|
Travel Distances |
|
|
Along most of the Outback Way there is 2-4 hours travel between fuel stops and around 30 minutes between sites of interest, rest bays, interpretive panels and cache sites.
The following table shows approximate distances between the main stopovers along the Outback Way. A safe travel speed when estimating travel times between stopovers is 80km/h. Download the PDF Time & Distances Chart here.
Travelling the Outback Way from Laverton to Alice Springs (i.e. approximately 1541km) should take a minimum 20 hours driving at a safe speed with necessary stops for fuel, rest and vehicle checks.
Travelling the Outback Way from Winton to Alice Springs (i.e. approximately 1179km) should take a minimum 15 hours driving at a safe speed with necessary stops for fuel, rest and vehicle checks.
Travellers planning a more leisurely trip along the Outback Way (i.e. allowing for sightseeing, picnic rest-stops, fuel stops, camping, nature walks, geocaching, etc) should allow 4-5 days to drive Laverton to Alice Springs and/or 3-4 days to drive Winton to Alice Springs. Additional days can be spent enjoying some of the superb camping opportunities, gem fossicking, Ayers Rock / The Olga’s, The MacDonnell Ranges, extended nature walks, bird watching, searching for Way-finder caches or 4WD side trips to sites of interest. Many travellers opt for a ten day trip along the Outback Way when travelling Laverton to Winton (or vice versa).
|
|
|
Fuel Usage |
|
|
These fuel usage estimates are based on average consumption rates
driving economically at steady, safe speeds. Actual fuel usage will differ due
to road and driving conditions and vehicle efficiency. The tables
are intended to provide travellers with an estimate of fuel
requirements. Travellers should always carry more fuel
than is required when driving in the outback. It is recommended that
Outback Way travellers re-fuel at each of the roadhouses to maintain
adequate fuel supplies and enjoy a short stop that will help to rest,
revive and survive. Safe travelling.
Approximate Fuel Usage
Litres used for a fully loaded vehicle on the Outback Way
|
Engine Size
|
1000km
|
2000km
|
3000km
|
4000km
|
Diesel 4 cyclinder
|
200
|
400
|
600
|
800
|
| Diesel 6 cyclinder |
230
|
460
|
690
|
920
|
| Diesel 8 cyclinder |
260
|
520
|
780
|
1040
|
| Turbo Diesel 4 cyclinder |
170
|
340
|
510
|
680
|
| Turbo Diesel 6 cyclinder |
200
|
400
|
600
|
800
|
| Turbo Diesel 8 cyclinder |
230
|
460
|
690
|
920
|
| Petrol 4 cyclinder |
220
|
440
|
660
|
880
|
| Petrol 6 cyclinder |
250
|
500
|
750
|
1000
|
| Petrol 8 cyclinder |
280
|
560
|
840
|
1120
|
Approximate Fuel Usage
Litres used for a vehicle towing and offroad caravan
or camper trailer on the Outback Way |
| Engine Size |
1000km |
2000km |
3000km |
4000km |
| Diesel 4 cyclinder |
234
|
468
|
702
|
936
|
| Diesel 6 cyclinder |
274
|
547
|
821
|
1095
|
| Diesel 8 cyclinder |
317
|
634
|
952
|
1269
|
| Turbo Diesel 4 cyclinder |
196
|
391
|
587
|
782
|
| Turbo Diesel 6 cyclinder |
234
|
468
|
702
|
936
|
| Turbo Diesel 8 cyclinder |
274
|
547
|
821
|
1095
|
| Petrol 4 cyclinder |
266
|
532
|
799
|
1065
|
| Petrol 6 cyclinder |
310
|
620
|
930
|
1240
|
| Petrol 8 cyclinder |
361
|
722
|
1084
|
1445
|
|
|
|
Road Conditions |
|
|
Many roads in Australia’s Outback are unsealed and most are dirt, sand or gravel. Many of the unsealed roads along the Outback Way have sections of corrugations, loose rocks, pot-holes, creeks / wash-outs, floodways, stone build-ups, bulldust holes and graded mounds from road works. Each of these surface types need to be carefully negotiated at a safe speed.
As a general guide the road surfaces along the Outback Way are as follows:
 Laverton to the WA Border is unsealed road with some sections well formed, graded, relatively smooth surfaces and other sections corrugated, sandy and rutted with occasional bulldust holes. There is minimal road signage and limited forewarning of sites, features, bends or crests.
WA Border to Kata Tjuta is unsealed road with sections of rock-sand limestone or red desert sand with some occasionally rough corrugations, ruts and soft, boggy sections on dune rises. Some of the creek-river crossings have dry, soft surfaces that are susceptible to seasonal flooding January-March. There is minimal road signage and limited forewarning of sites, features, bends or crests. This section of road is often the most vulnerable to damage, as a result of the sandy (desert) substrate, and can sometimes be badly corrugated.
Kata Tjuta to Yulara to Alice Springs to Gemtree is sealed bitumen, dual lane, main road or highway standard, with intermittent rest bays and 24hr overnight stops. The route is well signposted with approach signs for sites, features, bends crests, etc.
Gemtree to Ongeva River is sealed then eastwards to Boulia is unsealed road of varying form including sandy, limestone, gravely-rock with sections of corrugations, occasional rutted-lanes and unformed surfaces. Intermittent creek-river crossings have dry, soft surfaces that are susceptible to seasonal flooding November-March. There is basic road signage with occasional forewarning of bends, crests and river crossings with limited signage of sites and features. The section of road from the NT / QLD border to a point 60-100km east and/or west of the border can sometimes be badly corrugated as a result of truck traffic, the rocky substrate and dry conditions.
