Would it be possible to drive to most places in OZ on Firetrails and dirt roads?

**vnx205** · 1st January 2013, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

I would like to cross Australia diagonally in the most direct line, from Cape Howe to Cape Leveque, trying to keep within a say 50 Klm corridor.
A logistics challenge would be a mild way of calling this.

Back in 1989, when I joined two of my brothers in Kununurra for a trip along the Gibb River Road to Broome, I went from Yass down to Point Hicks and regarded that as the starting point of a diagonal crossing from SE to NW.

We went via the Oodnadatta Track, The Tanami Track and the GRR, passing through the Lambert Centre, which marks the exact geographical centre of Australia. That isn't quite as strict a route as you are describing, but I still consider that to be my version of a diagonal crossing through the exact centre, using three famous dirt roads.

**Tank** · 1st January 2013, 10:37 AM

I know of a Track, for instance, that goes from the geographical centre of NSW to the top northern coner of SA. This track crosses the Barrier Hwy. between Cobar and Wilcannia, I would imagine that a lot of this track heading south east would have gates and some of them would be locked. But heading north west through the deserts I haven't been able to determine any fence lines or gates and it runs through some of the most remote areas, might be worth checking out when I get organised, Regards Frank.

**V8Ian** · 1st January 2013, 06:48 PM

Geez Frank, I can remember wanting the opposite. The Landsborough Highway, pre bitumen days, springs to mind.

**Tank** · 1st January 2013, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Geez Frank, I can remember wanting the opposite. The Landsborough Highway, pre bitumen days, springs to mind.

Ian, in 1976 I drove my 69 Fairlane along the Landsborough Hwy., took me 9 hours from Winton to Cloncurry. Closest I've been to death, after 4 hours of driving on 2 wheel tracks through the scrub and having to build ramps up to the concrete slabs they call bridges in FNQ, I figured they would find my lost bleached bones, one day. My exhaust torn clean off, 2 flat tyres, I really believed I wasn't going to make it, never seen another soul till I got to Kynuna.
I now know why all the traffic was going down the Boulia beef road to the Isa, worst road I ever drove a 2WD car on, poor old Fairlane was never the same after that trip, Regards Frank.

**dmdigital** · 1st January 2013, 10:58 PM

Sorry, can't help self... I've been watching this thread and all I keep thinking is:

"But what if there is only a dirt track to anywhere out of town?"

**RANDLOVER** · 10th January 2013, 12:11 AM

4WD Action magazine Volume No. 181 had an article about seven drives between the capital cities of Australia without using blacktop.

**V8Ian** · 10th January 2013, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by Tank

Ian, in 1976 I drove my 69 Fairlane along the Landsborough Hwy., took me 9 hours from Winton to Cloncurry. Closest I've been to death, after 4 hours of driving on 2 wheel tracks through the scrub and having to build ramps up to the concrete slabs they call bridges in FNQ, I figured they would find my lost bleached bones, one day. My exhaust torn clean off, 2 flat tyres, I really believed I wasn't going to make it, never seen another soul till I got to Kynuna.
I now know why all the traffic was going down the Boulia beef road to the Isa, worst road I ever drove a 2WD car on, poor old Fairlane was never the same after that trip, Regards Frank.

The Blue Heeler was often a bit of a hold up on that section, Frank.

The Boulia route was popular then as there was no road train access between the Isa and the 'Curry, in those days.

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