Experience the heart of Australia on Australia’s Longest Shortcut No other drive route passes through as many climates, landscapes and iconic Australian attractions as the Outback Way! From Perth’s mediterranean climate to the central deserts and the balmy tropics of Cairns, the Outback Way is a 2,750km shortcut from Laverton to Winton through the heart of Australia. Suggested Itineraries Whether you prefer sleeping under five-stars or a million stars, the Outback Way has it all. Five star resorts await at Yulara, while hotel/motel accommodation and caravan / camping sites await at roadhouses, while station stays offer country hospitality and roadside stops provide free camping along the entire Outback Way. Choose a style of accommodation and a leisurely travel schedule when preparing your itinerary. Here’s a few suggestions depending on your accommodation preference (reverse the stopovers if travelling from Laverton!). Visit www.outbackway.org.au for more details. Room Accommodation 5 Days Winton to Laverton (7.0 hours driving per day) Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 - Winton to Boulia Boulia to Gem Tree Gem Tree to Yulara Yulara to Warburton Warburton to Laverton Camping Being a shortcut linking Queensland to Western Australia (almost halving the trip via sealed roads), the Outback Way is an adventure of the greatest kind! The Outback Way passes through remote regions with unsealed roads that are best travelled in high-clearance four-wheel drives. The route can be challenging, but the landscapes, colours and night skies are legendary making it a truly life changing adventure. The Outback Way is bursting with stories to tell. Over 30 interpretive panels along the route introduce travellers to the stories of the Outback. In between, visitors can view caves, wander through indigenous art-craft workshops and Galleries, enjoy guided outback tours, visit a remote meteorology station, try fossicking in gem fields, visit Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s) & MacDonnell Ranges or enjoy discovery centres at Laverton, Alice Springs, Boulia and Winton. WORLD’S LONGEST GEOCACHEING TRAIL Outback Way visitors can also enjoy searching for the 36 hidden caches of the Outback Way-finder Geocache Trail. Geocaching is a relatively new hobby that requires a handheld GPS to find a ‘treasure’ hidden at a given latitude / longitude coordinate. The ‘treasure’ or cache is usually a small canister that contains a few mementos and a log book. The Outback Way-Finder Geocache Trail has 36 ‘hidden’ caches, highlighting places of interest along the Outback Way and encourages travellers to stop and enjoy the natural wonders of central Australia while searching for caches. Go to www.outbackway.org.au to find out more about how to enjoy the Outback Way-finder Geocache Trail. OutBackWay-MAY_2014.indd 1 5 Days 6 Days 6 Days Winton to Laverton (6.0 hours driving per day) Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 - 4 Days Winton to Boulia Boulia to Jervois Station Jervois to Alice Springs Alice Springs to Yulara Yulara to Warburton Warburton to Laverton 6 Days 4 Days Winton to Laverton (8.5 hours driving per day) 6 Days Winton to Laverton (6.0 hours driving per day) Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 - Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 - Winton to Arthur River (bush camp) Arthur River to Desert Oaks (rest bay) Desert Oaks to Yarla Kutjarra Yarla Kutjara to Laverton 5 Days Winton to