Grant and Hanan journey across Australia’s heartland on the Great Central Road from Uluru to Laverton for an unforgettable outback adventure through desert and history.
There are few outback journeys in Australia that are as rewarding as a trip along the Great Central Road (GCR). This epic route stretches over more than 1120km, connecting the Red Centre of the Northern Territory to the goldfields of Western Australia. While this route is sometimes seen as a simple thoroughfare from east to west and vice versa, we can assure you a trip along the GCR promises a quintessential outback experience — one that’s marked with culture, million-star skies, dazzling Great Victoria Desert landscapes and plenty of wildlife. Here’s everything you need to know to plan and savour this amazing journey.
Australia’s outback highway
Originally a remote bush track between Laverton and Warburton back in the 1930s, the GCR has come a long way since then. In particular, surveyor and bushman Len Beadell slowly extended the road to Warburton’s east to support Britain’s atomic testing program during the 1950s. Eventually the road reached the Northern Territory and extended to Uluru.
Like most things, the GCR is still evolving today. While pockets of the road have now been sealed (with work ongoing), travellers will still find a lot of the road is dirt. The road conditions can also vary in quality according to the weather and how recently the grader has been through. While the road is the shortest route between Perth and Alice Springs, it’s also part of the Outback Way — a monumental 2700km route between Laverton in WA and Winton in outback Queensland. As a shortcut to get from one side of the country to the other, this is one route that’s becoming increasingly popular with caravan travellers.
The GCR is Australia’s longest shortcut, and it’s caravan friendly!
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
No matter how often you’ve seen photographs, nothing really prepares you for the towering presence of Uluru. At more than 3.6km long and 1.9km wide, we found jumping on a Segway tour a fun way to get around this massive monolith. In reality, there’s lots to experience at Uluru and Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga if you have a few days to spare before hitting the Great Central Road.
Segway fun at Uluru
Ayers Rock Campground at Yulara is adjacent to the national park and has powered/unpowered sites, so it’s a good base to have while you go off and explore. To help visitors get around the Yulara complex there’s a free shuttle bus service that picks up and drops off just outside the campground. And if you’ve booked yourself on any tours, there’s no need to drive as the tour buses collect passengers from outside the campground precinct as well.
Unless you’ve booked a tour bus to get to the national park, it’s a short drive (20 minutes) from the campground to the park entrance. Here you’ll need to show your Park Pass before going any further — and remember, this national park is separate from the normal NT park passes, so make sure you’ve got the right permit.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park offers many walks of varying lengths, though sunrise and sunset are particularly our favourite times of the day when the colours of the landscape and rocks are highlighted. Remember to stock up on supplies and fuel at Yulara before setting off — amenities become sparse once you hit the GCR.
Sunrise Journeys dawn tour to Uluru (Image Voyages)
Uluru to Kaltukatjara (Docker River) — 235km
Leaving Uluru behind, it’s 235km to Kaltukatjara (Docker River) with the first 80km being sealed. Once we hit the dirt, we found a good spot to pull over and lower our tyre pressures for a smoother ride. This stretch of the GCR passes through large sections of desert oaks and the picturesque Petermann Ranges when heading further west towards the WA border.
Along the way we stopped at Lasseter’s Cave. It’s a short distance off the road and the small cave was once used by the legendary gold prospector Harold Lasseter in the early 1930s. Fifty kilometres further on, Kaltukatjara (Docker River) is a small Indigenous community where you’ll find a campground with basic amenities. As it was early in the day, we didn’t stop to camp, but we did find some mobile phone service as we drove past the community turnoff.
Lasseter’s Cave
Kaltukatjara (Docker River) to Warakurna — 105km
Following the GCR west, the road undulates through mulga scrub and wispy spinifex plains, with pockets of desert oaks interspersed among the landscape. Around 27km from Kaltukatjara (Docker River) you’ll pass the turnoff to Len Beadell’s Sandy Blight Junction Road, and the mountainous scenery along this section is pretty spectacular.
Make sure you stop at Warakurna to visit the Giles Weather Station, a historic outpost built in 1956 to support atomic testing. And if your visit coincides with the station’s early morning weather balloon release, that’s something not to miss. While we were at Giles, we wandered through the free museum which provided some interesting information about the atomic testing program. Outside the museum you can’t miss the massive Gunbarrel Road Construction Party grader, as it’s one of the originals used by Len Beadell’s crew from the 1950s. After stopping for a snack at Warakurna Roadhouse, we hit the road once again. If you’re looking for somewhere to bunker down for the night, the roadhouse does have a campground with powered sites, a bathroom block (with hot showers), coin-operated washing machines and dryers, barbecues and a camp kitchen.
