Outback Highway?
Jul 25th 2004, 5:44 pm
#1
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Outback Highway?
Have just decided to take the Outback Highway, from Yulara in NT to
Lenora in WA, and then on to Geraldton next month.
Has anyone done the trip recently, and can recommend areas to see or
things to avoid?
Geodyne
Lenora in WA, and then on to Geraldton next month.
Has anyone done the trip recently, and can recommend areas to see or
things to avoid?
Geodyne
Jul 25th 2004, 8:33 pm
#2
Guest
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Re: Outback Highway?
Try aus.cars.offroad who may have more recent info.
Jul 25th 2004, 11:00 pm
#3
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Re: Outback Highway?
in article [email protected], Geodyne at
[email protected] wrote on 7/26/04 2:44 AM:
> Have just decided to take the Outback Highway, from Yulara in NT to
> Lenora in WA, and then on to Geraldton next month.
>
> Has anyone done the trip recently, and can recommend areas to see or
> things to avoid?
>
> Geodyne
If you mean (part of) the Gunbarrel, you are in for a true classic. Whole
books have been written about this (and in the case of the bloke behind it,
Len Beadell, six books which are mandatory reading). Good starts are Ron
and Viv Moon's "Discover Australia by 4WD" and Penguin/BPs Explore Australia
by 4WD. Most importantly, they will teach you that it is a very serious
trek, requiring proper preparation and driving technique, time, equipment,
and perhaps most importantly RESPECT for this road. I have a photo in my
office of my Troopie bogged to the boards in Mungili Claypan, and another
(at the junction of the Heather Highway) of washaways to my knees. And
those were in good conditions, which can change dramatically, suddenly, and
seriously.
But with all the homework I mention, it is one of the greatest adventures on
earth.
[email protected] wrote on 7/26/04 2:44 AM:
> Have just decided to take the Outback Highway, from Yulara in NT to
> Lenora in WA, and then on to Geraldton next month.
>
> Has anyone done the trip recently, and can recommend areas to see or
> things to avoid?
>
> Geodyne
If you mean (part of) the Gunbarrel, you are in for a true classic. Whole
books have been written about this (and in the case of the bloke behind it,
Len Beadell, six books which are mandatory reading). Good starts are Ron
and Viv Moon's "Discover Australia by 4WD" and Penguin/BPs Explore Australia
by 4WD. Most importantly, they will teach you that it is a very serious
trek, requiring proper preparation and driving technique, time, equipment,
and perhaps most importantly RESPECT for this road. I have a photo in my
office of my Troopie bogged to the boards in Mungili Claypan, and another
(at the junction of the Heather Highway) of washaways to my knees. And
those were in good conditions, which can change dramatically, suddenly, and
seriously.
But with all the homework I mention, it is one of the greatest adventures on
earth.
Jul 26th 2004, 3:02 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 15:44:27 +1000, Geodyne <[email protected]> wrote:
>Have just decided to take the Outback Highway, from Yulara in NT to
>Lenora in WA, and then on to Geraldton next month.
>Has anyone done the trip recently, and can recommend areas to see or
>things to avoid?
>Geodyne
Have a look here http://www.exploroz.com.au/Splash.asp
My niece and her hubby did it a few months back, camping in tents etc
in a cruiser with six (6) kids.
They were game..... 8 in one car...... as well as the camping gear and
other stuff
By all accounts they had a great time and not too many problems.
>Have just decided to take the Outback Highway, from Yulara in NT to
>Lenora in WA, and then on to Geraldton next month.
>Has anyone done the trip recently, and can recommend areas to see or
>things to avoid?
>Geodyne
Have a look here http://www.exploroz.com.au/Splash.asp
My niece and her hubby did it a few months back, camping in tents etc
in a cruiser with six (6) kids.
They were game..... 8 in one car...... as well as the camping gear and
other stuff
By all accounts they had a great time and not too many problems.
Jul 26th 2004, 6:18 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 11:00:03 GMT, Raffi Balmanoukian
<[email protected] a> wrote:
>If you mean (part of) the Gunbarrel, you are in for a true classic. Whole
>books have been written about this (and in the case of the bloke behind it,
>Len Beadell, six books which are mandatory reading). Good starts are Ron
>and Viv Moon's "Discover Australia by 4WD" and Penguin/BPs Explore Australia
>by 4WD. Most importantly, they will teach you that it is a very serious
>trek, requiring proper preparation and driving technique, time, equipment,
>and perhaps most importantly RESPECT for this road. I have a photo in my
>office of my Troopie bogged to the boards in Mungili Claypan, and another
>(at the junction of the Heather Highway) of washaways to my knees. And
>those were in good conditions, which can change dramatically, suddenly, and
>seriously.