Georgina River (bush camp) Georgina River to Mt Swan Campground Mt Swan to Desert Oaks (rest bay) Desert Oaks to Kaltukatjara campground Kaltukatjarra to Paradise Camp (bush camp) Paradise Camp to Laverton 5 Days Winton to Laverton (7.0 hours driving per day) An adventure awaits travellers on the Outback Way. Numerous side trips offer further insight into Australia’s heart, such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s), MacDonnell Ranges, the Channel Country or Lark Quarry. Travellers can also time their trips so they can take part in some of the many outback festivals including the Boulia Camel Races, Harts Range Bush Sports & Ball, Alice Springs Henley-on-Todd-Regatta, Winton Outback Festival or the Birdsville Races. Some of Australia’s most renowned four wheel drive tracks link to the Outback Way offering further side trip opportunities including the Gunbarrel Highway, Tanami Road, Anne Beadell Highway and others. Whether you’re seeking a ‘shortcut’, a four wheel drive adventure or a desert experience there are plenty of options along the Outback Way. With ‘The Outback Way Atlas and Guide’ - available from outlets along the Outback Way and wherever Hema Maps are sold - you will surely discover Australia’s inner secrets! Day 1 - Winton to Georgina River (bush camp) Day 2 - Georgina River to Alice Springs Day 3 - Alice Springs to Docker River (Kaltakatjara Campground) Day 4 - Docker River to Desert Breakaway (bush camp) Day 5 - Desert Breakaway to Laverton Cairns to Perth via Central Australia on Please refer to the HEMA guide book for details about these locations. Australia’s Longest Shortcut Self Drive Route From Winton, QLD to Laverton, WA Allow 1.5 days from Cairns to Winton , staying overnight at Townsville, Charters Towers or Hughenden. Allow 1.5 days from Perth to Laverton, staying overnight at Southern Cross, Coolgardie or Kalgoorlie Essential Travel Tips & Advice The best time to travel the Outback Way is April to October. Extreme high temperatures or torrential rain during November to March can sometimes make travelling uncomfortable or roads impassable. Always check the road conditions when stopping at roadhouses and never proceed if the road ahead is closed. Travellers should avoid driving at night and instead aim to be camped an hour before sunset. Remember permits are required to travel between Kata Tjuta and the NT Border and the NT Border and Laverton. The Outback Way passes through remote regions with limited communications, repair services and supplies. Travellers should be well prepared and carry the following for their own safety: • • • • • • • At least 2 spare tyres, tool kit, tyre tube & repair kit, air pump–compressor, jumper leads, spare hoses and fan belt. At least 20 litres of water, food for 3-4 days, first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes plus cool and warm clothes, (temperatures can range from -6 to 46oC). Preferably a Satellite phone or HF radio (mobile phones should not be relied on). 