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- See & do
- Stay
- Road trips
- Plan
The Outback Way
- Suggested Time: 4 days -
- The Goldfields
The Outback Way is one of Australia’s great four wheel drive odysseys. Known as ‘Australia’s Longest Shortcut’, the route runs from Perth, Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland.
Embark on your Outback Way adventure by purchasing The Outback Way Atlas and Guidebook from outbackway.org.au or from The Great Beyond Visitor Centre Laverton in Western Australia's Northern Goldfields.
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1Day 1: Laverton via Lake Ballard (470km)
Stock up on fuel and water supplies before starting your adventure on The Outback Way. Head north to the historic gold rush town of Menzies, detouring en route to take in Lake Ballard and the remarkable Antony Gormley sculptures. Visit the ghost town of Gwalia and see historic Hoover House, once home to the former American President, Herbert…
Stock up on fuel and water supplies before starting your adventure on The Outback Way. Head north to the historic gold rush town of Menzies, detouring en route to take in Lake Ballard and the remarkable Antony Gormley sculptures. Visit the ghost town of Gwalia and see historic Hoover House, once home to the former American President, Herbert Hoover, who managed the local mine. On the way to Laverton, view remnants of mine shafts, try your hand at fossicking for gold and admire the colourful wildflowers in spring time.
Accommodation options: Stay overnight in Laverton at the local hotel, motel or caravan park.
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2Day 2: Warburton (570km)
Aboriginal Land Permits required for travel Take the Great Central Road and journey across the Great Victoria Desert. Along the way you’ll encounter vast salt lakes, scenic nature reserves, waterholes, natural springs and caves. You’ll need transit permits to pass through the Indigenous community of Warburton, where you’ll find stunning works of…
Aboriginal Land Permits required for travel
Take the Great Central Road and journey across the Great Victoria Desert. Along the way you’ll encounter vast salt lakes, scenic nature reserves, waterholes, natural springs and caves. You’ll need transit permits to pass through the Indigenous community of Warburton, where you’ll find stunning works of traditional Indigenous art.
Accommodation options: Warburton Roadhouse.
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3Day 3: Yulara (560km)
Aboriginal Land Permits requiredThe drive across the Gibson Desert and over the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory is outback adventure at its best. The first 200 kilometres has tracks leading to Indigenous communities. Here the epic Gunbarrel Highway joins the Great Central Road. Keep watch for wild camels and other…
Aboriginal Land Permits required
The drive across the Gibson Desert and over the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory is outback adventure at its best. The first 200 kilometres has tracks leading to Indigenous communities. Here the epic Gunbarrel Highway joins the Great Central Road. Keep watch for wild camels and other wildlife. You’ll be amazed by the rich desert terrain, with its scenic ranges, vivid red soil, spinifex, mulga and desert oaks.
Stock up on food and fuel at Warakurna Roadhouse before continuing across the border to the Northern Territory. The journey takes you over a number of creek crossings and past Petermann Ranges. Check out historic Lasseter’s Cave, a popular place for picnics.
Accommodation options: There’s a good selection of accommodation in Yulara – the gateway to Uluru.
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4Day 4: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (25km)
The massive figures of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru rise over the horizon as you enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Spend time bush walking around these amazing feats of nature.
The massive figures of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru rise over the horizon as you enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Spend time bush walking around these amazing feats of nature.
Aboriginal Entry permits are required to travel on the Great Central Road.
You will need 2 permits for travelling for the WA section and 1 permit for the NT section. For the WA section apply online through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. Select permits for 'Great Central Road Laverton to Tjukayirla Roadhouse' and 'Great Central Road Tjukayirla Roadhouse to NT Border'. For the NT section, travellers driving along the Tjukaruru Rd between Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and NT/ WA border can apply for a transit permit from the Central Land Council (NT).
For more information visit The Outback Way website.
Parts of the track are only suitable for high clearance four wheel drive vehicles and should only be attempted by confident drivers. Supplies and services are limited and road conditions can vary, so plan ahead, stock up on food, water and fuel and contact the local visitor centre for up-to-date track information.
Before heading off into the remote desert areas of Australia, you will need to obtain permits, enabling you to travel through private and Aboriginal Lands. Get more information about permits for Aboriginal Lands or visit the Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council. And to ensure you enjoy a safe and well-planned journey, be sure to take a look at Road safety and Important travel tips.
Driving times and distances are intended as a guide only and may vary depending on the exact route taken. Accommodation options are indicative as to what is available in the area.
The above map is intended as a guide only. It is highly recommended before heading out on your journey, you purchase the Hema Outback Way Guide and Atlas.