Road Conditions - Dirt Roads & River Crossings Mullewa to Murchison / Gascoyne Junction & Kennedy Range
Vic41 said
10:05 AM May 20, 2014
I have only included the roads I travelled on in May 2014 from Mullewa to Murchison and Gascoyne Junction (dirt and river crossings) and later from Gascoyne Junction out to Kennedy Ranges. There were also lots of washaways and deep gutters caused by water crossing the road.
I checked at Mullewa with the tourist bureau (who checked the main roads website for me also) immediately before I left and they told me the road to Murchison was open to 2WD. (Best to ring Murchison Shire direct, they are situated at Murchison Settlement).
After crossing the Grenough River (see the pic of the two mine vehicles coming across after me) and another crossing I came to a dirt road junction near Booroloo Station and there was a sign that said "Road Closed". No worries, they had a number listed there to ring for more info......however when I tried to ring it on my Telstra Next G mobile it said no service, so a satellite phone is needed.
By now I was quite a long way on my journey along this road (200 kms of dirt between Mullewa and Murchison) and was contemplating my next move when a cattle truck came up behind me and drove past the road closed sign. I immediately called him on my hand held two way on channel 40 and he told me he had checked with the mail delivery truck before he left and the driver said he had been on the road that morning as it was ok. So I decided to continue and arrived at Murchison Settlement. When I got there the roadhouse managers told me that the road was closed to 2WD only but ok for 4WD and trucks, but nothing to this effect was on the sign (I have a 2WD). After staying the night at Murchison Oasis Roadhouse/Caravan Park (great managers Geoff and Debbie) I continued on to Gascoyne Junction with no problems, albeit another couple of small crossings and washaways etc.
The road from Gascoyne Junction to Carnarvon is double bitumen (171 kms) and excellent, however the road from Gascoyne Junction to the Kennedy Ranges (50 kms) is dirt and you have to cross the Gascoyne River and also the Lyons river, so don't go out on the road until you have checked just before you leave with Gascoyne Junction Shire or Info Centre. If camped out at the Kennedy Ranges check with the camp hosts as to road conditions before you leave to return to Gascoyne Junction.
I have only included the roads I travelled on in May 2014 from Mullewa to Murchison and Gascoyne Junction (dirt and river crossings) and later from Gascoyne Junction out to Kennedy Ranges. There were also lots of washaways and deep gutters caused by water crossing the road.
I checked at Mullewa with the tourist bureau (who checked the main roads website for me also) immediately before I left and they told me the road to Murchison was open to 2WD. (Best to ring Murchison Shire direct, they are situated at Murchison Settlement).
After crossing the Grenough River (see the pic of the two mine vehicles coming across after me) and another crossing I came to a dirt road junction near Booroloo Station and there was a sign that said "Road Closed". No worries, they had a number listed there to ring for more info......however when I tried to ring it on my Telstra Next G mobile it said no service, so a satellite phone is needed.
By now I was quite a long way on my journey along this road (200 kms of dirt between Mullewa and Murchison) and was contemplating my next move when a cattle truck came up behind me and drove past the road closed sign. I immediately called him on my hand held two way on channel 40 and he told me he had checked with the mail delivery truck before he left and the driver said he had been on the road that morning as it was ok. So I decided to continue and arrived at Murchison Settlement. When I got there the roadhouse managers told me that the road was closed to 2WD only but ok for 4WD and trucks, but nothing to this effect was on the sign (I have a 2WD). After staying the night at Murchison Oasis Roadhouse/Caravan Park (great managers Geoff and Debbie) I continued on to Gascoyne Junction with no problems, albeit another couple of small crossings and washaways etc.
The road from Gascoyne Junction to Carnarvon is double bitumen (171 kms) and excellent, however the road from Gascoyne Junction to the Kennedy Ranges (50 kms) is dirt and you have to cross the Gascoyne River and also the Lyons river, so don't go out on the road until you have checked just before you leave with Gascoyne Junction Shire or Info Centre. If camped out at the Kennedy Ranges check with the camp hosts as to road conditions before you leave to return to Gascoyne Junction.