4WD recovery gear (hi-lift jack, snatch strap, jacking plate, shovel, tow rope, load rated shackles). Maps, GPS and if venturing off the Outback Way, an EPIRB. Always carry enough fuel to travel 600km or more. More travel tips and advice can be sourced from www.outbackway.org.au or from the Outback Way Atlas & Guide available from wherever Hema Maps are sold. The Outback Way The Reef, The Rock & The West Experience Central Australian ranges, indigenous art, wildlife, wildflowers, gem fossicking, bird watching, 4WD’ing, nature walks, camping. Explore the world’s longest geochache trail. Off set your vehicle emissions with the Outback Way’s offset program Visit www.outbackway.org.au and purchase the HEMA Outback Way guide book and Atlas Follow us on 28/05/2014 11:47 am G R E AT S A N DY D E S E RT Rabbit Flat Balgo Community Papunya 28 27 Mt Ebenezer Ebene neze zerr Betoota Birdsville 50 100 150 Stuarts Well Alice Springs Gemtree Jervois Tobermorey Boulia Middleton Winton Hughenden Cairns 2292 1696 1338 1035 790 565 467 240 158 55 2398 1802 1444 1141 896 671 575 346 264 161 106 2495 1899 1541 1238 993 768 670 443 361 258 203 97 2630 2034 1676 1373 1128 903 805 578 496 393 338 232 135 2849 2253 1895 1592 1347 1122 1024 797 715 612 557 451 354 219 3064 2468 2110 1807 1562 1337 1239 1012 930 827 772 666 569 434 215 3316 2720 2362 2059 1814 1589 1491 1264 1182 1079 1024 918 821 686 467 252 3508 2912 2554 2251 2006 1781 1683 1456 1374 1271 1216 1110 1013 878 659 444 192 3674 3078 2720 2417 2172 1947 1849 1622 1540 1437 1382 1276 1179 1044 825 610 358 166 3889 3293 2935 2632 2387 2162 2064 1837 1755 1652 1597 1491 1394 1259 1040 825 573 381 215 4615 4019 3661 3358 3113 2888 2790 2563 2481 2378 2323 2217 2120 1985 1766 1551 1299 1107 941 726 DESERT LDS HWY Kilometres NULLARBOR PLAIN Deakin Hughes Cook O’Malley NAD Stonehenge Jundah STURT STONY DESERT Lake Eyre North Coober Pedy William Creek AC K Lake Eyre South Gina Eromanga STRZELECKI DESERT Lake Gregory Tarcoola Lyons Roxby Downs Lyndhurst Andamooka Lake Torrens Hungerford Tibooburra Wanaaring Tjukayirla Warburton Warakurna / Giles Docker River Yulara Curtin Springs Mt Ebenezer Erldunda Stuarts Well Alice Springs Gemtree Lake Frome Jervois Boulia Middleton Winton 245 225 98 227 82 103 55 106 97 135 219 467 192 166 Time (hrs) 3.8 3.0 3.0 1.2 3.0 1.0 1.2 0.7 1.2 1.2 1.5 2.5 6.0 2.5 2.0 ROAD REPORTS: WA: 138 138 / (08) 9080 1400 NT: 1800 246 199 QLD: (07) 4746 3120 PERMITS FOR WA & NT: WA: Department of Indigenous Affairs (08) 9235 8000 www.dia.wa.gov.au NT: Central Land Council: (08) 8953 6211 www.clc.org.au VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES: Laverton: (08) 9031 1361 greatbeyond@westnet.com.au Boulia: (07) 4746 3386 tourism@boulia.qld.gov.au VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES: Alice Springs: 1300 645 199 visinfo@tourismca.asn.au Winton: (07) 4657 2612 tourism@matildacentre.com.au INTERPRETIVE PANEL Unleaded (opal) petrol, diesel, basic provisions, rooms & campsites, RFDS airstrip. Tyre repairs. Bookings 08 9037 1108. Open M-F 8am~5pm S+S 9am~3pm. Public Hols - 9am ~ 12pm Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Australia Day. (after hours until 8pm, fees involved) SHIRE OFFICES: Laverton: (08) 9031 1202 lavertonshire@laverton.wa.gov.au Boulia: (07) 4746 3188 info@boulia.qld.gov.au INTERPRETIVE PANEL 17km east of Tjukayirla / 228km west of Warburton. Distinctive tree on south side of road. 90km east of Tjukayirla / 155km west of Warburton, camping, views westward & gnamma hole along ridge north of parking area, parking bay north of road. INTERPRETIVE PANEL Unleaded (opal) petrol, diesel, basic provisions, rooms & campsites. Bookings 08 8956 7656. Visit the Art Gallery & ask about local tours! Open M-F 9am~5pm S+S 9am~3pm. Public hols (unless otherwise advertised) 9am~12noon 89km east of Warburton / 131km west of Warakurna. INTERPRETIVE PANEL 165km east of Warburton / 60km west of Warakurna. SHIRE OFFICES: Alice Springs: (08) 8950 0500 astc@astc.nt.gov.au Winton: (07) 4657 2666 info@winton.qld.gov.au SHIRE OFFICES: Ngaanyatjarraku (at Warburton) (08) 8956 7966 mail@ngaanyatjarraku.wa.gov.au INTERPRETIVE PANEL 65km east of Warrakurna / 33km west of Docker River. Plaque is in a tall Ghost Gum on the road side. Unleaded (Opal) petrol, diesel, general store & art gallery. M-F 9am ~ 4pm, Sat 9am-12pm. INTERPRETIVE PANEL 40km east of Docker River. Shade, shelter & cave. 20 Views to Kata Tjuta (from crests, eastbound). 