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THE GIBSON DESERT EXPLORER

22 DAY ITINERARY - $TBA per person

This trip takes in many almost inaccessible areas, some of which have been banned to travelers in the past. Len Beadell was one of our later day pioneers and we use many of his roads, surveyed is this harsh land years ago. This is a trip for you to experience the magnificence of the bush. A truly desert oriented Adventure, we explore much of the Great Victoria Desert and the Gibson Desert and follow tracks to several remote aboriginal Communities.

This will be a journey of discovery, one which I have long wished to undertake. Many of the tracks we will use are extremely remote and seldom used so detours and exploration will be the order of the day, that will be just part of the Adventure!

Days 1: Depart Stockport 6.00am for Pt. Augusta, Glendambo, Kingoonya and on to Tarcoola, on the Trans Australia Railway. Sounds a bit ordinary, but there is so much history and such a variety and characters to meet, country to see the interest never wains.

Days 2-4: Travelling mainly on the maintenance track for the railway we past old stations such as, Malbooma, Lyons, Wynbring, Mt Christie and then Oodlea, the place where Daisy Bates spent much of her life. Continuing on we pass Watson, Cook and Deakin to arrive in Western Australia at Rawlinna for a fuel stop.

Days 5: Turning North away from the Railway we take the "Connie Sue Highway" and then branch of to the Plumridge Lakes area in the Great Victoria Desert.

Days 6-7: Lake Rason, Mallee Hen Rocks, White Cliffs, Yamarna and Tjukayirla, 315 Kilometers East of Laverton are all covered in these two days. A stop for fuel, food and showers here.

Days 8-10: Exploring as we go, we head North on the David Carnegie Road to Mungilli Claypan on Gunbarrel Highway. North again on the Eagle Highway to the Warri Site, where the old Aboriginal couple Warri and Yatunga left their homelands and moved to Wiluna in 1977. We then swing West and should be at or about Windy Corner on the Gary Highway at the end of day 10.

Days 11-14: The Gary Highway North to Well 23 on the Canning Stock Route. The Kunawarritji Community is also here and we can top up with fuel, water and food. West now to Kiwirkurra and on to Sandy Blight Junction.

Days 15-16: We now take the Sandy Blight Junction road South to Docker River and then Giles weather station and the Warakurna Roadhouse. Fuel, water and even accommodation here.

Days 17-20: Once again we pick up Len Beadell's old Gunbarrel Highway and follow it right through to the Stuart Highway near the Northern Territory Border. This is all Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal Lands and includes places such as the Musgrave Ranges, the Tomkinson Ranges and the Mann Ranges.

Days 21: This final day will be straight down the Stuart via Port Augusta and home to Stockport ETA 6.00pm. Should we make better time than anticipated, we can always have a last night stay at Copper Hills, just one of many interesting alternatives for the last days.

 

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

  • Pick up ex Adelaide Airport or Gawler Railway Station
  • Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at Stockport Stables before and after the trip.
  • Parking on premises if required.
  • Swag (heavy-duty canvas, mattress/pillow/sheets/blankets/doona}
  • On camping trips, we supply single pole tents, twin share (some singles available)
  • Meals, tea and coffee and refreshments while on the road.
  • Choice of Claret/Reisling with evening meal and a nightcap of Port.
  • Hotel/Motel/Caravan Park/Station accommodation, twin share basis.
  • Desert park pass fees, Obligatory Permits.
  • Map Pack of Specialist Maps for the Journey.

YOU NEED TO BRING:

  • Comfortable travelling clothes, sturdy shoes, warm jumper, parka, camera, sun block, towel/toiletries, all personal medications, hat, swimsuit, insect repellent, personal water bottle, torch and Wet Ones are a good idea (helps when shower not available)
  • Soft luggage bags (no suitcases) 1 – 2 per person, compact day pack (max 3 pcs).

YOUR EXPENSE:

  • Dinner, drinks and breakfast on Hotel/Motel stopovers.
  • Special interest Tours and associated Entrance Fees.
  • Beer:  Tour Leader purchases on route, chilling as needed.
  • Single Occupancy: - if available and pre-arranged.
  • We recommend current Medical/Accident and Travel Insurance.

VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT:

  • 4wd Nissan Station Wagons, equipped with UHF and HF Radio, stereo, air conditioning, long range fuel and water tanks, portable hot shower.
  • Heavy Duty Trailer, gas BBQ,  Engel Frig/Freezers, tools, electric winch/snatch straps, spares/tyres/tubes.
  • Global Positioning System and Satellite Phone.

MEMORABILIA:

  • Highlights of the trip are captured on  studio quality digital camera and transferred to DVD, which is available for purchase.   A great way to relive your Outback Adventure Holiday whenever you like!