Gunbarrel Road Construction Party Grader at Giles
Warakurna to Warburton (Mirlirrtjarra) — 233km
It’s another 233km on this section between Warakurna and Warburton (also known as Mirlirrtjarra). A few corrugations and spotting the odd camel or two by the roadside kept our pace a bit slower. The beautiful scenery along this section — a blend of eucalypts, granite outcrops and the distant Warburton Ranges — gave us another reason to keep the speed down.
Road grading between Warakurna and Warburton
Keep an eye out for camels
There are several bush camps along this stretch of the GCR, with most offering plenty of room for caravans, camper trailers and those travelling in groups.
Warburton is one of the larger communities along the GCR and the Warburton Roadhouse was another place for us to fill up and grab something to eat. The campground alongside the roadhouse is well set up, offering grassed powered/unpowered sites, amenities including a laundry and a good camp kitchen.
Warburton Roadhouse campground
Warburton to Tjukayirla Roadhouse — 247km
Driving deeper into desert country, this 247km isolated stretch follows some of the rock holes used by Indigenous communities, early explorers, prospectors and surveyors from days gone by. These water sources were once the lifeblood for travellers crossing this remote region, and stopping to check some of them out allowed us to take a break from driving and stretch the legs.
There are plenty of places to pull off the road and camp for the night on this section, including Camp Paradise (approx. 156km from Warburton), which is a GCR favourite. This free bush camp is located off the main road, and there’s plenty of space for big rigs, although you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient as there are no amenities. If you’re looking for a bit of respite from the dust and corrugations, Tjukayirla Roadhouse can be a welcome oasis. The roadhouse provides fuel, showers and powered/unpowered camping, plus it’s a good excuse to have one of their legendary hamburgers.
Tjukayirla Roadhouse to Laverton — 305km
This 305km final stretch to Laverton passes through undulating desert and colourful breakaways. And coming across a spectacular pocket of Sturt Desert Peas along this section certainly added to our list of trip highlights.
Along this stretch, old gravel pits have become campsites, with The Pines campground being a popular spot. Personally, one of our top camping picks has to be the Giles Breakaway campsite — the views from here are superb.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the GCR — we spotted this large patch of Sturt Desert Peas!
Stunning red centre views at Giles Breakaway campsite
From Giles Breakaway, some will be glad that the final 50km to Laverton is now sealed, which marks the end of the GCR dust and dirt. Just be mindful that quarantine restrictions apply in WA for those travelling from eastern states, with disposal bins provided 20km before reaching the tiny outback town of Laverton.
On the way to Laverton
You’ll find Laverton steeped in history, and there are many ways to experience it. The Great Beyond Visitor Centre on Augusta Street is the best place to get local information. Here, you’ll find the Explorers’ Hall of Fame museum which shares the dramatic stories of legendary 19th-century explorers, many of whom used Laverton as a base for their expeditions into the Great Victoria Desert and beyond. While the visitor centre is always on our must-visit list to get insights on local attractions, this one is also worth a visit for its excellent coffee and sweet delicacies — arguably the best in the Western Australian goldfields.
Dr Charles Laver statue in Laverton
Inside the Great Beyond Visitor Centre in Laverton
We based ourselves at the Laverton Caravan Park during our stay, and located only a short distance from the visitor centre it was a prime spot for exploring Laverton’s highlights. The park offers a small number of powered/unpowered sites, a camp kitchen and free laundry facilities.
Completing the GCR: Australia’s longest shortcut
The drive from Uluru to Laverton along the Great Central Road is a true Australian adventure, offering not just a physical crossing from central Australia into WA, but a trip that takes you deep into the heart of some remarkable history and natural splendour. Take your time, as this is a journey that leaves its mark long after the red dust has faded from your boots and tyres.
GCR trip planner
Organise your permits
Travelling the GCR requires three permits — two for Western Australia and one for the Northern Territory. While they’re all easily obtained online, it’s recommended to arrange them at least seven days in advance to avoid any delays.
You’ll also need a Parks Pass if visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which can be purchased online. The pass is valid for three days and includes Uluru and Kata Tjuta (Mount Olga). However, a permit is not required if you’re travelling through the national park without stopping in order to reach the GCR.
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WA transit permits:Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
- Great Central Road Laverton to Tjukayirla Roadhouse
- Great Central Road Tjukayirla Roadhouse to NT Border
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NT permit:Central Land Council
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and NT/WA border
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park park pass
Quarantine restrictions apply when entering WA from the eastern states
Best time of year to travel the GCR
Outback roads like the GCR can easily be affected by weather conditions and sections of the road can be closed after rain. Check current road conditions via the websites listed below. The best time to travel is during cooler months when days are mild. Be prepared for cold nights if you’re travelling in winter, when temperatures can dip below freezing.
Sunsets are a highlight of the trip
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