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Information Sources |
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There are five main sources of information on the Outback Way:
- This website. A selection of documents are available to view or download that help travellers with pre-trip and enroute information.
- Outback Way Brochure, downloadable from here or available from Outback Way visitor centres & Shire Offices .
- Outback Way Atlas & Guidebook, available wherever HEMA maps are sold, from visitor centres along the Outback Way or order online.
- Visitor centres along the Outback Way.
- Email queries to
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It is essential that traveller’s have maps of the Outback Way and the surrounding region to safely travel the route. Suitable maps and/or the Outback Way Atlas & Guidebook are available at most map shops. The Outback Way brochure has a map showing the relative location of sites / attractions, fuel stops, cache sites, accommodation, rest bays and interpretive panels. The brochure is an ideal source of information to familiarise with distances, sites of interest and pre-trip considerations but is not recommended as a navigational map for use along the route.
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Preparation |
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The Outback Way is best travelled during April to October, when warm, dry, sunny days are common and nights can be cold. Travelling the Outback Way during November to March the days are hot, nights are warm, bursts of moderate-heavy rain are possible, and daytime conditions can be harsh (i.e. extremely hot). During the hot summer months exposure to the elements can quickly lead to dehydration and exhaustion. The variation in temperatures along the Outback Way can require clothing for ‘all seasons’. Accessories such as hats, light-loose clothing, rain-spray jacket, thermal underwear and warm outerwear can be appreciated as the day-night conditions change (as shown in the table below).
Climate Along The Outbackway
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Laverton |
Warakurna |
Alice Springs
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Winton |
| Min. / Max. Temp. Range May-Oct |
5-12º / 17-28ºC |
6-17º / 20-31ºC |
3-14º / 19-31ºC |
8-18ºC / 24-34ºC |
| Min. / Max. Temp. Range Nov-Apr |
16-21º / 32-36ºC |
16-23º / 33-37ºC |
17-21º / 33-36ºC |
17-23º / 32-38ºC |
| Number of Rain Days May-Oct |
14 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
| Number of Rain Days Nov-Apr |
14 |
21 |
15 |
23 |
ATM’s can sometimes be inoperable or unavailable in the outback. Travellers should have sufficient cash to refuel their vehicle 2-3 times and/or pay for accommodation and provisions. Similarly, vehicle repairs, if required, might be more easily arranged with cash than a credit card.
Corrugations along unsealed roads can increase the wear and tear upon vehicles, contributing to breakdowns. Vehicle repair services are limited along the Outback Way and should not be relied upon except in emergencies. It is essential that your 4WD - car is in good working order before departing. This may require booking it in for a service and/or making repairs. Best to leave nothing to chance!
Unleaded petrol (or unleaded substitute known as OPAL) and diesel fuel is available at towns and/or roadhouses every 250-350km along the Outback Way. Most of the roadhouses and/or community-owned fuel stops also stock a range of frozen meat products, fresh produce and general groceries (although best to stock up with essential items before leaving home). The Outback Way brochure outlines the opening hours of roadhouses and fuel stops.
Travellers who wish to purchase a handheld GPS with many of the rest bays, interpretive sites, places of interest and Way-finder coordinates pre-installed can inquire at Johnny Appleseed - one of Australia’s leading retailers of GPS by phoning 1800 477 477 and ask for an Outback Way GPS (pre-loaded with all the essential sites, attractions and geocache coordinates!). This will certainly help avoid travelling past the less-obvious sites!
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Getting to Winton & Laverton |
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Suggested routes to access the Outback Way are outlined below;
- Melbourne to Winton via Shepparton, Griffith, Cobar, Bourke, Cunnamulla, Charleville and Barcaldine.
- Sydney to Winton via Orange, Dubbo, Bourke, Cunnamulla, Charleville and Barcaldine.
- Brisbane to Winton via Toowoomba, Miles, Mitchell, Blackall and Barcaldine.
- Adelaide to Alice Springs via Port Augusta and Coober Pedy.
- Darwin to Alice Springs via Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
- Perth to Laverton via Northam, Southern Cross, Kalgoorlie and Leonora.
- WA’s Pilbara to Laverton via Newman, Meekatharra and Leinster.
- WA’s Kimberley to Alice Springs via Halls Creek, Billiluna, Yuendumu along the Tanami Track.
- WA’s Kimberley to Laverton via Broome, Port Hedland, Newman, Meekatharra and Leinster.
- WA’s Mid-West to Laverton via Geraldton, Mount Magnet, Leinster and Leonora.
A map of Australia can be viewed or downloaded here to help locate the towns and places listed on the suggested routes.
Along most of the suggested routes travellers can enjoy the benefits of travelling along self-drive routes that often have improved signage, route-specific maps, visitor-friendly brochures and amenities that can make for a more enjoyable trip. A range of self-drive route websites can be accessed via the links page.