151 – 157km east of Docker River. No designated parking bays. Sealed road begins – if east bound. Unsealed road begins if west bound. 179km east of Docker River / 48km west of Yulara. 227km east of Docker River / 82km from Curtin Springs. Resort, hotel, caravan park, unleaded petrol, diesel, supermarket, post office, police, medical post, tours, guided walks, visitor centre, art-craft galleries. 27km east of Yulara / 55km west of Curtin Springs. Shelter, bench, water, bins & BBQ. 23 Curtin Springs INTERPRETIVE PANEL 361km to Alice Sprinngs / 1180km from Laverton. Unleaded petrol, diesel, meals, pub, rooms, caravan sites, BBQ, tours, bookings 08 8956 2906. 24 Mt Conner Lookout 21km east of Curtin Springs / 82km west of Mt Ebenezer. Toilet, shelter, water, table-bench, parking. 28km east of Curtin Springs / 75km east of Mt Ebenezer. Shade, picnic benches, water, bins, no overnight camping. 26 Parking Bay 60km east of Curtin Springs /43km west of Mt Ebenezer. Shade, picnic benches, water, bins, no overnight camping. INTERPRETIVE PANEL 103 km east of Curtin Springs / 55km west of Erldunda. Unleaded petrol, diesel, rooms, caravan-camping sites, meals, art gallery & food-provisions. Bookings 08 8956 2904. 28 Erldunda INTERPRETIVE PANEL 55km east of Mt Ebenezer / 106km south of Stuarts Well. Unleaded petrol, diesel, LPG, restaurant, tavern, food-provisions, rooms, caravan-camping sites, tours, resort facilities. Bookings 08 8956 0984. 29 Stuarts Well INTERPRETIVE PANEL 106km north of Erldunda / 97km south of Alice Springs. Unleaded petrol, diesel, repair service, rooms, caravan-camping sites, food and provisions, bar, restaurant & tours. Bookings 08 8956 0808. 80km east of Jervois / 32km west of Marqua Station turnoff. South side of road offers panoramic views to three distinctive ranges. 40 Tobermorey Station INTERPRETIVE PANEL 1541km from Laverton / 1179km from Winton. Visit the Central Australia Tourism Information Centre fordetails on tours, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, hires, local walks, sites & attractions. Enquiries 1300 645 199 or visinfo@tourismca.asn.au 31 Gemtree INTERPRETIVE PANEL 135km north east of Alice Springs / 89km west of Atitjere. Unleaded petrol, diesel, cabins, caravancamping sites, general store, gem sales / cutting / displays & tours, walk trail. 7 days 8am-6pm. Bookings 08 8956 9855. 32 Avi Mud Tank Gemfield & campground (via Pinnacle rd) Turnoff 2km east of Gemtree. Travel 8km south through gate & turn right to campsite or left to gemfields. 33 Gem Fossicking Tobermorey offers unleaded, diesel / camping with ablution block / souvenirs/drinks only/ no power/ minor tyre repairs. Ph 0747484996 (Qld time) 7am to 6pm. tobermorey@optusnet.com.au 41 NT/QLD Border INTERPRETIVE PANEL 50m west of the border. 42 Georgina River INTERPRETIVE PANEL Bush campsites on the eastern side, both north and south of the river. River is renowned for flooding during the wet season! 