Another quite good site for a lot of info is below

http://www.australianexplorer.com/camping/caravanning_hints.htm

It is definitely worth a look especially for the beginner.

John

I haven't done the Savannah way as some of it is unsealed, and can be a rough road in the Qld section into NT.
I have done Emerald to Broome, and I'm planning to travel from Townsville to Hughenden, and west from there.
Road conditions are the only thing which really stops me making more adventurous journeys.
It's amazing country wherever you go out there.
I went west from Cairns on the Savannahlander rail motor which crosses the tablelands and ends at Forsayth, passing through some harsh, beautiful country with a lot of hidden secrets.
You'll have to find out for yourselves.
Cheers Granny

Mike47 wrote:

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I did the Outback Way in December, towing a Jayco Penguin "Outback" windup van. There are several sections you can divide it into:-

1. Laverton WA to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) - A reasonable dirt road, OK for caravans if you take it easy.

2. Kata Tjuta to Hart's Range NT - Bitumen

3. Hart's Range to Jervois Station. - Pretty rough dirt road - Take it real easy.

4. Jervois to Tobermorey (Qld Border) A MONGREL. Very rough, lots and lots and lots of washaways which are very difficult to see. Suggest a good speed would be 40-50 kph. Very tough on tyres - make sure you have two spares. Wouldn't do it again.

5. Tobermorey to Boulia - Pretty rough dirt road - Take it real easy.

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Trying to talk Wif into this hway on way back  from Cairns (probably Early, Mid Sept) but may just opt for the Olgas west.  Some good feedback so far, thanks. Will keep an eye on this posting in the hope of more info. Thanks for starting it tond.

Travelling around the top of the country from mid-September can be a very hot, dry experience. It's the time of the year when the build up to the monsoon season kicks in, and can be savage on the unprepared.
It's also the time of the year when the southerners who spend winter up north, head south again, because it gets too hot.
The other thing is, always ask the locals. Phone ahead to the local pub or caravan park for local conditions. Things change quickly out there.
I did the Gibb River Road through the Kimberleys a few years ago in a van marketed as "off road". It was a pop-top, and by the time we got to the western end, Willare Roadhouse, the roof was twisted, despite being clamped down and secure. We also had a few other mechanical challenges which my offsider and I repaired enough to get to Broome. A new axle on the van was one of them. Neither of us felt the blow out, and by the time we realised, the remaining rubber was the inside wall spinning around the axle all by itself. The wire was a work of art around the axle too. He's since installed blow out sensors on his new van.
Sometimes the risks are worth it, and sometimes they're not. You choose.
Cheers Chrissy

I agree with granny 100% when we did the top and the gibb river road we used a "purpose built chevy blitz" and also a modified nissan patrol with a heavy camper trailer and even that didnt come out unscathed, we did it first time about two weeks after the grader had been through and the second well into the dry season and oh boy that dust, the gibb river road itself is not bad at all something like a rough gravel road but the off shoots are the killers and are definately 4wd stuff, dont even think about in 2wd, you wont make it

take plenty of water ( 10 ltrs per person per day out there), at least two spare tyres as well as puncture repair kits and spares that would cover any eventuallity, allow double the normal fuel, if you make a mistake out there you will die, no second chances, dont muck around

ask the locals when was the last time the grader went through and what the conditions are like, tell the coppers that you are heading through and then let them know when you emerge from the other side

We are doing the Outback Way early July......laverton to Cairns looking foward to the trip