Alice springs to laverton

Australia’s Longest ShortcutBeing a shortcut linking Queensland to Western Australia (almost halving the trip via sealed roads), the Outback Way is an adventure of the greatest kind! The Outback Way passes through remote regions with unsealed roads that are best travelled in high-clearance four-wheel drives. The route can be challenging, but the landscapes, colours and night skies are legendary making it a truly life changing adventure.The Outback Way is bursting with stories to tell. Over 30 interpretive panels along the route introduce travellers to the stories of the Outback. In between, visitors can view caves, wander through indigenous art-craft workshops and Galleries, enjoy guided outback tours, visit a remote meteorology station, try fossicking in gem fields, visit Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s) & MacDonnell Ranges or enjoy discovery centres at Laverton, Alice Springs, Boulia and Winton. Outback Way visitors can also enjoy searching for the 36 hidden caches of the Outback Way-finder Geocache Trail. Geocaching is a relatively new hobby that requires a handheld GPS to find a ‘treasure’ hidden at a given latitude / longitude coordinate. The ‘treasure’ or cache is usually a small canister that contains a few mementos and a log book. The Outback Way-Finder Geocache Trail has 36 ‘hidden’ caches, highlighting places of interest along the Outback Way and encourages travellers to stop and enjoy the natural wonders of central Australia while searching for caches.Go to www.outbackway.org.au to find out more about how to enjoy the Outback Way-finder Geocache Trail.An adventure awaits travellers on the Outback Way. Numerous side trips offer further insight into Australia’s heart, such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s), MacDonnell Ranges, the Channel Country or Lark Quarry. Travellers can also time their trips so they can take part in some of the many outback festivals including the Boulia Camel Races, Harts Range Bush Sports & Ball, Alice Springs Henley-on-Todd-Regatta, Winton Outback Festival or the Birdsville Races. Some of Australia’s most renowned four wheel drive tracks link to the Outback Way offering further side trip opportunities including the Gunbarrel Highway, Tanami Road, Anne Beadell Highway and others. Whether you’re seeking a ‘shortcut’, a four wheel drive adventure or a desert experience there are plenty of options along the Outback Way. With ‘The Outback Way Atlas and Guide’ - available from outlets along the Outback Way and wherever Hema Maps are sold - you will surely discover Australia’s inner secrets! No other drive route passes through as many climates, landscapes and iconic Australian attractions as the Outback Way! From Perth’s mediterranean climate to the central deserts and the balmy tropics of Cairns, the Outback Way is a 2,750km shortcut from Laverton to Winton through the heart of Australia. Cairns to Perth via Central Australia onThe Outback WayThe Reef, The Rock & The WestExperience Central Australian ranges, indigenous art, wildlife, wildflowers, gem fossicking, bird watching, 4WD’ing, nature walks, camping. Explore the world’s longest geochache trail.Off set your vehicle emissions with the Outback Way’s offset programSelf Drive Route From Winton, QLD to Laverton, WAExperience the heart of Australiaon Australia’s Longest ShortcutRoom AccommodationCampingWORLD’S LONGEST GEOCACHEING TRAIL Whether you prefer sleeping under five-stars or a million stars, the Outback Way has it all. Five star resorts await at Yulara, while hotel/motel accommodation and caravan / camping sites await at roadhouses, while station stays offer country hospitality and roadside stops provide free camping along the entire Outback Way. Choose a style of accommodation and a leisurely travel schedule when preparing your itinerary. Here’s a few suggestions depending on your accommodation preference (reverse the stopovers if travelling from Laverton!). Visit www.outbackway.org.au for more details. Please refer to the HEMA guide book for details about these locations.Allow 1.5 days from Cairns to Winton , staying overnight at Townsville, Charters Towers or Hughenden.Allow 1.5 days from Perth to Laverton, staying overnight at Southern Cross, Coolgardie or Kalgoorlie5 Days5 Days4 Days6 Days6 Days6 Days Winton to Laverton (6.0 hours driving per day) Day 1 - Winton to Georgina River (bush camp) Day 2 - Georgina River to Mt Swan Campground Day 3 - Mt Swan to Desert Oaks (rest bay)Day 4 - Desert Oaks to Kaltukatjara campground Day 5 - Kaltukatjarra to Paradise Camp (bush camp) Day 6 - Paradise Camp to LavertonSuggested Itineraries6 Days Winton to Laverton (6.0 hours driving per day)Day 1- Winton to BouliaDay 2- Boulia to Jervois Station Day 3- Jervois to Alice Springs Day 4 - Alice Springs to YularaDay 5 - Yulara to WarburtonDay 6 - Warburton to Laverton4 Days Winton to Laverton (8.5 hours driving per day) Day 1 - Winton to Arthur River (bush camp)Day 2 - Arthur River to Desert Oaks (rest bay)Day 3 - Desert Oaks to Yarla KutjarraDay 4 - Yarla Kutjara to Laverton5 Days Winton to Laverton (7.0 hours driving per day)Day 1 - Winton to Georgina River (bush camp) Day 2 - Georgina River to Alice Springs Day 3 - Alice Springs to Docker River (Kaltakatjara Campground) Day 4 - Docker River to Desert Breakaway (bush camp) Day 5 - Desert Breakaway to Laverton5 Days Winton to Laverton (7.0 hours driving per day)Day 1- Winton to Boulia Day 2 - Boulia to Gem Tree Day 3 - Gem Tree to Yulara Day 4 - Yulara to Warburton Day 5 - Warburton to LavertonThe best time to travel the Outback Way is April to October. Extreme high temperatures or torrential rain during November to March can sometimes make travelling uncomfortable or roads impassable. Always check the road conditions when stopping at roadhouses and never proceed if the road ahead is closed. Travellers should avoid driving at night and instead aim to be camped an hour before sunset. Remember permits are required to travel between Kata Tjuta and the NT Border and the NT Border and Laverton.The Outback Way passes through remote regions with limited communications, repair services and supplies. Travellers should be well prepared and carry the following for their own safety:More travel tips and advice can be sourced from www.outbackway.org.au or from the Outback Way Atlas & Guide available from wherever Hema Maps are sold.•At least 2 spare tyres, tool kit, tyre tube & repair kit, air pump–compressor, jumper leads, spare hoses and fan belt.•At least 20 litres of water, food for 3-4 days, first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.•Hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes plus cool and warm clothes, (temperatures can range from -6 to 46oC).•Preferably a Satellite phone or HF radio (mobile phones should not be relied on).•4WD recovery gear (hi-lift jack, snatch strap, jacking plate, shovel, tow rope, load rated shackles). •Maps, GPS and if venturing off the Outback Way, an EPIRB.•Always carry enough fuel to travel 600km or more.Essential Travel Tips & AdviceFollow us onVisit www.outbackway.org.au and purchase the HEMA OutbackWay guide book and AtlasOutBackWay-MAY_2014.indd 128/05/2014 11:47 am