The Outback Way

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.

The Outback Way crosses central Australia and is fast becoming one of the must-see and must-do drive routes, linking Laverton to Winton via Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs.

The 2,800 kilometre Outback Way offers an awe-inspiring journey through some of the most attractive and remote desert areas. Learn about ancient Aboriginal culture, life in the Outback, and the natural environment of Australia’s central desert. The route itself is mostly gravel and it’s advisable to travel in a high clearance 4WD vehicle, as conditions can include sand drifts and corrugations. The Outback Way is graded regularly and is usually acceptable for towing offroad caravans and trailers.

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.

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.