Perth to Cairns best route.

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 13:07

ThreadID: 147998 Views:1610 Replies:5 FollowUps:11

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Craig M1

Morning all
I’m looking for some advice. We are about to embark on 3 month trip from Perth to Cairns and return. Unfortunately there are so many options I am in quite a quandary.

I’m driving Landcruiser 200 towing a 20.6 full off road caravan. Happy with all types of tracks provided they are wide enough for the van.

I’ve done across the top, Great Central Road and Eyre Highway a few times.
Our main aim is to do the coastal areas from Port Douglas down to say Port Macquarie then head west and back home via the Darling River Run.

I would like to do the Coongie Lakes at Innaminka so will do that via Eyre Highway and the Flinders Ranges. It’s the route from Innamincka to Cairns that I am seeking advice on.
I’ve done Winton and Longreach previously so was thinking maybe a route a little further to the east.
We enjoy hikes and the scenery and are happy with bush camping.
Any little gems of camping spots or caravan parks would also be appreciated for both the inland route to Cairns and then down the coast.
Thanks Craig

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Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 13:28

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 13:28

First check that your van can go to Coongie. Seems to list only tents and camper trailers.
I looked because having been there I wondered how a largish van would go.

Cheers
Jim

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Follow Up By: Craig M1 - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 19:58

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 19:58

Thanks Jim.
On reading a few blogs it sounded ok provided I did not try to go over the sand dunes to get to the best camping spots.
Cheers

FollowupID: 926672

Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 14:50

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 14:50

I reckon the main track to Coongie would be OK for a van, if you are OK with the corrugations..
https://youtu.be/gKTO1PaTYFY
......but I doubt you will get over the dune towards the east to the best (in my view) campsites along the spit.
https://youtu.be/HmbwWTo4N58
ps...Coongie is a special place.

Coongie

Another alternative for going east from WA is the Gary Junction Road from Marble Bar to Alice Springs. Nice drive and the van would be fine.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

AnswerID: 646180

Follow Up By: Craig M1 - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 20:04

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 20:04

Thanks Peter that sounds encouraging re Coongie.

Not condidered the Harry Jtn road . What is fuel availability like. My 200 is incredibly thirsty at around 33lt/100km on the GRR. Ie range of 400 plus whatever in the Jerry’s which I minimise to around 30lt. Is it nice country?
Cheers

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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 22:28

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 22:28

Gary Junction Road is a great trip, with some interesting indigenous communities along the way. Great camping at Carawine Gorge at the Marble Bar end of the track, then at Lake Dora and again as you cross the Canning.
Depends when you are going, but I reckon Coongie access might be in doubt after all the rain they've had in that area.
Cheers

Wildmax
2018 Hilux and Black Wolf 210 tent - for the outback tracks less travelled
Formerly an AOR Eclipse and a TVan

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 09:58

Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 09:58

Craig, all the communities along the way can supply fuel, so it is well serviced in that regard.
Terrain varies, but it is an "easy" drive.
You will need 2 permits, one for each side of the border.
This is a Powerpoint from 2008, if it works. We expect to be out there again in a week or so.

Gary Junction Road 2008, Powerpoint

EDIT... not sure if it works or not, did once but it seems to be blocked now?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Follow Up By: Craig M1 - Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 15:03

Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 15:03

Thanks Peter
I’ve been checking it out and looks like a great alternative particularly if Coongie Lakes looks like being a bit wet.
I could even pick up Coongie on the return leg in early November.
Cheers

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 15:41

Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 15:41

Yep, Coongie is currently closed. It is vulnerable to rain.
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/malkumba-coongie-lakes-national-park
https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/OutbackRoads
Cheers,
Peter
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Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 18:16

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 18:16

Lots of places between Cairns and Townsville. If you are after waterfalls and hiking south of Cairns , camp at Big Crystal Ck south of Ingham and hike there as well as Wallaman Falls (Australia's highest falls.
I could bore you to death between GoldCoast and Port Macquarie suggest you have a flexible schedule and ask again once you are on your way.
Depending on your route and time of the year, closer to Cairns have a look at Lawn Hill and Cobbold Gorge.
Just some suggestions.

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Follow Up By: Craig M1 - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 20:05

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 20:05

Thanks Mark
Cheers

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Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 06:19

Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 06:19

Craig, I've just driven a fair bit of the Adventure Way route starting at Thargomindah. Roads are good country looks OK, bit remember it's a summer rainfall area, different to what you are used to in southern WA.
If you search Adventure Way, it will give you some starting points. A deviation to Winton is a possibility if dinosaurs interest you.

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Follow Up By: Craig M1 - Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 09:37

Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 at 09:37

Thanks Mark.
We would be travelling thru that region in late August early September so I hope would miss the rains.
Cheers

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Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 19:52

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 19:52

Perth - Cairns AND return? 3 months. Lots of driving…
Ok which route are you taking from Perth to Innamincka? I presume you have already settled on Great Central Road to Alice then Binns to Mt Dare and then Dalhousie to Oodnadatta, then Maree, Lyndhurst, Innamicka?? Is that what youre thinking? Is so then what about Adventure Way thru Thargomindah, Cunamulla, St George, Roma, Injune, Rolleston, Springsure, Emerald, Charters Towers, Lynd Junction, Cairns.
Michelle

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Follow Up By: Craig M1 - Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 20:09

Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 20:09

Thanks David
No not the great central, have done 2 previously and all the way down to Maree.
Will go via Eyre and up to the Flinders and Innsminka.
The Adventure Way sounds a possibility.
Have you driven it. Is it nice country.? Should be now after all the rain I guess.
Cheers Craig

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