Caravanning the Tanami

Dan ,

I came down three weeks ago in a 16' BT and busted the springs on one side and one set of brakes . Corrugations very bad and over a long distance . I had 25 lb in the tyres
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Before I left Halls Creek I talked to two camper trailer owners and they had both broken springs .

Motherhen is coming down there very soon in a BT, so you may well get an update then .However , I do not think it will not improve until after the next rains - after which they will grade it .

If I do it again , it will be with empty water tanks to cut the weight .

Cheers ,

Willie

I will let you know how we survive - when we eventually get away! After Willie's report, i started on a new plan, but eventually decided to risk it. We have been stalled for 5 weeks in Kununurra, with another to go if all goes well, before we can leave.

Motherhen

Go for it Dan...be a devil not a man.......ooops....sorry and apologies to Frankie lane.

Plenty of vans do it....even Kedrons hohohohoh

Ern

Thanks for your replys. I think I'll access the situation when I get down to Alice. Could be a solid challenge though. Although after a very costly replacement engine already on this around Australia trip (due to a new timing belt throwing off while on Moreton island!..Kid you not!) The extra pain of broked spring and axles may be a bit too much....We'll see.
Thanks again! Dan

Dan, A brand new caravan (so called off roader of a lesser breed) was brought in from the Tanami a few days ago - needs full new suspension. Tyres were at 40 psi. Let them all down to 25 and go slow. Check everything that can come undone or break frequently. I don't know how tough conventional Roadstars are, but i as it has been reported (by Willie and others) that the Tanami is really bad now, i wouldn't tackle it without a real off-roader.

If you are thinking of it as a short cut to save time - i would stick to the bitumen.

If we ever get our electrics sorted out (flow on effect from the replacement of the dodgy solar panels) we plan to leave Kununurra tomorrow and take a few days on the back roads before starting the Tanami - very slowly! We may see you on the road (as per rig pic). Call us on channel 40.

Mh

Hi Dan

We are now in Alice Spring, minus a couple of water tanks which were coming loose on the last leg of the Tanami. I would not tackle the Tanami with your type of van.

Basically, there is a single lane of bitumen to Tilmouth Roadhouse - but you have to get off each time a car approachs or wants to pass. After that it is rather corrugated to Yuendumu. Basically an average dirt road to Tanami mine (corrugations bad only in patches), then corrugated patches to Coyote mine (25 km WA side of state border - where they have maintained the road between their camps and mines for a few kms). Then it is a HORROR stretch to Balgoo turnoff. It hasn't been graded in decades, and apart from being badly corrugated, there are ruts across it from wash when it has rained some time in the road's history. Average dirt road again for a while (although the road into Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater if you want to see that is fairly corrugated). Then much of the way towards Hall's Creek, the road is being re-aligned, and the old road used as a detour is serviceable.

We stopped and checked everything during the day, and tightened screws each day. We had dust come in like we had never seen before, and we usually travel on dirt roads.

Take the long way round - it will be quicker, and save you on possible (probable?) costly repairs, and time off from travelling to get repairs done. Getting spare parts in the NW is a battle - people in Perth do not understand what urgent air freight means.

Motherhen

Enjoy your travels - stick to the bitumen

Bit of a rip. $18 per person / night powered. About 15 un powered.

There is a free overnight stop about 30km out before yulara but I wouldn't leave the van there..

Good luck..

Thanks

Dan