PERMITS
A permit is required when travelling on roads through Aboriginal land such as the Great Central Road, Tjukaruru Road and most of the roads-tracks leading off the Outback Way between Laverton and Yulara.
Aboriginal land is private land. It is not Crown land, nor public land.
The permit system enables permit holders to understand their obligations and responsibilities,
helping to preserve Aboriginal heritage and culture, safeguarding the natural environment and to promote visitor safety.
Two permits are required for the entire GCR via the following
WA Dept Planning Lands & Heritage with the permits for the Great Central Road Laverton to Tjukayirla Roadhouse, this is referred to the Yilka Talintji Aboriginal Corporation, and Great Central Road Tjukayirla Roadhouse to NT Border which falls within Ngaanyatjarra Council’s area.
https://aapapermits.microsoftcrmportals.com/
Ngaanyatjarra Council permit portal for the Great Central Road Tjukayirla Roadhouse to NT Border:
https://www.ngaanyatjarra.org.au/permits
Northern Territory
Central Land Council for the Tjukururu Rd:
https://www.clc.org.au/transit-permit-application/
Please note that some permit systems do not work from mobiles or tablets and needs to be completed on a computer or laptop.
Permits give you 3 days to travel from Yulara to Docker River and 3 days from WA Border to Laverton- this is heaps of time. You do not need to print your permit, just have it available on your email/ on your phone, so it can be displayed if required.
Special permission is required to travel off the Outback Way to places of particular interest and travellers should investigate this when applying for the permits.
The OHDC Inc also uses the data to indicate how many people are using the road- this is helpful for maintenance and seeking funds for upgrading.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Road conditions along #outbackway can change quite quickly depending on traffic and weather, and varies across the 2700km of road.
We recommend that you stay up to date by checking the below websites.
Shire of Laverton Road Condition Report
https://www.laverton.wa.gov.au/services/roads/road-condition-reports.aspx
Mainroads Western Australia
https://travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map
Road Report NT
https://roadreport.nt.gov.au/road-map
Boulia Shire Council Road Condition Report
https://www.boulia.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/1609/boulia-shire-council-current-road-report
QLD Traffic
https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/
FUEL
Any journey takes some planning and it is no different in regards to fuel along The Outback Way.
During the Wet/Holiday season, from the end of November to the beginning of March - fuel is unavailable at Tobermorey, making the max distance between available fuel stops 464km from Jervois Station and Boulia.
When Tobermorey is open, the maximum distance is 362km between fuel stops between Winton and Boulia, with the stretch between Laverton and Tjukayirla Roadhouse being 306km.
Opal fuel is used in Western Australia- Warakurna and Warburton, Tjukayirla Roadhouse as the equivalent to unleaded fuel.
You can find further information by checking the below websites/facebook pages.
Tjukayirla Roadhouse
https://tjukayirlaroadhouse.com.au/
Warburton Roadhouse
https://warburtonroadhouse.com.au/
Warakurna Roadhouse
https://warakurnaroadhouse.com.au/
Curtin Springs
https://www.curtinsprings.com/wayside-inn/
Gemtree
https://gemtree.com.au/Facilities/
Tobermorey
https://tobermoreystation.com.au/
SEALING OF THE OUTBACK WAY
Of the 2700kms there is approx. 1150 left to seal.
The project is due for completion in 2032.
The Outback Way produces a paper map each year to show the latest sealing details. Grab one through the shop.
VISITOR CENTRES
Local tourist information centres provide visitors with information on the area's attractions, lodgings, maps, and other items relevant to tourism.
The Great Beyond Visitor Centre - Laverton
https://www.laverton.wa.gov.au/tourism/great-beyond-visitor-centre.aspx
Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Yulara Visitor Information Centres - NT
https://www.discovercentralaustralia.com/visitor-information/visitor-information-centres
Min Min Encounter Visitor Information Centre - Boulia
https://www.boulia.qld.gov.au/tourism/min-min-encounter-tourist-centre
Waltzing Matilda Centre - Winton
https://www.experiencewinton.com.au/see-do/visitor-information-centre
PODCAST
Since April 2018 we have had great support for our podcast with our last podcast recorded in April 2023. This free podcast with subjects capturing the characters, stories, tips and tricks of doing the Outback Way has 86 episodes.
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/2FNtENHMQmXBQCHsauxdpD
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-outback-way-podcast/id1378484653
Muckrack