Comment: Great Central Road

GCR is usually OK that time of the year, unless we get unseasonably heavy rain. You will be pushing to do Laverton>Curtain Springs Stn in 2 days. Driving at night along the GCR is not recommended, especially at speed.

Hi Gab & Col B
The GCR would be Very hot and dusty in December. The distance between Laverton & Curtin Springs is 1210 km including approx. 134km of bitumen from the Olgas to Curtin Springs.
The condition of the road will depend on when it was last graded. You could check with the Laverton Shire. The South Australian side is usually very corrugated and dusty.
I would not consider the GCR to be a "Highway" that can be travelled at the speed that you are intending. There are some long sweeping corners and the gravel can be like marbles, so care needs to be taken. Its also a long way between fuel stops etc.
I certainly would not travel it at dusk or in the dark because of the Kangaroos and Camels . The camels seem to like the road and will often just stand there.
We travelled it in April/ May just after the WA side had been graded and we travelled at a speed of around 80km/hr. It took us 3 days from Laverton to Yulara.
Hope this helps
Graham

Hot. To say what the road conditions will be is crystal ball gazing.

Like Graham, we took three days Yulara to Laverton. We were lucky that the NT section had been graded the week prior to us going. It was dreadful before that, but as they do not cut out the underlying corrugations when grading, a week or two of traffic sees it just as bad.

The camels are bad enough at stepping in front of a car in the day times - there is no way I would drive at night.

We did the GCR last year, towing a van & took 3 days from Curtin Springs (good camp)
to Laverton. Conditions vary from good to awful, you need to adapt to whatever comes up. I must agree with other responses that 2 days is pushing it & will only be achieved by travelling too fast or too long...& yes,it will be hot..cheers....oldbaz.

Friend just drove GCR 1 week ago... From Docker River to WA border, road was terrible, very corrugated, 60km/hr with tyres at 25lbs, car got hammered. From WA border onwards it was 100km/hr, very smooth....

Pete

Hello Gab/Col

In the absence of any info regarding vehicle type/preparation/proposed sleeping-eating arrangements/experience, I shall assume you know what you are doing and the entire road is average at worst, in which case doing the trip in two days would be easily achievable. Total distance is ~1200 km i.e 600km a day = 7.5 hours driving at a modest 80km/hr, under typical circumstances much of the road can be traversed safely at a higher speeds than this...subject to people doing 80kms/hr not holding you up :)

I did Laverton to Yulara in 1994 in one day (shared driving) with no dramas. Started at 4am mind you but if you plan on doing the same distance (plus ~90km to Curtin Springs) in two days cant see an issue myself. Suggest you start early and if dark, drive a tad slower until sun is shining. If you plan on stopping in "civilisation" on the required overnight stop one plan would be to get to Warakurna Motel/Caravan/Camp site on day one (may require phone ahead (08 8956 7344) to ensure late arrival not an issue) and then cruise on day 2 to Curtin Springs.

Cheers
Greg

Gab & Col.

Just traveled the GC road Laverton to Yulara two weeks ago.

Planned for 3 days but managed in two. Had a 6am start from Laverton CV park and by mid day was at our first planned stop so carried on to 3pm. 630km that day. I will point out that my wife and I share the driving with about 2 hours between changes.

Dito about the camels on the road, they sleep there.

Fuel is not an issue, just top up at each road house. Laverton $1.90 climbing to $2.50 at Docker River. After Laverton no Telstra mobile coverage till Yulara.

Road was in good shape and first day kept up 80km/hr. but around 50-100 before NT border and past road conditions become worse and if you can keep +60km/hr your doing well. Both long days driving and your concentrating 50-100m in front of you as there are old wash outs that have been graded and become sever dips. Passenger kept an eye out for livestock and camels.

I was pulling a full size off road van close to 3500kg with 26 psi all round. No tyre issues on the dirt but took two puncture over the next 3 days on the tarmac around Yulara.

It's going to be hot in December if last week was any thing to go by.

Safe travels, and if you need any more specific info please p.m. me.