How To Travel The Great Central Road of Australia
The Great Central Road is the name of a very scenic drive through the Heart of Australia that links the Northern Territory to Western Australia. It’s one of Australia’s most iconic roads.
How long is the Great Central Road?
Part of the 2.800 km (1,740 mi) long Outback Highway (or Outback Way), the Great Central Road is 1.107km (688 miles) long leading through the middle of the country. Along the way, you will see a range of great outback attractions: Aboriginal land, open country and spectacular mountain ranges.
Where does the Great Central Road start and finish?
The road runs from Laverton (in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia) to the Lasseter Highway at Yulara (in the southern region of the Northern Territory).
How rough is the Great Central Road?
The road is regularly maintained and graded though expect corrugations, bulldust, potholes (that are difficult to see until you are on them), rocky outcrops, and soft sandy riverbeds along the way. Road conditions are changing all the time. It can be impassable after heavy rains. April to October is the best time to travel here, when it is cooler and there is less chance of road closures due to rain.
Is the Great Central Road Safe?
Remember this is a major trip with long distances. The road runs through extremely remote desert scrub country with very limited facilities. It is recommended that communications equipment be carried while driving on this road. It is advisable to travel in a 4WD vehicle, although a 2WD vehicle will make the trip. Only take a caravan if it is suitable for off-road. An estimated 10,000 vehicles travel it annually.
Pic: Jan o'Sch