RV TRAVEL |
FAST FACTS
1. The Great Central Road
is known as Australia’s
longest shortcut. This mostly
unsealed road is 1126km long
and connects Yulara, NT, to
Laverton, WA.
2. It is a major outback
highway, so be cautious.
Ensure your vehicle and
van are mechanically reliable,
that you have enough spare
parts (including tyres) to
affect running repairs, and
that you have a means of
communication. A satphone
is ideal.
3. Pack more than enough
food and water for the journey.
Our next stop was a remote
community, Tjukurla, west
of the Great Central on the
Sandy Blight Junction Road.
While we were shopping
at Yulara, NT, we met an
artist who invited us to
the community where she
was from. During our stay,
we were accepted by the
community members and
made very welcome.
My daughters were invited
to attend the local school and
we were given a priceless
experience about Aboriginal
culture in the desert. This
includes how they burn the
vegetation before hunting,
how to catch and cook tinka
(sand goanna), and where
to find and how to cook
witchy grubs.
We were told about their
land and their Dreamtime
stories. One of the highlights
for me was sitting around the
fire as we ate kangaroo tail,
listening to the stories of the
elders with the howling of
4. Permits are required
to travel the main Great
Central route (Laverton to
the NT border), as well as the
Tjukaruru Road (the NT/WA
border to Yulara). You can
apply for permits from the
Northern Territory’s Central
Land Council
as well as
Western Australia’s
Department of Indigenous
Affairs
5. Other sites also require
special permission. Apply
to the Northern Territory’s
Ngaanyatjarra Council and
allow up to 10 days for a
permit.
the dingos in the distance.
After spending two
unforgettable weeks with the
people of Tjukurla, the rest of
our journey across the Great
Central to Laverton, WA, was
a bonus.
The Great Central – it had
taken us two years to finally
do but it was an adventure
the whole family will
never forget.
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