Quickest Route to Broome from Adelaide

I haven't been on the Tanami since 2017 but it was a pretty unpleasant trip back then - hours and hours of corrugations with regular large potholes thrown in (making keeping speed up a difficult balance between corrugations and potholes).

I know it's another 1000kms going around but I'd be tempted to do that instead.

How "outback" is your Jayco? The website says: "If the places you want to explore lie a little way off the bitumen, the Jayco Outback Caravan is your perfect companion". I don't think the Tanami track would be described as a "little way off the bitumen" - more like 800kms of corrugations that will shake everything to pieces!

Adelaide, Alice Springs, Gary Junction Road, Pt Headland, Broome.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Hi Greendog,

Jayco are not known for their “robustness”. Not really a van that I would contemplate taking on the Tanami with. I know road conditions can change from one week to the next, however, I drove the Tanami both ways in 2022, not towing, and whilst there is around another 60 kms of new bitumen at the Yuendumu end, there is still many hundreds of kms of gravel. Some of the road corrugations can be quite bad slowing you down to less than 60 kph, and some of the road is smooth gravel that you can travel at 80+ kph. I just would not do it towing a Jayco.

Macca.

lots to consider, fuel range being no1. getting there in 1 piece also a top priority..... id go Newcastle waters, route 80 to top springs, then on to timber creek if you would like something different, ive seen 20 foot dual axle vans come across there.... all blacktop via katherine would be quicker though

Given that the Great Central Road was almost bitumen from The Olgas to the WA border last year and the WA side was the best I have seen it ever, strangely all the councils organised their track grading at the same time so for once a brilliant collaboration of effort and resources.

So I suggest consideration of that option as you can then swing up to Broome via the Great Northern Hwy if you like

Rob

Hi Pete

Your quickest route will not necessarily be the shortest route.

I know there are lots of great variations to get up there from Adelaide, but if you want the less stress on you and vehicle/caravan the longer route would most likely be your quickest and bitumen all the way.

Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Mataranka for a compulsory swim in the thermal springs at Bitter Springs, then as far north as Katherine. Turn left on the Victoria Highway, Timber Creek, Kununurra, down to Halls Creek, cross over the new bridge at Fitzroy Crossing them through to Broome.

I know it’s going to be longer, but time wise will be quicker than some of the other great dirt road tracks.

Enjoy the planning, and if you can, take extra time off work, the Kimberley area is just unreal with so much to see.

Safe Travels

Via Kathrine or Perth. Still heaps to see All the rest are rough and full of adventure and the Great Central will have you going down instead of up.

Greendog : Hmm if you have limited time why wouldn't you look for a closer location to spend more time like our West Coast for example but if it's broome or bust I would go the black top via Kalgoorlie north through gold fields, we did that a few years ago in covid times not a bad Drive and you won't have to worry about outback road conditions . Anyway at the end of the day whichever way you take it's only going to be few hours different for days on the road .