Great Central Road Advice

Unless there has been an "event" and not graded since, it is a highway.
Maybe a tad stoney/rough on the NT side.
Cheers,
Peter

Hi Bob C17,

This is a difficult question to definitively answer, as we do not know the mechanical condition of your vehicle and camper, (no offence intended), nor at this stage the condition of the road.

Having said that, the GCR is a well used outback “highway”, its condition can vary from week to week, and sometimes day to day. It has been a while since I travelled the GCR, but the area around Docker River can be very sandy. I also found the section around Warakurna (Giles Weather station), was very corrugated. This of course is dependent on when it was last graded, the weather, and how much traffic it has seen. To find out about the road conditions, you are best to contact the Warakurna community closer to your travel time. Of course, you will need two travel permits, one for the N.T. Section, and one for the W.A. section. Both are obtainable on line. These permits also allow you to camp within a few metres of the road.

As for your vehicle, and camper, as always, you will need to lower your tyre pressures and drive at a speed that is not only suitable for the road conditions, but also suitable for the lower tyre pressures. Whilst it is a well travelled road, it is also a good idea to have a reliable means of communication.UHF Radio is good for “line of sight” comms, but a Satellite Phone and an EPIRB/PLB is also a good idea. Mobile Phone coverage is sparse in the outback, and you are unlikely to have signal unless you are close to one of the communities. Telstra or Boost Mobile have the widest coverage in Australia.

Good luck with your trip, there is quite a bit to see on the GCR.

Macca.

I haven't personally travelled the GCR but I have tugged an O'Briens Camper over some pretty rugged terrain - GRR, Mitchell Plateau, Cape York etc. There is very little to go wrong and when John O'Brien designed them he over engineered them. When I got to Kalumburu several years ago I did the usual checks and found that some of the self tapper screws had worked loose. Two mins with a screw driver and all fixed. Beyond that I serviced the bearings before any long trips and made sure the tent never went to bed damp. Can't vouch for your Paj but the trailer should be fine.

Go for it and enjoy your trip.

Kenell

Hi Bob

Air all tyres down including your van, slow down…no more than 80 kph and don’t rush the drive, so much to see.

The only other thing, hope you are using LT construction tyres with more than 50% tread life, HT tyres with not much tread you will be looking for tyre trouble.

Enjoy the great drive.

Bob
You will be fine.
The road will be closed if it is to wet to travel. Manage your tyre pressures and take you time.
When you are finished you will wonder what the fuss is about.
ian

Bob,

I did this trip last year (Mid June) and loved it, as already reported the road in the vicinity of Docker River was quite corrugated and stoney.

It's worth attending the balloon release at Giles Weather Station and viewing the museum if you plan it.

I found 70 k's seemed to be a good comfortable speed.

Camping is great, there are many spots, generally a hundred or so metres off the road.

From the Olgas to Laverton we only counted 38 vehicles coming towards us.

Cheers

Thanks to all for your replies.
I am most appreciative of the advice and opinions given.
Now to do some planning.
Bob.