 Boulia to Winton is sealed bitumen, single lane, susceptible to flooding at major river crossings especially within the channel country. Road verges can be soft, muddy and sloped causing potential loss of steerage or traction when pulling onto the verge (e.g. when trucks or car-caravans approach head on). The route is fairly well signposted with approach signs to sites, features, crests, bends, river crossings etc. This section should not be driven at dusk, dawn or night due to the presence of wildlife.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Stop, Revive, Survive |
|
|
The Outback Way is 2,750km journey across varying road surfaces and landscapes that can make for a potentially tiring drive experience unless regular rest stops are factored in. The unsealed sections, totalling around 1850km, are characterised with dust, corrugations, tyre ruts and rocky-sandy-rough surfaces that demand driver concentration, potentially contributing to driver fatigue. Travellers should aim to drive for 45-60 minutes then stop for a 10-15 minute break. The Outback Way offers a variety of rest opportunities including searching for Way-finder caches, interpretive panel sites, gnamma hole sites (Laverton to WA Border), bird and wildlife spotting at wells and windmills, fuel stops, rest bays (ideal for a picnic or powernap) and occasional ridges and breakaways for a short nature walk. When stopping for a rest travellers should also check their vehicle and especially roof rack luggage, undercarriage, tyres, wheel nuts and under the bonnet.
Stopping for an occasional rest not only reduces the onset of driver fatigue and the risk of an accident but also provides the opportunity to experience the surprisingly rich ecosystem of Australia’s central deserts. You will be surprised and amazed at how much is on offer when you stop and take a close look!
Travellers stopping at any of the gnamma holes between Laverton and Warakurna are asked to help 'care for country' by removing sand from the dry gnamma holes. Even the smallest contribution will help in restoring water to some of these vital, natural wonders. The Ngaanyatjarra people greatly appreciate your help in caring for country.
|
|
|
Bioregions |
|
|
Many visitors to central Australia assume that the inland is flat, arid and lacking vegetation or appeal. When in fact the Outback Way passes through a wide range of landscapes including arid and semi-arid deserts, gorges, breakaways, mountain ranges, grasslands, mallee and mulga covered plains, giant salt lakes, seasonally wet channel country, rivers, creeks, billabongs, hilly woodlands, rolling desert dunes and majestic forests of desert oaks. With this much diversity it is no surprise to find a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals making for an ever-changing view or experience just around the next corner!
And just when you begin to think the ‘sameness’ of scenery is endless travellers should stop and explore the subtle and dramatic diversity in even the smallest plants, insects and landscape features to reveal an amazingly different world to anything you’ve probably ever seen before!
Part of this is a result of the Outback Way passing through 10 of the 85 distinctive bio-geographic regions of Australia. Bioregions are large land areas composed of common characteristics of geology, landform, land-use, vegetation composition and pattern, climate and visual appearance. Distinctive ecosystems in each bioregion influence the variety of organisms that live in each distinctive part of the outback. The bioregions of the Outback Way include: (from west to east)
1.GVD Great Victoria Desert
2.GD Gibson Desert
3.CR Central Ranges
4.GSD Great Sandy Desert
5.FIN Finke
6.MAC MacDonnell Ranges
7.BRT Burt Plain
8.SSD Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields
9.CHC Channel Country
10.MGD Mitchell Grass Downs
Whereas scientists and agencies from the States, Territories and academic institutions use the bioregions framework as the basis for scientific studies and nature conservation planning, travellers along the Outback Way can explore the diversity of landscape and enjoy the wonder and beauty of the ever-changing natural environment.
|
|
|
Safety |
|
|
The following comments are specific to driving the 1850km of unsealed roads along the Outback Way.
Drive at a speed to suit the road surface conditions and visibility and always err on the side of caution. Far better to arrive somewhere a few minutes late than having an accident or blowing more tyres than you have spares.
Try to drive at a constant speed, for example, around 80km/hr will allow you to ride over many of the corrugations without risking an accident or delaying your travels.
Some of the unsealed sections along the Outback Way have bulldust, a fine powder-like dust, that is often very hard to see. It can sometimes appear as a smooth hard patch on the road but is in fact a fine covering of dust over a hole. Driving through a bulldust hole at speed can be very dangerous. It can also damage engines so check your air filter regularly and clean it whenever possible.
Don’t over-estimate how far you can drive safely in a day. Driving in the outback across rough, unpredictable road surfaces requires full-time concentration. Six hours driving (e.g. at 80km/h) with regular breaks is a realistic days driving. Sharing the driving with two or more drivers could enable 8-10 hours travel during daylight hours. Driving fatigued is dangerous, don’t do it.
Trucks, heavy vehicles and cars towing caravans can cause dust to rise obscuring visibility. When dust rises, the best approach is to stay well left and slow right down until visibility is restored or pull off the road and stop immediately then continue once visibility is restored. Keep in mind that another vehicle may also have slowed down or pulled over just a short distance ahead.
Unsealed sections of the Outback Way traverses creeks, rivers and floodways where road surfaces can be dry, damp, soft, muddy or slippery. Always approach slowly being mindful of buried branches, debris and rocks just below the surface (that can puncture tyres) and or stop to inspect the depth, firmness or safeness to cross if water is present. Never cross if water is flowing rapidly.
|
|
|
Permits |
|
|
|
A permit is required when travelling on roads over Aboriginal land such as the Great Central Road, Tjukaruru Road and most of the roads-tracks leading off the Outback Way between Laverton and Yulara. Travellers driving along these sections can apply for a transit permit from the Central Land Council (NT), Department of Indigenous Affairs (WA) or the Ngaanyatjarra Council (NT). Special permission is required to travel off the Outback Way to places of particular interest and travellers can apply to the Ngaanyatjarra Council (NT), allowing 7-10 working days for a permit. Refer to the contacts page for further details.
|
|
|
The Drive 