>But with all the homework I mention, it is one of the greatest adventures on
>earth.
I've read about the Gunbarrel and I'd LOVE to do it one day, but I
don't have the right gear to brave it this time around. I'll only be
taking the Gunbarrel as far as Giles Weather station, then taking the
graded highway SW to Lenora. The Gunbarrel turns off to the west just
after the weather station.
Geodyne
<[email protected] a> wrote:
>If you mean (part of) the Gunbarrel, you are in for a true classic. Whole
>books have been written about this (and in the case of the bloke behind it,
>Len Beadell, six books which are mandatory reading). Good starts are Ron
>and Viv Moon's "Discover Australia by 4WD" and Penguin/BPs Explore Australia
>by 4WD. Most importantly, they will teach you that it is a very serious
>trek, requiring proper preparation and driving technique, time, equipment,
>and perhaps most importantly RESPECT for this road. I have a photo in my
>office of my Troopie bogged to the boards in Mungili Claypan, and another
>(at the junction of the Heather Highway) of washaways to my knees. And
>those were in good conditions, which can change dramatically, suddenly, and
>seriously.
>But with all the homework I mention, it is one of the greatest adventures on
>earth.
I've read about the Gunbarrel and I'd LOVE to do it one day, but I
don't have the right gear to brave it this time around. I'll only be
taking the Gunbarrel as far as Giles Weather station, then taking the
graded highway SW to Lenora. The Gunbarrel turns off to the west just
after the weather station.
Geodyne
Jul 26th 2004, 6:18 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 18:33:41 +1000, "Roger Martin"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Try aus.cars.offroad who may have more recent info.
Have done, and thanks. I hadn't realised that ng existed.
Geodyne
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Try aus.cars.offroad who may have more recent info.
Have done, and thanks. I hadn't realised that ng existed.
Geodyne
Jul 26th 2004, 6:21 pm
#7
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Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:02:36 +0800, [email protected] not really
wrote:
>Have a look here http://www.exploroz.com.au/Splash.asp
>My niece and her hubby did it a few months back, camping in tents etc
>in a cruiser with six (6) kids.
>They were game..... 8 in one car...... as well as the camping gear and
>other stuff
>By all accounts they had a great time and not too many problems.
SIX kids....you're not kidding they were game! The kids all survived
and didn't kill each other?!
That was exactly the information I was after...thanks, Tony. Planning
to go Sydney->Broken Hill->Port Augusta->Yulara->Outback
Highway->Geraldton->Shark Bay->Perth->Fremantle and then around the SW
coast before coming east across the Nullarbor. The bit from Yulara to
Laverton was the only one I was having trouble getting condition
information about, and it's the most important!
Geodyne
wrote:
>Have a look here http://www.exploroz.com.au/Splash.asp
>My niece and her hubby did it a few months back, camping in tents etc
>in a cruiser with six (6) kids.
>They were game..... 8 in one car...... as well as the camping gear and
>other stuff
>By all accounts they had a great time and not too many problems.
SIX kids....you're not kidding they were game! The kids all survived
and didn't kill each other?!
That was exactly the information I was after...thanks, Tony. Planning
to go Sydney->Broken Hill->Port Augusta->Yulara->Outback
Highway->Geraldton->Shark Bay->Perth->Fremantle and then around the SW
coast before coming east across the Nullarbor. The bit from Yulara to
Laverton was the only one I was having trouble getting condition
information about, and it's the most important!
Geodyne
Jul 27th 2004, 7:46 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
Geodyne <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
> On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:02:36 +0800, [email protected] not really
> wrote:
>
>
> That was exactly the information I was after...thanks, Tony. Planning
> to go Sydney->Broken Hill->Port Augusta->Yulara->Outback
> Highway->Geraldton->Shark Bay->Perth->Fremantle and then around the SW
> coast before coming east across the Nullarbor. The bit from Yulara to
> Laverton was the only one I was having trouble getting condition
> information about, and it's the most important!
>
> Geodyne
How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
country? :-)
Gerrit - in Europe today - Canada Thursday - back in Oz October
> On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 23:02:36 +0800, [email protected] not really
> wrote:
>
>
> That was exactly the information I was after...thanks, Tony. Planning
> to go Sydney->Broken Hill->Port Augusta->Yulara->Outback
> Highway->Geraldton->Shark Bay->Perth->Fremantle and then around the SW
> coast before coming east across the Nullarbor. The bit from Yulara to
> Laverton was the only one I was having trouble getting condition
> information about, and it's the most important!