43 Boulia - INTERPRETIVE PANEL Accommodation, caravan – camping sites, pub , restaurant, general store, petrol & diesel, tours, repair services, golf course, Police station, Min Min Discovery Centre. M-F 7am-5pm. S+S 8am-4pm. Bookings 07 4746 3386. 44 Parking Bay INTERPRETIVE PANEL 79km east of Boulia / 113km west of Middleton. Shade shelter, picnic bench, water & historic ruins. 45 Cawnpore Lookout INTERPRETIVE PANEL 141km east of Boulia / 51km west of Middleton. Shade shelter & bench. Views across unique landforms. 46 Middleton 30 Alice Springs 20kms east of Jervois Homestead and 10kms off the Plenty Hwy, Store open 9-12 and 1-3 FOOD, Car parts/w’shop, Internet, phone box, airstrip. A workshop and many ‘bush mechanics’ for help with emergency repairs. Health Clinic, playground, Local art/beads, wood carvings. Public loo’s. INTERPRETIVE PANEL 27 Mt Ebenezer 354km from Alice Springs / 467km from Boulia. Unleaded petrol, diesel, cabins, caravan-camping sites, M-F 8am-4pm, S+S 9am-3pm. Bookings 08 8956 6307. 39 Three-Range Views 25 Parking Bay Mount Swan Mini Mart-food, fuel, car parts, internet. 9.00am-4.00pm Monday to Sunday & Eastern Desert Art Gallery and Café by local Aboriginal people Phone (08) 89569433 (Bookings essential for painting days) Opening times: 10.00am-4.00pm. 38 Bonya Community 22 Parking Bay CONSERVATION RESERVE 37 Jervois - INTERPRETIVE PANEL 21 Yulara INTERPRETIVE PANEL Tours and weather balloon launch 8:45am. 08 89567358 16 Len Beadell Plaque 35 Atitjere Community 36 Mt Swan & Central Australia Unleaded (opal) petrol, diesel, basic provisions, mechanical repairs, rooms & campsites, Bookings 08 8956 7344. Ask about local tours! Open M-F 8:30am~6pm S+S 9am~3pm. Giles Weather Station Unleaded (opal) petrol, diesel, basic provisions. Enquiries 08 8956 7373. Ask about local tours! Open M-F 9am~5pm S+S 9am~2pm. INTERPRETIVE PANEL 87km east of Gemtree / 132km west of Jervois. Near entrance to Police Station. 19 Lasseter’s Cave INTERPRETIVE PANEL 119km east of Tjukayirla / 126km west of Warburton. South side of road. 15 Warakurna Roadhouse 303 POLICE: Harts Range: (08) 8956 9772 Boulia: (07) 4746 3120 Winton: (07) 4657 1200 34 Harts Range Police Station 5km east of WA / NT Border. $5 per person. Water, toilets, fire rings, shade & viewing platform. A great campsite! 18 Docker River General Store 14 Tjukurlapini Rock Hole Distance (km) POLICE: Laverton: (08) 9088 2777 Warakurna: (08) 8956 7099 Alice Springs: (08) 8951 8888 / 131 444 Prominent marker, south of road, on ridge. Gnamma holes adjacent. 13 Yarla Kutjara Campground Laverton INTERPRETIVE PANEL 12 Warburton Roadhouse Lake Callabonna Copley Leigh Creek Lake Blanche Marree Barll on Barlon 195km from Laverton. South side of road. 2-3 shaded sites. No facilities, no bins. 11 Desert Breakaway & Gnamma Hole Thargomindah 120km east of Laverton. Large shaded area, south of road, no signs, no facilities, no bins. 10 Parking Bay & Paradise Camp Innamincka TIRARI DESERT TR Windorah Lake Yamma Yamma 17 Kaltukatjara Campground 8 Tjukayirla Roadhouse AT T A Cadney Park Perth Kalgoorlie Laverton Tjukayirla Warburton Warakurna Docker River Yulara Curtin Springs Mt Ebenezer Erldunda Stuarts Well Alice Springs Gemtree Jervois Tobermorey Boulia Middleton Winton Hughenden Cairns INTERPRETIVE PANEL 6 Parking Bay CK Erldunda 2237 1641 1283 980 735 510 412 185 103 Y Mt Ebenezer 2134 1538 1180 877 632 407 309 82 HW Curtin Springs 2052 1456 1098 795 550 325 227 Unleaded (opal) petrol & diesel. M-F 10-12am & 3-5pm. Sat 10am-12am. 84km east of Laverton. 