Gary Highway

Travelled Gary Highway from Everard Junction as far north as Parallel Road No.2, in June ‘18, on our way to Rudall N/P, Newman & Karijini.
In early July ‘18, we travelled Gary Junction from Well 33 to Sandy Blight Junction, before heading south on Sandy Blight to GCR, then Yulara.

Bob

My wife, myself and another couple travelled from Alice Springs to Marble Bar last May, both of us drivers were pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the road. We may have been lucky with the grading aspect, but based on that experience would do it again, superb scenery all the way.

we did Gary Junction Rd in Sept 18, west to east to Alice. We also did it in 2013, east to west. The first trip was excellent, good roads and lots of wildflowers. Last year was very different, no wildflowers, obviously been in drought. The road was very sandy. We were towing Ultimate Camper trailer, so no real issues, but was very disappointed compared to experience 5 years earlier. The camp spots are very few & far between.Places we stopped in 2013 were not accessible last year, so leave yourself plenty of time to find a suitable camp spot. Jupiter well was the best place, but need to find at least one on the eastern side of that so we used a gravel pit.

cheers
Ken

What organization issues permits for the Gary Junction Road in WA?

We travelled them both from 8th May to 11th May but I believe there has been rain since then. The Gary junction was in great condition and suitable for a van or camper trailer although we didn't have either. We refuelled at Kintore and Kunawarritji, 4kms past the Canning. Both places accepted credit cards. Stopped overnight at Old Well campsite and Jupiters well, both good campsites.
After refuelling we took a shortcut on Kidsons track (labelled as Gary Highway in Hema treks maps) to Gary Highway proper and continued down to Tulawana track and turned right at Windy Corner to continue on Tulawana track to the Canning. Both Kidsons & Gary Highway were quite rough and overgrown so expect some scratches on your vehicle after travelling them. Stopped overnight at Veevers Crater turnoff on Gary Highway, nice campsite but recent bushfire has made it a bit sparse. This section of the Tulawana had not been travelled for quite some time as we were knocking the top off small termite mounds growing in the track. It was a great drive, minimal corrugations and interesting countryside and a few unfortunate burnt out vehicles including a Range Rover and FJ Toyota. We camped at well 24, lots of unafraid dingos and then turned off Canning before well 22 back onto Tulawana track and onto Newman. This section of the Tulawana was initially rough but after about 15kms turned into a great smooth wide road all the way to Newman courtesy of a mining company.

Hi Jim F4,

I did the full length of the Gary Highway , North to South early Aug 2018.
The first section from the Gary Junction down to the turn off back to Well 33 on the CSR was very scratchy.

This year I travelled from the Gun Barrel up to Windy Corner second week of May, no problems, could be done in a 2WD ute, bit of rock on the range at the bottom end, just take it easy.

2018 you could see a little bit of water on Lake Cohan, this year no sign. It has been very dry so minimal growth.

This year, towing a trailer, I went west across the Anne Beadell, south then north up the Connie Sue, north up the Hunt Oil Road, north up the Gary Highway, west across the Talawana Track until I hit the CSR at about Well 24 then headed North to Well 33. Headed east to Kiwirrkurra then up the Lake McKay track to Balgo. Then east to the Tanami mine turn off and north to Hooker Creek and on to the Buntine Highway. After 3,732 km of dirt that bitumen felt real strange.

Had no problem with spinifex, no need to put anything in front of the radiator.

My pick of the tracks is the Hunt Oil Road and the Lake McKay to Balgo Track.

Regards,
Dave

Thanks Dave, What a great forum, and I am looking forward to our journey through APY Lands and finishing on the Gary Junction road and back to Alice over the next 3 weeks.
Cheers Jim

Frank, you need to go to The Ngaanyatjarra Council website and apply online. Our permit returned in 2 days.

It is a great drive and I rate the scenery as being better than on the Sandy Bight Junction Road.

Some of the communities advertise their art galleries at their turnoffs.

Cheers, Graham.

Hi Candace,

We entered SA south of Mulga Park Station then past Amata, and headed west parallel to the NT border to SGC, Jamieson and Warburton. From there we went down the Connie Sue.

Enjoy your travels, Graham.