Gary Junction Road

[ChrisVal7]

We are in the process of finalising our travel plans this year. Well, they are the plans at this stage but as everyone knows they can change rapidly in our case!

We will cross the Nullabor from here in SA and head up North through the WA Wheatfields, up to first Cape Range NP, maybe Karijini NP, Marble Bar, and Carawine Gorge, then re-doing the Gary Junction Road crossing back to Alice Springs. (We travelled on the GJR last year from East to Westand loved it). At the Eastern end e will go down through the Haasts Bluff Road rather than out to the Stuart Highway. After Alice Springs we think we may travel over to QLD on the Plenty to Winton. After that, perhaps down through the middle back home.

I think we will leave here the first week of May and then take it as it comes.

The permits have been organised and the start date from Marble Bar or Carawine Gorge is 29 June So unless I change the permits that bit is set in concrete! Interestingly, the permits (applied for online) were issued immediately (by the NT) and within 24 hours (by WA). They are very efficient these days.

I have a good planning document now for the Gary Junction Road which I can share on the forum if there is any interest it has community and camping details, as well as information on organising the required permits.

[marpete]

Half your luck, folks......the GJR is a great drive, as are all of Len Beadell's tracks. When approaching Mt Beadell from the east on one of our trips, we couldn't believe our eyes.......a dingo and a roo sitting side by side at the top watching us approach.....looked to be the best of mates!!! If you haven't been to Karijini before, I can thoroughly recommend it......even after 45 years of exploring the gorges, I still enjoy it as much as the first time. If you do get there, and if able, follow the paths down into the gorges.....quite spectacular. Happy travelling.

[Peter_n_Margaret]

The Gary Junction Road is a great drive.
Better and easier than the Tanami, I reckon.
The last time we used it (in 2008 towing a boat) we called into all the communities in WA, because we could.
Most have fuel. Kunawarratji (Well 33 on the Canning) is the most expensive, so avoid that one if you can, but it has a good shop.
Slide show....
http://s246.photobucket.com/user/Peter_ ... ion%20Road

Cheers,
Peter

[Motherhen]

It is a really good drive, which I recommend over the Great Central Road for less corrugations and even more scenery. Kunawarritji was the dearest fuel we have ever purchased, but calling in there was an experience in itself. Others waiting for fuel told us we could travel three kilometres along the Canning Stock Route and camp at Well 33, which we would have otherwise missed.

MarPete points out the Beadell link. Lots of Beadell plaques to look out for along the road. Len Beadell said of the Northern Territory section “The whole section of that country was amongst the most picturesque in Central Australia.” For anyone planning to travel anywhere in the areas Len Beadell surveyed, do read his books. He tells of his survey work with a flair for humour and interest.

[Nico]

Last year we were able to use the workshop at Kunawarritji to repair a broken spring. The fuel there was over $3 but luckily didn't have to get much. The shop was very good.
Over all the GJR was an enjoyable trip from east to west.

[palew]

Good luck, enjoy the trip BUT watch the weather forecasts for the northwest.

[Cuppa]

I have a good planning document now for the Gary Junction Road which I can share on the forum if there is any interest it has community and camping details, as well as information on organising the required permits.

Sounds like a fantastic trip, precisely the sort of thing we are looking forward to doing. I for one would be really interested in seeing your planning document, either here in the thread or via PM/email. Thanks.

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Good luck, enjoy the trip BUT watch the weather forecasts for the northwest.

Yep.
When we drove E to W in 2005, it was wet when we arrived in Alice and we had to wait around for a couple of weeks.
Plenty to explore around Alice though, so no bother.
In the event, the remaining water was no problem.

http://s246.photobucket.com/user/Peter_ ... ion%20Road

Cheers,
Peter

[Motherhen]

We had a thunderstorm while at Carawine Gorge overnight. We heard on UHF that the Carawine Gorge access road was closed after we left, but the road to Telfer remained open, with mining trucks still using it. Some rain had extended all the way to the Northern Territory border, but roads were dry after Telfer.