9 Kurrajong Sentinel Oodnadatta Yulara G R E AT V I C TO R I A Perth Via Kalgoorlie Marla 1825 1229 871 568 323 98 2 200 OOD 55km east of Laverton, south side of road, shaded. 4 Cosmo Newberry SIMPSON DESERT Docker River 3 Parking Bay Bilpa Morea Claypan Kulgera SA N QLD Bedourie 28km from Laverton. North side of the road in the Adam Ranges. 7 White Cross TRA 1727 1131 773 470 225 M Winton I 1502 906 548 245 O NS ECK 1257 661 303 RO NGA OU AI NT ZEL Tjukayirla Warburton Warakurna KA Erldunda E RT DFIE NT UA GOL i Middleton INTERPRETIVE PANEL 5 Parking Bay – The Pines i STR 954 358 i 0 Alicee Springs MUSGRAVE RANGES 11 Kalgoorlie Laverton 596 Laverton 30 R H WY Distance in Kilometres 7 25 26 Ulur Uluruu (Ayers R Rock) W b t Wa Warburton i SIMPSON DESERT ST Leonora D R IV E TR AC K 8 PPerth 6 AT J I R A E 13 10 9 Tjuta Tj j (The Olga’s) 22 23 24 44 43 D Warakurna u 21 42 45 R OA Tjukayirla la 20 Yula laara aa Yulara 38 46 48 49 50 H HEA THE 19 Curtin Springs Boulia lia Boulia 39 47 DA HWY 12 1 16 17 18 40 41 JUN Docker River RREL HWY H TO N GUNBA 14 REL Jervois 29 Stuarts Stu t Well 15 GUNBAR NAM 35 PL 37 Y ENT WY HARTS A RANGE Hermannsburg bur WA OUTBACK WAY INFORMATION www.outbackway.org.au info@outbackway.org.au 2 36 31 32 33 34 or n 23o 26 30 ’’ Tr op ic of Ca pr ic STATE BORDER 4 Aileron , MINOR ROADS / TRACKS 3 AD Corfield Cairns Via Hughenden WIN SEALED ROADS / HIGHWAY 5 RO Kynuna Tobermoreyy Laverton Perth OUTBACK WAY Leinster Yuendumu Stamford Dajarra ILL GIBSON DESERT Urundangi Unleaded petrol, diesel, rooms & campsites, general store, discovery centre, gallery, post office, police, mechanical repairs. Bookings 08 9031 1361. Ask about local tours! Open M-F 6am~6pm S+S 8am~4pm. 2 Deba Gnamma hole McKinlay Y Ti Tree Winton Gemtree emtree mtre ROAD SYSTEMS i O HW VER DSV GEOCACHE LOCATED NEARBY I Mt Isa BIR C N AN NG Julia Creek Cloncurry Richmond D SAN Cairns INTERPRETIVE PANEL Wauchope Barrow Creek PARKING / REST BAY ROADHOUSE / FUEL STOP Y K OC 1 Laverton INTERPRETIVE PANEL HW ST ATTRACTION /PLACE OF INTEREST I START / FINISH POINTS U AM RO TE Camooweal Note: This map is not intended for navigation purposes. It is recommended travellers purchase The Outback Way Atlas & Guide from wherever Hema Maps are sold. Visit www.outbackway.org.au for more information N TA ROUTE MARKERS Points of Interest Barklys HS R’House S T U A RT LEGEND Unsealed Sealed Tennant Creek TA N A M I D E S E RT INTERPRETIVE PANEL 192km east of Boulia / 166km west of Winton. Unleaded petrol, diesel, pub, meals, accommodation & historic displays. Mon-Sun 8am-6pm. Bookings 07 4657 3980. 47 Woodstock Station INTERPRETIVE PANEL 48km east of Middleton / 118km west of Winton. 48 Diamantina Causeway INTERPRETIVE PANEL 67km west of Winton / 99km east of Middleton. 49 Shire lay-by / rest area INTERPRETIVE PANEL 29km west of Winton / 125km east of Middleton. The panel is located 300m south of the road adjacent to historic railway ruins. 50 Winton - INTERPRETIVE PANEL Unleaded petrol, diesel, LPG, general store, café, restaurants, pubs, accommodation, caravan-camping sites, repair services, police station, medical post, tours & Waltzing Matilda Centre. Bookings 07 4657 1466. Ambalindum Rd. 46km east of Gemtree / 41km west of Harts Range Police Station. Travel 3~4km south along Ambalindum Rd to garnet & zircon fossicking area. Details and operating hours correct as at September 2013. Central Standard Time OutBackWay-MAY_2014.indd 2 28/05/2014 11:47 am