Outback Highway

Mercer213 · Member

Outback Highway

macka17 · Guru

Amelia.

I'm 75.
Blokes were driving round Aust in old Holdens. Fords, and Valiants
long b4 I was even thought of.

It's the same country.

Be sensible.
MAYBE... Change your shockers for EFS long travel or similar.
They'll help on the corrugations.

Get car FULLY checked over. and anything "iffy" swapped out.
KEEPING the rejected ones as spares.

Go by a RACQ mech info, rather than a dealer.
THEY just want your money.

Get a spare, spare If you have room OR a TUBE to suit your tyres
Plus can of tyre spray)

"THUMPER" Air Compressors are around $70.
and one of the best things, if you Airing up\down tyres,
Believe me.
WKSP Manual for car. OR Net link to it. Most have net links.

1 ltr of all fluids in your car. 5l With coolant.

Spare front and back wheel bearings. (One of each will do).
Belts. Spark plugs. Hoses. one wheel cyl Brake kit.
Master Cyl, kits for Brake. (and clutch if manual)

They'll all fit in a not too big box. OR spread around.

If you don't need them.
Fine. they'll get used over a coupla future services.

IF you NEED one or more and haven't got. You could be waiting up to a week
Nowhere.
for them to be trucked or flown in.

ALSO.. If you have and can't fit.
Some bloke will do it for you believe me.

Brownie points still exist. and a nice smile will get you anything.

Just be sensible. Drive to conditions. Speed to suit the road.
THE SPEEDO DON"T EXIST ok.

Enjoy Yourself. It's great. OH. and take a small jerry can too.
10l will do.

Regards.

OH. And being a female.

The TOP. TOP. RACQ? cover you can afford.

IF you break anywhere It'll be the CHEAPEST cover anywhere.

They cover towing\Trucking of car.

Bed and hire veh for around 6 days.

Seriously budget for that.

Preparation MAY be overkill.

But if you ever need it.

It Ain't.

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 8th of May 2017 07:57:16 PM

elliemike · Guru

I was over the GCR last year about this time. Road was in good nick, all the way from Laverton to the NT border. The 190m ks from there (Docker River) to Yulara was hard sand, little bit corrugated but not bad. The Grader had just done the first 90 ks from Yulara end. 2WD would have had no problems at that time. But it changes with traffic volume , rain, etc. Previous trips have been OK but various conditions along the route would have challenged a 2WD. But we did meet quite a few 2WD on the road. Corrugations can be for hundreds of Kilometres. Rain will see the road CLOSED. You will need Permits for the GCR. Free online. See Link. If getting permits in Alice you do not pay the entry fee for the Yulara, Uluru NP.

Certain other members have more recent information.

http://www.outbackway.org.au/get-permits.html

-- Edited by elliemike on Monday 8th of May 2017 08:14:37 PM

Cupie · Guru

I don't know anything about that particular road, but perhaps you might benefit by studying the attached link for info on tyre pressures & speed.

http://www.yourtripright.com/driving-corrugated-roads.html

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello Mercer213

I hope that I am not too late to welcome you to the forum

I had a friend go from Perth to Alice Springs, the year before last, on the Great Central Road/Outback Highway
His friend who accompanied him was in a small SUV 4 wheel drive, they never had any problems

He did say that the fuel was very expensive, and that the section from the WA border into Uluru was very corrugated, so they let some air out of their tyres, and drove much slower

Hope that this info is helpful to you

Mercer213 · Member

Thank you very much for all your helpful replies! I shall keep doing my research!

Feeling much better about taking my smaller car though, thank you!

I have been looking into getting upgraded suspension as well.

Kiwi-as · Guru

Hi Amelia and welcome to the Forum, we done the GCR east to west in late July last yr. The road was fine, they are pushing the seal further from the West every yr.
The road had just opened after rain, it rained the night we reached Laverton and it was closed again.
Check with Roads Board wether its open or not.
Let tyres down to 30psi and keep speed down to 60 or 70 at most. Stop every so often and check tyre temp. If hot rest for half hr or so. Pump up at Ularu.
All the Road Houses have accommodation available if you need it.
Get your vehicle checked over and serviced before, and tell the serviceman(or woman) where you are going.

Enjoy the drive, its not all that tough.

Possum3 · Guru

Amelia,
The Susy is a tough little buggar - I still have an old Drover ute and it can out perform the big ones on the rough stuff. Macka just about nailed it, although I would suggest that you travel with another vehicle if you can get someone else that wants to do similar trip.
Ensure you have a reliable UHF - even if it is only a hand held - carry an OH _SH1T kit with emergency supplies, mirror, matches, first aid, and plenty of water.