Thread: Route times

Trip planner - Queensland maps - Plan a road trip - RACQ

33.54 hours, 2796.16 km

In 1966 I did from near Alice Springs to Sydney in a 2a 109 diesel in just under 40 hours (with two drivers). The roads have improved somewhat since then, counterbalanced by heavier traffic.

To be reasonable I would look at a minimum of three days, but as you say, "how long is a piece of string?", and three days would give you no opportunity to look at anything.

Can't comment on the Canning Stock Route, as I have never done it.

John

Which way from Alice to Sydney?
Don't do the Canning in November it will be too hot , the sand too loose and soft. Have a look at some of the temps there at that time of the year. We did from Nth to Well 33 in 2006 and I think we used 120 litres of fuel in a Td5 defender to 33 @ $2.90 litre. In 2001 we used about 100 litres to Well 23 in a 300 defender. Now no fuel at well 23 so if you can get too 33 you will get to Wiluna.
You should do it however at that time of the year you may have to work it over the dunes which will use more fuel. It will also depend how many side tracks you take as you can easily knock up a couple of hundred Ks in side trips.
Best of luck at that time of the year.

There are many ways from Alice to Sydney.

Quickest way is probably via blacktop to Port Augusta, then Broken Hill.

Probably allow 4 days, but can be done quicker, or slower.

If you have a 1 or 2 more days, consider taking the Plenty Highway (don't confuse Australian tracks with highway in their name to any highway you know of) to Boulia. But you may have had enough of corrugations by then. Fuel is available at Jervois, but is no longer available at Tobermorey

From Boulia, you have several options.

Via Winton, Longreach, Blackall, Mitchell, St George, Moree (lots of options after Longreach).

Via Bedourie, Windorah, Bourke.

Or a little longer, between Bedourie and Windorah, turn south to Innaminka (via Nappa Merrie goes through pretty country over the St Ann Range). A camping permit (available from Trading Post) is required to camp near Innaminka (hot showers at the Trading Post and camp at Cullyamurra Waterhole is recommended). Then take Bore Track (private road with $10 fee for servicing) to Cameron Corner.

November is getting a bit late (hot) to travel on the Canning. The northern parts are hot enough (during the day) in the middle of winter.

You are outside the season (after August) when others do this trip. If anything goes wrong, no one will find you remains until next June. If you can raise help, some parts are about a week away - there are no landing strips for fixed wing aircraft and may be out of range for helicopter.

A permit is required, fuel is available at an aboriginal community at well 33(but maybe not in November).

hi brendan
just noticed that your in leeds yorks, i have just moved to brisbane from leeds and took my disco with me. maybe we know the same crowd in leeds and may have met at sometime. do you know leigh at adventure 4x4,or brian at green oval. drop us a line about your forthcoming trip.
kieran

If you don't want to bust a gut, then 5 days is pretty comfortable 6 even better.

Look at it this way, it's 2800ks approx, divide that with how many Ks you feel is a comfortable drive in a day, with the option of a bit of a look around when you arrive or as you travel.

4 DAYS = 700 Ks a day

5 DAYS = 520 Ks a day

6 DAYS = 470 Ks a day

If you haven't got a deadline to meet or need to be in Sydney at a certain time, then take the most comfortable time and see the country, don't just drive through it.

Baz.

Have a read of this on the Canning;
Canning Stock Route @ ExplorOz

Baz.

Brendan,

Please tell me that you intended to travel the CSR with other vehicles, not single?

It is not wise to travel the CSR with a single vehicle at peak times. It would be a death wish in November.