Destinations > Sand Storm

GETTING THERE

For those travellers that are driving the Great Central Road, and are not on a strict timetable, the Sandy Blight Junction Track would make a great detour on your way to or from Central Australia. Travelling through from Yulara and Docker River, the unmarked major turn off will be just inside Western Australia, after crossing Rebecca Creek. If travelling up the Great Central Road from Giles, the turn off will be at the termination of the Schwerin Mural Crescent and before you enter Rebecca Creek. From Alice Springs, head out past Papunya and Mount Liebig. It would be advisable to stock up at Kintore before making that small back track which is very clearly signposted, 'Docker River 340 4WD Only'.

SUPPLIES

Travelling through this remote country of Central Australia requires that all travellers must be fully self sufficient and carry enough food, water, fuel, basic vehicle spares and a good remote area first aid kit and reliable long distance communications, either HF Radio or satellite phone and I also carry a PLBS. Travelling in from the east, Alice Springs or Yulara will be your last chance to stock up on all major items that you will require to complete this trip. The Aboriginal Communities of Docker River, Warakurna Roadhouse, Kintore and Papunya will all have basic supplies.

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FUEL

There are no fuel supplies along the entire length of the Sandy Blight Junction Track. Depending on which way you come from, fuel will be available from Warakurna Roadhouse near Giles, Docker River and Kintore. It should also be noted that if your vehicle uses unleaded fuel, only Opal unleaded will be available while travelling through most of Central Australia. Another important note is that it is illegal to carry spare unleaded fuel as a back up supply. If you think you won't get through on a full tank, then the spare fuel carried must be Opal only.

Travelling still further north, there were signs of road works in the area, improving and building up some of the lower lying areas of the road, a sure sign that they may look fine when dry, but would be treacherous when the conditions became wet. While travelling through one of these areas we came across our first bush erected sign, painted on an old car bonnet, advising drivers that this was a 4WD track and no heavy trucks by order of Toby F. These roads were still wide and firm, but would turn quickly when wet and yes, heavy vehicles would do great damage to this road in such conditions. The country was now changing again, with the ranges very impressive in our rear view mirrors with open country in front of us. We were now starting to think if it was going to be like this all the way to Kintore and then track conditions changed instantly. There on the side of the road was one of those large green and white road signs, indicating Kintore straight ahead on a narrow two-wheel track, while the wide and smooth track continued to the right headed towards Tjukurla Aboriginal Community. We were now back to the preferred conditions, on tracks that see far fewer vehicles than other major 4WD destinations in outback Australia. Track conditions were constantly changing and we were soon in red sand dune country, dominated by large valleys of desert oaks. The ever changing scenery was making this part of the trip most enjoyable, apart from the few corrugations that must be expected in any remote area of travelling, and then a call came out over the radio that one of my group had stopped and was after some help. Over the previous week of travel over the Abandoned Section of the Old Gunbarrel Highway, the roads had slowly been taking its toll of one of the group's roof rack and now it was saying that it did not want to go on any further. Normally such a minor problem would be a setback, but with a perfect camping area set amongst a very large grove of mature desert oaks just ahead, there were no second thoughts and by 2.15pm we were set up for an early camp in what would have been one of the best campsites along the Sandy Blight Junction Track. We were able to rearrange the load from the rack to inside the vehicle and the crippled roof rack was strapped to the roof rack of another member's vehicle. It was agreed by all members of the group that it was a perfect location and with time on our side, one of the group cooked a roast for tea.

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