>
> Geodyne
How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
country? :-)
Gerrit - in Europe today - Canada Thursday - back in Oz October
Jul 27th 2004, 12:12 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On 27 Jul 2004 12:46:12 -0700, [email protected] (Gerrit) wrote:
>How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
>will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
>country? :-)
There's a secondary highway that goes due west to Geraldton, with the
turnoff to it some 50-80 km to the north of Leonora. It's almost
absolutely direct - goes via Sandstone and Mt. Magnet. Sealed road all
the way - luxury!
You can even see it on the map here: http://www.outback-hwy.org.au/
I've heard it's a smooth ride. I do promise a trip report when I get
back.
>Gerrit - in Europe today - Canada Thursday - back in Oz October
I think I want your life. :-) Where were you visiting in Europe, and
where are you planning to visit in Oz this time?
Geodyne
>How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
>will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
>country? :-)
There's a secondary highway that goes due west to Geraldton, with the
turnoff to it some 50-80 km to the north of Leonora. It's almost
absolutely direct - goes via Sandstone and Mt. Magnet. Sealed road all
the way - luxury!
You can even see it on the map here: http://www.outback-hwy.org.au/
I've heard it's a smooth ride. I do promise a trip report when I get
back.
>Gerrit - in Europe today - Canada Thursday - back in Oz October
I think I want your life. :-) Where were you visiting in Europe, and
where are you planning to visit in Oz this time?
Geodyne
Jul 27th 2004, 11:42 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
Geodyne <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 27 Jul 2004 12:46:12 -0700, [email protected] (Gerrit) wrote:
>
> >How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
> >will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
> >country? :-)
>
> There's a secondary highway that goes due west to Geraldton, with the
> turnoff to it some 50-80 km to the north of Leonora. It's almost
> absolutely direct - goes via Sandstone and Mt. Magnet. Sealed road all
> the way - luxury!
Make that "some 131 km" (Leonora to Leinster) or is there now a
turnoff before (i.e. to the south of) Leinster? But what's 51-81 k's
amongst friends! :-)
FWIW, we did the Alice Springs to Winton bit of this 'highway' and
loved it.
> On 27 Jul 2004 12:46:12 -0700, [email protected] (Gerrit) wrote:
>
> >How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
> >will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
> >country? :-)
>
> There's a secondary highway that goes due west to Geraldton, with the
> turnoff to it some 50-80 km to the north of Leonora. It's almost
> absolutely direct - goes via Sandstone and Mt. Magnet. Sealed road all
> the way - luxury!
Make that "some 131 km" (Leonora to Leinster) or is there now a
turnoff before (i.e. to the south of) Leinster? But what's 51-81 k's
amongst friends! :-)
FWIW, we did the Alice Springs to Winton bit of this 'highway' and
loved it.
Jul 28th 2004, 5:58 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
"Geodyne" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 27 Jul 2004 12:46:12 -0700, [email protected] (Gerrit) wrote:
> >How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
> >will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
> >country? :-)
> There's a secondary highway that goes due west to Geraldton, with the
> turnoff to it some 50-80 km to the north of Leonora. It's almost
> absolutely direct - goes via Sandstone and Mt. Magnet. Sealed road all
> the way - luxury!
We traveled that way in reverse way back in about 1980 (with my parents - I
was 13). There were some really interesting places around Mt Magnet and
Sandstone - old gold mining ruins and towns etc. I'm hopong to get back to
Oz for a big goldfields loop sometime in the next year or so, with my Dutch
wife. Drive northeast from Perth towards Mt Magnet, then loop down to
Kalgoorlie, head down to Esperance for a refreshing swim, then back to Perth
via the Stirling Ranges.
Tom
news:[email protected]...
> On 27 Jul 2004 12:46:12 -0700, [email protected] (Gerrit) wrote:
> >How are you going to get from Leonora to Geraldton? Seems to me you
> >will have to take a significant detour. Or are you going cross
> >country? :-)
> There's a secondary highway that goes due west to Geraldton, with the
> turnoff to it some 50-80 km to the north of Leonora. It's almost
> absolutely direct - goes via Sandstone and Mt. Magnet. Sealed road all
> the way - luxury!
We traveled that way in reverse way back in about 1980 (with my parents - I
was 13). There were some really interesting places around Mt Magnet and
Sandstone - old gold mining ruins and towns etc. I'm hopong to get back to
Oz for a big goldfields loop sometime in the next year or so, with my Dutch
wife. Drive northeast from Perth towards Mt Magnet, then loop down to
Kalgoorlie, head down to Esperance for a refreshing swim, then back to Perth
via the Stirling Ranges.
