Quickest Route to Broome from Adelaide
Submitted: Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 21:34
ThreadID:
146889
Views:
1879
Replies:
8
FollowUps:
11
This Thread has been Archived
GREENDOG
Hi Guys ,starting to plan next years Trip Leaving from
Adelaide,we have Decided to go to
Broome but with have limited time we need to take the fastest Route there ,we will be Towing a Jayco Journey outback 17ft van ,would the Tanami be Suitable as its wel knowing for its Corrugations. cheers
Reply By: Member - peter_mcc - Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 23:23
Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 23:23
I haven't been on the Tanami since 2017 but it was a pretty unpleasant trip back then - hours and hours of corrugations with regular large potholes thrown in (making keeping speed up a difficult balance between corrugations and potholes).
I know it's another 1000kms going around but I'd be tempted to do that instead.
How "outback" is your Jayco? The website says: "If the
places you want to explore lie a little way off the bitumen, the Jayco Outback Caravan is your perfect companion". I don't think
the Tanami track would be described as a "little way off the bitumen" - more like 800kms of corrugations that will shake everything to pieces!
AnswerID:
645193
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 23:37
Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 23:37
I agree with peter_mcc. There are a few makes of true off-road vans and campers like the Phoenix and Bush Tracker, Then there are the pretend off-road models. I would consider the majority to be in the latter class. The outback roads have been littered with Jayco camper trailers that were sold as off-road models.
If I were you, I would be going via Mt Magnet or
Katherine. They would be a bit quicker than walking your van over
the Tanami Track.
FollowupID:
925457
Follow Up By: GREENDOG - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 12:13
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 12:13
Thanks Guys,thought it would be to Rough.
FollowupID:
925462
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 23:34
Friday, Feb 02, 2024 at 23:34
Adelaide,
Alice Springs,
Gary Junction Road, Pt Headland,
Broome.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
645194
Follow Up By: North 200 - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 08:12
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 08:12
Gary Junction road is not a good choice for a Jayco
FollowupID:
925458
Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 09:19
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 09:19
MUCH better than the Tanami, and better fuel availability.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
FollowupID:
925460
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 07:25
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 07:25
Hi Greendog,
Jayco are not known for their “robustness”. Not really a van that I would contemplate taking on the Tanami with. I know road conditions can change from one week to the next, however, I drove the Tanami both ways in 2022, not towing, and whilst there is around another 60 kms of new bitumen at the
Yuendumu end, there is still many hundreds of kms of gravel. Some of the road corrugations can be quite bad slowing you down to less than 60 kph, and some of the road is smooth gravel that you can travel at 80+ kph. I just would not do it towing a Jayco.
Macca.
AnswerID:
645197
Follow Up By: GREENDOG - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 12:14
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 12:14
Thanks Macca for your reply,looks like the Long way around.
FollowupID:
925463
Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 21:40
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 21:40
When I did the Tanami, I went from
Marla to the west side of
Yuendumu in one day, and then on to halfway between
Halls Creek and
Fitzroy Crossing the second day. Had I continued up the Stuart Highway to
Katherine, then across to
Kununurra and Dow to
Halls Creek, it would have taken at least another two days. If you choose to sightsee along the way, you could add considerably more time.
So The Tanami is certainly quicker, but you run the risk of potential damage.
FollowupID:
925474
Reply By: Andrew L - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 12:48
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 12:48
lots to consider, fuel range being no1. getting there in 1 piece also a top priority..... id go
Newcastle waters, route 80 to top springs, then on to
timber creek if you would like something different, ive seen 20 foot dual axle vans come across there.... all blacktop via
katherine would be quicker though
AnswerID:
645199
Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 13:35
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 13:35
The other year, the road from Dunmarra to Top Springs would have to be one of the most corrugated roads, we have been on, worse than the Tanami..
But on the other hand love
Timber Creek, stayed there a couple of times
FollowupID:
925464
Reply By: Rob A1 (SA) - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 13:05
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 13:05
Given that the
Great Central Road was almost bitumen from The Olgas to the WA border last year and the WA side was the best I have seen it ever, strangely all the councils organised their track grading at the same time so for once a brilliant collaboration of effort and resources.
So I suggest consideration of that option as you can then swing up to
Broome via the Great Northern Hwy if you like
Rob
AnswerID:
645200
Follow Up By: Member - rocco2010 - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 14:50
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 14:50
GCR was indeed in top condition last August. I was surprised. And more roadworks west of the Olgas probably completed.
But that was then.
From about 60k east of
Laverton on to
Leonora and up to
Wiluna is all bitumen and then across to
Meekatharra is a mixture but is usually
well maintained and there are upgrades going on there there too.
Newman-
Nullagine-
Marble Bar-80 mile beach is a favourite drive but the unsealed sections might not be suitable for some caravans.
Cheers
FollowupID:
925469
Reply By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 13:51
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 13:51
Hi Pete
Your quickest route will not necessarily be the shortest route.
I know there are lots of great variations to get up there from
Adelaide, but if you want the less stress on you and vehicle/caravan the longer route would most likely be your quickest and bitumen all the way.
Adelaide,
Coober Pedy,
Alice Springs,
Mataranka for a compulsory swim in the thermal springs at
Bitter Springs, then as far north as
Katherine. Turn left on the Victoria Highway,
Timber Creek,
Kununurra, down to
Halls Creek, cross over the new
bridge at
Fitzroy Crossing them through to
Broome.
I know it’s going to be longer, but time wise will be quicker than some of the other great dirt road tracks.
Enjoy the planning, and if you can, take extra time off work, the
Kimberley area is just unreal with so much to see.
Safe Travels
AnswerID:
645203
Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 14:11
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 14:11
Via Kathrine or
Perth. Still heaps to see All the rest are rough and full of adventure and the Great Central will have you going down instead of up.
AnswerID:
645204
Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 16:57
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 16:57
Google maps says via the Nullarbor and the Goldfields highway and
Newman (all bitumen) is 270km shorter than
Katherine.
Probably less traffic too?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
FollowupID:
925471
Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 22:29
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 22:29
never driven it so I cant recommend it
FollowupID:
925479
Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 23:06
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 23:06
You don't have to. :)
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
FollowupID:
925481
Reply By: Member - nickb boab - Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 15:06
Saturday, Feb 03, 2024 at 15:06
Greendog : Hmm if you have limited time why wouldn't you look for a closer location to spend more time like our West Coast for example but if it's
broome or bust I would go the black top via Kalgoorlie north through gold fields, we did that a few years ago in covid times not a bad Drive and you won't have to worry about outback road conditions . Anyway at the end of the day whichever way you take it's only going to be few hours different for days on the road .
AnswerID:
645206