Gary Junction Road

Mmmmm , thanks for the update. May need to consider an alternative.
Cheers Craig

We drove it 5 days ago. Corrugations between Papunya and Kunawarritji were certainly sub-par but we've experienced far worse. Between Kunawarritji and Punmu they were bad tho - 40 to 50 kph for many sections. Condits improved west of Punmu. Cheers. JB.

Hi John
What were you towing.
I have a 3.5 t off road caravan towing with a Landcruiser 200.
I would usually run the caravan at 23 to 25psi and the cruiser at 25 to 28psi in heavy corrugations .
Were you around those pressures.
Cheers Craig

Hi Craig. We were in a Series 200; not towing. Had tyres at about 25psi at cold - were about 28 psi warm. Cheers.

Hi Michelle
Thanks for all that great information.
Cheers Craig

Craig, I meant to edit my post yesterday and got distracted, but wanted to add that there are tons of bores out along that road, with the best at the best campsite (Jupiter Well). Use the bore water for washing if you like to reduce your reliance on carrying extra. However, since our last visit in 2022, most of these bores (except Jupiter) are now requested as places they don't wish you to visit unless in emergency. There have always been tons of rustic signs leading off the main track to the bore sites and over time some have been neglected, others upgraded. Len used these bores for building the track but these days the whole route passes through community lands and access permits are designed to keep travellers strictly on the transit route, not poke around exploring, but the fact of the matter is there is tons of artesian water right there beneath your feet so you won't perish! I hope you enjoy it - there's some beautiful country there.
Michelle

Thanks Peter, that’s useful information.
I’ve done plenty of corrugated gravel roads.
The worst being Kalumbaru. How would you rank the Gary.

Cheers Craig

For a long, wide road often driven at high speeds by locals, we recon the Gary Junction Road is better than you might otherwise expect.
It is a long road, there are some lousy bits and there are very good bits. Average is pretty good, in our view.
Then again, any talk about road conditions is a waste of time. What you recon is good, others might think is rotten. And next week it will all be different anyhow. Go and have a look and make up your own mind.

In regard to camping along the way, the Haast Bluff (NT section) permit covers about 320km of road.
The permit says:
"5. Permit holders are to stay on the main access road at all times.
6. It is expected that the road will be travelled in one day and that camping will not be required.
7. In an emergency camping is permitted within thirty metres of the roadside.
8. No access under any circumstances is permitted to rocky outcrops and/or hills near to or visible from the road."
Get tired? Camp!

Our Kiwirrkurra (WA) permit was valid for 4 days (15-18th July) and covers about 360km of road. Jupiter Well is about 85km from the western end of the permit zone.
In part it says:
"9. Remain on established roads and use approved camping areas/accommodation unless specific permission to do otherwise has been obtained."

There are abundant well used camping spots along the road in both sections.

The Gary Junction Road is a drive we enjoy.
In 2008 we called into every community along the way. ALL were friendly and welcoming with the exception of Kintore where there was "sorry business" in progress.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Thanks Peter.
Info really appreciated.
Cheers Craig