Townsville to Alice Springs and to Sydney

by patrycja
(Tolga, Queensland)

Hello there,

At the moment I am thinking about a journey on the motorbike; Kawasaki klr 650 throughout the middle part of Australia.
I am planning to head down south from Townsville to Alice Springs first. Than to Cooper Pedy, and from there eventually head back to the coast; Sydney.

I read on your website that some roads may have a distance of max. 250 between petrol stations whilst travelling from Townsville to Alice Springs.

Since my motorbike has only a 15 l. tank, which can allow me to drive a max. of approx. 240 and maybe a bit more on reserve, I am a bit worried..

Would it be sensible to take some extra fuel with me or are there other options like for example taking a different road. With a bit more fuel stations..;-)

Thank you in advance..
Cheers
Patrycja

Hi Patrycja,

Well, there are not really alternative routes with shorter distances between fuel supplies.

On the Barkly Hwy (sealed) the longest distance is 261 km between Camooweal on the Qld border and Barkly Homestead in the NT.

The Sandover Hwy (unsealed) further south has more than 300 km.

On the road west of Boulia, it is 249 km on the Donahue Hwy to the border and Tobermorey. Although some maps indicate fuel availability and a campground, I read somewhere that Tobermorey doesn't offer these services anymore.

So you could end up with more than 400 km between Boulia and Jervois without any supplies. The Donahue Hwy is a very rough track, the Plenty Hwy across the border in the NT is often better, but still an unsealed road.

In these remote areas it is always good to check several sources to be sure that fuel supplies shown on maps and websites are still open, especially if your tank capacity is limited.

At the moment (April 2010), conditions in south west Qld, and elsewhere in central Australia are very wet. Rivers are flowing and flooding huge areas. Many roads are closed, or open to high-clearance 4 WD vehicles only.

Here's more advice and links where you can check road conditions in Qld and the NT.

The Stuart Highway (sealed) has a section of 252 km without fuel between Coober Pedy and Glendambo.

Yes, I would definitely say it is sensible, even essential, to take extra fuel with you.

Have a save and wonderful trip.

Rita

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