar in my opinion.

Graeme

David,

Personally I would do the Plenty Hwy, there is not too much to see unless you want to explore, but its a journey worth doing.

I would stop at Jervois Homestead and I would give them a call prior to leaving as they are close to half way and know the road.

Just take it easy, drop your tyre pressures a (including camper) and drop your speed, example 25 psi and max of 80kms (if not slower). Hart Range is worth a look, then there is Gemtree.

It one to tick off your bucket list, now if your in a hurry, take the tar,

If you want an interesting trip you could cut through the Gemfields and onto The Gardens Road or there's always the Sundowner Hwy.....

Good luck with your plans....

Coincidentally, the wife and I will be taking the same trip in late June leaving from just outside Toowoomba at Murphy's Creek.
I'l be in a grand Vitara with a Trek Kudu offroad camper.

I've been across the Barkly highway a couple of times in each direction. The only thing you'll miss is the exorbitant price charged for fuel at Barkly Homestead. While fuel will be dearer along the Plenty, at least it's remote and they have an excuse.

From everything I've read all the tracks that your planning are easily traversed unless it rains. Then all bets are off.
Take your time and watch your tyre pressure.

Kev

Dave,

Reckon you'll have no trouble with your vehicle & trailer on the Plenty, as long as you take your time. It's not as bad as some reports would make it. It's just that's it's a long way, and the few rough sections might influence some people's views.

Wife & I went over the Plenty last August, from Winton to Yulara, and back up the Sandover to Camooweal. There were a few short sections of corrugations, the worst near Jervious, but we spent most of the trip looking for the rough stuff, but never saw any. There is nearly 200 kms of bitumen between Boulia and Stuart H'way, so this reduces the dirt/gravel section.

We camped just out of Boulia, at start of the Donohue, and then stayed overnight at Gem Tree, which was good....but pretty cool. Scenery around Harts Range is to die for, also back near Tarlton Downs. Saw plenty of animals & bird life but you might need to watch for cattle west of the border, as some of the scrub runs right up to road verge.


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Make sure you stop at Jervious, and get an ice cream in a cone. We also bought a couple of their stickers. Can get fuel there, as well as camp for night, if you want.

Nothing wrong with the route over the Barkly either, but adds a lot to your trip, and drains the wallet a bit too. The Sandover is a good trip, more sandy than the Plenty, but less interesting terrain. Maybe another time?

Enjoy your trip,

Bob.

Hello Dave

We did that run via the Plenty last June in our Terracan towing a camper. No problems at all, just lower the tyres a bit and take it easy. Much more interesting than the bitumen and towards the western end there are quite a few different ways to get to Alice Springs if you have some time.

Check road conditions before you set out - they will close the road if there are any problems with flooding etc.

Cheers, Gado

David,

Agree with doing the Plenty.
First time I did it was in 97 in a Tarago on the Bourke Outback Treck. Vehicle only just made it as it was far too low and the road hadn't been graded for some time. Done it a few times since in a 4WD with no dramas. As said Jervois is a good camping spot.

On our Brisbane-Ayers Rock trip 2 years ago we went over on the Plenty and came back via Tennant Creek and the Isa. The Isa is longer but time wise much the same unless there's headwinds on the highway.

The Plenty was quite good on the way over. We had an awful lot of rain whilst in the centre and decided it may have been too chopped up to come back that way.

Yes the Western end of the Plenty is pretty around Harts range, but no more scenic at the eastern end that the highway through the Isa.