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Itinerary & Accommodation |
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The Outback Way extends for 2,750km from Laverton WA to Winton Qld. To travel the entire Outback Way requires no less than 3-4 days of daytime travel (i.e. travelling at night is not recommended). Typically around 6-7 days of daytime travel is required to stop and enjoy the highlights of central Australia. The Outback Way can be a shortcut, a 4WD adventure or a leisurely outback-desert experience. In all cases there is a wide selection of accommodation options including rooms / units, caravan / camping sites and bush camping. Perhaps the hardest decision is how much to see and do during the 10-11 hours of daylight and where to rest at night.
Accommodation is available at most of the fuel stops along the Outback Way. The table below shows the time required to travel between fuel stops. Most travellers choose to drive for around 6-8 hours per day with breaks along the way. Download the Time & Distance Chart here.
A list of accommodation along the Outback Way can be downloaded here. In most cases travellers who prefer to stay in rooms and units are strongly recommended to book well in advance. During the peak visitor season of June to August travellers who prefer formal caravan or camp sites are encouraged to book in advance. For travellers who prefer ‘camping out’ there is a wide range of opportunities and in most cases it is best to have found a suitable site an hour before sunset (be warned, it can get very dark at night, especially when there’s no moon!).
The Outback Way brochure provides a selection of suggested itineraries that can help in preparing a daily schedule to enjoy sites of interest and accommodation.
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Things to See & Do |
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The Outback Way is home to an impressive collection of sites and places of interest that every traveller should aim to visit including:
- MacDonnell Ranges (east & west)
- Tjulyuru Art Gallery, Warburton
- Petermann Ranges & Schwerin Mural Crescent
- Central Australia gemfields
- Mt Conner (or at least enjoy views from the lookout!)
- Gnamma holes along the Great Central Road (that gave it the alignment)
- Lilyvale (and the Cawnpore lookout)
- Lark Quarry (and the world’s only known dinosaur stampede!)
In between viewing and enjoying the sights travellers can indulge in a range of activities including:
- Bird watching (i.e. at waterholes, wells, billabongs),
- nature walks (i.e. around ridges & breakaways, through mulga scrub, oak forest),
- wildlife spotting (especially around water, at dusk & dawn, near outcroppings),
- geocaching (searching for hidden caches approximately 70-80km apart),
- viewing interpretive panels (located approximately 80-90km apart),
- viewing indigenous art galleries/workshops at select communities & roadhouses,
- 4WD side trips to known sites of interest,
- picnics at roadside rest bays and river crossings,
- viewing panoramic landscapes from roadside crests and ridges,
- fossicking at gem fields, and
- trying your luck fishing in seasonal billabongs and waterholes.
Further information on some of these activities can be found on the links page. The Outback Way Brochure and Guidebook has further information for pre-trip or enroute planning.
Travellers who aim to stop at the gnamma holes between Laverton and Warakurna are asked to help 'care for country' by clearing sand out of the gnamma holes, especially the dry holes. The Ngaanyatjarraku people greatly appreciate your help in trying to restore water to these vital, natural wonders.
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Events to Enjoy |
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Isolation is a guaranteed certainty in the outback. Then again, there is a festival or event practically every fortnight somewhere along the Outback Way during April to October. So whether you’re looking for solace or socialising it can certainly be found – if you know where to look! Be sure to inquire and check the actual dates, event schedules and visitor accommodation options for the events listed below. Outback festivals and events are often surprising and outrageously good fun!
Event Name
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Dates |
Location - Contacts
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| Boulia Rodeo Races & Campdraft |
2nd Week April |
Boulia P: 07 4746 3386 |
| Alice Springs Heritage Festival |
4th Week April |
Alice Springs P: 08 8953 0295 |
| Finke Desert Race |
2nd Week June |
Alice Springs & Finke P: 08 8953 0295 |
| Alice Springs Beanie Festival |
4th Week June |
Alice Springs Cultural Precinct |
| Alice Springs Show |
1st Week July |
Blatherskite Park, South Stuart Highway |
| Winton Opal Expo |
1st Week July |
Winton P: 07 4657 1466 |
| Imparja Camel Cup |
2nd Week July |
Blatherskite Park, South Stuart Highway
www.camelcup.com.au P: 08 8952 6796 |
| Harts Range Bush Sports Weekend |
1st Week August |
Harts Range Race Track P: 08 8956 6303
www.hartsrangeraces.org.au |
| Alice Springs Rodeo |
3rd Week August |
Blatherskite Park, South Stuart Highway |
| Henley on Todd Regatta |
4th Week August |
Todd River, Alice Springs.
www.henleyontodd.com.au P: 08 8952 6796 |
| Simpson Desert Racing Carnival |
1st & 2nd Week
September
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Birdsville, Bedourie, Betoota |
| Alice Desert Festival |
2nd & 3rd Week September
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Alice Springs, various venues
P:08 8953 6111
www.alicedesertfestival.com.au
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| Back to Boulia |
4th Week September |
Boulia P: 07 4746 3386 |
| Winton Outback Festival |
4th Week September |
Winton (2009, 2011, 2013)
P: 07 4657 1466 |
| Laverton Race Day |
4th Week September |
Laverton P: 08 9031 1361 |
The journey awaits!
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Planning The Trip 
