Great Central Road

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 18:51

ThreadID: 96314 Views:2902 Replies:8 FollowUps:3

This Thread has been Archived

Great Central Road

Part of the "Outback Way", the Great Central Road is the main thoroughfare through Central Australia and links WA to NT. It is widely used by buses, trucks, 4WD and occasionally 2WD vehicles.

Great Central Road

Section: Treks

The Great Central Road is the main thoroughfare through Central Australia and links WA to NT. It is mostly unsealed but is widely used by buses, trucks, 4WD and occasionally 2WD vehicles.

Fiona C

Hi - we are considering taking our 24 ft supreme territory across the GCR from Laverton to Uluru in a few weeks. Can anyone out there advise if we will have issues getting a van of this size across creek/river crossings/wash outs? We will be taking it easy but not sure if the van is too long to get across. Total length of van is 32 foot from drawbar to rear bumper. Thanks Fiona

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Warren B - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 19:44

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 19:44

Hi Fiona, cannot help you but are interested in any replys as we are in the process of planning a trip from winton to lenora, towing our van 19ft dirt road crusader, and from what we can work out its almost a walk in the park L.O.L providing it doesn,t rain.
Cheers Warren

AnswerID: 488653

Reply By: Fiona C - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 19:59

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 19:59

Hi Warren - from what I have read and heard you shouldn't have any problems getting across with your van. Apparently approx 10 vans go across every day in tourist season. I'm hoping someone out there can help us make the decision. Cheers Fiona.

AnswerID: 488655

Follow Up By: Shayne G - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2012 at 20:39

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2012 at 20:39

Hi Fiona

I am heading East along Great Central Road on the 9th of July. If you travel before then I would be interested in any comments you have.

Shayne G

FollowupID: 764190

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:11

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:11

Hi Fiona,

The GCR is a "walk in the park" when dry, easily traversed in any 2WD - tyres are the biggest issue. We went last year in July and while this is usually a dry time, we struck rain and the road was closed while we were on it. But as we were already on (and no idea its closed) we carried on.

The length/clearance of your rig is no real issue on this road, but if it rains, would certainly want a 4WD for traction! Also, not sure what the under chassis protection is like, will be showered with gravel for a 1,000 kms. My camper is a full off-road AOR Quantum and it did this trip very easily.

Entry to Warbuton

Just after Docker River

Here is a blog of our trip in ExplorOz if your interested
Uluru Blog

Cheers

Captain

AnswerID: 488657

Follow Up By: 4x4 TOY - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:20

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:20

Hi Captain - thanks for the info. The supreme has simplicity suspension (travels extremely well on dirt) and the chassis has full under body protection so it shouldn't be an issue. We are towing with a 4.2 litre turbo diesel, 100 series landcruiser and are set up well to free camp, therefore if it happens to rain we can pull up for a few days. Once again thanks for the response, you have put my mind at rest.

Cheers Fiona

FollowupID: 763803

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 21:10

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 21:10

Hi Fiona,

With your setup, you will do the GCR easily, even if it does rain like it did for us. Just lower tyre pressures to suit the conditions (we were at 28 psi all round) and you shouldn't have any troubles at all.

Cheers

Captain

FollowupID: 763809

Reply By: 4x4 TOY - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:40

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:40

Hi again Captain - I have just been looking at your trip photo's and noticed you have a Stone Stomper. We have just purchased one and so far have found it excellent. It keeps so much dust of the van when travelling on dry dirt roads and provides great protection. We are very pleased we purchased it.

Safe travels.

cheers Fiona

AnswerID: 488659

Reply By: Old Dave - Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:41

Saturday, Jun 16, 2012 at 20:41

Hi fiona

It is a very easy road if you drive to the conditions,

when we went across we had to keep an eye out for some of the d====d

in 4x4 who travel without consideration to other road users.

Regards Dave.

AnswerID: 488660

Reply By: Territory29 - Monday, Jun 18, 2012 at 00:16

Monday, Jun 18, 2012 at 00:16

Hi Fiona
We just came across this week going from Ayres Rock to Leonora in our Supreme Territory 20 ft, you will not have any problems just lower your tyre pressures and drive to the conditions. The road is a bit rough 40K from Docker River on the NT side but the grader is working on it and it should be fine when you get there. Read the Crows report on thread 95931.
Enjoy the trip
Regards
Greg

AnswerID: 488779

Reply By: 4x4 TOY - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2012 at 13:29

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2012 at 13:29

Thanks guys really appreciate the advice. Can't wait to head off.

Happy travels
Cheers Fiona

AnswerID: 488902

Reply By: Member - Morry H (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2012 at 21:53

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2012 at 21:53

hi fiona we just got back from a trip we did the plenty hwy and the donohue from alice to winton . we have a jayco 7 mtre obcheck your cubord and door catches no troubles at all exept a top shocky rubber on the rear of the patrol . took us a week as there is so much to see we also did the oodnadatta track just over 5.7ks to the litre with a chev 6.5 have fun and just go carry fuel as its not guanteed plus water regards morry

AnswerID: 489055