Tom
Jul 28th 2004, 12:17 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 12:58:05 -0500, "Tom Johnstone"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>We traveled that way in reverse way back in about 1980 (with my parents - I
>was 13). There were some really interesting places around Mt Magnet and
>Sandstone - old gold mining ruins and towns etc. I'm hopong to get back to
>Oz for a big goldfields loop sometime in the next year or so, with my Dutch
>wife. Drive northeast from Perth towards Mt Magnet, then loop down to
>Kalgoorlie, head down to Esperance for a refreshing swim, then back to Perth
>via the Stirling Ranges.
Sounds fabulous. Being forewarned means I can keep my eyes open for
just that sort of thing.
Kalgoorlie is the one stop that has suffered due to my change of
plans. But then, as an Earth Scientist, I've had more than enough
colleagues work there and describe it to me to have an idea of what
the place is like!
Geodyne (yes, the geo bit is in there for a reason)
<[email protected]> wrote:
>We traveled that way in reverse way back in about 1980 (with my parents - I
>was 13). There were some really interesting places around Mt Magnet and
>Sandstone - old gold mining ruins and towns etc. I'm hopong to get back to
>Oz for a big goldfields loop sometime in the next year or so, with my Dutch
>wife. Drive northeast from Perth towards Mt Magnet, then loop down to
>Kalgoorlie, head down to Esperance for a refreshing swim, then back to Perth
>via the Stirling Ranges.
Sounds fabulous. Being forewarned means I can keep my eyes open for
just that sort of thing.
Kalgoorlie is the one stop that has suffered due to my change of
plans. But then, as an Earth Scientist, I've had more than enough
colleagues work there and describe it to me to have an idea of what
the place is like!
Geodyne (yes, the geo bit is in there for a reason)
Jul 28th 2004, 12:46 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
On 28 Jul 2004 11:42:08 GMT, Frank Slootweg <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Make that "some 131 km" (Leonora to Leinster) or is there now a
>turnoff before (i.e. to the south of) Leinster? But what's 51-81 k's
>amongst friends! :-)
Especially when one is planning a 12,000-odd km trip! I'll admit to
sloppiness. I glanced at the map out of the corner of my eye, my brain
said "not far" and I pulled a number out of the air. Apparently, "not
far" in my head is less than 3 hours' drive.
> FWIW, we did the Alice Springs to Winton bit of this 'highway' and
>loved it.
I'm really pleased to hear that. I spoke to my mother on the phone the
other night (her partner lived in Alice for several years and they've
recently been back to Alice. Her reaction was "I'm glad it's you and
not me!". She's only done the rough bit between Yulara and the
Peterman Ranges, which from what I hear is the roughest part of the
whole highway.
Geodyne
wrote:
> Make that "some 131 km" (Leonora to Leinster) or is there now a
>turnoff before (i.e. to the south of) Leinster? But what's 51-81 k's
>amongst friends! :-)
Especially when one is planning a 12,000-odd km trip! I'll admit to
sloppiness. I glanced at the map out of the corner of my eye, my brain
said "not far" and I pulled a number out of the air. Apparently, "not
far" in my head is less than 3 hours' drive.
> FWIW, we did the Alice Springs to Winton bit of this 'highway' and
>loved it.
I'm really pleased to hear that. I spoke to my mother on the phone the
other night (her partner lived in Alice for several years and they've
recently been back to Alice. Her reaction was "I'm glad it's you and
not me!". She's only done the rough bit between Yulara and the
Peterman Ranges, which from what I hear is the roughest part of the
whole highway.
Geodyne
Aug 6th 2004, 1:01 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Outback Highway?
Geodyne <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>. ..
> >
> >Gerrit - in Europe today - Canada Thursday - back in Oz October
>
> I think I want your life. :-) Where were you visiting in Europe, and
> where are you planning to visit in Oz this time?
>
> Geodyne
I live in Oz! Visited Europe for four months. Now in Canada for two
months. Then back home in Perth via Singapore.
And, yes its a great life.
Gerrit - now in Canada
> >
> >Gerrit - in Europe today - Canada Thursday - back in Oz October
>
> I think I want your life. :-) Where were you visiting in Europe, and
> where are you planning to visit in Oz this time?
>
> Geodyne
I live in Oz! Visited Europe for four months. Now in Canada for two
months. Then back home in Perth via Singapore.
And, yes its a great life.
Gerrit - now in Canada
