Just came back to W.A. via Yulara /Laverton across the GCR. It was in very good condition ( Excellent in fact ) WA border to Laverton. The NT section was not as good but still lots better than 4 years ago. The grader was working on it from Yulara and had done 90 klm. New Causeway being completed over Docker River. Corrugated bits were not that bad at all.
The last 100 klm into Laverton was a little ropey but still fast to drive on without any worries.
Hope this helps anyone contemplating travelling that way.
Exactly what you see in my avatar. Avan Cruiseliner.
My camper is pressurised to control dust ingress. I use Trampoline type Stone Guard.
As always on this sort of road you must be prepared. Dust will get into everything if you let it. Make sure everything inside the van is secure for vibrations. All the contents of the fridge, fridge door secured properly so it cannot open, or the contents move. Microwave plate wrapped up. etc. etc. etc. Drive to the conditions as the scenery is great to look at take your time.
I travelled this trip on the Hyden Norseman rd. Strzelecki, Oodnadatta, GCR. Wiluna, Meekatharra, tracks. and a few other bits and pieces.
Tyres at front 25 psi. 28 rear. 25 psi camper. Conditions varied. I also use Tyre Monitors.
Those pressures work for me. The GCR could have been adequately travelled in a 2 wheel drive car at the time we went. Four years ago the whole road was corrugated almost from end to end. NT side as usual the worst.
-- Edited by elliemike on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 10:01:17 AM
-- Edited by elliemike on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 10:04:59 AM
For the record we had to sprint across the GCR to avoid impendcing rain. Instead of the leisurely 4 days we hurried thru in two days, one evening. Only saw two other caravans.
It was a BEAUTIFUL road. Some still water here and there on the NT side, some corrugations before Docker Rover but I was expecting far worse, and some hard limestone road here an dther on the WA side. But even after that we averaged similar speeds to our normal highway speed - 705km in 10 hours elapsed on the first day and much the same on day two. Around 80kph over the whole distance.
That road is a gem when it's not cut up or rained out. As always, of course, you must be briefed by relevant authorities and others that have come through before you. But others that have avoided it may wish to reconsider next time.
It started raining fairly heavily on the evening that we arrived at Laverton. Good choice to hurry through.
We did have some issues with aged hardened sealer that parted in places and let in dust in low down cupboards. I'm thinking of doing an almost complete reseal underneath and in the corners of the superstructure before any further serious dirt travel. (Trailcraft Panorama 540 "Dirt Road" van, Landcruiser 100 series 4.2 TDI, loaded to legal capacity with no special mods underneath other than air shocks. LT tires softened a fair bit.)
-- Edited by colinoldncranky on Tuesday 28th of June 2016 11:00:48 PM
-- Edited by colinoldncranky on Tuesday 28th of June 2016 11:02:29 PM