[Keanie]

ChrisVal7
I will be doing the Garry Junction crossing approx 19th March, weather permitting. Travelling from the Alace end to the west, leaving from Brisbane. Permits were easy to get which surprised me compared to years past for other areas. I agree they appear to have their ducks in a row. Enjoy your trip and travel safe.

[Keanie]

Just an aside, I paid $3.50 a ltr for fuel at Carnegie 2 yrs ago. It was our kickoff point into the Great Victorian desert. We Understand why it so expensive given the travel distance to deliver.

[Motherhen]

Last time I checked fuel at Kunawarritji was $3.40 (last year). That is a bargain compared to your $3.50 at Carnegie Keanie.

[ChrisVal7]

We travelled on the Gary Junction Road (GJR) last year and found the scenery to be fascinating and the track in good shape. Clearly the conditions change regularly and this time it may be very different conditions, but the scenery should be the same! Last year we went from East to West and this year we are doing it in reverse.

I will attach the trip report for last year's trip together with the planning document. I am providing them as I can see that there is a level of interest in the documents. In past years I posted all my trip reports on this forum but after several trip reports having absolutely no comments or feedback I figured perhaps there was no level of interest in them, and so I stopped posting them.

But here are the GJR documents. The first is our trip report and the second is the planning document

Stage 2 June 2015.pdf

(815.68 KiB) Downloaded 714 times

GARY JUNCTION ROAD FORUM.pdf

(539.92 KiB) Downloaded 1530 times

[ChrisVal7]

ChrisVal7
I will be doing the Garry Junction crossing approx 19th March, weather permitting. Travelling from the Alace end to the west, leaving from Brisbane. Permits were easy to get which surprised me compared to years past for other areas. I agree they appear to have their ducks in a row. Enjoy your trip and travel safe.

Yes Keanie, our permits were issued so quickly I was surprised. The NT ones are automatically generated so that is immediately received after completing the form online but the WA permit arrived 24 hours after I filled it in on line. How are you driving to Alice Springs? Via the bitumen or the Plenty Highway?

[wendyv]

Sounds a great trip. Half the fun is in the planning!
Have you been into Kennedy Range NP and Mt Augustus in your travels? If not, these are worth doing, when you are so close.

[ChrisVal7]

Sounds a great trip. Half the fun is in the planning!
Have you been into Kennedy Range NP and Mt Augustus in your travels? If not, these are worth doing, when you are so close.

Wendy, they are on this year's itinerary, weather dependent. Last year they had bucketing rain when we were there....we always bring rain wherever we go. We should hire ourselves out as rain bringers.

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Have you been into Kennedy Range NP and Mt Augustus in your travels? If not, these are worth doing, when you are so close.

There is a great 4WD track that goes over the top of the Kennedy Range. Fantastic views from the top.

Cheers,
Peter

[Cuppa]

But here are the GJR documents. The first is our trip report and the second is the planning document

Stage 2 June 2015.pdf

GARY JUNCTION ROAD FORUM.pdf

Thank you Christine.

[Lt4vette]

We travelled on the Gary Junction Road (GJR) last year and found the scenery to be fascinating and the track in good shape. Clearly the conditions change regularly and this time it may be very different conditions, but the scenery should be the same! Last year we went from East to West and this year we are doing it in reverse.

I will attach the trip report for last year's trip together with the planning document. I am providing them as I can see that there is a level of interest in the documents. In past years I posted all my trip reports on this forum but after several trip reports having absolutely no comments or feedback I figured perhaps there was no level of interest in them, and so I stopped posting them.

But here are the GJR documents. The first is our trip report and the second is the planning document

Stage 2 June 2015.pdf

GARY JUNCTION ROAD FORUM.pdf

Great documents Christine. I've added the GJR to our must do list.
Thanks,
Russell

[wendyv]

Wendy, they are on this year's itinerary, weather dependent. Last year they had bucketing rain when we were there....we always bring rain wherever we go. We should hire ourselves out as rain bringers. [/quote]

I know the feeling well!