can anyone recommend places to stay,free or van parks,from mt isa -alice springs-coober pedy and woomera.never been down this road and doing this trip from townsville early september.have 8 weeks to do this trip and will work out which way to come home depending on the amount of time we spend at various locations.
thanks rocan.

will be very interested to read the responses to your question Rocan.  Guru and I will be doing the same trip in April/May next year only in reverse to you.

At each roadhouse they usually have a small camping/vanning park attached. Only place I would stay well away from is the "Barkley Roadhouse" 3 ways is nice, avoid Tennant creek, then Wycliffe Well excellent, at Alice the big 4 south of town is the best, Coober Pedy the park on the right just after you turn off the Hwy is the best.
Not sure about free camps out that way but there are many roadside places just avoid any near towns....

thanks for the info fellow GN's will take it on board and put it in my memory box.

I don't free camp so can't comment about them, but ..... Mt Isa .. We prefer Copper City FPA .. Quiet Camooweal .. The one behind the Servo. Lots stay on the river just outside town W side. Barkley Roadhouse. Stayed there 4 times 2000 to 2006. No probs as long as you are away from the motor gene set. I don't buy their fuel. What probs did you encounter there Basil? Again I saw a lot camping on the river just on the W side of the Roadhouse. Tennant Creek .. I think that we stayed at the Outback CP. Police patrol several times daily! Whycliffe Wells .. Great Spot. Especially if U R into UFOs Alice .. Prefer MacDonnell Ra. CP. Walking distance to Ted Egan's Show & Resturant .. If still open. Coober Pedy. Stayed at Stewart Ra. Not too impressive .. no reticulated water in 01 except at a broken down pay tank at entrance. They advertise Town Water now! Woomera .. I think that there is only one CP ... was OK. Read up on Len Beadell the amazing bush road builder before you go to Woomera. If U R into that sort of stuff I can give you a tape of a talk he gave at Shepparton. My info is getting dated but I hope it is of some help

 Hi Rocan Wauchope Hotel is still my favourite place to stay on that road. The powered sites are not anything special but just love that tropical beer garden and amenties are clean. Last month when I was up there Devils marbles is still popular for free camping they have toilets. Erldunda at the rock turnoff is a good one as well. I would avoid tennant Creek and barrow Creek. Had some friends stay at Barrow Creek a couple of months ago and regreted it and wished they had stayed at Wauchope where they pulled in for a beer. Stayed at Marla it was ok as well. Also stayed at Glendambo a few years ago but have heard a few complaints about it lately not being well looked after I think was the problem. The big 4's at Alice and Pedy I have heard are the best choices there. chezgo