Road between Boulia and Alice Springs

Hi Tricia A1,

Have you tried this web site?

https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

If you navigate through this web site, you can pick up Boulia, and the roads in & out. Currently shows road works north & west of Boulia.

Macca.

Thanks very much - I'll have a look.

Regards,

Tricia.

It's a pretty standard outback dirt road, sometimes good, sometimes corrugated and bad, sometimes changed completely by wet weather. The last bit on the Alice side is now tar, about 100kms according to friends who did it a month ago. The first section on the Boulia side is tar as well from memory.
Everyone's definition of bad is different. It all depends what you are used to.

We did the Donahue and Plenty Highways three years ago. The Donahue turns off the road to Mt Isa a bit out of Boulia. There are several strips of sealed road between the turn and the NT border. They make up a good proportion of the distance. The sealed section at the NT end starts before you reach Gemtree and extend to the Stuart Highway.

Graders are often working on the NT section. If they are you will have a few kms of super highway in their vicinity. There are some dusty sections that would be quite difficult if you were caught by rain.

Cheers,

Kevin

Hi Tricia - I drove the Plenty from NT border (came down from Urandangi) to Alice towing a 22ft caravan only last week with no troubles at all.

Some parts are corrugated, some washed out with side tracks in place and others like a highway. Like others have said drive to the conditions, watch your speed and you should have no troubles.

Cheers.

The condition of the road depends on who you talk to and to what thier opinion of what a bad road actually is...one persons atrocious is another person not that bad. We drove it last about a year ago, I asked a few people we met up with along the way that had just driven it what it's condition was like, and got wildly different replies. Long story short, the road was better then I expected it to be...it was corrugated in some areas, had large bulldust holes in a few areas, but also had a decent amount of bitumen at both ends and some pretty good sections of dirt in between also.

You say you are heading inland for the first time. This road, whilst not dangerous in the extreme, is isolated and there are few services out there to help you if you should fail to proceed. You would probably be OK at this time of the year because there will be other travellers using this road, but be aware that it is very isolated. As long as you are self sufficient and have a reliable vehicle rig, then you should be OK. If you have any doubts about this, take the longer way round on sealed road - there are lots of people travelling at this time of the year (too many for my liking) and you will have help and advice from them should you need it. Take your time and drive to the road conditions. Enjoy your first trip - the Outback is a wonderful place to visit.

Thank you all so much for your replies. There's nothing better than getting info from people that have experience.

I think we are well equipped - 4WD with two spare wheels, spare fuel, plenty of water, tools etc., hubby was just interested in the road condition as he read that it was terrible but we've also spoken to the people at Jervois Station and the Boulia Council and it sounds fine.

Great site and all the info has been really appreciated. Now looking forward to hearing off next weekend!

We travelled this route last August, and although it varies from day to day, the report I placed on another forum might be helpful.

http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=78290

Remember this , when you call into Tobermorey station to 'use' the 'facilities' buy something at the 'shop' prior ....Why you ask ? A $5 donation to the RFDS is 'de-rigure' ....also you will then find out how the roadworks 'bypasses' are progressing , some of the bypasses are of 'flint' stone which is very very good at chewing tires ...Low pressure - Hard pressure ..Flint don't care ..Looking and 'seeing' the knives will save the tires ....